JUDGMENT

“For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain!" (Isa. 26:21 NKJV).

Here in our verse, Isaiah is again speaking judgment. Thus we want to note the certainty of judgment, the court of judgment, the character of judgment, the cause of judgment, and the cognizance for judgment.

Certainty of judgment – “For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth.” Whenever the Scripture predicts judgment, you can mark it down as a great certainty. The Word of God gives absolutes, not opinions. Divine judgment is not a ‘perhaps’ but a ‘certainty.’ We can prepare for it or pay a terrible price.

Court of judgment – “The Lord cometh.” The judgment being spoken of here is Divine judgment. It is about the court of God, and not the court of men. If there is a judgment to fear and prepare for, it is the judgment which occurs in the court of God.

Character of judgment – “Punish.” Divine judgment does not overlook sin; it punishes sin. The word here for “punish” means to intervene, to inspect, to record. This means that this judgment is fair. God will number our sins and bring judgment accordingly.

Cause of judgment – “To punish . . . for their iniquity.” Sin is the cause of judgment. It makes no difference whether sin is popular or has been approved by men. All sin will be punished by God.

Cognizance for judgment – “The earth also will disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.” Some folks are successful in covering up their sins for a while. However, Divine judgment will expose every sin that people have committed. And unlike the courts in our society, there will be no such things as suppression of evidence in the Divine court. Everything will be exposed. “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (Matt. 10:26).

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A God of all mercy would be a God unjust!”

Anonymous Word Study

Discipline (sound mind)

In 2 Tim. 1:7 we read, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV).

Discipline (sound mind) is the Greek word sōphronismos (σωφρονισμός = so-fron-is-mos'). It is made up of two words: “sozo” which means save, and “phren” which means mind. Thus the word literally means a saved or a sound mind. Such a mind is secure, sound and carries the additional idea of being self-controlled, disciplined, and is able to stay in control in success or failure. It is the opposite of a mindset that is predisposed to excessive self-indulgence or lack of good sense.

In classical Greek sōphronismos Greek carriers the idea of a sense of good judgment, improvement, moderation, self-control. There is no reference to sōphronismos in the Septuagint. In the New Testament sōphronismos signifies self-control or self-discipline in the sense of not being shaken by the intimidation. This kind of self-discipline only comes from continuous reliance on the grace that God gives to individuals who trust Him implicitly (unconditionally and unreservedly).

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will be the Judge (Isa. 45:23)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 5:22; Rom. 14:11

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus cleanses from sin (1 John 1:9).

Bible Quiz

According to Proverbs, feeding a hungry enemy and giving a thirsty enemy a drink will be like doing what?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to the Book of Revelation who was found “worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (Rev. 5:5).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Sadder but wiser”

“For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Eccl. 1:18 NKJV).

“Sadder but wiser” - The expression “sadder but wiser” carries the idea of knowledge through sadness. The more knowledge one gains, the more we seek knowledge and wisdom, the more ignorant we know we are. Further, wisdom and experience will not solve every problem. However, the wisdom that God gives is in Jesus Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).

Did You Know – Christian History

If you were a Swedish immigrant to America in the 1850s and 1860s and stood near a Swedish Baptist, chances are you would be asked the question, “My friend, are you saved?” The curious thing about it was that the Swedes came out of the Lutheran tradition rather than the Baptist. Baptist views were not even introduced into Sweden until 1847, and that was by a sailor named Gustavus Schroeder. Further, Schroeder was converted in a Methodist Church in the U.S.! However, before returning home, he encountered a group of Baptists, was convinced by their teaching and was baptized by them. He shared his testimony with fellow Swedes.

In his capacity as a lay leader, Gustaf traveled to America in 1850 to provide spiritual instruction for a group of Swedish Pietist immigrants. In Galesburg, Ill., he saw first-hand a Baptist revival. The power of the event convinced him to become a Baptist.

Galesburg is not far from Rock Island, Ill. It is a booming town on the Mississippi River. Gustaf witnessed and preached in Rock Island and soon formed a small following of converts.

On August 8, 1852, Gustaf baptized three converts in the Mississippi River at Rock Island, thus forming the Swedish Baptist Church which later became known as the Baptist General Conference. They consider this the date at which their denomination came into being.

Gustaf did not remain in America long but when he left, he left behind him a legacy of souls who were fired up to share the gospel. They boldly asked those whom they met if they were saved.

Gustaf also compiled a hymnal which was used on both sides of the Atlantic. Along with Frederick Olaus Nilsson and Anders Wilberg, he is considered one of the three most influential founders of the Baptist General Conference. By 1980 it had over 125,000 members.

A Little Humor

Two little boys were best friends at church, but they both had a reputation for getting into trouble. One Sunday, one of the boys was home sick, but the other boy, not wanting to let his friend down, was twice as bad as normal. As he was running through the sanctuary after church, the pastor grabbed him and angrily said, “Where’s God?” The little boy was frightened and didn’t know what to say. The pastor continued, “I want you to go home and think about it and I don’t want you to come back until you can tell me where God is.” The boy went home and called his sick friend on the telephone. “Guess what,” he said. “They’ve lost God, and they’re trying to blame that one on us, too.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“If you live wrong, you can’t die right!”