The Last Judge and the First Prophet - The Season of Transition - Part One
Samuel was Israel's last judge and first prophet. His ministry bridged the gap between two distinctive times in Israel's religious history as well as her national identity . Israel went from being ruled by judges to being ruled by a king. We in the body of Christ are facing a similar time of transition today from what we've always known as Christianity and what is on the horizon very soon. Change is coming to Planet Earth. The rapture of the church is the next great event on the horizon and the events following will be events never seen before in human history. We're standing at the door of that I believe! Samuel became Israel's prophetic redeemer, a type of Yeshua who is also our prophetic redeemer as well. Heaven is about to thunder upon us - blessings and glory for the children of God - horror and judgment for those who continue to rebel and disobey. We as the 21rst Century church have been called to be a “Samuel” generation and pave the way for the SOON COMING KING- King Jesus. We are the forerunner generation and we are living in the season of transition. Repentance is the key to all revival be it during the time of Samuel or be it now. The choice is ours – revival or death.
By Chris McDonald
TEXT: 1 Sam 3:19-21 - And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
The life of Samuel is a powerful portrayal I believe of the time we’re in right now in the body of Christ. Samuel was Israel’s last judge and her first prophet. He bridged the gap between the theocracy of the judges and the prophetic voice that God would institute during the reigns of Saul and David. Saul and David’s kingships represent two rules of authority on earth today – the rule of self-will and the rule of Yeshua. Saul ruled in rebellion, David ruled with servant hood and love – a type of the coming KING of KINGS and LORD or LORDS. Oh Hallelujah, I feel the anointing of the Holy Ghost already as I write this. My, my, my…. one day and one day soon, the Messiah of Israel – the King of Jerusalem, will come back in glory and honor and sit upon the throne of His ancestor David. Neighbor, that time is soon approaching. It’s soon, it’s soon, and it’s soon.
To understand the powerful importance of Samuel’s ministry as it related to Israel’s transition from a judgeship to a time of kingship we must look at his birth, his life, his ministry and his message. I believe that Samuel’s life is a foreshadowing of what the Holy Spirit is about to do in the Church of the Lord Jesus today. We are about to step out of the “dark ages,” and step into a prophetic anointing unheard of in the history of the body of Christ. The “Samuel anointing” if you will is being released all over the world right now in preparation for the last day’s harvest. One of the greatest moves of God upon Planet Earth is YET to happen. We STILL have not seen the great outpouring of the Holy Ghost as foretold by Joel and the prophets. We have seen glimpses of it in the last 5-6 years but neighbor; hold on to your seat belt. What we’re about to see is going to change the way we “do” church forever.
Matthew 9:37-38
[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
John 4:35-36
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. [36] And he that reapeth receives wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Rev. 14:14-20
[14] And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. [15] And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. [16] And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. [17] And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. [18] And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. [19] And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. [20] And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
The Time Of The Judges
The stories of their exploits are found in the “Book of JUDGES,” the Judges were usually military heroes or deliverers who led the nation of Israel against their enemies during the period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the kingship. The prophet Samuel played a pivotal if not THE role in the transitional time between the two. It is this transitional season I want to address in this journal today.
During the period of the judges, from about 1380--1050 B. C., the government of Israel was a loose confederation of tribes gathered about their central shrine, the ARK OF THE COVENANT. Without a human king to guide them, the people tended to rebel and fall into worship of false gods time and time again. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" <Judg. 17:6; 21:25> is how the Book of Judges describes these chaotic times. To punish the people, God would send foreign nations or tribes to oppress the Israelites.
Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
These judges or charismatic leaders would rally the people to defeat the enemy. As God's agents for justice and deliverance, they would act decisively to free the nation from oppression. But the judges themselves were often weak, and their work was short-lived. The people would enter another stage of rebellion and idolatry, only to see the cycle of oppression and deliverance repeated all over again.
The judges themselves were a diverse lot. Some of them received only a brief mention in the Book of Judges. These minor judges were Shamgar <3:31>; Tola <10:1-2>, Jair <10:3-5>, Ibzan <12:8-10>, Elon <12:11-12>, and Abdon <12:13-15>.
The careers of other judges are explored in greater detail in the Book of Judges. Othniel, a nephew of Caleb, <3:7-11> was a warrior-deliverer who led the Israelites against the king of Mesopotamia. Ehud <3:12-30> was distinguished by lefthandedness and his deftness with the dagger. Jephthah <11:1--12:7> was a harlot's son whose devotion to God was matched only by his rashness. Gideon <6:11-8:35> heeded many encouragements to act upon God's call. But he finally led 300 Israelites to defeat the entire army of the Midianites. The most interesting of the judges, perhaps, was Samson <13:1--16:31>, whose frailties of the flesh led to his capture by the hated Philistines. The most courageous of the judges was Deborah, a woman who prevailed upon Barak to attack the mighty army of the Canaanites <4:1--5:31>.
To state it again, the time of the judges was a transitional time between a vicious time in Israel’s history of wandering and backsliding to a period of kingship and prophetic anointing. The first judge and last prophet of Israel (Samuel) became the voice of the Lord to the nation during this time of transition. Israel’s first king was Saul, who Samuel reluctantly anointed because he knew what type man Saul was to begin with and what type ruler he would wind up being over the people. Samuel would eventually anoint David with oil and declare him king after God rejected Saul for a foolish and evil heart.
Never forget this, the same mercy God showed David, He showed Saul at first. Saul was not God’s choice, but because Israel rejected the prophetic, they got what they asked for. God wanted to rule Israel through Samuel and speak to them through the prophetic voice. They said “NO! Give us a king!” and that is exactly what God did. Samuel took it personally but God saw beyond their evil request into their hearts and unwillingness to listen to His voice through Samuel. Israel got what they asked for AND IF WE REJECT THE PROPHETIC WORD TODAY IN THE CHURCH WE WILL GET WHAT WE ASK FOR AS WELL! I want to say that again and make a point with it.
1 Sam 8:7-10 - And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
There are many pastors who resist the prophetic within their churches. Many preach against it. Some allow it in a measure in their churches but only under strict guidelines that really choke out what the Holy Spirit wants to do or say. Some are ignorant about it (some willingly) and never think twice about it. The word of God is clear – “DESPISE NOT PROPHESYING” and that doesn’t mean “preaching.” It means speaking under the unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit from the mind of God and heart of God for a specific time, for a specific need for a specific moment and for a specific person. It is not getting up behind a desk, opening your bible and reading your pre-prepared sermon from 18 months ago. It’s the manna word from heaven. The prophetic word of the Lord that came to men such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Haggai, and Malachi.
1Thes 5:20 - Despise not prophesyings.
America has been preached to death. Society has been preached to death. The world has been preached to death. They don’t need another sermon – they need a FRESH word from heaven. They need to hear God-breathed words that don’t come from a textbook on preaching techniques but from a heart that is hearing what the SPIRIT is saying to the church NOW – not what He inspired someone else to pen 50 years ago. We can throw out the baby with the bath water if we want to but just because a few out there with prophetic gifts are loonier than Bugs Bunny or some immature prophet operates in the flesh from time to time. But we are missing out on the move of the Spirit in these last days when we reject the prophetic voice in our churches. Prophecy is for TODAY. It did not pass away with the apostles or the disciples of the early church. If there was EVER a time when the voice of the Lord needed to be heard among us as believers – would you not agree it is TODAY!??????? My Lord, do you hear what I am saying to you?? Neighbor, we’re in one of the most dangerous and most exciting times in human history. The clock is ticking down to the rapture of the church and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Do you know how many men have lived long hard lives groaning to see what we are seeing today in this generation? And because of the time we are living in would it not suffice us to be VERY interested in what GOD is saying about the time we’re in – NOT MAN!!!!!!!!!!!
Hear me extra good here what I am about to state next. The true prophetic word when spoken right will always lead us back to Calvary! The prophetic word of the Lord “encourages, edifies, and exhorts,” as it pertains to Godly instruction and righteousness. Our righteousness is found in the cross of Christ. Our righteousness is found in Christ and Him Crucified. Our salvation is found in the name above all over names. Our hope and faith is not in works lest any man would dare boast but in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary.
1 Cor. 14:1-3 - Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. [2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understand him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. [3] But he that prophesies speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
The church today walks around proclaiming “Jesus this, Jesus that” no matter the denomination. It sounds great and holy but the subtle deception in all of that is that these same camps separate Christ from the “CRUCIFIED CHRIST.”
1 Cor. 1:18-21 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor 1:23 - But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 2:2 - For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Christ without being crucified doesn’t save a soul. Christ without being crucified doesn’t set one drug addict free. Christ without being crucified doesn’t heal one sick body. It’s the cross, it’s the cross, it’s the cross, and it’s the cross! The false doctrines and heresy in the church today are echoes of a sinister effort by Satan to carry us away from that. The prophetic word, spoken truly under the direct unction of the Holy Spirit, will always carry us BACK to the CROSS-! The power of Satan’s defeat rests there. The power of sin’s defeat rests there. The power of your victory as a child of God rests there. The power of the gospel rests there. The power of the BLOOD OF JESUS rests there. The resurrection of Jesus would have meant nothing had he not been crucified. It was foreordained from the foundation of the earth that Yeshua would come as a lamb being led to the slaughter. Neighbor you better thank GOD that’s how it was ordained or you and I would have been eternally lost. You and I would be on our way to hell right now. But instead because of the price Yeshua paid at Calvary we are set free from the powers of darkness, the old man is dead, and we have been RAISED into newness of life!. Glory to God.
Having said that let me say this about a true prophet and a false prophet.
There are some people in the Body today who are not what the New Testament defines as a “prophet” but they merely have prophetic giftings. Others are truly anointed prophets of God. And yes, prophets DO exist today in the modern church. Whether the pulpits recognize them or not is irrelevant, GOD recognizes them and they are a VITAL part of this transitional period we’re living in today here on planet Earth. Samuel was a vital key to Israel’s transition from the judges to the kingship rule of David. Among those who are prophets, there are those who are considered “FALSE” prophets. Jesus warned that in the last days many “false prophets” would arise and deceive many. To say one is a false prophet means more than just the fact someone who is preaching falls into sin. A false prophet’s error goes MUCH deeper than that.
Matt 7:15-18
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matt 24:11
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matt 24:24
24 For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
A false prophet is not someone per say who misses a prophetic word. Even the best of true prophets out there miss God from time to time. This is not some mystic science. Prophecy is a walk of faith and listening to the Holy Ghost. With us being in the flesh, we will not walk in the Spirit every single time even though we should.
A false prophet is someone who leads one away from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and gives people license to sin. A false prophet is someone whose motive is greed and not love and someone who will say anything to anybody for the almighty dollar. A false prophet takes the church AWAY from the cross; a true prophet points the CHURCH TO THE CROSS. (AND TO ISRAEL!)
Preacher, you may think you’re Mr. Big Shot and you know everything there is to know about everything there is to know. BUT YOU DON’T. You need the prophetic word of the Lord operating in your church. I’m not advocating you have a circus atmosphere each Sunday, but you need the power of the Holy Ghost and His gifts flowing in the body you shepherd. WHY? So we can all meet once a week and jump and shout? NO! So we can get together and see who can out prophesy the other one? NO! So we can get together and have tingle berries run up our spine and have half the church laying out on the floor in the Spirit? NO! The reason you need the Holy Ghost is because wherever the HOLY SPIRIT is – JESUS IS THERE! JESUS IS THERE! JESUS IS THERE! Oh Glory to God. Are you hearing what I’m saying to you? Neighbor, JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH and if it’s the HOLY GHOST – believe me – man will NOT be elevated – but the CROSS OF CHRIST WILL BE. Jesus said “IF I BE LIFTED UP – I will DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME.” Oh praise God. I feel the anointing of the Holy Ghost as I write that.
Paul said that before we knew the born again experience and the power of the Holy Ghost, that we as Gentiles (1 Cor. 12:1-3) were carried away unto “dumb idols,” and when we reject the prophetic voice –that’s what we get (and that’s what we GOT today) in the church.
1 Cor. 12:1-3
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. [2] Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. [3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
I won’t beat this drum in this journal again but the reason Contemporary Christian music and so-called “Christian” rock music has found its foothold so deep in the modern church is because we have so rejected the moving of the Holy Spirit we have turned to the idol and god of entertainment to minister to our people now. It’s a dumb idol! It’s a dumb idol. That’s why we send our saints with drinking problems to the church psychologist now instead of sending them to the altar. We’re worshipping the dumb idol of psychology and self-esteem. It’s what we get when we reject the Holy Spirit.
Israel rejected Samuel’s prophetic word and they got Saul in the process. And in this transitional time we face today – in direct detail to the transitional time Israel faced back then – we had better HEAD the prophetic word of the Lord. What is coming upon Planet Earth will require us hearing from heaven. It will require us to do more than keep shoveling our people three points and a poem every Sunday. Friend the days ahead are dark and yet they are going to be glorious. Glory and trouble are both coming. The greatest move of God – YET – on Planet Earth – is still coming. We’re seeing glimpses of it – but it’s not here yet. The Jewish people are coming home to their Messiah. Not all will make it before the Rapture and the Great Tribulation (and neither will the Gentiles), but the day is coming when the nation of Israel as a WHOLE will cry “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” Hallelujah to the Lamb forever and forever. Oh I feel this. I can hardly write I feel it so much. We’re that close friend, we’re that close.
Shortly after David’s anointing, Samuel would die and the prophetic voice would then turn to Nathan. Nathan would become the voice of the Lord to David at times when David sinned and disobeyed God. That is the office and message of the prophet. True prophets speak the word of the Lord to a backslidden church that go way beyond the dry sermons a majority of American church goers hear on Sunday morning. The sinners love to come to our churches nowadays because they don’t feel any more conviction in church than they feel in a bar. We have made our churches as call them “user-friendly.” The user friendly church is sending millions to hell without God.
The poor sop drunk in the gutter has more chance of getting saved than 99% of American church members do who are lost. WHY? Because without the prophetic word- the things we hear will more than likely be coming from man. There will be NO UNCTION in what preachers do and say to those attending their church. What’s needed in these last days will take a move from heaven. It takes the Holy Spirit. It takes the anointing of the Holy Ghost to set men free. The anointing breaks the yoke by sending the sinner to the cross so the old man can DIE and the new man can come forth through Yeshua HaMashiach. We cannot reform the old (another journal soon), we must KILL THE OLD MAN – “reckon ourselves DEAD” (Romans 6:11) as Paul puts it to the SINFUL nature. Most preaching today don’t encourage that – it pets the very nature that is destroying many Christians by allowing it to survive.
Romans 6:14-17
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. [15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Romans 6:3-9
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Romans 6:10-13
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin (the sin nature), but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Unlike the dead preaching of the modern church, the prophetic word of the Lord, like Samuel’s words – “never fall to the ground.” In other words, when a prophetic word is uttered and it’s uttered under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost – friend you can take it to the bank – it’s coming to pass! Samuel bridged the gap between a season of judgeship, backsliding and wondering in bondage to a season of prophetic unction and kingship. It’s a place Israel had never been in before. And I believe the church of Yeshua stands at the door of a time she has never seen before either. Israel had never had a king like she would have in David. He would be a type of her coming King – Jesus Christ – the King of Kings and Lord and Lords, who will rule over her one day (as well as the entire world) from David’s throne in Jerusalem. And we are in the same transitional season today. All I can say is get your seat belt on because we’re about to be in for the ride of our lives!
The Season Of Repentance
Israel’s first prophetic season brought four things to pass in the nation that I believe this current prophetic season in the church will bring to us in the 21rst Century as well if we will hearken to the voice of the Lord:
§ Repentance
§ Fulfillment of God’s promise of Kingship through the Davidic Covenant
§ Favor with other nations and a time of peace
§ Restoration of her foundations – the tabernacle of David, the ark and the true worship of Jehovah.
I don’t have the time here to deal with these four things individually. We may revisit them in a future journal but I want to say a few things here about them, mainly the first one repentance. The prophetic mantle the 21rst Century Church has been ordained to carry is the key to end time revival. Revival has never been birthed by anything less than prophetic preaching, prophetic intercession, prophetic worship and prophetic anointing. To say it again, when true prophetic preaching is being heard throughout the land – repentance always follows on its heels. NOT the modern shallow repentance the church today offers the sinner who would come to Jesus for eternal life even though the sin nature in that person is never really broken. No, I’m talking about a true heart-felt, sin-killing, devil chasing, true blue, broken and contrite spirit, repentance that makes a person more than just sorry for what he has done – but it changes that person from one who sins to one who loves righteousness.
Repentance has never meant just being sorry – it means “I HATE MY SIN NATURE” and causes the sinner to cry out to God to CHANGE HIM OR HER! It means “TURNING AROUND.” You’re drinking a bottle of whiskey a day and getting drunk on Saturday night. But when you repent, you no longer go out and get drunk on Saturday night, you CHANGE by and with the help of the Grace of God (the Holy Spirit). When you repent of lying, it means you stop lying by and with the help of the Grace of God. When you repent of immorality, you stop being immoral. You CHANGE with the power of the Holy Spirit working in connection with the power of the Cross. That is the key to revival in this country. American people need to REPENT. The tragedies of 2001 never did really bring America to her knees, it just made us patriotic. But the season we’re entering into now as both a nation and as the Body of Christ will not allow for this sickening shallow repentance we hold us as true obedience any longer. There’s a clear call from heaven TODAY for the people of God to “rend our hearts” and “repent.”
When a nation repents, God blesses that nation. When a nation sins and does unrighteousness that nation is destroyed. There are no exceptions to that rule. When a nation repents and embraces the God of heaven, we will have Godly favor among the nations and a restoration of our biblical and Judaic foundations. When those things occur then true worship takes place among us and God inhabits that worship. And when God inhabits us and dwells AMONG US, then Satan no longer can keep a grip on this nation as he has on it right now. Satan’s grip on this land is about to be loosed! But it’s not about to be loosed because of any one church or movement, Satan’s grip is about to be loosed because the Holy Spirit and the voice of the prophetic is about to take us back to Bible-based repentance again and to the Cross of Christ!
I’m an eternal optimistic, sometimes to a fault. But I have to be frank with you – I don’t hold out much hope for our nation as a whole to repent. I’ve said it many times that the last call of the Lord Jesus in his final sermon to us was NOT to a corporate body any longer but to an individual. America may not come back, but neighbor if you’re reading this and you’re without God – you still have time to come back! You still have time to repent. As long as there is breath in your body – you have a chance to repent. The danger in crossing the line to where you can’t repent is not a line God crosses – BUT US. We can harden our hearts to the point like Esau did where he never found a “true place of repentance,” and “sought after it bitterly with tears” all his life. Esau was a fornicator and fornication with this world and the devil will harden your heart.
Heb 12:16-17
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
(KJV)
Paul warned us not to be hardened by the “deceitfulness of sin.”
Heb 3:13-14
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; (KJV)
Sin has a power to it that the church today does not understand. We just think sin is a man cheating on his wife or his taxes, or someone saying a cuss word or beating his dog. Some have made sin an “act” issue instead of what we should be addressing sin as – “A NATURE.”
That’s what makes self-righteousness so damnable in the sight of God. The sin nature is in ALL of us – no exceptions. The difference between those who have been born again and those who are not is simple. Those who have been born again have had their sin natures rendered “powerless,” as long as that individual walks in the Holy Spirit. If that person walks in their flesh or ceases to depend on the Holy Spirit that person will become a slave again to the sin nature.
And once the sin nature controls you it is a horrible state to be in! You see, the nature and power of sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will drain you of more than you want to be drained. It will cause you to do things you never dreamed you’d do. It will cause you to be deceived and think “I can do a little of this and stop and I’ll beat this habit.” That’s a fool talking. Sin makes “FOOLS” of us. Saul said toward the end of his life – “I have played the fool and done FOOLISHLY.” Friend, that’s the power of it. Money can’t stop it. Psychology can’t stop it. Christian rock concerts can’t stop it. Contemporary concerts can’t stop it. Southern Gospel quartet music can’t stop it. Education can’t stop it. All the Harvard and Yale degrees in the world can’t stop it.
1 Sam 26:21-22
21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
22 And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
(KJV)
There is only ONE POWER THAT CAN STOP IT AND it’’s the POWER of the CRUCIFIED LAMB where the Lord’s BLOOD was shed for the remission of sins and the deliverance of mankind. I agree and believe in the death penalty for those who would kill others. But the death penalty in itself will never stop people from killing each other. No more than bombing abortion clinics will stop women from having abortions. No, the ONLY POWER on earth that can stop the tide of sin in your life today sir is the place your FAITH and TRUST in the risen Christ- and in His precious death, burial and resurrection on the Cross of Calvary. It’s at Calvary where the debt for sin was paid and the power of sin broken. Oh Glory to God. What can WASH away my sin – NOTHING but the blood of Jesus. What can make me WHOLE again? NOTHING but the blood of Jesus. OH precious is the flow that MAKES me white as snow, NO other fount I know – NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING but the BLOOD of Jesus.
Israel was in demonic straits when the last judge and the first prophet came on the scene. The priesthood had prostituted themselves with the world and was as wicked as wicked could be. But as the prophetic word of the Lord began to be heard for the first time in fullness in Israel, the nation came back to God under David and FAVOR and RESTORATION were restored.
Samuel’s Words Never Fell To The Ground
1 Sam 3:19-21
19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
As I close this first part of this two-part journal, I want to state something that is found in our text. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 3:19 that “none of Samuel’s words ‘fell” to the ground.” That’s TRUE prophetic ministry. Samuel didn’t have to announce his ministry, “everyone from Dan even to Beersheba KNEW that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” That’s the end of all that is happening right now. This too is a type and picture of the prophetic church we’re going to see very soon.
Neighbor, the time is coming very very soon when we as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will once again speak to a sinful society and our “words” will not fall to the ground. The prophetic season of the Lord is upon us. It’s a transitional time between years of dead, cold lifeless ministry and a season when the Lord prepares the world for the final harvest, then utter judgment. When this season is over, believe me the “priesthood,” or the ministry, will no longer be prostituting itself with the world as it did in Samuel’s day. No, we will truly be a separate people, a repentful people and a humble people, - FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST, FULL OF THE ANOINTING OF GOD, FULL OF THE PROPHETIC UNCTION that is so needed to jolt this decadent society we live in today.
Neighbor, it’s late and it’s time to get right with God today if you’re backslid. The season we’re in will have an end and at the end of this season will be a time of Great Tribulation upon Earth. We’re that close.
For Part Two Of This Journal, “The Last Judge And The First Prophet (Part Two) – The Season Of Birthing” Click Here.