Each son must of his own will choose to abhor Satan and cleave to God. The Lord Jesus Christ came to help us do that. God's Glory is revealed not only in forgiving sinners but in bringing forth sons in His image—sons who under the most difficult of circumstances have chosen to obey their Father in all things.

We are drawing near the days of vengeance. It may be true that the hour of temptation already is upon us. Even now the tares may be being removed from the wheat. The foolish virgins may be running out of oil.

The Day of Wrath is at hand. The exercise of the Divine judgment will result ultimately in the destruction of the entire first creation. Man, animals, plants, the earth, the sun, moon, and stars—all will be done away. The material creation will accomplish its purpose and then will be withdrawn in favor of a superior creation.

I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord. (Zephaniah 1:3)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (II Peter 3:10)

There will be a new sky and a new earth, and a redeemed race to enjoy the new creation.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

Those who would be part of the new creation must do the will of God. It is not enough merely to "accept Christ," according to the current usage of the phrase. Rather we must accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and from that point onward continue in His will. Those who do the will of the Lord become eternal creatures.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (I John 2:17)

Although man and his environment will pass away the promises of God never shall pass away.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33)

All through the agonies of the end time the promises of God in Christ will remain true. Those who put their trust in the Lord shall be saved. It is of the utmost importance the reader understand that the Word of God will hold true during all the judgments. When the moon turns to blood and the stars themselves vanish from sight the Lord will be a rock of stability for all who trust in Him.

No doubt many passages of the Scriptures, particularly the Ninety-first Psalm, were written for those who will be on the earth during times of judgment and tribulation.

To be continued.