Preparation prevents calamity. God faithfully gives His people a "heads up" in advance of challenging times and circumstances.
Pharaoh, the great ruler of ancient Egypt in the time of Joseph, was given a dream by God which revealed the future and the needed preparations. Joseph was divinely inspired to interpret his important dream:
"Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh's dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. "The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one and the same. "The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. "It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do." (Genesis 41:25-28 )
Knowledge of the future was given to allow for adequate preparation.
A recurring theme in the Bible is that God reveals the immediate future to His people when there is a need for them to prepare. Acts 11:27-29 reveals that God spoke through a prophet named Agabus to reveal a coming famine, and the church responded by sending relief in advance to those who would have need.
The Church at Smyrna was notified by Christ of coming persecution and encouraged not to fear what was about to come (Revelation 2:10).
There are many indications that we are moving into a time of great change and upheaval. These are not "business as usual" times, but rather times to be cautious and wise as we consider what is coming. God desires to have His people calmly prepared and ready to comfort, encourage, and help others who are unprepared and victimized by cruel times.
The precedent of Scripture is that God gives adequate warning and raises up those who will wisely give direction to the people of God for their preparation. We can reasonably expect the same if truly challenging times are ahead of us.
Challenging times are times of increased opportunity for the gospel. Daniel 11:33 reminds us that the people of God will have a great teaching ministry during the days of antichrist: "Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many".
Personal comfort and life's luxuries are gifts from God, but far more beneficial are opportunities in difficult times to advance the gospel. May we be prepared and ready to stand strong in our faith and hold out the gospel to those who will eagerly seek it in such times.
Steve
Pharaoh, the great ruler of ancient Egypt in the time of Joseph, was given a dream by God which revealed the future and the needed preparations. Joseph was divinely inspired to interpret his important dream:
"Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh's dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. "The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one and the same. "The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. "It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do." (Genesis 41:25-28 )
Knowledge of the future was given to allow for adequate preparation.
A recurring theme in the Bible is that God reveals the immediate future to His people when there is a need for them to prepare. Acts 11:27-29 reveals that God spoke through a prophet named Agabus to reveal a coming famine, and the church responded by sending relief in advance to those who would have need.
The Church at Smyrna was notified by Christ of coming persecution and encouraged not to fear what was about to come (Revelation 2:10).
There are many indications that we are moving into a time of great change and upheaval. These are not "business as usual" times, but rather times to be cautious and wise as we consider what is coming. God desires to have His people calmly prepared and ready to comfort, encourage, and help others who are unprepared and victimized by cruel times.
The precedent of Scripture is that God gives adequate warning and raises up those who will wisely give direction to the people of God for their preparation. We can reasonably expect the same if truly challenging times are ahead of us.
Challenging times are times of increased opportunity for the gospel. Daniel 11:33 reminds us that the people of God will have a great teaching ministry during the days of antichrist: "Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many".
Personal comfort and life's luxuries are gifts from God, but far more beneficial are opportunities in difficult times to advance the gospel. May we be prepared and ready to stand strong in our faith and hold out the gospel to those who will eagerly seek it in such times.
Steve
posted by steve @ 10:51 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home