Thought for August 2nd. “IN THE LATTER DAYS YOU WILL …”

The Bible Channel - Discover the Bible. (By Christadelphianvideo.org)

Our 4 chapters listed for today are of great interest. David is re-installed as king, causing great heart-searching among those who had been drawn away to follow his vain son Absalom: an example of the type of leader many have followed or elected in recent years with Hitler being by far the worst example.

Our chapter in Jeremiah is firstly about God’s extreme anger with his people at that time, “Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house (the temple) I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness …” [23 v.11-12] So it is today! The scene changes dramatically as God gives his prophet a vision of the distant future – our time! The question is put, “who has paid attention to his word and listened” [v.18]. Surely a valid question for today! Then come the words, “Behold the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.” [v.19,20] Only those who read God’s word thoroughly know the intents of his heart.

Chapters 10 & 11 in Romans also climax with a latter day application. Paul is explaining the position of Israel as a nation “because they did not submit to God’s righteousness” [10 v.3] and have been “broken off” God’s olive tree that non-Jews “might be grafted in” [11 v.19]. The non-Jews (Gentiles) are warned to “stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” [v.20,21]

We were fascinated to attend a Messianic Jewish Synagogue last week and hear a Jew expound this chapter. It seems significant that Jewish Christians have emerged in the last 20 years or so. Finally note v.25 and its warning to non-Jews, “lest you be wise in your own conceits I want you to understand this mystery, brothers (and sisters): a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

We are surely nearing the point when the “fullness” – the full number from God’s perspective – have “come in” and committed their lives to Christ and the original gospel Paul preached. Then “the natural branches (will) be grafted back into their own olive tree.” [v.24] Make sure you are among “the fullness of the Gentiles” and have “paid attention to his word” “for the latter days” are surely here and nearly complete.