THE DAY OF THE LORD

The great tendency of modern Christians has been to approach God (Yahweh, Jehovah, Jesus, Yeshua) as an old chum, a pal.  On the one hand Jesus himself teaches us to approach his Father as Abba, that is, on an intimate relationship.  But, he does not infer from this that we should thus approach him in a casual way.  This proved to be the error of Nadab and Abihu, sons of the Israel’s first high priest, even though they themselves had also been called to the priesthood.  Christians are also called to the priesthood, but many are called and few are chosen.  Here is the story of Nadab and Abihu:

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD [Jehovah, Yahweh], which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD [Jehovah, Yahweh], and devoured them, and they died before the LORD [Jehovah, Yahweh], Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD [Jehovah, Yahweh] spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (Leviticus 10:1-3 KJV)

To “be sanctified” here means “to be set apart as holy.”  To “be holy” be means “to be morally and ceremonially clean.”  To “be clean” means to be “pure, bright, unadulterated, uncontaminated, and innocent.”  All of these definitions come from Strong’s concordance.  All these words convey aspects of character which God requires of those who would approach him.  Yet, a perverted gospel of salvation by grace has led men to believe that they can approach God with impunity, while practicing immorality, or even with gross presumption simply because they “believe in Jesus,” have been baptized, or belong to some church.  Presumption alone seems to be the sin of Nadab and Abihu here.  They acted from the dictates of their own hearts, not the command of God.  How often do we do the same?

Well, consider Moses.  Of all men on earth, God calls Moses the most humble.  He faithfully served God and yet, for one breach on one occasion, God says,

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” Numbers 20:12 (ESV)

because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) Numbers 27:14 (ESV)

because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. Deut. 32:51 (ESV)

If God prevented Moses from entering the promised land because of this one breach, how, then, can any of us think that we are going to make it in?  “I know, I know, I know,” shout the heathen “believers” who practice immorality in God’s midst.  “Because Jesus died for my sins, I have no more sin.  I can do as I please now and God won’t hold it against me!”  No, says the LORD, it is precisely because you have done that that judgment now comes to the earth.  Hear the Word of the LORD from both the Old and New Testaments:

But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. Isaiah 8:13 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21 (ESV)

but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of saints. (Revelation 19:7-8 KJ2000)

Behold, the marriage feast draws near.  Let us repent of our presumptuous ways before God.  Let us approach him in holiness and awe as One Who Is Holy!