Post by Murph on Jul 1, 2007 20:58:46 GMT -6
Have been studying the minor prophets lately and really enjoying it very much. It was a dark time for Judah. Israel to the north had already fallen to the Assyrians now Judah was headed alone the same course and was becoming ripe for judgment. The ultimate goal of God was chastisement and correction. The call went out over and over thru the oracles of God for repentance. Then King Josiah brought about a brief revival and reprieve from judgemnt, but it was only skin deep. When he died in battle at Meggido and his son Manassah took over the revival was turned about rapidly and the people went back to their wicked ways.
When Israel and Judah were going thru all this God sent many Prophets or oracles to teach, preach, and prophecy. In the end the people refused to obey, refused to turn from idolatry, sodomy and corruption in their government and personal lives so just as God warned them...judgment came. It came on them fast and events unfolded at lightening speed once the destruction started.
With nearly all of the Minor Prophets before during and after the fall of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple of Solomon, their prophecies had near and far fulfillment...full and partial fulfillments...We are seeing the world set up again for judgment and the wrath of God.
There are many parallels between those horrific days and these. The following verse flew off the page at me. I see this so clearly in my work,
"Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."
The courts have gotten into such a wretched state in this country and others around the world. The law is watered down and sentencing so lenient that people have come to view the law and the courts as a joke. Example after example could be given just in this country alone.
Idolatry is again running rampant. People worship all sorts of things money, possessions, position. Even professing Christians fall prey to the world and the pleasures of it.
I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the things that we are seeing that herald that these are the end times. Some are very obvious and some more subtle.
Homosexuality is openly practiced. Countries have already passed law protecting the practice and allowing same sex marriage. Laws in many countries have made it possible for these "couples" to conceive thru artificial insemination or to adopt...children.
There are many other examples. Maybe you all could list a few thing that you have seem that point to the times. We know, because the Bible tells us, that we will not know the day or hour or even the season...but we can know the times by watching the signs...
What are some of the signs you have seen?
