Deuteronomy 5:27 “Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.”
In the final days, when the Lord is exalted over every false god and mankind is brought low, satan will be completely defeated and the final judgements will occur—we have been given a glimpse into the halls of justice by which the Lord God will preside with a solemn reminder of what is to come.
Before the awesome day of judgement there will be a time of recompense upon the earth.
The seals that Jesus alone can open will mark the beginning of a great sorrow that will fall upon the earth. The trumpets of God will mark the escalation of trials and finally the bowls of wrath will bring to completion the judgement of God upon a world that has forsaken Him.
The means by which the Lord will bring judgement upon the earth will not be random, the timing, method, and manner of judgement will be meant to convey a message.
His Voice
At the end of the prophecy in Isaiah there is revealed the means by which the God who spoke life into existence, will end the rebellion of sinful man: “He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.“
If we take a look back in history we can see the result of God’s spoken Word—and the effects are awesome.
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
At the start of the Creation story, the voice of God initiated all that we now know and see. Light was formed at His command, then the firmament, dry land, plant life, the celestial bodies, sun and moon, sea life, animals, and then finally He made us…mankind.
Have you ever wondered why God chose to make people last?
There is a pattern of God preparing a home before He sets His people in place to occupy it. Just like now, as I write, Jesus is preparing a home for His people, a home He has been preparing for 2000 years.
The hope of Heaven is founded in the fact that God will dwell in the midst of His people. The love that He gives to the righteous ones will be reciprocated by their love for Him.
His judgment upon the world will be against those who have rejected His love.
Psalm 62:11 “God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God,”
Mankind has tried for generations to mimic the power of God. Transcendental meditation, sorcery, witchcraft, the list goes on and on regarding an evil that has attempted to elevate itself into a position that is godlike. The Lord will remind everyone that power belongs solely to Him.
Revelation 7:11-12 “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Still Small Voice
When God speaks quietly either through a vision or a dream, He makes it very clear as to what HIs expectations are for His people.
Genesis 46:2 “Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Whether it was the quiet voice speaking to a young Samuel in the Temple, or the still small voice speaking to Elijah in the cave, God reveals His will to those who choose to listen.
Ezekiel 43:2 “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”
Not only does God bring direction when He speaks, but He also brings forth a revelation of who He is.
Many Waters
The sound of many waters reveals consistent power that goes out to all the world. Do you know what else sounds like this in Heaven? Cherubim.
Could it be the accompaniment of angels that surrounds God’s throne are meant to represent elements of His glory?
Ezekiel 1:23-24 “And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings.”
There are signs and sounds all around us that echo God’s glory, one day we will understand why God placed all of these reminders around us—the revelation of His glory is recognized by those who can see.
The revelation of God’s glory is also relegated to His people.
The Voice of Authority
God’s commanding presence is only amplified by His voice. With the spoken Word we have been given life and no life can come against what He declares.
Ezekiel 12:25 “For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”
When the Lord makes a declaration—It will happen. It is not a matter of if but when it will occur. Far too often we take the Word of God with a grain of salt, as if it was only a strong suggestion. Far too often people fail to recognize that God’s Word has power and for those who trust in Him, He has relegated His Word to be given through them.
Depending on whether someone is an enemy to His throne or a servant in His Kingdom, His voice commands a different response.
God’s People:
Genesis 15:1 “After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
To Abraham, the voice of God brought comfort and surety.
Genesis 28:13 “And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.”
To Jacob the voice of the Lord brought forth a promise.
Exodus 3:4-6 “So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
To Moses, the voice of the Lord brought forth a command.
The patriarch’s witnessed God speaking in peace, with a promise, and through a revelation.
Sinful Man:
When Israel was in the desert at Mt. Sinai, their idolatry and rebellion was before them. When God met Moses on the mountain, the people witnessed the awesome display of God’s power.
Exodus 20:18-19 “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
The people knew of God’s power and authority, but His holiness was displayed through His voice and the people couldn’t bear the weight of guilt.
Genesis 3:8 “Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”
When Adam and Eve heard the voice of God, in their sin they became fearful.
Luke 8:25 “He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
When Jesus spoke against the storm, the disciples marveled at God’s power.
The fear of the Lord is made evident when God speaks.
Whether God spoke directly or through His servants, the way people responded determined the position of their hearts.
Listening to God
It’s one thing to hear the voice of God, it’s quite another to listen.
2 Chronicles 34:27 “because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD.
Listening to God is more than acknowledging His Word, but rather it is the process of taking His Word to heart.
Not only does the Lord speak authoritatively, but He also inquiries within. He often gives His people an opportunity to speak, and then He shows them His love—as He lifts them up into His presence where they do not deserve, they gain understanding of how great He is.
Why does God care what His people have to say?
Speaking from the heart is to be made vulnerable to God—you can’t hide your true intent before the Lord so you might as well be honest. When people speak truthfully, it carries weight because it mimic’s the Truth of God—we must remember to guard what we say carefully, words are not idle.
Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”
God continues to speak today, the question is whether we are ready to listen?
If the people of God learn to follow in the footsteps of the King, they will speak the Truth in love—His Truth. They will recite the words of God because they carry weight, and they will respond to God in obedience, knowing that He will never leave them or forsake them.
U.T. 