There is a place for warning of impending disaster and cautions as the Spirit of God quickens a prophet. Sometimes that word shut up in the bones of a prophet has to mature and be delivered to the right person at the right time. I'm not talking about compromise. I'm talking about wisdom.
Many people look to the prophets as clues for the conduct of their lives. In Jeremiah's time he had to bring the exiles the news that all the smooth and happy prophets were wrong. They kept telling people to get ready, that real soon now they were going to go home. Escape. Jeremiah had the task of telling them the truth, they weren't going home for a long time. That they should marry, build houses, plant crops (even vineyards) and begin to occupy the land. Change the circumstance rather than look for an easy out or continue to feel trapped and victimized. He waited until the right time. Then he told them what God said, "I have a hope and a future for you" ... read ALL of Jeremiah 29 to get this in context
Today, many of the prophetic utterances, particularly those centered around end times events are like the happy prophets of Jeremiah's time. They point to the evil system around them, but offer people hope that real soon now, a deliverer will come and they will escape this persecution and bondage. That keeping their head down, pray, and hope... that soon all will be well. Soon return and rapture.
The problem with that kind of prophetic utterance is it didn't prepare people to deal with the day to day troubles they were facing. They were instructed by prophecy not to do anything but wait. Keep their eyes open. SOON. SOON.
Meanwhile the times and seasons came and went without any resolution. A generation lost it's capacity to be influence for good on the culture around them. They were passive, fearful and cautious when God's real destiny for them was to be aggressive, bold and fearless. It's just like today. Much of the prophetic that warns of end times events using the daily news as a guide are misguided. YES.. History has cycles and if we know Bible Prophecy well we will recognize them. Satan has no new schemes. The news we see is not harbinger, it is revelation of the cycles.
When I hear some prophesies I am reminded of Proverbs 22:13. "Look, there is a lion in the street, if I go out there I will be killed and eaten". How did he know there was a lion? Who told him? Why is his first reaction to hide? Where is the prophetic instruction for dealing with rouge lions? Is there a lion there at all? Don't they hate being around people? Did you see the Lion Mr Sluggard? Is this all a rumor? What prophet told you this? Where is your faith? Why the fear?
In Ecclesiastes 11:4 it says: "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap". Right now in the prophetic we have many who are telling people to look out, the wind is about to blow, Caution, the rain is coming. Both are true..eventually. BUT there is a problem. Prophetic Paralysis. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes talked of this in Chapter 11. He said.. time to move forward. Time to plant. Time to build. Not time to hide. Listen to what he says... it's right for these times of wind and clouds with rumors of lions in the street.
Invest in Many Ventures
Ecclesiastes 11:1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. 2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. 3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed[a] in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
God needs industry and productivity in His kingdom. It's been too long that the Body of Christ is trapped in the house fearing lions in the street. (antichrist). Too long that it has been hesitant to plant or reap (Tribulation). Hoping rather to be taken out rather than stand and fight (Rapture). Willing to let the culture go to hell rather than speak out against it as Amos did in his prophetic role. Time to stand in faith to advance the Kingdom. It's God's purpose. I can tell you prophetically there has never ever been a time so right for the Hammer of God to encounter evil as directly as it must today on the anvil of judgement. You are that Hammer. The truth in God's word is the Anvil. As you suspend a plumb line of right and just against a crooked and perverse generation you will bring back into alignment the very thing you fear.
The antichrist spirit will persecute you. There will be troubling times. Perhaps great troubling times. YOUR ability to stand above those days will be a beacon of hope for those who fear.
Stand and deliver.. it's your day. Don't allow prophecy to paralyze you.
1 comment:
A servant heart is always a healthy sign and a domineering attitude is one to stay clear of. One sign of concern is whether or not a leader can accept questions regarding his teaching/doctrinal belief actions etc. without feeling threatened.God delights to use foolish things and will probably send everyone of his children somewhere in that manner. Leonard Ravenhill said it this way I've been ministry over half a century and I have seen so many ministers fall backslide lose their anointing or go their own way not realizing God isn't the source of their supernatural ability anymore that I not only need to spendtime in the wilderness and isolation but it is imperative that I Disceren the body the more I know and grow the more acoountable I am. The danger of pride increases and many are the last to know I think that will be the greatestdownfall and killer of ministers wise in there own eyes becoming so deceived they are longer correctable teachable and above all correction. Kenneth Hagin ed dufrense and art katz all have this similiar testimony and advice. They would not tell the pastor everything they where told they couldn’t or wouldn’t receive it. On the other hand if God said confront all of them felt the disciplining hand of God until they did. Art katz sums up a descion the pastor and the church must make this is hard on the pastor. The message is prophetic communication by art katz God has established a government in the church paul said as an apostle what do i have to do with judging the world judgement starts in the house of God. This is most likly what despisers of government pertains to inluding the Law or reign of the Spirit of Life. Failure to disceren who the Lord sends will result in judgement barring repentance, do your job for those of you hurt having lost all and being led astray by your professed leaders just draw near to God otherwise the devil will talk you into ending it as happened to a church youthgroup last year. I know it’s hard but when Jesus returns there will only be a remnant without spot or blemish that’s it. Wether you can help anyone or not is entirely dependent on wether they are teachable free from pride able to disceren the body and hear from God many may not .why was I sent to them if I would suffer so severely well Jer 35:15 (NIV) "Again and again I sent all my servants, the prophets, to you. They said, 'Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions...' But you have not paid attention or listened to me." (2 Chr 7:14 49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles this is for someone and ezekiel 3 is going to be a necessity if God spares your life and makes you whole you will affect many. If you die know this God in mercy sends prophets man has always had two responses life or death God will judge accordingly in the end. Remember Jesus said you are blessed when they persecute you because of Him.
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