Although this essay is indicated as "part 2", in fact, this is really the third in what has become a series of essays, which I have titled, "Transitioning to a New Order" ~ my recent "Shiloh is forsaken" being (retrospectively) the first essay in the series.
After reviewing the two earlier essays in this series, I realized that I need to provide a brief synopsis of the main points thus far. For, given the necessarily condensed format of blogs, and, given the volume and complexity of information in the first two essays, I am concerned that my meaning may not be well enough understood. Following, then, are the principal ideas thus far:
- I perceive that an important prophetic parallel exists between this present generation (from about 1976 until now ~ 40 years), and that generation ~ extensively discussed in Scripture ~ encompassing the years from about 10 years before David was born, until the year he ascended the throne (in Hebron) at age 30 ~ a period of 40 years. The graphic, below, shows the relative time of the occurrence of significant events. The "prophetic generation" (40 yrs) with which we are concerned is shown in red:
- The graphic reveals that our "prophetic generation" spans the time of king Saul's reign.
- Saul was anointed to be king shortly after the death of the priest Eli ~ which signifies the time when God forsook Shiloh.
- The "prophetic generation", then, begins when Shiloh was forsaken, and ends when David became king in Hebron.
- There appears to be a prophetic parallel between the decadent culture of ancient Israel ~ which caused God to forsake his tabernacle at Shiloh, and the decadent culture of American society (since the 1960s until now) ~ which has provoked God to forsake the apostate churches in America.
- While yet another prophetic parallel appears between the wicked leadership (king Saul) of Israel's then decadent culture, and the leadership of the decadent culture (including, especially, the apostate churches) in America, today.
- Still another prophetic parallel seems to exist between God's dealings with a faithful Remnant (represented in David and in his band of warriors), and a similarly faithful Remnant in America, today.
- Finally, there appears to be a prophetic parallel between David's ascendancy ~ first to reign (briefly) over Judah and then to unite the "whole house of Israel" under his rule, and the Rapture and (shortly thereafter,) Christ's return to unite and to rule over the "whole house of Israel", in the Millennial Kingdom.
How did God deal with His faithful Remnant ~ after that God forsook Shiloh; and, what prophetic parallel(s) may we discern in how God dealt with that Remnant, in the midst of a People forsaken by God?"In the midst of a People forsaken by God": How does that speak to America in the year 2016? When God forsook Shiloh, God then turned to be the dread Enemy to (the apostates in) Israel ~ whom He "greatly abhorred". And does America fear God? Absolutely, not. The lack of which (the fear of God) is the cardinal sign of Apostasy. It is just such a culture ~ which has no fear of God, which stands in the gravest possible danger of God's impending wrath! It is just when a decadent culture appears to be most at ease with its wicked condition (when all fear of God is gone), that sudden destruction comes.
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Before we turn to examine how God dealt with the Remnant in the time of David, however, let me first say a few words concerning the prophetic parallel involving David's ascendancy to the throne, and the soon-return of Jesus Christ (as mentioned, above). For, God's dealing with His Remnant in the days of David was "sandwiched between", as it were, God's forsaking of Shiloh, and David's coronation as king. God's dealings with His Remnant, in other words, occurred within a certain context (the Apostasy), and was directed toward a certain goal (David's rule, and the restoration of Israel).
David ruled over the tribe of Judah (in Hebron) for seven years; after which time all the tribes of Israel submitted themselves to David as their king. That latter event marked the beginning of the "Kingdom" of Israel, which enjoyed great peace and prosperity under the rule of David (who is a type of Christ). Doubtless the prophetic parallel to the united Kingdom under David, is to be found in the Millennial Kingdom, from the time of Christ's Second Coming.
What may be the prophetic meaning, then, of that seven year period during which time David ruled over the tribe of Judah, in Hebron? Firstly, the "house of Israel" was then still divided. Secondly, the house of Saul (Ishbosheth) still ruled over the greater part of Israel. Taken together, the whole scenario suggests a prophetic parallel between that seven year time period, and the soon-coming seven-year Tribulation. For, during those seven years, Christ shall indeed reign with his saints "in Hebron" (which means, "seat of association"), whilst the world shall then still be under the reign of "Saul's house", as it were. After which time (seven years) Christ shall then unite the entire world under His reign.
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In sum, there are many reasons to suppose that a prophetic parallel does in fact exist between that 40-year generation above identified, and this present generation ~ which is rapidly nearing the end of its allotted time, according to the prophecy. The number and kinds of circumstances in the time of Saul and David, as discussed hitherto, appear to be too many and too remarkably similar to recent and still ongoing circumstances in America (and in the larger world), to have no prophetic significance for us.
Having such confidence, then, let us see what things we may learn about how God may yet (between now and the Rapture) deal with His faithful Remnant of believers; in view of how God dealt with David and his army of about 400 men, in the days before David became king in Hebron.
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Two things stand out above everything else related to the experiences of David and his band of "mighty men" (as they were called, in Scripture), during the time before David became king; namely:
- They were continually persecuted by Saul and his allies; and, so, they lived "on the run", so to speak. Their otherwise 'normal' lifestyles were drastically affected by reason of Saul's relentless (and life-threatening) harassment.
- They did "exploits" ~ feats of extraordinary courage and strength ~ such as there are no parallels to those in history.
an exceptional time of apostasy and persecution
Israel, as a 'nation', had long been sliding further and further into apostasy, until the time when God at last forsook them (as symbolized by God's forsaking of Shiloh). Nevertheless, the time of Saul's reign appears to signify a unique, albeit relatively brief, epoch involving not only Israel's still deepening apostasy but, importantly, the turning of Israel's apostates (under Saul) to persecute certain members of their own nation (namely, David and his followers). Significantly, that period of persecution continued throughout the entire time of Saul's reign (excepting, for the first two or three years). Moreover, the longer Saul reigned, the worse that persecution became, until Saul died and David became king.
We see a parallel to that time of persecution, in the still-ongoing and worsening persecution of Christians in America (and in the world). Significant, too, is the fact that the persecution of Christians, throughout the world, did not occur nearly as much prior to the 1970s (as evidenced by statistics related to the "opening" of the Fifth Seal). The demonstrable increase of persecution of Christians, which began nearly a generation ago, corresponds with the beginning of that "prophetic generation" identified herein.
Nor does it appear that such persecution was abated, until David ascended to the throne. But from that time forward, both David and his "mighty men" (and their families) had access to resources of manpower, materiel, and other goods, unlike anything they had known prior to that time; (for, they were then joined by the whole tribe of Judah). Does that not seem to reinforce the notion that David's ascendancy to the throne (in Hebron) corresponds, prophetically, to the time of the Rapture of the Church? To be sure, the persecution of Christians must then cease (after the Rapture); as the Church shall then have access to resources never before known ~ when we are joined with the whole Body of Christ (in glory).
David's "mighty men" and their exploits
One might be tempted to think that the prophetic pattern we have been discussing has no counterpart in this present generation, with regard to the prolific and exceptional exploits that were done by David's "mighty men" (see, 1 Chronicles chapter 11). But that is far from being the case. The first thing which should be noted concerning those men, in fact, is their willingness to come out from among the apostates in Israel, and to faithfully stand with David ~ notwithstanding the persecution and privation which resulted to themselves. That is not only praiseworthy, but it is also a manifestation of the working of the Holy Ghost: who calls out, separates, and preserves a faithful Remnant unto Christ (typified in those who were loyal to David).The next thing I want to highlight, concerning David's "mighty men", is their manifest courage. As I already mentioned, they were probably not much different from other men, in terms of their physiques. But they were deeply devoted to David (Christ), thus, they walked with ~ and fought with ~ the Anointed one of God.
There are doubtless many "exploits" which are being done by anointed men and women, today; though we are unlikely to hear about those. I recently watched a video of a pastor in Africa who raised a dead baby back to life (link); which, I believe, it was a legitimate case. Too, this present generation has not yet reached its terminus. Thus, it remains to be seen what great things God will yet do in and through the sanctified Body of Christ, in the short time remaining to us before the Rapture.
Furthermore, there was a worldwide movement involving Holy Ghost-empowered Revival, which occurred just about a century ago. Important for this present generation, are certain prophecies given forth by some of the key leaders of that movement a century ago: who said, in various terms, that God had showed them, respectively, that an even greater outpouring of God's Spirit was coming to the Body of Christ prior to the Rapture. Smith Wigglesworth, for but one such example, said that God showed him in a vision that a surpassing move of God was forthcoming in the then near-future. Wigglesworth also testified he was shown that he would not live to be part of that coming movement of God; but that it was not then far off. John G. Lake, also, similarly prophesied concerning a great move of God in the terminal generation that was then soon to come.
We moreover have specific prophecies of Scripture, attesting that God is going to do an extraordinary work in the very last days; as follows:
"But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished...." (Daniel 11:32b-36)The context, or the timeframe, in which "the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits", is clearly delineated, above. The passages highlighted in blue indicate that it shall be during a time of persecution, "even to the time of the end". Whereas, the yellow-highlighted passage speaks about the person of the Antichrist ~ further indicating that the context of Daniel's prophecy, which foretells of a time when a faithful Remnant shall "be strong and do exploits . . . [and] shall instruct many", is during the terminal generation.
Then there is the well-known prophecy in the book of Joel, which states:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." (Joel 2:28-32)Once again, the context is well established as being the terminal generation, when the above written things shall occur. The light blue highlighted passages describe events associated with the "opening" of the Sixth Seal and the Rapture of the Church. It is explicitly stated that those things shall occur "before the great and terrible day of the LORD come", meaning, before the Tribulation. We are in that time period right now!
Not by any means the least, we also have the living witness of the Holy Ghost within our own spirit. And the Holy Ghost is telling those, who are wholeheartedly seeking God, that a (brief) time of great Victory, and Deliverance, and exploits in God, is now at hand. Pray for it; believe it; expect it: it is God's will and His promise. This generation desperately needs some "mighty men" and "mighty women" of God, to give forth a mighty demonstration of the reality of the risen Savior, through the living Spirit of God!
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In what seems (for us) to be the darkest, bleakest time in America and the world (truly it is), yet, God is moving powerfully in and for His faithful Remnant of believers. And very soon God is also going to move through that same Remnant, in order to give ~ to some (especially, to younger persons ~ whose hearts are not yet hardened against God) a real opportunity to perceive, and to receive, the Spirit of God in truth and in power. There is going to be a Final Harvest of souls ~ which is going to occur in the very midst of this terrible time of Apostasy and persecution! NO: I do not mean there is going to be a Harvest (Revival) in the midst of the Tribulation (as many are falsely teaching). But that Harvest MUST come prior to the Rapture ~ which, now, is literally knocking at our door.
Not only has God already been working in an extraordinary way among His Remnant, but He is yet going to work in ways which shall be ~ well, let me put it this way: God is yet going to work in ways which shall reflect the power and glory of His own great and worthy Name. God is ready to bring in a new and radically different Order in the world. And He is going to use the Body of Christ to accomplish that. We are not only the "terminal" generation, but we are also, then, that "transitional" generation, which must and therefore shall see such great things in God ~ as foreseen and foretold by the Prophets and the Apostles, millennia ago.
And, now, we are given, by the Holy Ghost,
Scriptural evidence to inspire and to sustain
our faith for that.
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