The signs of the End Times are abundant around us, including devastating storms and world events, but these things seem to roll off of us like water off a duck's back. What will it take for us to pay attention, and to take these things seriously?
Ages of enlightenment, and rationalism have given birth to philosophies that have distanced men from God, like deism, universalism, atheism, humanism, and have caused men to disregard the word of God. As these waves of men's philosophies have gained influence, God has sent spiritual movements of revival to counter them, and to call men back to Him and to His saving truth. Often out of these great spiritual awakenings, however, men have found ways to create debates of man's understanding and strife within the church that end up causing destructive divisions. Jesus told us that a kingdom, or a house divided against itself cannot stand.
The coming day of the LORD is not something to be taken lightly. The prophet Amos described it this way:
"Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?"
Amos 5:18-20
The prophet Joel described the day of the LORD in the same manner:
"Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come...Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness... there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations." Joel 1:14-15, 2:1-2
Joel called the people to sound the warning alarm, and to sanctify themselves in the face of this coming terrible day of the LORD. He urged the people of God to "cry unto the LORD".
Peter also called the church to keep in mind, to stir up the pure mind, regarding the things of which the prophets wrote. It is this constant washing of our minds in the word of God that keeps us in truth, and prepares us for those things that appear now, and also are to come. Of the coming day, he wrote:
"But the day of the LORD shall come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" 2 Pet. 3:1-12 (excerpt)
Again, knowing the things which are soon to come, Peter asks "what manner of persons ought ye to be...?" While the Lord will deliver the godly out of temptations, the unjust are reserved for that day of judgment, those who walk after the flesh, presumptuous and self-willed. We see the number of those called the unjust growing daily.
Both Peter (2 Pet. 2:1-2) and Paul (2 Tim. 4:3-4) warn the church to beware of false teachers and prophets who would deny the word of God, teaching fables, causing many to follow after them. Their motive is to make financial gain from these false teachings that cause men to embrace false doctrines and philosophies. God has already shown that He was willing to judge the angels, and the old world before Noah, as well as Sodom and Gomorrah, as a warning example to all of us (2 Pet. 2:1-6). He only restrains Himself in holy patience not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). We cannot mistake His patience for a failure to keep the word that He has clearly spoken. He is allowing as much time and opportunity as possible for repentance. Are God's people coming to Him in repentance? Are we calling others to repentance, or have we remained unmoved, accepting the lie of Satan and men's philosophies that sin does not result in death and eternal condemnation? What will it take for us to wake up, turn and cry aloud? This is what it takes to break the hold of lies, and deliver into spiritual revival.
The prophet Joel urged God's people to fast, and to gather all of His people together to be sanctified, to turn to the LORD with all of their hearts, with weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12-13). He called the priests, the ministers of the LORD, to which ministry all believers have been called, to weep and cry out to God, "Spare thy people, O LORD" (v. 17). How much of the church is currently being called to this vital role by those in its pulpits? Paul told Timothy to "Preach the word!"
As the priests and people of God stand in the gap, in repentance, the prophet Joel wrote about a great restoration of the land, and an outpouring of God's Spirit in response. The revival of all revivals (Joel 2:18-29).
Joel went on to write that the LORD will gather the heathen into the valley of Jehoshaphat (also known as Meggido), into the valley of decision, where He will judge them. Their wickedness is great, the harvest is ripe, and the sickle is being put in. Revelation 14:15 states the same thing:
"And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped."
What will it take for us to hear the word of the LORD, and respond?
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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