My Will or Thy Will? :: By Nathele Graham

Many people are praying for America. If there ever was a time in the history of this nation when prayer was needed, it’s now. I love America and the freedom we once had to worship freely, work hard, and pursue happiness. But our Constitutional rights are being trampled on, and it seems we’re moving towards destruction.

America had its beginning when the Pilgrims fled their homes in order to enjoy religious freedom. Eventually, it became necessary to declare independence from the tyranny of England, a war was fought, and a Constitution was written which guarantees rights and limits government. Today, evil is strong, and Satan seems to be winning the battle for America. What’s causing this fall into destruction?

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

God is being rejected, and sin is being exalted; Godly values are laughed at, and sin is legalized.

I remember the United States from a more Christian time. When I was in 8th grade, my class spent time before our Christmas break (not winter holiday) practicing songs like “Silent Night,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and “The First Noel.” On the final day of school before Christmas break, we went out into the community and sang these songs house to house. Today, we don’t want to offend anyone by saying Merry Christmas, schools teach evolution as fact, make it seem OK for Tommy to have two mommies, and ask transgender storytellers to read to our children, yet we ask God to stop the madness that’s gripping this nation.

God cannot be blamed for the evil that’s destroying this nation because His will is being rejected. Even professing Christians keep silent instead of demanding the government return to Biblical ways. This election was an IQ test, and America failed. Shame on us.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19-21).

Do you love the darkness of sin? We cannot live in both darkness and light at the same time. Christians must submit to God’s will and stand upon Biblical truth and moral values. If Christians don’t faithfully follow God’s will in these troubled times, then we can’t blame Him for the problems which are tearing America apart, as well as the entire world.

Nations rise and fall, and the history of America seems to be coming to an end. Why?

Whether you look to the Northern Kingdom of Israel which fell to the Assyrians, the Southern Kingdom of Judah which fell to the Babylonians, or America which is falling to the socialistic evil of the One-World Order, there’s a common thread: Rejection of God’s Laws. Worshipping false gods, practicing child sacrifice, and following man’s will instead of God’s will are sins that can only lead to destruction. The only thing that would have stopped the fall of Israel’s two kingdoms would have been a return to a right relationship with God. The same is true of America. There are many Christians who cry out to God for His mercy, but our voices are drowned out by many who just don’t care or who think this madness is normal.

“O LORD, how long, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth” (Habakkuk 1:2-4).

Can you feel Habakkuk’s anguish? Those words, written so long ago, seem fresh today.

God does listen. He hears our prayer and is willing to act, but we can’t have it both ways. We can’t have His blessings unless we repent and submit to Him. That’s what is missing today… repentance. How many Christians accept sin as a normal part of life? “One-night stands” are sin. Pornography is sin, even if it’s disguised as a movie or music. Abortion is sin. Homosexuality is sin. Why does it seem God isn’t listening? Our sin gets in the way.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Those words were written in a letter from Jesus to the congregation at Laodicea. They represent the final era of the “church age.” The people sitting in the pews are happy in their ignorance and are apathetic to God’s will. Jesus hasn’t stopped knocking on the door and waiting for each individual to invite Him in. That means turning away from the ways of the world. Will you answer His knock and submit your will to His?

There’s still time to repent before America completely falls. Many are praying for revival and for God to intervene, but it’s important to understand that prayer isn’t “magic words” where we tell Jesus what He will do. When we pray for God to make America great again, we need to repent of our sins, turn away from worldly ways, and submit to God’s will.

Those of us who study prophecy know that America isn’t a strong power at the end of days. God exists outside of time and has seen history in advance. He told us what will happen because He has seen it. What we do with that knowledge is up to us. By looking at the signs God gave us, we know that we are near the end of life as we know it. We can pray that God saves America, but unless we change our moral ways, we will be destroyed.

An example is found in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was a city filled with wickedness. God notices things like that, but His desire is for repentance… even in a wicked Gentile city. He sent Jonah to preach to them.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). 

Likewise, God has seen the wickedness of America. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, and the people were very brutal and sinful. Jonah was sent to preach repentance to Nineveh

“And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4).

What did they do? They repented and submitted their will to God’s will. Because they changed their ways, God spared them. There’s still time for America to reject the sin and wickedness that’s gripping this nation; there’s time to reject the evil leadership that will soon take office and lead us to destruction. Unless we submit our will to God’s, America will be destroyed. Brothers and sisters, don’t keep silent, but preach God’s. Unless our will is in line with God’s will, destruction will come very soon.

I have to admit that there are times that it feels as if God is far away and my prayers go out into space and aren’t heard. I’m not the first to feel that way, and I’m sure many Christians today feel the same.

“Why, standest thou afar off O LORD? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1).

The Psalmist goes on to describe how wicked people were behaving in a despicable way against people who were less fortunate and helpless to resist.

“Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none” (Psalm 10:15).

It’s tempting to pray that God will take vengeance against the people today who are leading America into destruction. On the other hand, that’s my will, not God’s. Jesus came into this world to give everyone the chance to repent and to find eternal life through His blood.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, and only faith in Him can change the hearts of men… and women. That means politicians also have a chance to repent and change their ways. God doesn’t condemn anyone to Hell, but the unrepentant condemn themselves.

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

Maybe instead of praying against the evil, we should pray for repentance and salvation of the evildoers. My will is that the wicked pay for their wickedness, but God’s will is that everyone comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 

The last election shows just how wicked and evil America has become. Christians know that this world isn’t our home, but while we live here, we need to witness to the lost and do what we can to share the Gospel. Only Jesus Christ can change hearts, but we need to speak His truth. It should be our will, as it is God’s will, that the lost should come to redemption the Jesus Christ.

We are rapidly moving towards the very end of time. Prophecy gives us the road map, and we are very close to the Rapture. Some of the events that God has foreseen are a little disturbing. For instance, America doesn’t seem to be named in the final years of history. Could it be that America is about to collapse? The destruction of Nineveh was avoided for a few years because they repented. God also gave Israel directions about avoiding judgment for their wickedness.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Can America avoid collapse?

America isn’t God’s chosen land; Israel is. Christian’s, though, are called by Christ’s name. We need to repent of our wicked ways, humble ourselves, seek God, and allow our will to be God’s will. Many people who claim Christ as their Saviour haven’t repented of their sin. Sexual immorality, abortion, choosing ungodly companions, etc., is not God’s will. Most people who are praying for America aren’t praying for repentance and forgiveness, and many don’t want to give up their own sin and wickedness. The end times are upon us, the Rapture is in the very near future, so don’t delay in repenting and turning from your own wickedness, and then share with others.

We know that God’s desire is for everyone to come to repentance, so praying “Thy will be done” is where we need to start. How can we expect God to bless America unless Americans turn from the wickedness of their own will and wicked intents? Stop living in opposition to God.

“The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD” (Proverbs 19:3). 

We tend to blame God for all problems, but it’s our own fault that sin abounds. My will or Thy will? Make sure you choose God’s will.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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Restoration of Israel As Presented by…Jeremiah :: By Ron Ferguson

Restoration of Israel As Presented by The Prophet Jeremiah 

Continuation of the subject with the Prophecy of Isaiah already done. Every Passage Examined

JEREMIAH – PART 3

CHAPTER 31.  We come to the most important chapter in Jeremiah for restoration, and as this is larger than the others (33 is also), I will break it into sections and deal with them one by one. All scriptures are from the NASB.

Jeremiah 31:1 – “At that time,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.’ Jer 31:2 Thus says the LORD, ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness – Israel, when it went to find its rest.’  Jer 31:3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.  Therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jer 31:4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O of Israel!  Again you shall take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dances of the merrymakers. Jer. 31:5 Again you shall plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. The planters shall plant and shall enjoy them, Jer 31:6 for there shall be a day when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim shall call out, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.’”

The passage opens with the key phrase At that time indicative here of the start of the Millennium, and it is a family relationship that is in view in our verses. Every family that is redeemed will have God at the head, for they are His people, claimed as My people” in verse 1. Israel must pass through seas of great torment in the Tribulation, but God will bring them out on the other side, and at His Second Coming, He claims them as His own – Hosea 2:23 “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Today, Israel is not “My people” in the Hosea sense, but what a union this will be in the future! They WILL be His people!

Verse 2.  Through the Tribulation, Israel will be in the wilderness of sorrow and despair, endeavoring to find its rest; on a journey fraught with the horrors of the world leader/Antichrist who will put many Jews to death in a hateful persecution.  There will be terrible times when faith will be strained. However, God does not leave His own abandoned; He provides the grace they need. In China today, we see this hateful persecution against Christians, and it gives us some insight into what these Jewish saints will face. In that passage there is an expression, found grace in the wilderness, which harkens back to the journey from Egypt when God cared for them, but in the Tribulation, there will be a “wilderness” the Jews will encounter for their own survival.

We look at what Jesus said, Matt 24:16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Matt 24:17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house, Matt 24:18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak, Matt 24:19 but woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! Matt 24:20 Pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath Matt 24:21 for then there will be a great tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.” When all is done, and the Lord gathers up His own Jewish saints from all over the world, then they enter into their everlasting rest in restored Israel.

Verses 3-4.  This is the promise of restoration, but the basis of it is everlasting love; for without it, God would have done away with Israel long ago, but His love is from generation to generation. His kindness to the nation has drawn them in love into His tenderness and great glory. The Lord has come from afar (the distance of time). He will do that when the time is right, and we are fast approaching that with the Rapture on the horizon, and the terrible pain of the valley of Tribulation between the Rapture and Israel’s full restoration. Isn’t it wonderful that in verse 4 Israel is called “O virgin of Israel”? This means the Lord will never remember her sin of spiritual adultery with the gods of the nations, and sees the chosen people as spotless, virginal in their union with God.

No doubt the expression, “loved you with an everlasting love,” has given rise to that great hymn,

“Loved with everlasting love,

Led by grace that love to know;

Spirit, breathing from above,

Thou hast taught me it is so.

Look at verse 4. God will rebuild the nation, and the prevailing joy will break forth into singing. A conquered people and discouraged people, such as they were in Babylon, could not sing the Lord’s songs whether it be in a foreign land or in their homeland. There was nothing better than to hang the harps up in the willow trees. In verse 4, what causes the people to take up the tambourines and to participate in the dances of merrymakers? What causes the people of verse 7 to sing aloud with gladness and to shout the message, and to speak out in praise? Well, in both verses, it results from the Lord’s dealings with the nation and the people who are redeemed, and who are without sin, and with righteousness – these are the ones who could sing with gladness.

What great lesson can we learn from that? The closer to God, the greater the singing. The closer to God, realizing what He has done for us, the more correct our singing will be. The greater our doctrinal position is, when we understand the immense quality of God, then the more scripturally correct our singing will be, and will put to shame a lot of the trivial, superficial stuff sung in churches now.

Verses 5-6.  Two thoughts emerge here. The first is the suggestion of productivity, and that is the hallmark of the Millennium; for the land shall produce as it has never done before. The second is that there will be joy in going to Zion, actually the capital of Israel. All that is still future when the land will have peace and is still, and no enemies will ever taunt them again. It is interesting that Jeremiah has these two references to Samaria and Ephraim, as they were alternate names for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, even though they had been deported and scattered some 135 years prior to this prophet. God’s scope is the restoration of the whole land of His people.

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Jeremiah 31:7 – “For thus says the LORD, ‘Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chiefs of the nations.  Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel.’ Jer 31:8 Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labour with child, together. (As) a great company, they shall return here. Jer 31:9 With weeping they shall come, and by supplication I will lead them. I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

We have glanced at verse 7, but there will be praise for the remnant of the people. The Jews praise and beseech the Lord to save His people. What is interesting here is the context. The prayer is for the Lord to save His people, but straight away in the next verse, the Lord confirms He is going to bring them from the north country and every single hideaway place on earth, including those who are blind and the lame and the woman in labor. This is the great ingathering. The weeping in verse 9 is not in sorrow but in joy for their deliverance and salvation as they come home to their ancient land with the Lord leading them.

The way home will not be difficult or filled with obstacles, for the path is straight and refreshment is all along the way. The nations of the world will look after them, a fact that Isaiah covers. It is so significant that Jeremiah makes reference to Ephraim as His (God’s) firstborn even though that kingdom had ended. “I am a Father to Israel” is crucial, for that was the deep family relationship God has with Israel the nation. “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). God is emphatic – “for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

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Jeremiah 31:10 – “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock, Jer 31:11 for the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he,

Jer 31:12 and they shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the bounty of the LORD – over the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd, and their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again.

Jer 31:13 Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together, for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow.

Jer 31:14 I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness,’ declares the LORD.”

Verses 10-11. This is a message the whole world will hear, and the occasion will be set at the time of Israel’s ingathering.  Jehovah scattered all of Israel at various times right up until AD 70, and the Jews have remained scattered in spite of a partial return beginning in 1947. He who scattered them will gather them as a hen gathers her chicks. The Lord desired that to happen 2,000 years ago, but the nation steadfastly opposed any obedience to its God, persistently refusing. But at the start of the Millennium, they have a burning desire to return. Once they have returned, He who gathered them as a hen now keeps them as the Shepherd of the sheep.

On what basis can the Lord do this for His nation, Israel? Verse 11 answers the question. The Lord both ransomed and redeemed Israel. The basis of redemption is blood, for there can be no forgiveness of sin without shedding of blood, and the crux of forgiveness is the cross at Calvary. The shed blood of the Lamb of God is efficacious for both the Church and Israel, and without it, there would be no hope for the human race. In fact, there would be no hope for the righteous ones preceding the cross because they also needed Calvary for complete redemption.

I could find no significant difference between the two words in verse 11 in the original – “ransomed” and “redeemed” except redeemed has more the idea of payment being made for release. It was the blood of Christ that paid the debt for sin to release the captive. The Jews had been held captive by evil men who were too powerful for them. Only a Strongman could set them free. Isn’t that the theme of so many dramas and novels and plots where some hero comes to the rescue?  The one who will be too strong for Israel will be the world ruler when he turns on Israel halfway into the Tribulation – this Antichrist, the one almost the embodiment of Satan because he is so evil. Praise the Lord, there is One who has the power over sin and releases the captives, and no one but He could do it.

As one hymn says, “There was none other good enough to pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in,” and “He breaks the power of cancelled sin; He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean: His blood availed for me,” and “My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”

Verse 12.  Verses 12, 13 and 14 go together, but I will split them. As I have said so many times, God’s blessings to Israel are in the land, and the promises lie largely in that area. When you study verse 12, you see that very clearly. Don’t miss some pertinent points here. On the height of Zion, they shout for joy; they don’t sing for joy or speak joy; they shout it. That is a powerful transformation in the redeemed saints after the Tribulation. They will be radiant. That word means “to shine, beam, light, burn,” so they are overflowing with almost inexpressible joy and radiance for their Kinsman-Redeemer.

Isaiah 60:5 Then you will see and be radiant and your heart will thrill and rejoice because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.” We looked at that reference in Isaiah much earlier. Psalm 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Radiance in attitude comes from connection with the God of light and of glory. These are great promises for Israel in the years to come, but it is also the right of the Christian to be radiant in the Lord’s presence.

Verse 13. Sorrow will be the mark of the Tribulation saints as they mount hurdle after hurdle with wickedness from Satan wanting to overcome them. It is a time when some will be betrayed, others starved and all persecuted. When all that is lifted from their heads, they enter into the presence of the King who will reign in Jerusalem, and they will not be able to contain themselves. Rejoicing in dance; young and old of one mind; joy will swallow up grief and mourning; comfort will be theirs, joy overpowering any sorrow. Such is the transformation in restoration.

Verse 14. Both priests and people will be blessed. No longer will the corrupt and false priests operate, but in His Kingdom, all will be righteous and honorable for the Lord. The word “abundance” means “fat ashes” where the ashes of the victims were mixed with fat. The priest’s portion was the wave-breast and heave-shoulder, and the Levitical priests were supported by part of the offering, but the verse here is saying there will be just so much, so much abundance for the priests. We know these verses are set in the time of the Millennial Kingdom, so the verse confirms there will be animal sacrifices in the Millennium, a fact that some want to reject. These will not be sacrifices for sin, for that will be gone for God’s holy nation, but they will be sacrifices of praise and worship to Messiah-King. The last 9 or 10 chapters of Ezekiel outline in detail the functioning of the Millennial Temple.

The blessing for the people will be satisfaction with God’s goodness. That would take two forms – the great productivity of the land and consequential blessings flowing from that, and great spiritual satisfaction of joy, peace, and other aspects no doubt. It will happen because the Lord has declared it!

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Jeremiah 31:15 – “Thus says the LORD, ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’ Jer 31:16 Thus says the LORD, ‘Restrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded,’ declares the LORD, ‘and they shall return from the land of the enemy.  Jer 31:17 And there is hope for your future,’ declares the LORD, ‘and your children shall return to their own territory.’”

Verses 15-17. Verse 15 is quoted in the New Testament at the time of the slaughter of the infants by Herod. To apply that verse to Herod’s time only is very limiting because it could also have application to the double destruction of Jerusalem and even to the Nazi atrocities. The remainder of the verses in this section are significant as it goes beyond those times and into the Tribulation and the Restoration of Israel. The Jews will be terribly persecuted in the Tribulation, and one can hear Rachel weeping. Verse 15 is not final, for we move to verse 16, and the sunshine of hope bursts on the scene. God will reward their work, for the recompense for all this trouble now arrives and they enter into blessing.

This verse, when speaking of the return from the land of the enemy, definitely can apply to the return from the Babylonian captivity, but to confine it to that is imperfect. They were murdered and exiled from their land in 70 AD. The greater application for verse 16 is the return at the start of the Millennium from the lands today, nearly all of them enemies of the Jews. Verse 17 is one of great hope, for in their future they will come to their own territory. There is not much hope to return as from the Babylonian captivity, only to find yourself confronted by enemies, and then the horrible Seleucids, and then the Romans, and then full destruction of their land. No, when they return in the future, it will be permanent and in great joy, never to be bothered by enemies again.

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END OF PART 3   RESTORATION OF ISRAEL FROM JEREMIAH

ronaldf@aapt.net.au