Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth (Zephaniah 1:18 NIV).
A sudden end! How terrifying that would be! Yet it is sure to come as definitely as the sun will rise. Wealth will not save any man on that day. The rich are called to weep and wail because of the misery that is going to come upon them.
Their wealth will rot and their gold and silver will get corroded because they have hoarded wealth in the last days (read James 5:1–3). The day of the Lord will bring swift destruction; especially on the wealthy.
A sudden end! God is a jealous God. There is a limit to His patience. When the time He has set gets over; He will act. The door of grace and mercy will be shut then; and the time given for repentance will be proclaimed, over.
Jesus warned us to be careful. He said that you will be pulled down under the weight of the anxieties of life if you are not watchful. Then the day of the Lord will close on you unexpectedly like a trap (read Luke 21:34). He further added that it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
A sudden end! It is going to be universal. Like when it happened during the days of Noah. The people of that time were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage; but then the flood came and destroyed them all (read Luke 17:26, 27).
Again at the time of Lot too it was like that. People were preoccupied with the daily and routine business of life that they had no time for God. But the end will come and then it is going to take many by surprise.
The end will be swift and complete. No one; not one, who neglects God, will escape judgment.
This prophecy speaks of a sudden end that is universal. But does it not have a personal application too? Think about it. Do you know when the summons of death will reach you?
Even while you are saying: “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry,” God is saying, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you” (read Luke 12:19, 20).
Are you prepared to meet God? What will you do if a sudden end is destined for you? Remember, there is no planning in the grave where you are going; but only rotting and then unlimited burning in the fires of hell.
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