Your men shall fall by the sword

Isaiah 3:25, 26 is describing the Day of the Lord. Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. This is a terrible 7 year period of God's wrath that will be visited upon the earth. Matt. 24:21 says For then there will be great tribulation. Such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time. No, nor ever shall be. Rev. chapters 4-20 describe the terrors of this 7 year time period.

As we move into Isaiah chapter 4 we see the starting of the millennium or one thousand year rule and reign of Christ on the earth.

Cloud of smoke

Verse 5 describes the cloud of smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night protecting the remnant Israel during that time. Reminiscent of the pillar of cloud that stood over the tabernacle in the wilderness of old.

In fact, the seventh major feast of the Jewish calendar depicts these events. The feast of booths or tabernacles looks back to when the Lord delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. He supernaturally cared for them in the wilderness during that time. The feast also looks forward to the one thousand year millennium when He will again protect His chosen remnant with cloud by day and a flaming fire by night!

Watch!

Believers won't experience this terrible time of tribulation on the earth. But we have to watch! Matt. 24:42 Watch for you do not know what kind of a day your Lord is coming. Matt. 24:44 You also must be ready. The son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect Him!

If we are ready when He comes we will enter into the 7 year marriage feast and escape the terrors of the tribulation period. Matt. 25:10 The bridegroom came and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast. And the door was shut.

Priests of God and Christ

We will return with Christ at the end of the tribulation period to rule and reign on earth for one thousand years. Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (marriage feast). On such the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In conclusion the good news is that as believers we don’t have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Hide in the rocks

Isaiah 2:10-12 Describes the Day of the Lord or 7 year tribulation period. Go into the rocks. Hide in the ground. Hide from the fearful presence of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!

11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low. The LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty. All that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

Hide in the caves and rocks

Rev. 6:15-17 also pictures this event. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,

16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Jesus says that this time on the earth will be like no other time in the past. There will be no time like it in the future. Matt. 24:21

How do we escape this event?

Jesus also says to pray that we would be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man so that in fact we would not have to suffer these things that will come to pass on the earth. Luke 21:36

Certainly we don’t have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God’s wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Where as Believers are not appointed to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? To conclude, we must Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Remnant

Isaiah 1:24-31 speaks of remnant restoration of Israel and the destruction of rebels and sinners during the tribulation period or the "Day of the Lord".

Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries. And take vengeance on My enemies.

25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.

26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."

27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.

28 The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together. Those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29 For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.

30 For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water.

31 The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

The Lord turns His hand in grace

In verses 25-27 the Lord turns His hand against His people in grace and purges the dross and takes away the alloy. All of the Lord's dealing with Israel has been with smelting away the dross. He has continued the removing of the tin (alloy).

Verses 28-31 describe the destruction of transgressors and sinners.

The Day of the Lord

The great tribulation or Day of the Lord will climax this process. It will produce a purified remnant who will enter the millennium one thousand year period where Jesus (Yeshua) will rule and reign. Jerusalem will be the capital of the earth at that time. Christian believers will rule and reign along side Jesus (Yeshua) during that time.

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (rapture). On such the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The Remnant

The Israeli remnant will be supernaturally delivered from the dragon (Satan) regardless of his attack against them. Rev 12:15-16 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman (Israel) by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

Good News

In conclusion the good news is that as believers we don't have to experience this terrible time on earth which is fast approaching. This will be a time of pouring out of God's wrath upon transgressors and sinners. Believers are not appointed to experience God's wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!

The Beast

In Esther chapter 3 we have a picture or a foreshadowing of the beast of Revelation. King Ahasuerus had promoted Haman and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. All were required to bow down and worship Haman as God. Mordecai, a Jew, would not bow down.

Jews would bow down before their kings as God's servants. But they would not bow before a king who claimed to be God. Mordecai's refusal to worship the king's representative would result in a decree for all Jews to be killed.

Jews will refuse to bow to the Antichrist, the beast of Revelation who will demand divine worship. Just as Haman was defeated in his plot to put away God's people so to will Satan be defeated in his last days attempt to set aside the divine program.

Satan is denied

Satan is thwarted in his attempt to destroy Israel. Rev. 12:15, 16 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman (Israel) by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

Satan is enraged at the woman (Israel) and turns his wrath upon the remainder of her descendants. Those who trust in Jesus. Rev. 12:17. The dragon or Satan gives his power to the beast who will wage war on God's holy people (the saints) and overcome them. This all happens during the Day of the Lord or seven year tribulation period. How do we escape this terrible time? Repent and trust in Jesus!

Believers are not appointed to God's wrath

The wrath of God is set against the ungodly and evil on the earth during the tribulation period. Believers are not to experience God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. How do we escape the day of the Lord (7 year tribulation period)? Repent and trust in Jesus!