If a prophet were to show up today, how would you know? What would he look and sound like? Could you sort out a genuine message from a counterfeit one?
"Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' " (Matthew 3.1-2)
A wild-looking survivalist man took center stage over two thousand years ago. His mission had clearly been foretold several hundred years earlier: "For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!' " (Matthew 3.3).
His purpose and message was clear: to call people to repentance in light of the coming kingdom of God, and to prepare the way for its king - Jesus Messiah. He insisted that the repentant "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3.8). In other words, a genuine change of heart and mind characterized by lifestyle change; not mere words and tears.
So, a genuine prophet will announce the coming kingdom of God, and call for lifestyle repentance. He will point to Jesus as the Messiah, king of the kingdom (Matthew 3.11-12). He will prepare the way for His coming.
We are those modern-day prophets. The call of God is upon the people of God to "make ready the way of the Lord"; to prepare for Jesus' return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are those entrusted with the message about the kingdom of God (Acts 8.12), and the call for repentance and preparation in light of this fact.
This call probably does not necessitate that we retreat to the wilderness, clothe ourselves with animal skins, and feed on a truly all-natural diet. But, it does mean that we see the mission and the message with clarity. And call for a heartfelt response. And clearly point others to Jesus and His coming.
Our task may not be that of street preacher, but it is an urgent task to impact the lives of those around us through the clarion call of the king and the kingdom. If He is coming, then that means there is urgency. There may not be a tomorrow. And, if today is all there is, then it cannot be frittered away on secondary issues. It's about time, eternity, and decision.
May we be faithful in serving today as His prophets in this eleventh hour of history.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' " (Matthew 3.1-2)
A wild-looking survivalist man took center stage over two thousand years ago. His mission had clearly been foretold several hundred years earlier: "For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!' " (Matthew 3.3).
His purpose and message was clear: to call people to repentance in light of the coming kingdom of God, and to prepare the way for its king - Jesus Messiah. He insisted that the repentant "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3.8). In other words, a genuine change of heart and mind characterized by lifestyle change; not mere words and tears.
So, a genuine prophet will announce the coming kingdom of God, and call for lifestyle repentance. He will point to Jesus as the Messiah, king of the kingdom (Matthew 3.11-12). He will prepare the way for His coming.
We are those modern-day prophets. The call of God is upon the people of God to "make ready the way of the Lord"; to prepare for Jesus' return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are those entrusted with the message about the kingdom of God (Acts 8.12), and the call for repentance and preparation in light of this fact.
This call probably does not necessitate that we retreat to the wilderness, clothe ourselves with animal skins, and feed on a truly all-natural diet. But, it does mean that we see the mission and the message with clarity. And call for a heartfelt response. And clearly point others to Jesus and His coming.
Our task may not be that of street preacher, but it is an urgent task to impact the lives of those around us through the clarion call of the king and the kingdom. If He is coming, then that means there is urgency. There may not be a tomorrow. And, if today is all there is, then it cannot be frittered away on secondary issues. It's about time, eternity, and decision.
May we be faithful in serving today as His prophets in this eleventh hour of history.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:09 AM
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