“The LORD will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but the LORD will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.”

The Lamb of God is now the all conquering Lion of Judah. The Lord our God roars from Zion against His enemies. He has stayed his hand through the aeons of human history and now the day of grace is over for humankind. All who have trusted in him are safe and secure, kept by the covenant of grace until this final time. God thunders from the holy city of Jerusalem and the full weight of the the law and the penalty for sin that it brings, falls on the unrepentant. The still small voice that calls us to repentance and faith, is now replaced by the thunderings of the holy God against the destruction that has been meted against His creation as the result of human sin and rebellion. No more will the wrath of man militate against His holy commandments, but will praise Him in the destruction of the wicked.

The whole created order will shake and tremble at the sound of the mighty God. There will be no place to hide for the day of God’s mercy and grace is over. God will not tolerate the sin of the ungodly forever, but will bring every human soul into judgement for its lack of fear of Him and its avoidance of repentance.

But, the Lord is the refuge of His people. This is the message of comfort and encouragement to the people of God in this message from Joel and also in the book of Revelation. Both the thunderings of the law and judgment are related to us in these texts, but the clarion call is to courage and strength for the people of God, as the LORD Himself is their stronghold in this supreme day of trouble. God will be the eternal refuge of His people because of who He is and because of His many and precious promises. Not one soul will be left out of the eternal kingdom and the glory of the Lord will be revealed in the lifting up of His holy people who He has rescued from sin and death. This is the destiny of all those who belong to God. It is so high and lifted up, we are not permitted to see into the glories that will be ours, but we rejoice in hope and faith. And yet we do know something of these glories, because we walk with Him in His delightful presence each day and rejoice with increasing joy at the the blessings of the LORD.

“… But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.” But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

God has revealed His blessings to us In our personal lives and we experience His goodness and love to us every day. He gives insight into all those who love Him and we understand His ways and His heart. We do not know all that awaits for us in the coming kingdom, but we have the precious presence of the Lord Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit who ministers to us and teaches us.

Beloved, let is not be cast down about anything but rejoice in all that is kept for us and that will soon be revealed. Our Stronghold will keep us to the very end and lift us victorious in His great might.