“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Hab.1:5)
We are living in a time much like the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a Hebrew prophet of seventh century b.c. Judah who prophesied an imminent Chaldean invasion. Habakkuk viewed his world as a place where “justice never goes forth” except in perverted form (Hab. 1:4). He is distressed by the fact that violence prevails and agonized by the thought that God tolerates evil. He prays “How long?” He cries, “Why?” he was made to “look at injustice?” His prayer did not go unanswered. Yet, the reply given to him is not the comfort of an explanation. The prophet initiated this conversation with God based on his distress about God’s “inaction” in the world. He wanted to see God do something more, particularly in the area of justice for evildoers. How long would God allow this mess to continue? Not long, according to the Lord (Hab. 2:2–3). Another nation, the Babylonians (Chaldeans), would come and execute justice on the Lord’s behalf. The Voice that comes to him says, “Look . . . see,” Look around at the godless nations. Watch! “For I am accomplishing a work in your days— You would not believe it even if you were told! (Hab. 1:5)
The wickedness of the land and the peoples seemed to abound. So much evil thrived, completely in the open, but God remained strangely silent. Habakkuk was deeply stricken by seeing ungodliness and violence prevail; especially among those who profess to know the truth. Midst the wickedness, Habakkuk stood on his guard post. He stationed himself on the watchtower to see what God would say. He wanted to hear how God would answer his complaint. And how he would reply when reprimanded (Hab. 2:1). The good news is that God can’t be restrained by evil or discouraged by it.
Then the Lord answered him saying ”Write down the vision. Inscribe it clearly on tablets. This ensures that one who reads it run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long. Behold, as for the impudent [not showing due respect for another person] one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous one will live by his faith” (Hab. 2:2-4).
The Lord first spoke to me from the Book of Habakkuk. At that time, I wasn’t sure what the Lord was saying. As time went on, I grew in my understanding. I realized that the vision referred to God’s plan of redemption at the end of days. Like Habakkuk, I am shocked by what I see taking place today, especially in America. Justice never seems to go forth. Yet, I know that God’s Word never returns to Him void. He will accomplish all that He intends to do (Isa. 55:11). What has sustained me throughout my walk with the Lord is choosing to live by faith as instructed in Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11 and Heb. 10:38.
In it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. It is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.”
Romans 1:17
Many of God’s people trudge along through life living by what their natural eyes can see. They don’t know God’s ways, nor His Word. Hebrews 3:10 says that God was angry with the children of Israel. Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known His ways. But it does not take prophetic people to see – upheaval, uncertainty, amorality in the world today. Paul revealed to Timothy that in tempestuous times many people will be lovers of self and money. They will be boastful, arrogant, slanderers and disobedient to parents. They will ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips. without self-control. Brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these (2 Tim.3:1-5).
Paul later charged Timothy to be ready to preach the word. “In season and out of season.” He advised him to correct, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction. He told Timothy that a time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, they will want to have their ears tickled by teachers in conformance with their own desires. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to myths and fables (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
In these last days, God is looking for people with prophetic perception. He longs for a people who understand the times.
Without the ability to see spiritually we can not see beyond the natural circumstances of life. The Father wants to show you the realities of the Kingdom so that you will flourish in life.
The Church as God’s prophetic vanguard company is to be dedicated to restoring others rather than protecting itself.
Kenneth J. Archer, PhD (University of St Andrews), The Dead Prophets Society
As Believers, we have been given the ability to see spiritually what the Lord is saying to the Church. It’s important that we look with spiritual eyes to see what God is doing in this generation. Jesus explains in Matthew 13:11-17 why he spoke to the people in parables. He said that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand. The disciples had be given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom. He told them that those who listen with an open heart will get progressively more revelation. Those who don’t listen with an open, teachable heart will lose their understanding. They will lose even the understanding they think they have. He goes on to say, “That’s why I teach the people using parables. They think they’re looking for truth. Yet because their hearts are unteachable, they never discover it. Although they will listen to me, they never fully perceive the message I speak.”
He tells them that the prophecy of Isaiah describes them perfectly: “They listen carefully to everything I speak. Yet, they don’t understand. They hear my words but fail to grasp the meaning. They look and pretend to see, but the eyes of their hearts are closed. Their minds are dull and slow to perceive. Their ears are plugged and hard of hearing. They have deliberately shut their eyes to the truth. Otherwise, they would open their eyes to see. They would open their ears to hear. They would open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and I would instantly heal them.[i]
“But blissful are your eyes, for they see. Delighted are your ears, for they are open to hear all these things. Many prophets and godly people yearned to see these days of miracles that you’ve been favored to see. They would have given everything to hear the revelation you’ve been favored to hear.”
Though wickedness prosper a while, yet God is holy, and does not approve the wickedness in any form. Romans 1:18- reminds us, ”For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness. It is also revealed against the unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That which is known about God is obvious within them. Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly perceived. His eternal power and divine nature are understood by what has been made. They are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks. They became futile in their reasoning. Their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. They exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for images. These images were in the form of corruptible mankind, birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts. Their bodies were dishonored among them. They exchanged the truth of God for falsehood. They worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. (Rom. 1:18-26).
Thanks be to God where sin and lawlessness abounds, grace abounds even more (Rom. 5:20). Albeit, the times are growing darker the vision of God’s redemptive plan is unfolding day by day.
In His Service,
Minister Dr. A. Francine Green
Notes: All Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
afrancinegreen.com 