In Psalm 32, David proclaims the blessedness of the one whose sins are forgiven. And he does this in a unique way. He uses three expressions for sin and then employs three expressions of God’s pardon for sin. Here’s what I mean: David called one category of sins transgressions, which indicates “rebellion against God”; another he simply called sin, which describes “knowingly missing the mark”; and the third category he called iniquity, which speaks of a “vile perversion.” Those terms cover the entire gamut of our sinfulness—major and minor. But then after showing us three categories of sin he uses three expressions to show how God pardons our sins:

WHAT NEVER HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Let’s journey back several thousand years to Jerusalem during Passover week. This was the holiest of the seven Hebrew festivals that attracted thousands of worshipers. Some traveled hundreds of miles to attend this celebration in the religious capital of the world—Jerusalem. What a sight it must have been! For seven days the Priests appeared in their royal apparel, led the people in worship, offered sacrifices, and blew shofars (2 Chronicles 30:21). Everything was leading to the Day of Atonement when the High Priest would present the blood of a Passover lamb for the people’s sins. Not only was Jerusalem sightly its aroma was pungent.

GOD RAISES DEAD DREAMS

Scripture uses death to identify man’s greatest enemy and there’s nothing man fears more. When a person expires, losing all vital signs, doctors, medicine, and science stand powerless in its presence. Only God can resurrect. But this sermon doesn’t deal with the physical cessation of life, it deals with death of a different nature. The death of God’s divinely inspired promises and visions. I’m persuaded that many Christians are in the gestation stage of a specific promise God has given them. Perhaps years ago He planted a dream and you’re still awaiting its fruition. Maybe even hope has begged you to admit that promise is dead. But the God that resurrected Christ from the dead can resurrect your promise.

Speak Lord, But is it Really You?

Of all experiences that exhilarate people, chief among them is when God speaks directly to the human soul. One inspired word to a thirsty, hungry traveler can refresh and sustain more than a thousand meals. It was Elijah who heard God’s instruction to “rise and eat” that received nourishment to navigate 285 miles for the following forty days

Robert D. Pace

Jesus often spoke of the Endtimes and the signs the people of that day would experience. It’s especially important to notice Christ’s description in Matthew 24:21. Jesus said: “There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” Ominous indeed! But it’s the next verse that portents the reality of this unprecedented epoch: Verse 22 says: “Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Are Christ’s Words to be translated literally or figuratively? It seems farfetched to expect God to literally constrict time and yet this is precisely what will happen. But how?

I have heard people postulate that God will shorten the 7-year timespan of the Great Tribulation in order to fulfill this prophecy. However, one must recognize that the Bible carefully measured Daniel’s 70 weeks and has mandated these days to fully run their course. So what is the answer? Again, notice closely Christ’s words. Jesus said: “unless the days were shortened.” That phraseology shows that God will actually shave off the hours of a day!

Before this assertion is relegated to the realm of fiction it should be understand that geophysical science affirms this probability. In fact, the days have already been shortened! They just haven’t been shortened to the magnitude Scripture forecasts. Geophysicists have calculated that three earthquakes since 2004 have accelerated the earth’s spin and shortened our 24-hour day by about 10 microseconds. Additionally, they even explain how this has happened. The planet is made to increase its spin when a violent earthquake pushes Earth’s landmass closer to its axis. And this concept is best illustrated by watching Olympic ice skaters. At some point in the routine, the skater glides to center rink and with arms wide out gracefully begins spinning. But as the skater slowly pulls in their arms to their body (or axis), their spin increases to a blazing, indiscernible speed. Moreover, once a series of violent earthquakes ripple around the globe (as mentioned in Isaiah 24:19-20) it could shift an immensity of landmass toward the north and south poles, and increase our planet’s spin to a velocity that could contract a day by several hours! Thus, this would literally fulfill Christ’s prophecy to “shorten the days” and also mercifully alleviate the suffering of the “elect.”

In cryptic and wondrous ways Christ and the Prophets reveal man’s march into the Endtime drama with precise accuracy. Without restraint the Bible uses prophecy 1,817 times to capture our attention and convince us that God’s Word is true. And the veracity of its prophetic revelation is flawless. Let the Bible speak to your heart today!