Sixth Lesson of the Quarter: Holiness and Judgment

 The Holiness of God Part 6: Holiness and Judgment

This is Part 6 of a series on the Holiness of God. Each week we will study a different aspect of God’s holiness. When you have completed the series, you may experience a change in how you worship, speak, and pray.

Today's study is not on the Great White Throne Judgment as described in Revelations 20: 11-15. That judgment is reserved for unbelievers after the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This lesson is on God's Holiness and Judgment that He brings on earth to a rebellious and unrepentant people. This topic is contrary to most teaching today that only speak about the love of God. Yes, He is a God of love, but He is also the God that can destroy. 

Consider the following verses:

1. Genesis 7: 21: "And all flesh died that moved upon the earth...." This is the result when God flooded the earth in judgment because "...God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." God brought an end to the evil men, women, and children that lived on the earth.

2. Genesis 19: 24: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven." The cry of their sin had come unto the LORD, and He rained destruction on the Sodomites killing them.

3. Exodus 12: 12: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and I will smite (destroy) all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD." This is the first Passover. Most know the story. The children of Israel had been in bondage for over 400 years and the LORD was going to break down Pharaoh and set the Israelites free. Death of the firstborn would be the judgment on the Egyptians that God would use to bring deliverance. 

The above passages express the idea that the patience of God can come to an end. When it does, severe judgment will come. Why don't we hear this type of preaching anymore? It is because preachers are more concerned about their jobs than truth. They are concerned more with not offending anyone because they might leave and not give money. When is the last time you ever heard a minister say to someone, "Are you saved?" Or "I'm concerned about your soul." You should ask your pastor to tell you how they got saved. If you don't hear about Holy Spirit conviction, personal responsibility and blood redemption, you can safely assume that minster is not a converted man. 

Not too long ago I attended a church board meeting that involved the local church vote for the church board that would be in charge of the business of the church. I had suggested that each candidate give a word of their testimony. Here were some of the responses:

1. I joined the church when I was a young person and I have been a member for over 50 years.

2. I started coming to this church with my family and I have worked as a Sunday School teacher, trustee and I have faithfully supported this church for over 20 years.

3. We were at a revival and my wife went forward and I went with her.

4. My life was messed up with drugs and sex and I knew I needed a change. So, I went forward and gave my heart tm Jesus.

5. I asked Jesus into my heart when I said the sinner's prayer.

6. I made a decision for Jesus when I was at Vacation Bible School.

As you read those "testimonies" what is missing? Repentance, conviction of sin, being broken by the Lord are all evidence that someone has had a real conversion. My point is that many churches today really don't believe in anything but the love of God. There is no real fear for themselves or their lost loved ones. If you really believed the gospel, how might you speak to those who you know are not saved?

I conclude with several Bible verses on the destroying power of God:

Deuteronomy 9:3

Know therefore today that it is the Lord your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the Lord has spoken to you.

Lamentations 2:8

The Lord determined to destroy

The wall of the daughter of Zion.

He has stretched out a line,

He has not restrained His hand from destroying,

And He has caused rampart and wall to lament;

They have languished together.

Jeremiah 15:6

“You who have forsaken Me,” declares the Lord,

“You keep going backward.

So I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;

I am tired of relenting!

Isaiah 13:6

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near!

It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Zephaniah 1:15

A day of wrath is that day,

A day of trouble and distress,

A day of destruction and desolation,

A day of darkness and gloom,

A day of clouds and thick darkness

Ezekiel 5:14

Moreover, I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations which surround you, in the sight of all who pass by.

Joel 1:15

Alas for the day!

For the day of the Lord is near,

And it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

James 4:12

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

There are many more verses but the point is made. Time is at hand. We must preach the truth and not delay. I close with the story of how D.L. Moody delayed giving people the opportunity to be saved and told them to come back the next night. However, the Chicago fire broke out and many died, some who Moody had told to wait. Read the following except and don't delay to press the gospel to the lost:

 

D.L. Moody: The Great Fire and the Last Altar Call

3/26/2018

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The Great Fire of Chicago began about 9 pm Sunday, October 8, until early Tuesday, October 10, 1871.  This rapidly spreading fire killed approximately 300 individuals, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles Chicago, and left over 100,000 residents homeless.  This devastating fire would greatly impact the life of American evangelist D.L. Moody.

It is believed that the Great Chicago fire spread so quickly because wood was the main building material used in Chicago. This included the building frames, walls, shingles, and even the sidewalks.  To make matters worse, roofs that weren’t topped with wooden shingles were made of flammable tar.  Once the fire started, there were only 185 firefighters with 17 horse-drawn steam engines available to protect the entire city.  The firemen themselves were already worn out from fighting fires earlier in the week and were initially sent to the wrong location.
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Moody’s church was destroyed, as was his family’s home and the homes of many of his congregation.  Moody himself said that he was able to save nothing but his reputation and his Bible.  But there was a more disturbing aspect to the Great Chicago Fire that involved Moody, however. 

D. L. Moody held his usual service the Sunday evening the fire broke out.  At the close of the service, he asked his congregation to evaluate their relationship to Christ and to return the following week to make a decision.  This, he thought, would give them time to really think things over and result in a lasting decision.  He wanted to make sure that they were sure about accepting Jesus Christ, not wanting to pressure them into making a decision they wouldn't stick with.  Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?
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While Ira Sankey was singing the closing hymn, it was drowned out by the sound of fire trucks and church bells.  To his dying day, Moody regretted delaying their decision to the following Sunday.