God's Glory, Righteousness and Victory in the Coming Tribulation
Psalm 97
by Cooper Abrams
In interpreting scripture we must take the words for their literal meaning. There are several statement made in this Psalm that make the scope of it more than just a local situation in David's day or later. The Septuagint (LXX) the Greek translation of the Old Testament gives David as the author and we know it is the inspired word of God. It is a prophetic Psalm which offers hope to the righteous of God's coming victory.
2. The multitude of the Isles refers to the whole earth. There were no physical islands in Israel. In Genesis 10, the word "isles" refers to groups of people. It is used in Isaiah 40:15, and refers to lands or countries. The phrase in Psalm 87 is "multitude of isles" meaning numerous peoples or nations.
3. Thus the truth that the Lord reigns should cause all people to rejoice.
2. God therefore reigns with righteousness and judgment. This is a warning and also a statement of hope. God will prevail because He is both righteous and just. He will uphold what is right and will give the unrighteous their just reward.
2. This is a future scene that will take place in the Tribulation. The Lord's judgment comes as lightening and "enlightens" the world. Note the parallel to the Tribulation which is coming.
"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:12-17)
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:10-12)
2. All the people on the earth will see His glory. That does not mean they will worship the Lord or turn to Him, it simply means they will see the Lord's ultimate power.
3. They are confronted who worship idols. It means they are put to shame. When they see the Lord's power they know their empty idols cannot do anything and are powerless.
2. The Lord will once again begin to work with Israel. 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes shall be saved and sealed. They shall go out into the world preaching first to the Jew and then to the Gentile. Millions will believe and be saved.
3. Israel will finally recognize their Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. The Jews will finally accept God's salvation and the blindness caused by their sins and rejection will be removed.
4. God will be gathering the nation unto Himself in preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus and of His setting up the promised Millennial reign.
2. A remnant of Jews will survive the Tribulation people and will not be killed. All who believe and put their trust in Jesus Christ will be preserved and delivered out of the hand of the devil, his puppet the Antichrist and the false prophet. (V10)
ILLUS: When Bill Clinton was reelected President it was a dark day for this nation. He was clearly an immoral man and a blatant liar. Yet, the Southern Baptists and other such groups bragged about voting for him and the SBC vote was for a large part responsible for his reelection. They claim to know the Lord...yet they actions show what they truly are.
Today, in this election James Dobson, Jay Sekulow, Bob Jones III, Tom Monahan, Laura Ingram, all prominent people who claim to be Christians are supporting Mitt Romney for president. For these people money is more important that doing what is right. True Christians do not support pagan religions.
D. Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.
2. When something is sown there is also a time or reaping. The reaping of the result of righteousness and gladness will be seen at the Second Coming the sequent Millennium which follows.
2. The righteous can rejoice and give thanks at the remembrance of God's holiness. That means God is totally separated from evil and those who become the children of God will also become holy...separated eternally unto the Lord.
It is always encouraging to receive email from those who find the messages helpful, or who have comments.
I. The Psalm begins speaking of God's judgment. Psalm 97:1-7
A. The first truth stated is that the Lord reigns and because He does the earth should rejoice. (V1)
III. Zion was glad. (Psalm 97:8-11)
1. Clearly the forces of evil will not prevail and because of this fact the earth can rejoice in the knowledge that God will one day end the devil's reign.
B. "Clouds and darkness" are around the Lord. Darkness always represents sin and evil. It means that though the Lord reigns, there is still on earth sin and spiritual darkness. (V2)
1. This interpretation is confirmed by the next statement in this poetic Psalm. It states in different words the meaning of the preceding phrase. "righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne."
C. Verse 3, confirms this truth. In His righteousness and judgment fire goes out from Him and consumes His enemies.
1. Verse 4-7, observes that the world sees God's judgment and trembles in fear.
D. In Daniel's 70the week, called the Tribulation the whole earth will see the power and might of Almighty God. (Verse 5-6)
3. Note how Peter describes the events of the Tribulation and the coming of the Lord.
1. The world will see that God controls the even the very elements as He unleashes the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl Judgments.
A. There is a great misunderstood by many individuals, some claiming to be Bible scholars, and churches concerning the Tribulation. The Tribulation is the ending of the Old Testament period. At 483 years and Daniel stated the Messiah would be cut of for His people. (Dan. 9:26)
1. Daniel 9:27 says that next the prince will confirm the covenant for one week, which means seven years which is the time period of the Tribulation.
B. Judah will see the Lord, high above the whole earth and that only He is God. Thus they shall reject their false gods and idols. (V9)
1. During the Tribulation the Antichrist will rage war against God and God's saints on earth. He will kill millions of believers, but that does not mean they are defeated. Death only ushers them into the presence of the Lord.
C. God's people love the Lord and they hate evil. (V9) Many claim to be saved and profess to be Christians, but for some it is clear they do not know the Lord. Their lives show they do not love the Lord, nor do they hate evil.
1. The word "sown" means to spring forth and be scatted abundantly. God has revealed to us His truth. There is no reason for anyone to be ignorant of the ways of God or of His salvation.
Conclusion:
1. This is a prophet Psalm that strengthens our faith and knowledge of the surety of the defeat of evil and they victory that comes to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
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