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Jesus Christ as the Coming King, Glory, His Righteousness and Victory over Sin and False Religion.
Psalm 97:1-12 |
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Introduction: The Psalm is addressing the coming judgement and subsequent victory of the Lord over the devil and his forces. It will take place in the coming seven year Tribulation. Some look back in history and assume this is talking about some period in Israel’s history. But the statements in the Psalm are clearly of greater magnitude that anything in Israel’s past. In interpreting scripture we must take the words for their literal meaning. There are several statements made in this Psalm that make the scope of it more than just a local situation in David’s day or later. Most conclude the Chapter was written by David. It is the inspired word of God. It is a prophetic Psalm which assures the God’s and the believer’s coming victory over sin. 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 be glad. (V1) 1. If we look at current events and daily inroads the Devil is making in our society and around the world it looks like the battle is lost. ILLUS: In 1939 after Nazi Germany invasion of Poland both Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. However, between 1939-40 neither nation made any significance offensive against Germany and the period was call the Phoney War. Germany moved its armies and pushed the British and Allied troops to Dunkirk and surrounded them. They were within hours of being completely destroyed. For some unknown reason Hitler issued the "Halt Order" that stopped Germany forces from advancing for three days and that allowed the British to rescue 338,000 soldiers. It was a dark day for Britain. Until June 6, 1944 Britain, and its allies including America to turn the tide against Germany. At times things looked hopeless, as the Germany won almost every battle. But that changed after D Day an in May 7, 1945 Nazi. The Nazis with all their victories, and power were defeated. Clearly the forces of evil that seem to win every battle 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. During the time of Dunkirk, Winston Churchill and the British considered surrendering, but instead fought on against a powerful and determined enemy. Christians of today, must not be discouraged by the seeming continuing victories of Satan. He will be defeated and in God’s is already destroyed. 2. The multitude of the Isles in verse 1, plainly 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. B. "Clouds and darkness" are around the Lord. Darkness always represents sin and evil. (v2) It means that though the Lord reigns, there is still on earth sin and spiritual darkness. 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." 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. 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 sinful world seeing God’s power and wrath poured upon the earth will tremble in fear at the Lord’s judgment. 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) 3. Note how Peter describes the events of the Tribulation and the coming of the Lord that are mentioned in Psalm 97:3. "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) D. In Daniel’s 70the week, called the Tribulation the whole earth will see the power and might of Almighty God. (Verse 5-6) 1. The world will see that God controls the even the very elements as He unleashes the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl Judgments. 2. All the people on the earth will see His glory. That does not mean they will worship the Lord or turn to Him in repentance. It simply means they will see the Lord’s ultimate power and it will bring fear to them. 3. At the Lord’s coming they will see His glory and brightness that compares to lightening and tremble. The word tremble means to "twist, whirl, writhe in pain." 4. The hills melt like wax. (v5) This was foretold centuries before by Daniel. "Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. (Deuteronomy 9:3) 5. At His Second Coming the heaven will declare the righteousness. On earth men will know that God’s judgment is a right and just judgment against sin and those who reject God’s righteousness. (v6) 6. All the those what worship false religions will be "confounded" meaning "covered with shame" The word means to be disappointed but the word does not express the gravity of there disappointment. Men ignore and reject God’s word. The reject and ridicule Gospel preachers. In their pride they take great pride in their superior knowledge and the superiority of religion. ILLUS: I am many times been belittle, insulted, and looked down on because I am a fundamentalist. That means one who believes the Bible and holds it as God’s absolute truth, and the foundation of our faith and practice. I cannot say this did not hurt me, but mostly it made me sorrowful for the blindness of one who would deny God’s word. Can you even imagine the horror and terror that those who die trying in their false religions, false gods, and beliefs. Those who were faithful to their false religion that when they die they wake up in the torment of hell fire? Folks, we all should accept the reality that the lost when they die will go to hell. Those who reject God’s truth, who go so far as to deny hell, will wake up there, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:44) When they see the Lord’s power they know their empty idols cannot do anything and are powerless and they are condemned forever with no hope of deliverance.. III. Zion was glad. (Psalm 97:8-11) A. There is a great misunderstanding by many individuals, some claiming to be Bible scholars, and churches concerning the Tribulation. The Tribulation is the ending of the Old Testament period. Daniel prophesied there would be 490 years unto the coming of the Messiah. Daniel 9:26 foretold the Messiah would be cut off for His people which refers to His crucifixion and resurrection. History records that in God’s time table for Israel there remains 7 years as Jesus was cut off at 483 years. God stopped His prophetic clock when Israel rejected their Messiah, but it will begin again at the Rapture of all Christians since Pentecost when as Acts 2 records God instituted the local church. It is the Rapture that starts God clock and ends seven year later with Christ’s Second Coming. 1. Daniel 9:27 says that next the prince, who is the Antichrist, will confirm the covenant for one week, which means seven years which is the time period of the Tribulation. 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. 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. 1 Corinthians 15: proclaims "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15:55-56) 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) C. God’s people love the Lord and they hate evil. (V9-10) 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. They do not hate evil. Rather they embrace sin and enjoy it with no regard that Christ had to suffer for every sin will commit. D. Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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