To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.
- Herodotus
Even in the Developed World, where Bibles are as plenteous as people, our willingness to listen to the full message it bears has diminished. More puzzling still, while computer and internet technology make investigating Scriptural passages, themes and related subjects as effortless as clicking a button, fewer seem to grasp even the simplest truths that were once clear to preceding generations.
Often written in the blood, seat and tears of sinners and righteous alike, the prophetic advice from the Old Testament was hard won. The New Testament, emerging from it, often references this treasure trove of wisdom. Frequently imploring wise Christians down through the millennia to do the same.
One of the glories of the Bible is God's uncanny ability to "make everything old new again." His exhortations, promises and warnings never go out style. Each generation faces the same challenges and temptations, though often clothed differently.
It's been noted that along with foretelling the future, half the time the Old Testament Prophets are recalling the past. They knew "what has been will be again" though frequently in greater degree. Like a lazy hawk circling above, with each circle increasing in diameter as the bird soars higher.
Similarly, as man's generations mount up and Earth's population soars, God's word that was once relevant to millions now holds eternal life and death for billions.
Foreseeing this eventuality, the Bible contains Prophetic Advice for days like ours. Within it's pages are explanations and examples of a formula for repentance good for what ails us.
Additionally, should sin and it's collateral damage begin to grow exponentially, the Scripture contains an "in case of emergency break glass" command to call the Sacred or Solemn Assembly.
Like many Biblical truths, the verses describing this procedure are scattered throughout the history of God's people and therefore dispersed in many different chapters and books. Fortunately for us, a little study goes a long way in piecing the references together, revealing clear instruction on how God's people are to respond when they have seriously lost their way.
Setting the Stage
As a kind of break glass in times of emergency measure, several Old Testament prophets strongly recommend dealing with doubtful habits and sins head on. The following is a summary of a few helpful passages:
1. Isaiah’s Warning:
- “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:13-20 New International Version (NIV)
- Isaiah explained the religious observances of the Church of his day were worse that useless, being irritating to God.
- He assured God has stopped watching their futile attempts to gain His attention and refused to hear their prayers any longer.
- He warned this is because their hands were "full of blood."
- He demanded God’s people repent; ie. halt, about-face and march from doing wrong to learning to do right.
- He admonished them to wash themselves in the service of the needy.
- He bid them to come and receive forgiveness and blessing or be devoured in judgment.
2. Amos and The Day of the Lord:
- “Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god—which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty.” Amos 5:18-27 New International Version
- Amos decried those who desire the "day of the Lord".
- He warned it will be a day of gloom for God’s people who make a pretense of doing so. Of all generations who fits this description better than Churchianity today?
- He described the deadliness of that time for God's wayward people.
- He reiterated Isaiah's cry against their feast days, sacred assemblies, offerings and worship music.
- He admonished them to reverse course and do acts of “justice” and “righteousness."
- He revealed that Israel had carried idols, perhaps even the child sacrificing tabernacle of Moloch, while wondering in the wilderness with Moses! Might God be equally or more displeased with His peoples apathy and/or participation in aborting the pre-born to the tune of 60 million or more in America, and over a billion worldwide, through clinical abortion and/or contraceptive abortifacients?
3. Joel’s Clarion Call for Repentance:
- “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste—nothing escapes them. They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:1-17 New International Version
- Joel demanded God's people “blow the trumpet” to sound the invasion alarm.
- He explained the Invader is God’s judgment wrapped in clouds and thick darkness.
- He warned of a time of a great tribulation (likely the Great Tribulation). Including a “large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come.” “They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry.” A statement appearing to identify Revelation’s 200 million many calvary, prophesied to kill one third of mankind.
- He explained God requires true repentance, the kind that will change God’s mind.
- He called for fasting in keeping with holding the Sacred Assembly. All hands were to be on deck. Lead by clergy weeping and begging in hope of mercy.
- He promised afterward the Lord will "pour out His Spirit on all flesh…” Though by this point in the Great Tribulation Period billions will have already perished.
- Joel described an End Time scenario, with great destruction and an apparent nuclear winter. Even so, all those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
4. Zephaniah’s Last Day’s Prophecy:
- “The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah: “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea—and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.” Zephaniah 1:1-3 New International Version
- “Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:1-3 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
- Zephaniah warned the Lord will utterly consume everything from the face of the land.
- He included the backslider and the apathetic.
- He recommended being silent before the Lord.
- He called for God's people to gather together (call the Sacred Assembly) to develop a survival strategy.
- He warned timing is everything. It must be done before, before, before it's too late.
- He demanded the church of his day "seek the Lord" in authentic "righteousness" and "humility."
- He encouraged them to do so that they might be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger.
- “In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21 The Message
Times and Seasons
Today's Churchianity is ill prepared to discern, much less confront and overcome, past and present challenges. With hundreds of sects and denominations, clearly we've failed to invested the honest effort to Biblically judge between the many Christs the One true. Tragically, this calls into question to what extent we actually believe, teach and/or obey the genuine gospel.
What of more subtle issues? Up to and including accurately discerning the times and seasons in which we live? Intentionally or unintentionally, modern Christianity has a history of all but upending the obvious meaning of Scripture's most important meta messages. Both in regards to the Bible's context as well as content.
Having repeatedly failed the test on so many levels, what's to be our future? With obvious errors in regards to such major concerns, it's little wonder complex matters requiring greater discernment and perception are continually misconstrued. As Jesus warned God's people in His day:
- "Then he said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once that it is going to rain, and so it does. And when you feel the south wind blowing, you say that it is going to be hot, and so it is. You frauds! You know how to interpret the look of the earth and the sky. Why can’t you interpret the meaning of the times in which you live?” Luke 12:54-46 Phillips
Such signs of the times bode poorly for modern Christianity, and society as a whole. As do every other indicator imaginable. The threat of present and future global pandemics abound. Economic tribulation reverberates worldwide. Forty three million sought unemployment benefits in the U.S. alone. Coast to coast rioting and looting, violence and murder, over the justifiable death of career criminal George Floyd went unchecked for months. Not to mention a series of other false martyrs used by Antifa, Black Lives Mater and Democrats to promote and propagate the greatest unchecked anarchy in recent U.S. history. All this while calling to defund the police after already making the crucial job of societies protectors all but impossible.
Scripture is clear such manipulations of facts and logic are forbidden and will prove disastrous for all parties involved:
- "Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, Who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20 MSG
Michelle and former President Barack Obama's 2020 DNC speeches supporting BLM's "peaceful protesters" provide blatant examples of calling evil good and good evil. Here's a partial transcript of each:
Former First Lady Michele Obama:
- "Empathy: that's something I've been thinking a lot about lately. The ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too. Most of us practice this without a second thought. If we see someone suffering or struggling, we don't stand in judgment. We reach out because, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." It is not a hard concept to grasp. It's what we teach our children. And like so many of you, Barack and I have tried our best to instill in our girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us. But right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. They're looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value. They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn't matter what happens to everyone else. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain. They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages, and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protestors for a photo-op."
- Since when is "empathy" defined as supporting months of BLM's unchecked violent and deadly rampage across the entire country. How is looting and torching the life's work of innocent business owners "the ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too."
- It's certainly true that inflating erroneous police crime statistics, while ignoring years of Black on Black violence and murders within inner cities, occasions "looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value." Particularly in the Obama's own city of Chicago where within weeks of their speeches there were 18 murders in 24 hours.
- No one is supporting and BLM is not targeting "torch-bearing white supremacists." Rather just about everyone else.
- "Peaceful protestors" hardly describe the hundreds, if not thousands, of violent criminals that have largely been free to rampage at will.
Former President Barack Obama:
- "Joe and Kamala will restore our standing in the world – and as we've learned from this pandemic, that matters. Joe knows the world, and the world knows him. He knows that our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow. A nation that stands with democracy, not dictators. A nation that can inspire and mobilize others to overcome threats like climate change, terrorism, poverty, and disease. But more than anything, what I know about Joe, what I know about Kamala is that they actually care about every American. And that they care deeply about this democracy. They believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred, and we should be making it easier for people to cast their ballots, not harder. They believe that no one – including the president – is above the law, and that no public official – including the president – should use their office to enrich themselves or their supporters.They understand that in this democracy, the Commander-in-Chief does not use the men and women of our military, who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation, as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil. They understand that political opponents aren't "un-American" just because they disagree with you; the free press isn't the "enemy" but the way we hold officials accountable; that our ability to work together to solve big problems like a pandemic depend on a fidelity to facts and science and logic and not just making stuff up…. Because that's what at stake right now. Our democracy."
- "Joe and Kamala know… our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow." Rioting and looting, violence and murder, burning police buildings and defacing public property based on a narrative of lies is hardly an example the world wants or needs.
- No one has even suggested impinging the rights of "peaceful protesters." A description clearly opposite the agenda of destruction and mayhem demonstrated by Antifa, BLM and many Democrats leaders.
- The "way we hold we hold officials accountable" is for the liberal media to provide endless forums promoting politicians and community leaders calling evil good and good evil. All the while denouncing voices of sanity and reason.
- Supporting and promoting months of nationwide anarchy, based on inverting truth and statistics opposes "fidelity to facts and science and logic" and is the very definition of "just making stuff up."
Even a majority of Republicans have done little to nothing to stoutly stand against such obvious evil. Up to and including President Trumps refusal to date to enact the Insurrection Act to put down domestic terrorism.
Never before has the spiritual and societal battle line been drawn so clearly. Even the genocide of abortion is largely unseen. More a religious and moral issue than continual in your face BLM rioting and looting, violence and murder. A campaign of terror supplemented with the tearing down of monuments, while bestowing martyrdom and sainthood on felons. Again, with the approval of a majority of the most powerful individuals, corporations and organizations in the U.S. if not world.
All this as the specters of apocalyptic events appear looming on the horizon. Some, like Matt Walsh, a cultural and political commentator, pinpoint glaring lapses in judgment and common sense. Others forward more nefarious social and spiritual scenarios. As for a COVID-19 vaccine, there are a great many reasons for caution, up to and including genuine concerns in regards to efficacy and safety, not to mention medical professionals questioning plans to roll out genetic manipulation and even nano technology (if video link fails to play click here to download an important 20 min video).
Others speculate the introduction of a final New World Order. Possibly even the ushering in of the long foretold Antichrist, as well as the Mark of the Beast. The appearance of both, as Scripture plainly warns, predating Christ's prophesied Rapture of the Church. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where the primary, secondary and tertiary effects of global catastrophes such as COVID-19 play a significant role in the beginning of sorrows warned of in the gospels, epistles and Book of Revelation.
While bad news to be sure, there is hope in the knowing. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. At least for those with the eye's, ears and hearts willing to see, hear and understand. While discussing end time events, during His Olivet Discourse Jesus explains, "See, I have warned you about this ahead of time."
In regards to the last days, Christ's warnings are clear:
- "This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God’s chosen people, the trouble will be cut short." Matthew 24:21-22 The Message
- "But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man." Luke 21:34-36 MSG
- "'I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning.'" God’s Decree. 'Men and women and animals, including birds and fish—Anything and everything that causes sin—will go, but especially people.'" Zephaniah 1:2-3 MSG
- "So get yourselves together. Shape up! You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants. Do it before you’re blown away like leaves in a windstorm, Before God’s Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, Before God’s Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger." Zephaniah 2:1-3 MSG
- "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith." Hebrews 11:7 NIV
The Bible repeatedly references the sad fact that God's own people often lack discernment and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Without spiritual eyes and ears, hearts and minds to accurately comprehend and appropriately respond, we are easily deceived in both doctrine and lifestyle. Hundreds of Christian sects and denominations, each promoting various Christs and versions of the gospel, testify to our Enemy's cunning. If Satan could influence perhaps a third of Heaven's ancient, holy and glorious angles to rebel, mankind presents little challenge.
And if Churchianity's all over the board in regard to the Bible's major themes, what of more subtle issues? Up to and including accurately discerning the times and seasons in which we live? Intentionally or unintentionally, modern Christianity has a history of all but upending the obvious meaning of Scripture's most important meta messages.
When it comes to being off page, Christ leveled a terrible indictment against the rebellion and hypocrisy of the people of God in His day:
- "You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed. The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay." Luke 11:47-51
- " Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way. “Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you. And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you.” Matthew 11:20-24 MSG
- "These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else…" 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 MSG
- "Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see." Revelation 3:14-18 MSG
Laodiceans of all times and seasons clearly fail to understand spiritual warfare. Only a civilian would dare brag, "I'm rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone…" during the battles and shortages of cosmic spiritual war. Particularly when in actuality they were a, "pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless…" A war, by the way, about to increase exponentially. Overrunning the entire earth. Ruining the whole planet.
The Alive After The Fall video is a short but well produced overview of last day prophecies in light of recent events. It also offers a reasonable though fearful handling of America's currently apparent place in Biblical prophecy, along with resources to help equip individuals and families to survive what may well be coming. GB highly recommends watching the video, but if necessary you can click here to view the transcript.
When it comes to a nearly wholesale misunderstanding and/or under appreciating of Scripture, from its basic tenants to eschatology, only the context of conflict theology can make sense pf both modern Christianity's state of woeful deception and flagrant disregard for the Bible's clear and concise commands. Including Scripture's emphasis on sanctification and the virtue of fear, the harsh sayings of Jesus and Revelation's account of Christ's judging His Church
For additional information on this topic, please peruse the many hyperlinks provided throughout this article. Other articles along this line include Prayer of Anguish, COVID-19, Pre-Revival Repentance, A New Pentecost, Prophetic Advice, Sacred Assembly, Renewal, Revival or Reformation, Prophetic Witnessing, Context Then Content, Satan, Litmus Test, and Eternity…The Wager.
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