As we step into the new year, it's important to understand what God will be doing in this season and how to prepare. The Bible declares in Isaiah 1:28, "And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed". Notice how the scripture distinguishes between the two.
Transgressors are those who break God's law. You can't call someone a transgressor unless there's a law that has been violated. Here, transgressors refer to God's own people—those to whom His Word was given but who refuse to live accordingly.
Then it also speaks of sinners. Who are sinners? Sinners are those who don't know God at all. The scripture warns that both Christians who fail to keep God's Word and sinners who reject Him will face the same destruction. No wonder the Bible says, "...the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God..." (1 Peter 4:17).
The Lord has revealed that a time of judgment is coming. It won't just be a passing season—it will mark the beginning of judgment, and it will be very terrible. Yet, in the midst of this, there will also be an increase in glory upon God's people. His people will walk in glory, and the long-awaited end-time move of God's power will begin. God will use His people mightily, fulfilling the prophecy: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14).
A clear sign of how close this judgment is can be seen in how the world now treats those who stand boldly for righteousness. We have witnessed men of influence silenced for speaking against sin and standing for God's truth. Their firm message against ungodly practices such as homosexuality provoked hatred and opposition. Yet they declared exactly what the Bible says: "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections... men with men working that which is unseemly..." (Romans 1:26–27).
Through such messages, many lives were being changed. People were turning from darkness to light, leaving sinful lifestyles to walk in righteousness. But when these voices are silenced and the world rejoices over their downfall, it becomes a clear sign of how near judgment truly is—just as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, when evil multiplied before destruction came: "And as it was in the days of Noe... Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot... Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed" (Luke 17:26–30).
Beloved, we are in the days when God is separating those who are truly His from those who only claim His name. The time of judgment is near, but so also is the time of glory for the faithful. Therefore, put God's Word inside you. Pray, and win souls, let His glory shine through your life. Don't be among those who forsake the Lord.