Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger – Zephaniah 2:3.

Divine judgement is a major theme in the Prophets. Many of the prophets warned of the coming judgment, and many, like Jeremiah, paid a heavy price for faithfully passing on God’s warning; that if His people continually reject His law it would bring disastrous consequences on God’s chosen people. So many ministers are teaching on the love of God, but not the wrath of God. Even though God loves us, if we reject His laws, we will be judged with those that are known as the unbelievers.

Zephaniah was a prophet God chose to warn His people of the coming judgment upon the nation. Apostasy from the true faith was widespread. False religion was prevalent and justice was hard to find. Materialism dominated people’s lives just as it is today, and people turned from God to the god of the world. Satan is the god of this world, he’s influencing people by unbelief, religion, false doctrines, hypocrisy, fame, riches and busyness.

God hasn’t changed, His words remains the same, but the prophets aren’t speaking what God is saying to His people. Love has dominated the messages of the gospels, and yes, God does love everyone, His love is unconditional, but repercussion of denial and rejection of His written Word is disobedience and will cause the wrath of God to come upon His people. God speaking through the prophet, the Lord said, I will stretch out mine hand upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. God’s outstretched hand symbolized His preparation for punitive actions. Every man and woman in the land was to feel the weight of His hand!

Jesus’ return will be the day of the Lord’s judgment. He’s coming to get His church, the body of Christ those that has followed the written instructions of His Father. To follow Him is to seek righteousness in our lives, to be just in all our actions and seek to conform to His perfect standards. One must be humble in order to do this, acknowledging that God’s standards are to be accepted and sought rather than our own which are tainted by sin. The word Rapture does not occur in the English Bible, the idea is expressed in the words “caught up”. The Rapture is the first phase of Christ’s return, involving every Christian alive at that time. Christians will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds.

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so so shall we ever be with the Lord. – 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17

In order to be caught up, we must remain living according to the Word of God.

Everyone professing Christianity will not be caught up in the Rapture, only those who have submitted themselves to the written Word of God. Then shall the tribulations begin for those who are still live, but didn’t accept salvation.

For than shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. – Matthew 24:21-22

Through the tribulation, many will repent and accept salvation, this is why the days of tribulation will be shortened.

The Day of Judgment is coming to the earth, no one knows the day of Jesus’s return, but while we’re waiting for His return, we should be preparing ourselves, by reading and studying the Bible so that we will know what is required of us as Christians, and apply the instructions.