Rising Up Early and Speaking a Message of Warning

In my Bible reading, I have been going through the Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and the Minor Prophets, Daniel through Malachi. As I have been going through the prophets, a thought came to mind concerning the prophets of the 21st century. More specifically, my question is, “Where are the prophets of our time?”

As one goes back through the prophets, we find examples of messages being given to God’s people from Genesis down to the time of the book of Revelation. This would encompass a time span of about 1500 years.

For example, we find Noah at a minimum witnessing to his generation even if it was by his example of building a huge ship in a location without access to a large body of water. Did Noah go out and preach or did he simply warn his generation by building a ship? When asked about what he was up to, did he tell them of the flood that was to come unless people turned from their wicked ways? In all probability, yes, but no one heeded.

To me one of the most vivid reminders of the work of prophets is found in the prophet Jeremiah. There is a phrase that is repeated throughout the book regarding God and His prophets. Let’s consider a few examples of this phrasing:

• Jeremiah 7:13 “And now, because you have done all these works,” says the LORD, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer.”
• Jeremiah 7:25 “Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them.”
• Jeremiah 11:7 “‘For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, “Obey My voice.”
• Jeremiah 35:15 “I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.”

The common theme in these verses is that God sent His servants, the prophets, with His message, “rising up early and speaking” a message of warning, but God’s people would not listen. Besides the scriptures cited, God also makes this point in Jeremiah 25:3; 25:4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14; 44:4.

In reality, God had sent his message from the time Israel came out of Egypt until Jeremiah’s time. God’s warning to turn from their wicked ways had been delivered over a 700 year span and God’s people had not heeded.

As prophesied the consequences of sin eventuality came to pass as both Israel and Judah were conquered and taken into captivity.

Beyond Jeremiah’s time God’s warning to mankind continued to be delivered over and over again down to the final message given to God’s people by the Apostle John. Man’s response has continued to be the same: to ignore the prophetic word delivered.

As we consider this consistent pattern of the prophets rising up early to deliver God’s message, we might ask, “Where are the prophets of our time? Where are the prophets of the 21st century?”

We may not have many men in the flesh who are powerfully preaching God’s message to the people of our time. But the prophets are still speaking if people are willing to heed.

One might ask, “Where are the prophets?” In reality, the prophets are speaking in the pages of the most widely published book in the world: The Bible. It is available to all in almost every language and dialect on earth. It is also available whether it is early or late. And it is most applicable to our time.

The prophets still speak in the pages of the Bible. The question remains, “Will mankind heed the prophetic word God sends to mankind?” That is the question that remains to be answered.

I hope this Sabbath Thought offers some food for consideration during God’s time of rest.

Gary Smith

Prayer Request for Our Angolan Brethren

One of the things we enjoy on the Sabbath is being able to meet in peace. In my forty-some years of going to church services, we have been able to meet in peace.

We have been blessed not to face government or societal suppression and persecution. That is a blessing that has allowed us to meet for Sabbath services, Holy Days and to share the gospel on a wide scale.

Paul speaks of doors being opened to carry God’s message far and wide:

• 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
• 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord
• Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains

It is God who opens doors for us to find halls in which to meet and to hear the Christ’s gospel preached each Sabbath. It is God who makes it possible to meet in peace.

Just as Paul mentions adversaries in 1 Corinthians 16:9, we have “many adversaries” as well. Those adversaries may be human and they may also be of the spiritual variety as well, but they exist to thwart our coming together in peace and safety.

At the present time, we have a group of people affiliated with United who seek to meet each week to observe the Sabbath. However, they face a situation in which they might not be able to meet:

Prayer Request - Angolan Brethren Jorge de Campos, senior pastor, Portuguese speaking areas

The Angolan brethren, which number in excess of 5,000 men, women and children, request your prayers for their continued freedom to fellowship every Sabbath in Angola. The Angolan government just issued a decree that churches, to be able to gather in Angola, need to have 100,000 adult members in the country with their signatures duly notarized. The minimum threshold was established as 2/3 of that number in at least 2/3 of their provinces.

A number of churches which had been previously registered, had their previous registration revoked. What triggered this situation was that a number of small strange religions started appearing in Angola, originating from Brazil and other African countries, with weird practices causing what the Angolan government deemed as a nuisance and trouble. All churches had to submit their application to be recognized and allowed to continue gathering by yesterday (Monday, November 5th). The Angolan brethren submitted their application as required. They are appealing for an exception on the quantity of members and additionally they are referring to their ‘good works’ in the area of community schools and teachers that they are providing in various Angolan cities.

The process will now go through governmental review (for an unidentified period of time). We really do not know how long this will take. The Angolan government may ask for additional evidence, such as the notarized signatures, at any future time. As obtaining these signatures is a cost which to many of the local brethren is prohibitive (even though to us is only about US$7 per signature), UCGIA has sent them an unsolicited amount from the GCE approved Portuguese subsidy. This will help them in paying for a number of the notarized signatures of the brethren. The Angolan brethren are very grateful for all the help that they are receiving from UCG. However from now on, they will continue to gather in faith and they request your petitions to our Heavenly Father that they may continue to gather every Sabbath as it is commanded, and as per God’s will.

Thank you.
____________________________________________________________________________

We don’t have the power to change this, but God most certainly does. As we do offer up prayers on this matter please remember:

2 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

It would be most appropriate that we would offer up our “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” to God that our fellow brethren in Angola “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”.

Have a pleasant Sabbath,

Gary Smith