On False Hopes in Death
Amos 5:18-19
Woe to you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.…


We must distinguish the persons to whom the prophet addresses this solemn denunciation. They are self-deceivers. Notwithstanding the sinfulness of the people, that national pride which led them to imagine that because they had Abraham to their father they must needs be saved — was still their besetting sin.

1. From these words we gather at once this great, fact, that there is a day of the Lord coming — a day of judgment and righteous retribution. It is that day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ. It will be a day of fearful discovery; of universal assembly; of awful decision.

2. The only ground of hope on which we Can look for salvation in that day. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a subordinate condition of acquittal and salvation in the day of judgment. The future destiny of each individual will have an exact reference to the tenor of his present conduct.

3. There are many who form vain hopes of salvation at the coming of our Lord. There are some who appear to have no fear or hope on the subject. There are others who have strong expectations, while they have no warrant from Scripture for their hope. Some trust to what they call the goodness and benevolence of God. Some are self-righteous. Some make a high profession of faith in His name, while they have in works denied Him. Theirs is the hope of the hypocrite that shall perish.

(Anon.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

WEB: "Woe to you who desire the day of Yahweh! Why do you long for the day of Yahweh? It is darkness, and not light.




Avengers of a Broken Covenan
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