As another one of the “Royal Psalms” (93, 95, 96 – 100), its 2 main parts proclaim: God Reigns and God is Righteous. It culminates with “Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.” That begs the question, “Is YOUR heart right with God?” Let’s dig in…
Psalm 97
1 The Lord is king!
Let the earth rejoice!
Let the farthest coastlands be glad.
2 Dark clouds surround him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire spreads ahead of him
and burns up all his foes.
4 His lightning flashes out across the world.
The earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
every nation sees his glory.
7 Those who worship idols are disgraced—
all who brag about their worthless gods—
for every god must bow to him.
8 Jerusalem [Zion] has heard and rejoiced,
and all the towns of Judah are glad
because of your justice, O Lord!
9 For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his godly people
and rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.
12 May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord
and praise his holy name!
An End Times Prophecy
Jesus is the King of kings! Everyone and every creature will rejoice when He returns to earth. However, at that time, He’ll return to judge the world. Pastor Sandy Adams elaborates…
All the Royal Psalms ultimately point to the Second Coming of Jesus – when He returns He establishes His throne on the Earth. Prior to His return, the Bible predicts signs in the heavens – cataclysmic events will rock the planet. When the 7th bowl of judgment is poured out Revelation says the mountains will be no more. Psalm 97 is fulfilled.
Pastor Sandy Adams
Peter Wrote…
7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
2 Peter 3:7 NLT
Worshiping Idols is Wrong!
Those who worship idols are disgraced—
Psalm 97:7 NLT
all who brag about their worthless gods—
for every god must bow to him.
Venerating Mary is worshiping an idol — a piece of stone or manmade ceramic. It’s a worthless, waste of time. Even Mary bows down to HIM. No one bows down to Mary. Likewise, the same goes for praying to dead saints. Dead humans can’t help you!
Why settle for a dead person when you can pray to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Living God, Our Good Shepherd, and High Priest!
Related: How Idolatry and Paganism Started in the Church
Joy and Hope for the Godly
End Times prophecies are not meant to scare you, they are meant to warn you and bring joy to those who are born again in Christ.
Before He starts the judgment of the world, He is coming to Rapture His believers, His Bride so that we will be saved from His wrath that is yet to come…
Paul wrote…
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV
That’s the joy that lives inside of a born-again believer. A joy that cannot be found in this world — only through a relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
It’s up to you to choose Joy!
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
