The consequences of the righteous Judge's fury will not end with mere turmoil; rather, this will be illustrated by what follows. Despite enduring great desolation, experiencing hunger and thirst, and suffering from wartime devastation, these troubled souls remained estranged from God, remaining under His wrath. This appears to be what he means when he states that 'His hand is lifted high against those who have sinned’; indeed, the hand of the stricken is ever raised high. How severe, then, will be the distress faced by the mountains who execute this wrath, and how fiercely will they approach, emboldened by a determination uncommon to humanity? This is clarified by the prophecy that He will raise a banner among those far away. Those who ravaged Judah, burned Jerusalem, and destroyed its cities were not nearby but came from far-off lands. The signal will be raised as is customary in warfare; it is the practice of commanders to elevate flags when assembling their troops. The prophet Isaiah similarly conveys this by stating that 'He will be like a flag on a mountain and a banner upon the hill’ (Isaiah 30:17). The banners placed on high points are made to be visible to the warriors, aiding them in recognizing their leader's intent. He will raise a sign, and they shall respond to it. This concept can also be compared to how beekeepers call their bees with a whistle, leading them from their hives to the fields and bringing them back home again. So too will they respond to His call. They will come swiftly and effortlessly, unperturbed by hunger, shunning weariness, fully prepared for battle, mounted on indomitable steeds. They will advance like a storm, fierce as lions and consuming as wild beasts, so formidable that they will conquer without opposition, for none will withstand them or offer sufficient aid. In that time, cries of despair will blend together, resembling the raging sea overwhelming the land of Judah. There will be a terrible darkness—not simply from mist or night—but a darkness born from fears and confusion, for overwhelmingly harsh tribulations cloud the mind. Thus, the Almighty benefits us in all things; it is not without purpose that He reveals future predictions and the severity of impending trials. He does this so that, often deaf to His guidance and indifferent to His call to repentance, we may, driven by the anxiety of such dire consequences, cultivate a fear of God within ourselves. In doing so, we may turn from our wicked ways and ultimately redirect our hearts towards righteousness.
THEOSIS