The Harbinger has a serious message for God's people...what will be our response?
I was having lunch with some good friends recently and they shared that their home group had been watching videos based on the book, "The Harbinger". They said that the group were somewhat scared and confused as to what they should do in the light of the message of the book. We shared some more things about our understanding of God's purpose and I was stirred in my spirit to seek God for direction.
After lunch, I went directly to a book store and purchased the book. I spent many hours in the next two days reading an interesting and very serious story. Although the format is fiction, the truths presented are real.
The promotional material refers to an "ancient mystery" as if it were only recently discovered, however it has only been hidden to those unfamiliar with God's word...the Bible.
It contains a message which God's people need to take seriously. The book was listed on the New York Times best seller list, but I guess it's popular because it is presented as a fascinating mystery. Many have read it but really don't have a clue that it is calling for a response. The proper response is only possible by God's people.
The author, a Christian jew, has received revelation concerning the meaning of the 9-11 tragedy and the economic collapse we have experienced in recent years. He sees that these should be understood as warnings from a loving God that He must bring judgment to America because of the nation's forsaking of His ways.
He sees the parallel of America's condition with that of ancient Israel and from the prophecy of Isaiah he finds verses that not only speak to us about an arrogant attitude, but have actually been spoken by prominent U. S. leaders in speeches delivered after 9-11-01. See Isaiah 9:10.
The truths that stand out as the primary message of God's word has to do with a revelation of God's ways...His nature...and His plan for His people. The Old Testament records how God dealt with a rebellious people. He sent prophets with warnings, calling them to repentance over and over. When His messengers are ignored repeatedly, He ultimately brings judgment on them, even though that was not His real desire.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul writes that the people of Israel are an example to be observed and from whom we should learn about God's ways so we don't make the same mistakes.
The message of "The Harbinger" is that we need to discern the warnings of a merciful God, repent and turn back to
God and avoid judgment. But what if we live among a people who apparently continue to ignore God's warnings and move further down the road of rebellion to judgment. That's the way it has always been. When judgment came to God's people in Isaiah's day, most of the nation was taken into captivity. Some were allowed to remain in the land, but most were taken away to Babylon.
One important thing to know is that even in captivity, God's people could hear from Him and be effectively used by Him. Examples would be Daniel and his friends and Ezekiel.
When we accept that God is sending warnings of His coming greater judgment, it's important to see that His word also reveals a glorious plan He has for His people. Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 record almost identical prophecies.
"But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills and peoples shall flow to it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and we may walk in His paths..." Micah 4: 1,2 Amplified Bible
Note that "the house of the Lord" is His people, not some physical or institutional structure. Also note that the people who want to go to the house of God are saying, "...that He may teach us His ways...". So here is a people who are so close to God and so closely identified with His purpose and His ways, that God can use them to illustrate and teach His ways.
God's people are not there yet. These are prophecies to be yet fulfilled To get from where we are to where God wants to bring us requires a process...a process not unlike Israel experienced when God delivered them from the bondage of Egypt.
I see God's people today in bondage to the world system in many ways.
THE PROCESS IN DELIVERANCE FROM BONDAGE TO THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISES...
IT'S CALLED "THE WILDERNESS" AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS FUN.
The people of Israel had been crying out to God for deliverance for a long time. I don't think they had a clue what that deliverance would involve. When they walked out of Egypt they walked into a wilderness where every support system that they had known was immediately gone. They had no job, no house, no car, no food, no water, no map, no super market or shopping mall, no WalMart and no idea where they were going. But God had a plan! After they had crossed the Red Sea and seen their ememies destroyed, God said to them, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. " Not, "I have brought you into the wilderness", but "to myself".
The wilderness was the place where they were to come to know God in a new way and recognize that He alone could and would be the provider of all they needed. All that they had for support in Egypt was gone but God was with them and He wanted them to know Him...to recognize His presence...to listen to His voice...and to fully trust Him for everything they needed. God desires NO LESS of His people today.
If you believe you are among God's people and you understand enough of His word to want to find your destiny in His purpose, then the important thing to do now is to spend time in His presence, learn to identify His voice and LISTEN. Remember when Samuel was a young boy, God began speaking to him, but he didn't know who it was. Eli, after realizing that it was God speaking, wisely advised young Samuel to reply, "Speak Lord, for I am listening". (my paraphrase) We should place ourselves in a listening mode, ready to respond by hearing and obeying.
This is a "day of revelation", a day in which God wants to reveal more understanding of His purpose. Note that in Isaiah 60: 1-3, He tells us that in the last days, as the darkness becomes darker, He will have a people shining forth His light. In Daniel 12 it is recorded that God told Daniel to seal up the book until the time of the end. The implication is that then the book will be unsealed and His plans clearly revealed. I believe this is the time of revelation.
In several scriptures, God makes it clear that truth and understanding will come only to those who seek Him. It's time to seek the Lord. I wouldn't expect that a complete revelation will be given to one individual. As you study the scriptures about God's purpose through His people, you see that He wants and will use a corporate people. Paul's writing concerning the church shows us that every member is important and all must function under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we learn to gather under His leadership, laying aside all of our human plans and methods, He is ready to speak to a people who are ready to listen. Gathered together in His presence, all fear, anxiety and confusion will be removed. Clear guidance will be received and power to obey will be His gifts.
The warnings God sends are not to cause fear, but to motivate us to seek Him with all our heart, laying aside every distraction and weight that hinders us.
"Arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord will be seen upon you." Isa. 60: 1
Submitted by Phil Thomas
2012
After lunch, I went directly to a book store and purchased the book. I spent many hours in the next two days reading an interesting and very serious story. Although the format is fiction, the truths presented are real.
The promotional material refers to an "ancient mystery" as if it were only recently discovered, however it has only been hidden to those unfamiliar with God's word...the Bible.
It contains a message which God's people need to take seriously. The book was listed on the New York Times best seller list, but I guess it's popular because it is presented as a fascinating mystery. Many have read it but really don't have a clue that it is calling for a response. The proper response is only possible by God's people.
The author, a Christian jew, has received revelation concerning the meaning of the 9-11 tragedy and the economic collapse we have experienced in recent years. He sees that these should be understood as warnings from a loving God that He must bring judgment to America because of the nation's forsaking of His ways.
He sees the parallel of America's condition with that of ancient Israel and from the prophecy of Isaiah he finds verses that not only speak to us about an arrogant attitude, but have actually been spoken by prominent U. S. leaders in speeches delivered after 9-11-01. See Isaiah 9:10.
The truths that stand out as the primary message of God's word has to do with a revelation of God's ways...His nature...and His plan for His people. The Old Testament records how God dealt with a rebellious people. He sent prophets with warnings, calling them to repentance over and over. When His messengers are ignored repeatedly, He ultimately brings judgment on them, even though that was not His real desire.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul writes that the people of Israel are an example to be observed and from whom we should learn about God's ways so we don't make the same mistakes.
The message of "The Harbinger" is that we need to discern the warnings of a merciful God, repent and turn back to
God and avoid judgment. But what if we live among a people who apparently continue to ignore God's warnings and move further down the road of rebellion to judgment. That's the way it has always been. When judgment came to God's people in Isaiah's day, most of the nation was taken into captivity. Some were allowed to remain in the land, but most were taken away to Babylon.
One important thing to know is that even in captivity, God's people could hear from Him and be effectively used by Him. Examples would be Daniel and his friends and Ezekiel.
When we accept that God is sending warnings of His coming greater judgment, it's important to see that His word also reveals a glorious plan He has for His people. Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 record almost identical prophecies.
"But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills and peoples shall flow to it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and we may walk in His paths..." Micah 4: 1,2 Amplified Bible
Note that "the house of the Lord" is His people, not some physical or institutional structure. Also note that the people who want to go to the house of God are saying, "...that He may teach us His ways...". So here is a people who are so close to God and so closely identified with His purpose and His ways, that God can use them to illustrate and teach His ways.
God's people are not there yet. These are prophecies to be yet fulfilled To get from where we are to where God wants to bring us requires a process...a process not unlike Israel experienced when God delivered them from the bondage of Egypt.
I see God's people today in bondage to the world system in many ways.
THE PROCESS IN DELIVERANCE FROM BONDAGE TO THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISES...
IT'S CALLED "THE WILDERNESS" AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS FUN.
The people of Israel had been crying out to God for deliverance for a long time. I don't think they had a clue what that deliverance would involve. When they walked out of Egypt they walked into a wilderness where every support system that they had known was immediately gone. They had no job, no house, no car, no food, no water, no map, no super market or shopping mall, no WalMart and no idea where they were going. But God had a plan! After they had crossed the Red Sea and seen their ememies destroyed, God said to them, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. " Not, "I have brought you into the wilderness", but "to myself".
The wilderness was the place where they were to come to know God in a new way and recognize that He alone could and would be the provider of all they needed. All that they had for support in Egypt was gone but God was with them and He wanted them to know Him...to recognize His presence...to listen to His voice...and to fully trust Him for everything they needed. God desires NO LESS of His people today.
If you believe you are among God's people and you understand enough of His word to want to find your destiny in His purpose, then the important thing to do now is to spend time in His presence, learn to identify His voice and LISTEN. Remember when Samuel was a young boy, God began speaking to him, but he didn't know who it was. Eli, after realizing that it was God speaking, wisely advised young Samuel to reply, "Speak Lord, for I am listening". (my paraphrase) We should place ourselves in a listening mode, ready to respond by hearing and obeying.
This is a "day of revelation", a day in which God wants to reveal more understanding of His purpose. Note that in Isaiah 60: 1-3, He tells us that in the last days, as the darkness becomes darker, He will have a people shining forth His light. In Daniel 12 it is recorded that God told Daniel to seal up the book until the time of the end. The implication is that then the book will be unsealed and His plans clearly revealed. I believe this is the time of revelation.
In several scriptures, God makes it clear that truth and understanding will come only to those who seek Him. It's time to seek the Lord. I wouldn't expect that a complete revelation will be given to one individual. As you study the scriptures about God's purpose through His people, you see that He wants and will use a corporate people. Paul's writing concerning the church shows us that every member is important and all must function under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we learn to gather under His leadership, laying aside all of our human plans and methods, He is ready to speak to a people who are ready to listen. Gathered together in His presence, all fear, anxiety and confusion will be removed. Clear guidance will be received and power to obey will be His gifts.
The warnings God sends are not to cause fear, but to motivate us to seek Him with all our heart, laying aside every distraction and weight that hinders us.
"Arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord will be seen upon you." Isa. 60: 1
Submitted by Phil Thomas
2012