Prophetic future

[mckerras]

Prophetic future
It was not the intention of God, to give His prophets a clear, instantly understandable message. To have done that would have revealed His plans to all and sundry.
We can never fully ascertain God’s ultimate design for His creation, although it is clear that he does want those who believe in Him and trust to His salvation, to be aware of coming events. We are told to trust Him and hold fast to our faith, but to do that in the midst of sudden and shocking events, without some idea of the outcome of such events, and then it is so much more difficult for us.
Therefore, because God HAS given us the information we need to know about the future, then it is a serious error to ignore it, to fail to gain some understanding or to think that death will take us away from it all.

It must be obvious, to anyone who reads the news, that the current world situation is nearing unsustainability, in terms of resources and population. But the flash point and the focal point of God’s plan, is the Middle East. God has not, in the past 63 years, allowed Israel to be conquered and He will not allow that to happen now. Although there will be another judgement upon the Jewish people, they will eventually be forgiven and restored. Ezekiel 16:59-63.
Many prophecies tell of God’s fire judgement, this has not happened as yet, His first judgement was by flood. This coming Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath, is described as a terrible day of fire and sword. It will be a Day “when the heavens blaze” 2 Peter 3:12,
“burning like a furnace” Malachi 4:1, “raining fiery coals” Psalm 11:4-6, “fire like a whirlwind, many will be killed” Isaiah 66:15-17, “suddenly, in an instant....flames of devouring fire” Isaiah 29:5-6.
But the verse that tells us exactly how God will act on that day is Isaiah 30:26a- The moon will shine as bright as the sun and the sun will shine with 7 times its normal power.
This accurately describes a solar flare, something that does happen in a small way on a regular basis. In the past there have been larger coronal mass ejections [CME sunspots] but scientists warn of the possibility/probability of a massive CME, that in our modern age of communications, transport and conveniences, would have a devastating effect.

Now, note the second half of Isaiah 30:26b... on that Day, the Lord will bind up the broken limbs of His people and heal their wounds.
This is a wonderful promise to His people, those who love the Lord and follow in His laws, righteous Israel. Many, many prophecies tell how His people will be conveyed and gathered into the Land of Greater Israel after this Day of judgement. This day and the gathering are quite different from that described at the return of Jesus - years later.
Isaiah 52:6-12 On that day, My people will know My Name.....go out leave Babylon, keep yourselves pure, the Lord will guard and guide you.
Ezekiel 28:25-26 When I execute judgement on all of Israel’s scornful neighbours, then My people, all the Israelites, gathered from the nations, will live in peace in the Land, I shall show My holiness in them for everyone to see. [Before Jesus Returns]
Ezekiel 20:41-42 I shall accept you....after I have brought you out from the peoples where you have been dispersed, into the Land promised to your forefathers.
Ref: REB. (verses abridged)

[mattfivefour]

Good summary. But i might add that God's Wrath will end with more than "a Day 'when the heavens blaze' 2 Peter 3:12," In verse 10 of that book, the Holy Spirit tells us through Peter that "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." And then in verse 11 and 12 (part of which you quoted) He says, "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!" The repetition shows that god wants us to truly understand that THE PRESENT WORLD WILL BE DESTROYED! But, according to the time-line given in Revelation, that will be after the Millenial reign of Jesus Christ. And what is the promise subsequent to that event? "According to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13) Not just new heavens and a new earth ... but a new creation ... "IN WHICH RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS!" Oh what a precious promise!!! A promise made even richer by the Greek word translated "dwells". It is κατοικέω (katoikeo, pronounced kat-oy-KEH-oh) an intensified form of the verb "to dwell". In its intensified form it means "to permanently be settled in", "to permanently abide"! Hallelujah!!! Righteousness shall reign ... forever! And we will evermore be free from the presence of sin!!! Just as we are now from the penalty of sin.

[mckerras]

Well, perhaps I should not have quoted 2 Peter 3:10, but how do you reconcile the first sentence of that verse with the events at the end of the Millennium? He comes as thief then? after being on earth for 1000 years? Actually I believe that prophecy is a dual one, part to be fulfilled very soon, with the coming judgement on the Middle east and later- a new heavens and a new earth.
What I feel compelled to point out, is how the Lord will act against His enemies as described in Psalm 83.
We can now see this alliance of nations coming together, so prophecy is happening as we watch.
Note in Deuteronomy 32:34-35 how God has His punishment stored up 'until His enemies foot slips '.
Foot slips= make a mistake. Their mistake will be to attack Israel.

[mattfivefour]

He doesn't come, the day comes. In other words it will be unexpected at that time and sudden, without warning.

The sequence of many eschatological verses can be confusing. But of this I am certain—all Scripture taken together reveals that God does not re-create the earth until the end of all things: ie, following the Millennial reign.

I agree that we are seeing prophecy unfold, and judgment WILL come as written.