Dear Christian friends:

Dear Christian friends: As you know, this world will not continue forever. Our text says "the day cometh." What day? The day of the Lord, when the Son of Man shall come in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, the Last Day of the World, that's the day. It is coming our text shows that it will be

First, it will be wonderful because God will make right all that is wrong and crooked and unjust now. Our text says, "behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts," verse 1. "Them that do wickedly shall be stubble, --- burned up"

It doesn't mean sinners. All are sinners, also you and I are sinners, and daily sin much against our good God. The "wicked" are those who are not sorry about their sin. Some of them brag and are proud of their sin and mock God and His Church. Some of them hide their sin and refuse to confess it and turn from that. They love and pet their sins.

They even try to argue against God and His word to make their sin appear right. Sometimes we see church members doing this too, arguing and complaining and kicking to defend their sin and weakness. They don't want to go to Church so they blame the pastor: "I don't like his sermons; he preaches to long; he didn't shake my hand; not my fault if I don't go to church, preacher's fault; If you get a new preacher, I will come to church again." Or they blame other members, the president or elders or ushers. They are wicked. These wicked are also the self-righteous, who think God loves them because they do good.

All such our text calls wicked, "they do wickedly" And if they do not change and confess their sins they will be burned as stubble on the last day. The day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." The mighty Lord over angels says this, not I.

Sometimes these proud, self-righteous people appear to be more blessed than we Christians. They have better jobs, better homes, good health and good times while we Christians suffer and are poor. We are tempted to think that it is vain or worthless to be a Christian.

But on the Last Day we will see who is rich and blessed. They will be as stubble burned in the oven no root or branch left, full judged and condemned to everlasting punishment and shame. But the Christians shall receive wonderful salvation and glory. Our text says, "But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."

Who shall receive this great salvation and joy? God says, "ye that fear my name." "Fear" means to honor and respect our good God and Savior Jesus Christ. Only a Christian can have this "fear" of God. A Christian understands his terrible sins against God and then rejoices because God nevertheless loves him and forgives him in Jesus. He appreciates the wonderful love and mercy of God and so doesn't want to displease that wonderful God anymore. If you love someone very dearly, you try to please that person always. You fear or respect that person very much. So the Christian who knows God's wonderful mercy in Jesus fears to sin against Him.

On that Wonderful Day the Last Day, our text says the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings or (rays). Now everyone doesn't understand God's perfect righteousness and justice in Jesus. Many think the preaching of becoming right through faith in Christ crucified is foolish and unfair. They argue, "How can one man dying save all and give free righteousness to all?" How can Jesus by his life and death earn righteousness for all? They think God's way of forgiveness by faith is unfair and not real justice.

But on that Wonderful Day it will be very clear: Justification by faith in Jesus Christ is fair and just and true. All will see the wisdom and justness and rightness of God in His great plan of salvation.

Today many wise and brilliant people think we Christians are foolish to believe the Gospel. But they will be surprised to see that God's Word is true and right and just. They will even praise God's Wisdom. But it will be too late for them.

But we will be very glad to see God get full praise for His wonderful plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Our text says we shall be very glad like calves let out of the stalls in the barn to leap and run with joy in the pasture.

During our life here we must suffer much burden and mockery because of our faith in Jesus. Many think its foolish and a waste of time. But on that Wonderful Day they will see how right we are and be jealous of our wisdom in Jesus.

Now before that terrible and Wonderful Day comes and surprises us, we should wake up more and more. If you have been careless and indifferent about Jesus and forgiveness of sins through His blood, let this be a warning to you. The day is coming when all will know that Jesus crucified is the only Savior. If you confess your sins and trust in His blood for forgiveness you will be saved; If not you will be damned.

The Judgment Day will come now or later, perhaps when you don't expect it. Don't think you can have fun now and then change when you are old or dying. You will be surprised. But if you have all this while trusted in Jesus and His blood, keep it up!

Although you suffer persecution and smart people laugh, they will be surprised to see, you were right. And they will be jealous of your glory and joy in heaven. All these troubles connected with Jesus will not be worth comparing to the wonderful glory that will be ours on that Wonderful Day.

This should encourage and help us to continue to do and suffer and live for our dear Lord and Savior. Then when He comes it will be very, very wonderful for us. A Very Wonderful Day.

Amen