October 15
Jer 26:1-27 | PS 85:1-13 | Prov 25:16 | 2 Thes 3:1-18
Roughly 25% of the Bible consists of prophecy. Some of these prophecies have been fulfilled, others look towards the future. It is said that prophecy is God's fingerprint on the Bible. Declaring things before they occur with exact precision. Unlike vague prophecies given by charlatans, God's predictions come very specifically. Names, such as Cyrus, in Isaiah 44-45 are used, over 200 years before being fulfilled. It is easy to miss the very precise prophecy in Jeremiah 27:6-7, " Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control. All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon." We see this prophecy fulfilled in Daniel 5, when King Belshazzar, the grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar, leader of a seemingly impenetrable Babylon is overtaken in a single night by Cyrus, leader of the Medo-Persians. If that is not specific enough, we read in Jeremiah 25:11, "This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years." Daniel trusted the specificity of this prophecy, as we read in Daniel 9:2, "During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years." And, it was indeed 70 years that this took place. It is estimated that the prophet Jeremiah died between 580-570 BC, roughly 40 years before these prophecies unfolded.
The above prophecies were well in the future, but the prophet Jeremiah also spoke forth many prophetic truths which were occurring shortly after they were spoken. Sadly, many don't want to hear the truth. Many then, and now live comfortable and complacent lives. The truth is most don't really want things to change. Not liking the message, they attack the messenger. We read in Jeremiah 26:4-9, "“Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you, and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them— then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.’” The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the Lord’s Temple. But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the Lord had told him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. “Kill him!” they shouted. “What right do you have to prophesy in the Lord’s name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?” And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple." As with Jeremiah, those speaking forth the truth of God's Word should not be shocked when they are treated in a similar fashion.
Understand, it is not that these prophets were necessarily brighter, etc. than the others. They were God's vessels who rendered themselves usable by God, not necessarily understanding everything they were saying, but in faith, putting forth the words given them, as we read in 1 Peter 1:10-12, "This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen." So, each of us must make a choice as to where we will turn for our truth, for like them we are living in God's history, and times are indeed unfolding. One can continue to listen to the "thought leaders" and those in power, who have proven unreliable time and time again. These individuals lie as easy as they speak the truth. Yet, tickling the ears of those who so badly want what they say to be true, the multitudes foolishly hang on their lying words. Or you can turn to God's Word and read truth, as Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”" Decide for yourself, but please understand you are indeed deciding, and ignorance and false information will never be an excuse when it comes time for us to give a personal account for ourself.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: