Consider the First coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the herald and message the Lord sent to prepare His way…..John the Baptist. The Lord is calling such prophetic voices to once again arise, and declare the Lord’s intent for justice, righteousness, mercy, truth, faith, and LOVE…in preparation for His return. Yet, so much of what should be said is silenced by voices who decry anything but ‘good’ news, and the lie the prophet is simply for the church. We are to be a light on the hill, in Him the highest mountain, so let us arise from our slumber, and like John the Baptist speak that which ‘clears the road for Jesus’ return, where the valleys will be filled, the mountains and hills made level,, the curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.
The Bible makes it clear in such books as Malachi, Revelations, and more that this witnessing prophetic voice in the timing of the Lord, and in the unction of the Holy Spirit, will once again arise in the wilderness where there is a drought of His word. And the message will address greed; corruption in government, justice systems, and the law enforcers; employment conditions; the treatment of the poor and needy; the position of His word as the supreme law; the honour of God above all; the primacy of mercy, while ensuring justice; the distribution of wealth; our responses to sins; the importance of His divine order in family, and moral codes; salvation in Christ – all this being the gospel of His kingdom.
Maybe, the attack on the church due to secular support for same-sex marriage is causing us to revisit the role of the church – it is sad if it took this to wake us up. Yet do we really understand our role in bringing the Government that is on Christ shoulders to bare on earth as it is in heaven. A revelation is needed in the church, to once again open our eyes to the call to extend and expand His kingdom over all creation, and the prophetic voice and watch over this work is that which is needed to prepare for His return.
In its arrogance on these times you have evil parading itself freely in the streets, pushing greed (where the bounty is hoarded by the few and and not share across all); moral decay (same sex marriage, adultery, fornication, pure injustice, abortions); government in action in dealing with the poor and needy, protecting its people, sharing a nations wealth, or hindering the rights of the individual; corruption in the courts where they are more interesting in the process and the outcome of justice and reject any review from outside (a system where only lawyers can review lawyers, or judges review judges, is the absolute condition for endemic corruption and distancing of their intent from what they are meant to do…enforce the law not create it); rejection of the church and God by an increasing anti-God media, and elitist elements of society; corruption by all levels of government where mates benefits (and paid bribes) continue to impact decisions against the greater good of society – where politicians often override expert (including public servant recommendations) without any respect for the skills of their adviser as they simply want what is best for them and their networks); ‘churches who no longer adhere tot he Bible as the word of God, Christ as God eternal, and in fact rejecting the message so as to encourage secular views of peace and acceptance; and you can go on and on. The Fear of God is fast leaving society – particularly in the western world.
It is in these times the prophetic voice with confirming signs by God will arrest the people’s attention and cause them to consider their ways. Some will repent and turn, others will ignore or hide, but either way the plumb line of choice has been presented by the Lord….and all will live with their consequential actions. Turning to God’s mercies in Christ Jesus and thus eternal life in heaven, or fall foul the schemes of Satan and their own greed, and thus the fires of hell.
God is raising up the prophetic word to prepare the way for that choice, for surely when Christ arrives it is too late. In the power of God these words do indeed level mountains and fill in valleys, pruning even ‘healthy growth, in order to prepare His bride and the creation for the King of kings coming to His throne on earth.
Luke 3 (New Living Translation)
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’”
When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
“What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
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