God’s prophetic announcement of judgment on sin is one of the most prominent themes in the Old Testament. The writing prophets, of course, carry the dominant message of “The Day Of The Lord” throughout their writings. That term usually refers to the time of all times when God’s justice is administered to an unjust world. The climactic message of Amos is that God’s judgment will even fall upon his own people, Israel & Judah for their sin. Yet, God never leaves his sinful people without hope. In chapter 9:14-15 He closed his prophecy with a message of hope. He says, “I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the LORD your God.”
One of my favorite verses is from another Old Testament prophet who also prophecied the judgment of God upon his own people, Judah. Jeremiah’s prophecy was the last before the destruction of Jerusalem took place along with the destruction of the temple. But God left his people with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you declares the lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The coming of the Lord is called “The Blessed Hope” of all believers in the New Testament. No matter what befalls us in life we have this hope. In Christ, our sins are forgiven and we can stand secure in our relationship with God. We as children of God have a great and blessed hope in the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. R. J. Morgan writes, “But, there are many who will find their destruction in that day. Christ is coming soon and we must be willing to lead them to new life in Jesus Christ. In this way, they will also be partakers of the blessed hope of Christ’s coming.”
Chuck
“…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13