As the situation here in our nation grows more and more precarious, there is a greater than usual amount of discussion concerning prophecy and how these Old Testament messages may/may not affect our modern-day world. The number of positions on this topic is as numerous as the folks taking them; one implied position that is particularly troubling to me is the thought that we are “too sophisticated”, “too powerful”, “too important”, and so on. Having read the Old Testament more than a few times, I have come to understand that God’s word given to the Prophets has no expiration date. As a bullet fired in space is not affected by gravity, God’s word continues on it’s intended course without regard for time. When those actions intersect with His prophetic word, that word applies again, and maybe again, and again. Is it not the height of foolishness to think that God would issue a prophetic word of correction to a disobedient nation, and then allow another nation (regardless of the time frame) to disregard the warning? Read, if you will, the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, read Amos and Habakkuk, as they warned their people of the coming wrath of God as judgment for their disobedience. Listen as God tells Habakkuk that he would not believe what was about to happen (1:5) or hear one of many words that God gave Jeremiah concerning the nation of Judah, and hear their angry response ch. 42&43.
Israel and Judah alike were prosperous nations with a significant position in the land. It was perhaps because of their significance and wealth that they were reluctant to hear “Thus says the Lord” and continued to rebel against God in spite of the many warnings from the Prophets. It must have been inconceivable that the same God Who had brought them so far would now allow them to be destroyed and carried away captive.
Surely there is a message here for our nation. Is there a more prominent nation, or a more powerful nation than the United States of America? Would the God Who prospered her from the very beginning of her existence, now turn and allow her to be punished?
“Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” Habakkuk 1:5 (NKJV)
Now is the time we must pray, or endure God’s wrath.
