WHERE HAVE ALL THE PROPHETS GONE?
Jerry Guiltner
Preachers, theologians, those who perch on church pews and others ridicule Christians who dare to enter the political realm in America today. They say it is our duty to preach the Gospel but not to engage sinners who are in the process of destroying the nation God has so richly blessed. Are they correct? Should believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ leave well enough alone on the political front while America plunges headlong toward hell?
To answer our question, let us consider the past. When God’s people were acquiescing to the political leaders of their day in Old Testament times, He sent prophets to sound the shofar and warn the people of coming judgment unless they turned from their wicked ways. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel and others were speaking against the political scene in their day. They linked God’s desire for obedience to Him by confronting sin head on.
A question many of us have is this: Where have God’s prophets gone? Are they hiding in corners and behind curtains? Or are they simply non-existent?
America desperately needs an Amos, a Jeremiah, a Joel. We are dying for lack of a spirit filled man of God who will stand boldly to proclaim that Jesus is a heart changer and that His ways lead to freedom and prosperity.
Presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton on the campaign trail told a group of “Black Lives Matter” proponents that we do not need to change hearts but rather we need to change laws and rules. CNN quoted Clinton on August 18, 2015 as saying to them: “Look, I don’t believe you change hearts,” Clinton said, arguing that the movement can’t change deep seated racism. “I believe you change laws, you change allocation of resources, you change the way systems operate.” According to her thinking, more government intervention in the lives of United States citizens is the way to go. That is counter to what God says and the reason He sent His only begotten Son from heaven to earth.
Scripture relates: “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away” (2 Cor. 3:15-16). That is a heart that has been turned around. Changing the people’s hearts is the only true answer to the dilemma we face in a country once devoted to God and His ways. And we as Christians need to be quick in telling those outside the family of God about the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus.
Our Lord and Saviour is coming and it could be soon. According to the Bible, while there are a few unfulfilled prophecies to be accomplished before the Second Coming of Christ, there is no prophecy left to be fulfilled before the rapture of His Bride. That event is imminent. It could be before you finish reading these words.
It is true that the Gospel will be preached to the entire world, which has not yet occurred. But that will happen during the days known as the Tribulation. That prophecy is found in Matthew 24:14. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” The fulfillment verse is found in the book of Revelation during the Tribulation. John wrote: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water” (Rev. 14:6-7).
Do you have family members, friends, acquaintances who will be left behind to endure the horrors of the Tribulation when Jesus comes to rescue His church before that time? If so, why not let them know in a loving way that Jesus died for them on the cross and that He is the heart changer needed by everyone in the world?
Paul provided a passage of Scripture that tells how those who are on the road to damnation can alter the course of their lives and spend eternity with Jesus. He wrote: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him (Jesus) from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).
It is just that simple. Confess that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that He has been raised from the dead. Believe all that in your heart and call upon the name of Jesus and you will be saved from the wrath of the Tribulation. We read: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).
Those of us who hold to the pre-tribulation position concerning the rapture have been accused of being escapists by those who have another view. That means they think that since we believe we will be taken up to be with Jesus in the air we are looking for an escape clause. However, if we are true to the Word, being pre-trib causes us to be zealous to reach as many unsaved people as quickly as we can. We know there is an urgency because Jesus’ coming for His church could be at any time.
So, I say with all earnestness, if you know someone who is on the road to destruction; tell them about the love of Christ. If, on the other hand, you have never surrendered your own life to Him, please follow Romans 10:9-10, 13 and trust wholly in Jesus and the salvation that only He can provide.
Perhaps God will call you, or someone you have a part in bringing to a saving knowledge of Jesus, to be a modern-day prophet proclaiming the message of the simple and everlasting Gospel. We desperately need more godly prophets if America is to survive the onslaught of socialism and big government.