0274. Belshazzar in Death: (B) His Death Was Sudden

Belshazzar in Death: (B) His Death Was Sudden

"In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain" (Dan_5:30).

God is longsuffering to usward; He is not willing that any should perish. When, however, the harvest of sin is ripe, and when due warnings have been rejected; then God’s judgments often fall, with swift stroke.

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Pro_29:1).

Belshazzar had sinned against much light, as this same 5th chapter of Daniel shows. He had a full knowledge of Nebuchadnezzar’s experiences; he had known much of God’s dealings with men; yet he had sinned more and more blasphemously. God had fully warned him. Then, with every warning rejected, God sent the handwriting on the wall. His hour had come. God’s wrath swept down upon him suddenly, and irrevocably.

Even while they were feasting on that momentous night, Cyrus had an army of men digging away, without the city walls; until, at last, a new bed was prepared for the Euphrates. When the river broke through into its new channel, it left an open river bed, under Babylon’s brazen gates, upon which the armies of the Medes and Persians hastened to enter the city.

Thus it was that Belshazzar was overtaken. "That night was Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans slain."

Let no one presume against God. You may boast your seeming security, but you will be caught down to destruction as in a moment.

The whole world has sinned against God. The world has rejected and disowned the Lord of Glory. Its harvest is ripening. One of these days God will say, "It is enough," "the harvest of the earth is ripe." Then will He call to His angel reapers; then will He break the seals of judgment; then will He sound forth the trumpets of His condemnation; then will He pour forth the vials of His wrath; and with great speed will He punish the inhabited earth.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR