In September of last year the president of a large nation stood before all the nations gathered in the assembly hall of the United Nations in New York City. He spoke about peace and understanding, but in his speech he also proclaimed that Jesus was coming back. Can you imagine such a thing? A president of a nation proclaims before the whole world that Jesus Christ the Savior is returning to this world.
Surely it must have been the president of a self proclaimed "Christian" nation like England or the United States. Surely it must have been a president that professes Christ. That is what you might think, but you would be wrong. The man was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. I wondered why a Muslim would be allowed by God to proclaim the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.
I came up with two possible reasons. I do not believe the Lord could find any true believer who was president of any large nation even though some claim to be. But I also believe God used the mouth of a Muslim to warn the world, and to shame what is now called Christianity, and also mock the apostate church. Many American presidents have addressed the entire world from the United Nations, but none have even had the courage to mention Jesus, much less proclaim His return.
But just like God used the heathen Assyrians to punish His own people in ancient Israel and then punished the Assyrians, men like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will one day bow down to the Jesus they did not know before God punishes them forever..
Be aware, though, be very aware.
The Lion is on His way.
Wow! Now that is convicting! I love how God is not bound by our stubbornness and cowardice. He opened the mouth of a donkey once . . .
ReplyDeleteDear Lord, thank you for this wise word.
ReplyDeleteIt is true. If the church isn't listening, and is ashamed of publicly speaking about the return of Christ on an international platform, for fear of being mocked and accused of being an ignorant believer of mythology, God will chose one who will.
One thing about some in the Muslim faith, is that they are not ashamed of talking about spiritual things that they've been taught. They are all too happy to speak to the world about what they believe, if anyone will listen.
One trait they have is that whatever they believe, they are not ashamed of it. Many young devout Muslums, unlike some in the christian west, are not afraid of their peers who make fun of them. The youth respect their older relatives and look up to them for spiritual wisdom, which is not at all like in the traditional pockets of western christianity.
So, with these elements, those like Ahmadinejad, who are fiercely proud (to an extreme) of their heritage and religious beliefs, also believe that Jesus is a prophet. And they have no qualms talking about their belief that their prophet and Mahdi will return, as well as Jesus. They have no shame of being ridiculed. And we know that when no christian is brave enough to speak about the return of Christ because he's more interested in appearing 'safe' and 'of sound mind' refuses to discuss spiritual matters, as it only enhances the politically-correct left's scrutiny. So they say nothing. They chose a bowl of pottage instead of claiming their inheritance and speaking spiritual truth.
So, as I used to hear a pastor preach, when his prophets prophesied from their own hearts and not from God's mouth, God used the heathen and even once, a donkey.
But, in these end days, it might also be a fearful thing to hear a politician stand up and declare Christ's return; any politician who would believe that Christ's return is imminent, if he sincerely believed that, would step down from his political platform and preach from a pulpit, not the United Nations. Please help us, Lord.
ReplyDeletePsalm 116
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
Although I tremble at the thought of the Lord's return, I can't help but smile too.
I used to be so independent and relied upon myself, but in these later years He had stripped me of all that. There are some days I can't go a moment without thinking of Him, or talk to Him in my heart. I don't think I will ever feel ready for His return, I can hardly wait for it either.
Even in good times, I look to His return. I have come to realize that nothing we precieve as good here could ever compare with what awaits us. Some days enduring seems impossible, but He finds a way for me to endure. I used to be independent, now I am so needy the world would call me pitiful. I don't want Jesus, I need Him, like my lungs need air need Him. I don't know which fear is greater, fear of being without Him or the fear of Him.
When I am feeling alone, or sad, and life has really gotten to me, I go to the Gospels and read the parts where Jesus is speaking, and it conforts me. I always knew the Bible was alive, and it is never more true than when I read His actual words.
Thank you Lord for your Words, for You, for brothers and sisters in You. Our Blessed Hope will soon be here, and people still look for their knight in shining amour, when they can look for a King yet to come.
Love to all my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't talking about the return of Jesus at all. He doesn't believe in Jesus as His Lord and Savior but he does believe in Isa!
Jesus and Isa have nothing in common since Isa worshipped Allah and Jesus worshipped the God of heaven and earth.
Of course true believers know that. But why is he more open about a false Christ than millions of Christians, including all the so called Christian leaders in goverment, are about the real Christ? I have heard American presidents fro Kennedy through Obama address the United Nations and none of them ever mentioned Jesus to say nothing of proclaiming His return. And all those presidents claim to believe in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteMy point was that the Iranian president was more bold than any American president.
Rick, your point was well made.
ReplyDeleteJust as loyal servants of LORD Jesus delight to tell the truth and preach the Gospel of Christ, "loyal" servants of Satan delight to tell lies and promote false religions and false teachings.
In 1 Peter 5:8 we read: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ...
We need to remember that lions roar. Loyal followers of Satan roar out his lies. They are bold like a lion. Hitler was a loyal follower of Satan. Hatred gushed out of him with the intensity of a roaring lion. The Iranian President has a soft-sounding voice but there is no mistaking his lion-like roar for the teachings of Allah, the false god of the Koran.
Just as people who allow themselves to be called Pope historically have made many false claims about being Christian, so also have many, many Presidents of the USA made false claims about being Christian.
ReplyDeleteNon-Christians are unable to witness boldly for LORD Jesus Christ because they are still captives to Satan. All the Presidents who didn't consistently speak up for Jesus were dead in trespasses and sin!
Piercing blog, and great comments everyone; thanks.
ReplyDeleteI would like to gently remind us all in love, of a distinction that is important to me: that as William Birch carefully states, "[God] opened the mouth of a donkey once." Numbers 22 relates the incident, where God allowed the donkey to tell its own thoughts to Balaam in language. God did not, however, speak THROUGH the donkey, as is frequently misstated. I think it's an important distinction. I appreciate your careful wording, Brother.
This blog is a powerful observation, Brother Rick, that has me repenting and interceding.
Victoria
I think that the watchmen (including all of us) are being prepared to enter in to a spiritual walk at a deeper level, insomuch that we speak out to our friends and family and strangers and anyone in our paths, "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand".
ReplyDeleteAnd this isn't an easy feat. Our society shuns any kind of negative and wants constant positive reinforcement, and to be spoken words that tickle their ears.
I've been watching a few 'christian' programs. Some of these hosts do indeed talk about the Lord's coming; they speak as the words of a prophet, and share their visions that they feel God has given them. And when I hear them speak about the signs of the end, I could believe them, if it weren't for them promoting their book, promoting their ministry, and asking for donations. In fact, whatever they may have (or have not received) from the Lord, whether it is the Lord, or visions from their own heart, these prophecies may still stand. BUT, if they sell it, it is grievous to God. They can't and shouldn't SELL the Lord's WORD and WARNINGS to the Church and the unrepentent. Unbelievers might not be able to even afford a television set, buy a book, or be in a place where they are plugged into the prophetic church world. What is happening, is that the Lord's prophets have traded in their precious responsibility to warn the Church and warn the world - for becoming a world-renowned ministry and the words they claim they receive from God are being sold for money.
There are John the Baptists out there who have no desire for the things of the world anymore. I pray that God gives them and us boldness to speak it. We have unsaved loved ones and there are so many out there who have never heard.
I cannot believe that the Billy Grahams, the dedicated preachers and pastors are not speaking out about the days we live in. Many of them are old and know that life is a vapor, and in their old age they could speak the words of the prophet, but instead, they soothe the politicians and they ask the Church to show allegiance to a certain party, with soothing words, encouraging them to protect the nation's finances, security, and traditional values. They seem to have denied the signs all around them.
I love hearing from a good brother (Rick) these words, "Be aware, though, be very aware. The Lion is on His way". Alleluia!!
Anon. J