So many wicked leaders of this world take refuge in lies, deception, fraud, corruption and deceit.
You out there who think you are more clever, more powerful than the LORD, this is the WORD of the LORD to you:
Hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers!
Hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.
Now stop your mocking or your chains will become heavier.
Listen and hear My voice; pay attention and hear what I say!
This is what the Holy One of Israel says:
Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think ‘Who sees us?’, ‘Who will know?’.
Because you have rejected God’s message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found!
The LORD will rise up!
He will rouse Himself.
His many enemies will become like fine dust, the ruthless hordes like blown chaff!
The ruthless will vanish!
The mockers will disappears!
All who have an eye for evil will be cut down!
The LORD will cause men to hear His majestic voice and will make them see His arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire. His breath is like a rushing torrent.
HE SHAKES THE NATIONS IN THE SIEVE OF DESTRUCTION.
HE WILL RISE UP AGAINST THE HOUSE OF THE WICKED, against those who help evildoers.
Their stronghold will fall because of terror, declares the LORD, Whose fire is in Zion, Whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
The sinners are terrified, trembling grips the godless; they say:
Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?
Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?
Come near, you nations and listen; hear and pay attention you peoples!
Let the earth hear and all that is in it, the world and all that comes out of it!
THE LORD IS ANGRY WITH ALL NATIONS; HIS WRATH IS ON ALL THEIR ARMIES.
HE WILL TOTALLY DESTROY THEM; HE WILL GIVE THEM OVER TO SLAUGHTER.
Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will send up a stench; the mountains will be soaked with their blood.
All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll.
All the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs form the fig tree.
For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.
(Selections from Isaiah – Chapters 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34)
I WILL PUNISH THE WORLD FOR ITS EVIL, THE WICKED FOR THEIR SINS.
I WILL PUT AN END TO THE ARROGANCE OF THE HAUGHTY AND WILL HUMBLE THE PRIDE OF THE RUTHLESS.
I WILL MAKE MAN SCARCER THAN PURE GOLD, MORE RARE THAN THE GOLD OF OPHIR. THEREFORE I WILL MAKE THE HEAVENS TREMBLE; AND THE EARTH WILL SHAKE FROM ITS PLACE. (Isaiah 13:11-13)
With an overwhelming flood the LORD will make an end of His enemies.
He will pursue His foes into darkness.
Whatever they plot against the LORD, He will bring to an end.
They will be consumed like dry stubble. (from Nahum 1:8-10)
Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be cut off and pass away. (Nahum 1:12)
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. (Psalm 34:16)
Evil men will be cut off! (Psalm 37:9)
The LORD laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming. (Psalm 37:13)
The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:15-17)
Man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled!
The LORD alone will be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:17)
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the dread of the LORD and the splendor of His Majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. (Isaiah 2:19)
There is NO wisdom, NO insight, NO plan that can succeed against the LORD! (Proverbs 21:30)
THE LORD ALMIGHTY IS THE ONE YOU ARE TO REGARD AS HOLY.
HE IS THE ONE YOU ARE TO FEAR.
HE IS THE ONE YOU ARE TO DREAD! (Isaiah 8:13)
The LORD has spoken.
AMEN.