Woe to the Unrighteous

Habakkuk 2:1-20 I will stand on the ramparts and learn what the Lord is saying to us. The Lord says: Write this down and make it clear for all to see; The prophecies await the appointed time, they speak of the time of the end and will not prove false. Though they delay, wait for it, all will surely come before too long.

The reckless will lack an assured future, while the righteous will live by being faithful.

As for the person who is proud, arrogant and treacherous; they will not win in the end, because they are as greedy as the grave. The nations and peoples follow in this error, but surely they will face ridicule and those who have ill-gotten gains will be scorned. Their debtors will suddenly rise up and the creditors will become victims, instead.
Those who have shed blood and inflicted violence to cities and have plundered nations, now; the rest of the world will plunder you.

Woe betide those who seek unjust gain, their schemes will bring dishonour and put their lives at risk.

Woe betide those who build their lives on crime and lies. Those nations labour for a pittance and their peoples exhaust themselves for nothing.

Woe betide those who make others drink the outpouring of God’s wrath, they will be filled with shame when it is their turn to face judgement.

Woe to those who seek guidance from idols or divinators, they are useless and of no value.

The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth be silent in His presence.
Reference: REB, NIV. Some verses abridged.

Bible prophecy does tell us what will happen ‘at the appointed time’. James 5:7-11; We Christians must stand firm in our faith, but the proud and arrogant peoples will be brought low. Psalms 5:5-6 While the godless face insecurity, those who discern the end times and understand the prophetic Word, will maintain their faith and live in quiet trust for a blessed future. Isaiah 30:15, Proverbs 3:5

In Noah’s day, God’s wrath came as a flood, but now we are told: the earth is reserved for burning…2 Peter 3:5-7 and in Deuteronomy 32:22 & 34-35 I have sealed up in My storehouse, a fire, set ablaze by My anger, waiting the Day of punishment and vengeance. Psalms 50:3-6, Jeremiah 25:15-38

It will be poured out upon all the world, Isaiah 2:12-21, Revelation 6:12-17, but especially onto the Middle East region. Psalms 83:1-8, Ezekiel 30:1-5, as the great and terrible Day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath, a C.M.E. sunstrike, that will be a world changing event. Huge numbers will be killed, Jeremiah 9:22, Isaiah 66:16 and as the survivors recover, they will form a One World government. Daniel 7:23-24, Revelation 17:12
Meanwhile, those who have kept their faith and trust in the Lord, Jeremiah 7:7-8, will be motivated to emigrate to the Holy Land, where they will settle and live peacefully. Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 107

Those who follow their own lusts and desires will ‘lack an assured future’, that is they may survive the forthcoming fire judgement, but must face the Great Tribulation. On the other hand, the righteous will live under the care and protection of the Lord. Amos 9:13-15, Isaiah 24:4, Jer. 33:12-13, Colossians 1:11-12

The attack by Gog and his horde, is an interlude before the GT, where the Lord demonstrates His power to His faithful people in the Holy Land. Joel 2:20

The Shekinah Glory will return to the new Temple, in Jerusalem. Ezekiel 43:2 Then, after all that is prophesied in Revelation, from 6:12 to 19:10; has taken place: Jesus will Return to reign for 1000 years.

timothyu said:

Which leaves the question, what are we doing now to fulfil God's will.

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We are simply told to be patient; James 5:7-11
But when the terrible Day comes, and it surely will; Ezekiel 33:33, be prepared to keep strong in your faith and trust in the Lord for His protection.

ozso said:

Wasn't the terrible day that Ezekiel spoke of the Babylonian Captivity c. 586 BC?

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The conquest and exile to Babylon of Judah, bears no relation to the vividly described Prophesies of the Day the Lord will arise to correct the world, now in the same state as it was in the days of Noah. The forthcoming Sixth Seal worldwide disaster.

timothyu said:

I agree, but we are also told to put the Kingdom into practice, acting in servitude to the Father and each other in need.

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It is a given, that we do that to the best of our ability.
The unfortunate fact is; that most Christians are sadly unaware of what God has informed us thru His Prophets, of what He intends to do before Jesus Returns. And what He requires of us during that time.

What will you do at the time of the end?
Jeremiah 5:1-2 Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note, search for anyone who acts justly or one who seeks the truth – that I might forgive that city. People may swear by the Lord, but in fact they perjure themselves.
Is it possible to find anyone there today, acting in Godly truth and justice?

Jeremiah 5:3 Go; You look for righteousness. You have punished Your people, but they took no heed and refused to learn. They hardened their hearts and would not repent of their sins.
Israel and Judah, punished by their exiles, but they still don’t truly repent.

Jeremiah 5:4-5 The Lord thought; these are only the common people, those that don’t know the Laws of their God. I will go to their leaders and teachers, they should know the right ways. But, they too, have gone away from the right path and no longer keep the Laws or trust the Lord.
Jeremiah 5:6-9 So they will be struck down by disaster, for their rebellious deeds and apostasies are beyond counting. Why should I forgive them for this? Your children have forsaken Me, with idols and adulteries. Shall I fail to punish them for this? I will exact vengeance on these people.

Jeremiah 5:10-13 Prune the vine, lop off the branches, for they are not the Lord’s. Faithless are Israel and Judah, both faithless to Me, they both deny their God, saying: He does not see or care – no harm will come to us, we won’t see war or want. The prophets just spoke empty words, meaningless wind. Therefore, because they talk this way, I shall make My words a fire in your mouth and it will burn up these people like brushwood.
Apostate, atheistic Judah, the Jewish people, and Israel, the Western peoples, are still similar to their ancestors. The clear prophetic warnings were ignored then and are ignored now. The ‘burning’ did not happen then, still future.

Jeremiah 5:14-19. I am bringing against you a distant nation, of mighty warriors, they will conquer you and destroy cities. But in those days, I shall not make an end of you. When you ask; Why has the Lord done this to us? You will say; it was because we forsook our God, so we must serve foreigners and live in another land.
In ancient times Assyria conquered Israel then Babylon conquered Judah. Judah has returned and now the decreed punishment by exile of the 10 Northern tribes of the House of Israel, is nearing completion. Ezekiel 4:4-6

Jeremiah 5:20-25 Proclaim this to the people of Israel and Judah: Listen you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see nothing, ears and hear nothing. Do you not fear your Maker and tremble before Me? But My people have a defiant and rebellious heart. They have rebelled and gone their own way. They did not acknowledge how the Lord gives the rain and their prosperity. Their wrong doing has upset natures order and their sins have kept away her bounty.

Jeremiah 5:26-31 For among My people there are scoundrels, who lay traps and prey upon others, They grow rich and fat, by turning a blind eye to wickedness. Shall I fail to punish them for this? There is an appalling outrage in this Land. Prophets prophesy lies, the Rabbis and priests rule by their own authority – that is the way the people like it. What will ye do in the end thereof? Isaiah 51:1-8, Revelation 22:6-7
Reference; REB, NIV, KJV. Some verses abridged.

2 Esdras 7:45-56 On the Day of judgement, there can be no mercy for those who have lost their case and no reversal for those who have won. Ezra replied: But Lord, how much better it would be if Adam had been restrained from sinning. O Adam; what have you done? What good is the hope of eternity, in the wretched and futile state to which we have become?
You say that God will save those who lead pure lives, but what of the many who fail to attain that standard and give no thought to what is in store after death.

2 Esdras 7:57-61 This is the thought for every person to keep in mind during the battle of life: Moses, in his time said to the people: “Choose life, that you may live”. But they believed neither him, or the prophets sent after him.
There will be no sorrow over their damnation, but there will be joy for the salvation of those who have believed and obeyed God’s commands.

2 Esdras 7:62-70 I know that God is merciful and compassionate. Without His forgiveness, there could be no hope for this worlds inhabitants. He is our Judge and unless He blots out our countless offences, there would be very few who could be spared. The angel replied: God has made this world for many, the next world for but a few. It is the same with the earth, plenty of clay, not much gold – many have been created, but only a few will be saved. Romans 9:22-23

2 Esdras 8:19-39 This is the prayer offered by Ezra, before being taken up to heaven: O Lord, You inhabit eternity, everything belongs to You.....We and our fathers have lived evil lives, yet it is on account of us sinners that You are called merciful. What is man, that You should be angry with him? The truth is, no one who was ever born is entirely innocent of sin. God will have joy in the salvation of those who trust Him

2 Esdras 8:59-62 Yours, then will be the joys I have predicted.
It is not that the Most High has wanted any person to be destroyed, but those He created, brought dishonour onto their Creators Name and show ingratitude to the One who put life within their reach. That is why My judgement is prepared and ready.. I have not made this known to all, only to you and a few like you.

2 Esdras 9:1-6 My Lord, tell me when the last days will be.
Watch carefully, you will see that some of the signs predicted have already passed, then you will understand that the time is near for God to begin to judge the world that He has created. When the world becomes the scene of earthquakes, insurrections, plots among the nations, unstable governments and panic among rulers, then the end of the age as prophesied, draws near. The times that God has determined; the beginning is marked by portents and miracles, the end by manifestations of power.

2 Esdras 9:7-8 All who come safely through and escape destruction, thanks to their good deeds and faith they have shown, will survive the dangers I have foretold and witness the salvation I shall bring to My Land, the territory I have set apart from all eternity as My own. The just will be saved, the world is theirs and for their sake it exists. Romans 2:9-11
Reference: REB Apocrypha. Verses abridged.