How can we prepare for God's judgment as described in Ezekiel 7:12? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 7:12: “The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is upon all the multitude.” Why This Matters • Ordinary routines—buying, selling, planning—will not shield anyone when God’s day of reckoning strikes. • The verse drives home that judgment is certain, sudden, and universal. Recognize the Imminence • 2 Peter 3:10–11: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief… what kind of people ought you to be?” • Romans 13:11: “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” • Preparation begins by admitting time is short and eternity sure. Repent and Return • Isaiah 55:6–7: “Seek the LORD while He may be found… let the wicked forsake his way.” • Acts 17:30–31: God “commands all people everywhere to repent” because He “has set a day” of judgment. • Genuine repentance means turning from sin and toward wholehearted obedience. Release Worldly Security • Matthew 6:19–21: Treasures on earth are temporary; heavenly treasure endures. • 1 John 2:15–17: The world and its desires pass away. • Ezekiel 7:12 reminds us that possessions and transactions will not matter when wrath falls; clinging to them is futile. Live with Eternal Priorities • Hebrews 9:27–28: Judgment follows death; Christ saves those “eagerly waiting for Him.” • Revelation 22:12: Jesus comes “with My reward… to repay each one.” Practical steps: – Invest time in Scripture and prayer daily. – Give generously to kingdom work rather than hoarding. – Treat every decision in light of eternity. Cultivate Holy Living • 1 Peter 1:15–16: “Be holy in all your conduct.” • Philippians 2:14–16: Shine as lights in a crooked generation. Checklist: – Guard speech, thoughts, and relationships. – Practice integrity in finances and commitments. – Pursue purity, rejecting any compromise. Stand Firm in Faith • Ephesians 6:10–18: Put on the full armor of God; judgment exposes those without it. • Jude 20–21: Build yourselves up in the most holy faith, keeping yourselves in God’s love. Anchoring trust in Christ’s finished work—rather than self-righteous efforts—secures the soul when wrath sweeps through. Encourage One Another • Hebrews 10:24–25: Spur each other on “as you see the Day approaching.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another and build each other up.” In community, believers remind each other of the urgency, support repentant living, and hold one another accountable. Summary Action Points • Acknowledge the nearness of judgment. • Repent quickly and sincerely. • Loosen your grip on possessions and worldly plans. • Set priorities by eternity’s values. • Pursue personal holiness in every area. • Rest your hope entirely in Christ’s atonement. • Stay connected to a community that fuels readiness. Ezekiel’s buyers and sellers faced a day when commerce could not save them; likewise, only hearts aligned with God through repentance and faith will stand when His judgment arrives. |
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