December 20, 2006 - Micah 1-3 and Revelation 11
As we read through the books of the Prophets in the Old Testament, we need to remember that it was not a time when people were not worshiping God. The problem was that they were worshiping idols, too. The problem was that their worship of God was corrupt, because they were not serious about hearing from God and doing His will. Micah makes this very plain in his book. I think as we read Micah, we will realize how similar his times were to our times.
Micah begins with a familiar theme. God is coming down to destroy Samaria and Jerusalem because of the sins of the people. What were the sins? The leaders and the prophets were leading the people astray. (3:1,5) The people had come to hate good and to love evil. (3:2) That is the opposite of God's will, but they thought they were doing well. The leaders judged for bribes. The priests taught for pay, and the prophets spoke for pay. (3:11) There was no sincere desire for God's will. They were going through the motions, and they were trying to hide the fact that they loved evil, instead of loving God. God was coming down to show them that they could not hide what was in their hearts. He was coming to cleanse the land. I can't help but think that God feels much the same way about a lot of what goes on in the church in America today. We must be honest with God and return to an intimate love relationship with Him.
In Revelation 11 we read about a three and a half year period during the time of Tribulation, when the Gentiles will be in charge, but God will send two mighty witnesses to proclaim His truth to the world. At the end of this time the witnesses are killed, and the world breaks out in a celebration, sending gifts and everything. (v.10) However, can you imagine their horror, when after 3 and a half days, these two men come back to life. The party is over, but most of the people do not turn back to God. They are too hard to be touched, even by a resurrection on TV and the Internet. I pray that our hearts are still soft enough to hear from God and to follow Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Micah 4-5 and Revelation 12.
Micah begins with a familiar theme. God is coming down to destroy Samaria and Jerusalem because of the sins of the people. What were the sins? The leaders and the prophets were leading the people astray. (3:1,5) The people had come to hate good and to love evil. (3:2) That is the opposite of God's will, but they thought they were doing well. The leaders judged for bribes. The priests taught for pay, and the prophets spoke for pay. (3:11) There was no sincere desire for God's will. They were going through the motions, and they were trying to hide the fact that they loved evil, instead of loving God. God was coming down to show them that they could not hide what was in their hearts. He was coming to cleanse the land. I can't help but think that God feels much the same way about a lot of what goes on in the church in America today. We must be honest with God and return to an intimate love relationship with Him.
In Revelation 11 we read about a three and a half year period during the time of Tribulation, when the Gentiles will be in charge, but God will send two mighty witnesses to proclaim His truth to the world. At the end of this time the witnesses are killed, and the world breaks out in a celebration, sending gifts and everything. (v.10) However, can you imagine their horror, when after 3 and a half days, these two men come back to life. The party is over, but most of the people do not turn back to God. They are too hard to be touched, even by a resurrection on TV and the Internet. I pray that our hearts are still soft enough to hear from God and to follow Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Micah 4-5 and Revelation 12.