The Way I See It

Unlike the rest of the prophetic community who couldn’t wait to ‘interpret the times’ I’ve remained quiet. Following Job’s ‘terrorist attack’ his friends had the wisdom not to rush in where angles fear to tread and start spewing forth their opinions as to why.

 Ever since the attack of September the eleventh I’ve been flooded with emails – a virtual deluge of diatribe each espousing their prophetic insight into the tragic events of that terrible day. Well known men in the prophetic movement remain divided over whether or nor this was God’s judgment or simply the work of man’s wickedness. One leading ‘prophet’ has suggested that the God he knows would never do such a thing. After all, we as a nation have given countless millions to missions etc. He went on to say that judgment must begin at the house of God first.

 I’m not claiming to have some deep prophetic insight; rather I consider myself to be that of a teacher and therefore seek to gain insight through God’s Word. No, I’m not going to have you turn to the first book of the Bible to represent the first year of the new millennium, then turn to the ninth chapter and the eleventh verse and see what God is saying. May God spare us from that sort of nonsense and mysticism. The Bible is not to be used as a divine roulette table hoping that our 9.11 will land us some sort of ‘spiritual jackpot’.

 Do I believe that this act of terrorism was allowed by God? Yes I do. We need to realize that as Americans we are not immune from judgment .The real question we need to be asking is why has it taken so long? We should all be deeply grateful for God’s patience that has withheld His anger from us for so long. I believe we have been overripe for judgment for some time. How can we slaughter countless millions of unborn innocent lives and think we can escape His judgment? We have openly and blatantly advocated the ‘gay’ lifestyle as a matter of simple preference. Our youth have been taught to use protective measures while at the same time encouraged to experiment sexually where and however they please. Not only have we sanctioned this type of behavior among our youth but we have embraced it within the ‘church’ itself. Denominations that once denounced such acts as sin are now openly bragging about their ‘progress’.   Even going to the extent of marrying ‘gay’ couples and in some cases ordaining them into the ‘ministry’.   Every night our airwaves are filled with violence, murder, fornication, adultery, blasphemy and every manner of filth. One could easily compile a catalogue of national sins and still not cover them all. Are we more sinful than other nations?  No!  But we have received far more light and therefore will be held to a greater judgment.  Jesus said, “the servant that knew his masters will and did not do it will be beaten with many stripes”. Or how about, ‘to whom much is given much is required’

Speaking of judgment. What about this notion that ‘judgment must first begin at the House of God’?   I for one believe that the judgment has already begun. Let’s face it, what is the greatest judgment the Church could possibly suffer? Surely it’s that of God withdrawing His manifest presence from us. When Israel sinned the Glory departed. Have we lived so long without it that we’re not even aware that His presence has left us?  Somehow we have managed to acclimatize ourselves to our lukewarm state.  After all, where are the miracles of our forefathers? Where are the promised signs and wonders that are to follow those who believe? Where is the conviction of sin that marked the early church and saw thousands added to her number daily?  Where are the prophets of old who will fearlessly declare the word of the Lord to the nation. One leading minister spoke out about America’s sin, then later ran for cover by expressing his regret for what he had said.  O how we fear man more than Almighty God. Yes, God has been judging His church for quite some time and we are not even aware of it. That in itself is a form of judgment – ‘you will keep on hearing but not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive’

Yes, we are experiencing judgment both within the church and the nation. It’s time for both to awake, - ‘ knowing the time’. The prophet Isaiah states in Isaiah 26:9 “For when the earth experiences Thy judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” He goes on to say “Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness”. We as a nation have certainly been shown ‘favor’ but with little results. America has turned to God during this crisis for consolation but has yet to turn to God in contrition for Her salvation. Already the comedians are returning to their routine of getting us to laugh, meanwhile we are being urged to get back to business as usual. All this is going on while ‘Rome’ burns around us. As one minister said years ago, ‘if God can’t get our attention by tickling us with a feather, He will hit us over the head with a two by four’.  Look out America; this may be just the first round.   

THE NUMBERING OF OUR DAYS

“ In God We trust”
O how I wish those words
Were really true.
We trust far more in
Who WE ARE
The Red, The White, The Blue.

In times of National crisis
We turn to God and say,
“We need you God, at least for now”
Then later cease to pray.

Our churches fill with people
During these times of need.
We want to hear consoling words
For hearts that break and bleed.

But we have yet to really bow
And humbly seek His face,
Confessing  pride and selfishness
Before His throne of grace.

And so until we really change
And leave our wicked ways.
We’re doomed to watch in horror
The numbering of our days.

David Ravenhill