Friday, October 5, 2018

The Day the Earth Divides

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”

Zechariah 14:3–4

On July 11, 1927, a large earthquake centered near Jericho shook much of the land of Israel. Known as the Jericho Earthquake, it is estimated to have been more than a six on the Richter Scale. Damage across the entire region was widespread. In Jerusalem the effects were particularly severe, with hundreds of homes destroyed, and more than one hundred people killed. Parts of the ancient city walls fell, and there was severe damage to churches, synagogues, and mosques which had stood for hundreds of years. It took many years for all of the landmarks to be restored. Yet as serious as that earthquake was, it pales in comparison to what will happen when Jesus returns.

The Second Coming of the Lord will be very different from the first. The first time Jesus emptied Himself of His glory and lived humbly among men. When He returns, He is going to transform everything. This change will begin with the earth being reshaped, but it will extend across the globe. Jesus is not returning to negotiate and persuade—He is coming to rule. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The promise of the Lord’s return is that everything will be changed, and the world will be made new.