Amos teaches us the nature of God’s judgment. It is inevitable, just and terrifying.

God’s judgment is inevitable. The nations, including Israel, cross the line. It is the eleventh hour and God’s long-suffering comes to an end. It is Amos who says, “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel” (4:12). If, as is supposed, Amos’ ministry ceased around 740 B.C. it means that within around 20 years God’s judgment fell upon Israel. The Assyrians came and took away the ten northern tribes of Israel.

That God’s judgment was inevitable is seen by the way the prophet Amos writes. The nations have committed terrible sins and the Lord says repeatedly that he would not turn away punishment (1:3, 6,9,11, 13; 2:1).

Likewise Judah and Israel have sinned continually against the Lord and he declares he will not turn away punishment even from his own people (2:4,6).

God’s judgment is just. The Lord tabulates some of the heinous crimes of humanity. No one can claim innocence. Consider some of the sins of the people.

The people of Ammon ripped open the women with child in Gilead (1:13). In Israel a man and his father go into the same girl, thus defiling the holy name of the Lord (2:7). Drunkenness was common (4:1). Corruption was everywhere. The just were afflicted (5:12). People were paying bribes and the poor had no recourse to justice (5:12). In the light of these sins and many more no wonder we can say that God’s punishment was just.

God’s judgment is terrifying. The very last sinner shall be slain (9:1). No one shall escape. The Lord shall seek out all who have sinned. Though sinners hide in Sheol, the mountains, the sea, the Lord God shall bring all of them to justice and they shall reap the reward of their sins. There is an old Negro song which begins “O sinner man, where you gonna run to?” Indeed on the day of God’s judgment where will you run to?

Amos writes of divine judgment which judgment is inevitable, just and terrifying. Amos’ prophecy is a foreshadow of the final day of judgment as taught in the New Testament. The day of the Lord, that final day of judgment shall be inevitable, just and terrifying. That day shall come as a thief in the night. The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. The earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10-11).

Despite the terror of God’s judgment there is hope for sinners even in the eleventh hour. Amos urges people to seek the Lord and live (5:4). The great and final day of judgment is coming but before that great day there is opportunity for people to get right with God.

This is possible because God has sent his Son Jesus into the world to die for sinners. Let us understand that the full wrath of God has fallen upon Jesus Christ. He did not deserve to die but he took the sins of his people upon himself and died for them. While we were sinners, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5;6). While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). If we have faith in Christ we are justified by his blood and shall saved from the wrath to come.

The substitutional death of Jesus is a precious biblical truth. Let all who understand the nature of their sin understand that there is a Saviour. Jesus has died in place of sinners. What wonderful doctrine. What liberating truth.

In the light of all this what can one say? The message is clear: flee from the wrath to come. John the Baptist spoke of this in his ministry (Luke 3:7). Near the end of his ministry Dr. Martyn Lloyd- Jones was asked what message he would give to people in general. His reply was “flee from the wrath to come”. Heed this call. Flee from the terrors of God’s coming wrath on the human race. Receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour even here today.

On that final day of judgment may it be that everyone present this morning shall have escaped the wrath of God. This is only possible if you have refuge in Christ. Turn to him today. Be sheltered from the terrors of the wrath to come.

Summary of Sermon by David Yan