in that day

Today, there's a cry going forth from the heart of our Lord: Do you love Me as I truly am? Do you love all that I am? Do you want all of Me? And will you stand with Me when it all comes down with Me?

There are places in God that only a few ever reach out for. It's the unpopular corners of God, the neglected attributes of His personality, the abandoned and sometimes even rejected traits of who He is. Ghost towns all, not because there is no treasure to be found there, but because a superficial looks that most of us put in, just doesn't uncover the wealth hidden beneath the soil of prejudices and misconceptions.

The subject of God's judgment.......His wrath, if you will, is clearly one of those abandoned places. Few deem it wise or necessary to think about the wrath of God. Instead of it being one of His excellencies we get to savor, in most of today's Church it's rather treated like a deficiency in His being, something we feel the need to apologize for.

The wrath of God has been widely misunderstood, misrepresented and neglected. Many exalt God as Father, King, Friend and Lover.......yet, few ever love Him for being the bringer of justice, and judgment. Few ever preach about that, leaving the Church with a lack or false understanding.......most try to banish their fears by trying to annul any aspect of God's wrath, entirely under the banner of 'grace'. On top of that it's far from being politically correct.

But regardless of how the world's unredeemed definition of political correctness defies the subject of God, more saddening is what happens within many parts of the Church. Unpopular aspects of God's character are strategically neglected. God Most High is treated like a three year old treats her lunch meal, eating only what she likes, leaving the rest on the plate. While they love some parts of Him, they simultaneously express that other parts of His being are, apparently, beneath them.......unworthy of their love.

This personal revelation of God within us.......a God-given living understanding of who He truly is and all that He is.......would cause our hearts to burn with God's own passion. What this means is that every aspect of His being, when viewed through the Spirit, will cause our hearts to abound in love for Him. And the measure of depth, height, length and width we want to seek in the knowledge of God, will define the measure of depth, height, length and width with which we can and will love Him back.......if we reject aspects of His being, we actually reject levels of love in Him. If we neglect aspects of His being, we refuse greater measures of depth in our relationship with Him.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't want to stop at just the popular and convenient attributes of God. In my search for the depths of the knowledge of God.......that's like going out for a swim, and stopping in the wading pool.......I can't do that.......my desire is to know Him intimately and my dream is to love Him completely, and I don't want to spare the corners of God that only a few ever visit. Who am I to cherry pick on the character of my Creator?

But there is more to it than deeper levels of love for God. Amidst all the distortion and reduction in today's society, our Father is seeking lovers.......worshipers who would worship Him in the truth of who He is.......all of who He is. Our Lord; our Heavenly Father, is looking and yearning for those that love Him for who He really is, not just what they want Him to be.......people who would be with Him where He is.......one with Him, in every area. Today the cry of His heart is: Where are ones, who, like Moses, like David, like Paul, would love Me for who I really am.......and for all that I am?

This is the question of the hour: Do we love God for who He is.......and all that He is? Do we wholeheartedly agree with ALL of His being; worshiping His fires of justice, just as much as the warm glow of His mercy.......His judgments, just as much as His love? Do we want to know God as He really is? Or do we pick and choose at His character, selecting the aspects that we like best, and casting aside those that we don't like.......or, in a word, do we let God be God.......or is it us, who want to take over.

Jesus is yearning for people who would love Him for who He really is. Will He find us? Can we be this people? Will we be these people?

Many were shocked, disappointed and offended at His first coming. More will be shocked, disappointed and offended at His second coming. The great falling away hasn't simply happen because evil has abounded, but also because people have refused to look unto our Lord for all that He truly is. If we don't get to know the real Him, we too, are likely to get offended, and, perhaps, turn away, or turn to another, with the voice of silk that we prefer. It's a most dangerous place to be in, and we shouldn't underestimate the dire implications.......as it is written.......

"Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

When He returns I don't want to be shocked nor surprised when I look into His eyes that burn like flames of fire, when I see His zeal, and how far His love will go. I want to look into His eyes and discover the God that I've gotten to know and loved all along. I want what I see to be in perfect alignment with what I have believed, enjoyed and worshiped all along.

In Isaiah 63 we find an illustration of a most terrifying end-time scene. We see our Risen Lord returning and restoring His justice and His holiness on this planet. His garments will drip with the blood of His enemies. It is in this context that Isaiah prophesies the words of the Messiah.......

Isa 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment.

Isa 63:4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.......

How many speak, or fall in love with this side of Jesus? How shocked will they be when this scene unfolds, right in front of our very eyes?

Twice in the Book of Revelation this scene is referenced. First in Rev 14:19-20, talking about angels gathering the rebellious to throw them into the wine press of the wrath of God, just before chapter 15 introduces the seven last plagues of the wrath of God. The second reference we find in Rev 19:15, embedded into a most glorious description of the glory of the God-Man, His vengeance being part of that glory.

In the context of these scenes we find believers, the end-time bride. What are they doing? Are they crying like babies.......shocked, and ashamed at the Lamb of God that returns as the Lion of Judah? Are they offended at Him? Are they telling Him to calm down; be more politically correct; more of a team player? Are they just standing by, not knowing what to say? No, I say, they will not.......as it is written.......Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

In the midst of the most severe judgment this planet will ever see, the saints cry out in highest praises. We find the people of God in wholehearted agreement with God and all of His ways, boldly proclaiming that all His judgments are marvelous - not just ok, but glorious. They are far from being offended. Their burning hearts of love are overflowing in affection, praise and worship. Their hearts are one with Him, and no one, and nothing, can quench their allegiance to Him.

My vision goes beyond not being offended. In that day, I don't just want to be unoffended at God. I don't just want to be not shocked. No, I want to be in unreserved, wholehearted agreement with all His ways, motives, purposes, character and emotions. When He returns, I want my heart and my lips to be ready to embrace Him fully, and more than that, to join the angels and all of the saints in worship of His magnificent return.

I want to clarify that I'm not exalting severe judgment and violent vindication here.......it will be a terrible, even frightening time; but what I want to make a stand for here is that unreserved devotion to my Lord, and full agreement with all that God is and all that He does.......this should live within all of us. I want, in these times, to boldly uphold that everything about Him is perfect and beautiful and glorious and most worthy of all of my love and affection.......even unto a most better end.

We need to see and love our Lord; and our Heavenly Father for all that He is, not just those attributes of Him that we find convenient, nice, or that are culturally accepted. We as believers can't just cherry-pick His character and select what we like. We have neither the wisdom, the right, nor the moral integrity to judge God, or His ways.

In that day, I want to be part of a Bride that is neither shocked nor offended at God, but in wholehearted agreement and loving adoration of the Lamb. I want to be one of those who know their God and who have known all along that He is like that - that He is the kind and tender Lamb but also the zealous and mighty Lion. I want to be one of those who stand with Him, no matter what, who are in agreement with all of His character, and all of His ways at the deepest level. I want to be one of those that He longed for in the garden of Gethsemane - those who would be with Him where He is, and who follow Him wherever He goes.

Will He find this kind of faith on the earth? And will He find it in us, you and me?

As we stand at the threshhold, in the doorway, if you will, of momentous and monumental days.......we need to remember that we are not here at this time and place by accident.......each of us was chosen and prepared for these times in which we live.......we are His.......and He wiil be ours.

We ourselves, all of us, are a spiritual work; in these times of trouble, praise must be the heartbeat of our souls.......a holy nation.......being made ready to see the glory of our Lord.