Misplaced Zeal: Understanding Today’s Moral Confusion | StudyGrowKnow

Misplaced Zeal: Understanding Today’s Moral Confusion

Watch the video lesson here

Summary of Jeremiah 26
This chapter consists of four parts*:

1. a summary of Jeremiah’s Temple Sermon (vv. 2-6),
2. the prophet’s arrest and trial (vv. 7-16),
3. the elders’ plea for his life (vv. 17-19, 24), and
4. the incident involving Urijah and his execution (vv. 20-23).

Jeremiah 26 contains an incident out of Jeremiah’s life, as do chapters 27 through 45. In Jeremiah 26:1-19, there is a clear attempt to kill Jeremiah, though unsuccessful.

Unsuccessful Attempt to Kill Jeremiah
Jeremiah is told by God to go to the Temple and preach the exact message God gave him, without any variance. This was during the reign of King Jehoiakim (began in 609 BC).

In 26:1-6, Jeremiah is to warn everyone that they need to turn to God in repentance and follow Him. God continued to reach out to the wayward Judahites, continuing to warn them of impending disaster if they did not. This is reflective of God’s mercy toward humanity and it also applies to the Christian. We dare not take God’s mercy and grace for granted, using it as a reason to live any way we want to live.

In 26:7-11, the priests and (false) prophets heard Jeremiah speaking and said he must die because he prophesied against the city of Jerusalem. In reality, he was prophesying against the people who were stiff-necked, and being obedient to the message God gave to him to speak to the people.

Jeremiah defends himself (v12), then repeats that the people must repent (v13). This is a continuing theme throughout not only the Old Testament but the New Testament as well. Yet how many believers rebel at God’s commands?

The people of Jeremiah’s day could not see their actual sin! To them right was wrong and up was down. It is like today when we have people including politicians who fight for those who are illegally in this country, flaunting the law and turning things around to make those who uphold and support the law of the land look like the real criminals.

Too many people who illegally enter America come in with their hands out and many are criminals from their own lands. These people are too often put ahead of actual American citizens yet many are so blind to actual truth. They cannot see their own blindness due to being deceived and they firmly believe their misplaced zeal (anger/bitterness), is a sign that they are correct in their beliefs. In reality, they stand with law-breakers.

The successful attempt to kill Urijah, Jeremiah 26:20-24
The prophet Urijah prophesied about 8 miles west of Jerusalem, preaching against the city and people, based on Jeremiah’s prophetic discourse to the people of Jerusalem.

King Jehoiakim did not like what Urijah was preaching and had his soldiers track Uriah down after he fled to Egypt. They brought him back and executed him.

It is clear that too many of Israel’s/Judah’s leaders opposed true prophets. This is historical record. The northern kingdom (Israel) had no good kings at all. The southern kingdom (Judah), had only a few.

These bad kings only wanted to hear what they wanted to hear. They were driven by their own lust for power and autonomy, believing they answered to no one, not even God (if he existed, according to them). This is too much like people today, who live the way they want to live in spite of the fact that God exists. They mistake God’s patient longsuffering (mercy, grace), for His absence. Like the Israelites of old who said, “God doesn’t see or hear us” or as in Zechariah 7:11, simply refused to hear and stopped their ears, like little children.

Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27)
In 27:1-11, Jeremiah is commissioned by God to tell everyone that God is in charge of all the nations and gives it to whom He will give it. This is a clear nod to His absolute sovereignty and control of humanity.

God had decreed that King Nebuchadnezzar would reign and any nation that did not willingly come under his rule would be punished “with the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.” This message also summarized the content of chapters 7-10.

If the Judahites continued to reject the LORD, and disobey the Mosaic Covenant, He would destroy the temple and Jerusalem completely. The temple would suffer complete destruction, and Jerusalem would become a curse, namely, an object of ridicule and an example of horrible suffering.

Jeremiah also warned the people about the false prophets and told them not to listen to them. These prophets were lying by saying the people of Judah would not serve Babylon. It’s what many wanted to hear (including the king), but it was not the truth.

Jeremiah’s Message (Jeremiah 27)
We learn a number of things from this particular chapter.

• Divine Sovereignty: God is in full control (vv12-13)
• Warning against the false prophets (vv14-15)
• Obedience through submission (vv14-15)
• Judgment and discipline for lack of submission (vv19-21)
• Hope and restoration (v22)

These concepts were not only extremely important for the Judahites to learn and live by, but they are equally important for today’s Christian to learn and live by as well. If we understand, acknowledge and do the things God requires of us, things will go well with us. If we fail to understand those five things, and diligently follow through on them, we will flounder as Christians. We must understand that God is fully sovereign, that no one can disrupt His plans. We also must avoid the growing number of people today who call themselves prophets but are not. If we follow them, we will be sidetracked every time.

It is equally important to know, understand and obey His will. Much of His will is revealed to us through Scripture, but too often, people want to go well beyond His spoken Word to inner impressions. If we do not know His Word, but prefer to rely on inner urges, we clearly cannot discern His will because we do not know His Word. Too many “revelations” we hear about today go well beyond His Word and actually add to it. We should avoid this at all costs.

Hananiah’s Falsehood and Doom (Jeremiah 28)
Here is a perfect example of a false prophet in the person of Hananiah. Claiming to speak for God, he did not (vv1-4). Yet, many listened to him to their own demise. He was saying the exact opposite of what Jeremiah said, but because what Hananiah said was music to the ears of many to most Judahites, his words were embraced, while Jeremiah’s were rejected. There was no discernment among most of the Judahites.

Jeremiah responded to Hananiah’s words that if what Hananiah said was God’s will, wonderful. Jeremiah actually said, “Amen.” However, Jeremiah knew what Hananiah prophesied was absolute falsehood. Jeremiah then prophesied against Hananiah.

Hananiah then took the yoke from around Jeremiah’s neck and broke the yoke (to symbolize Babylon’s doom). Again, Hananiah was opposed to the truth of what God was prophesying through Jeremiah by issuing lies, things he had not actually heard from God Himself. This happens way too often today with charlatans and deceivers who have become very adept at controlling other people through their falsehoods.

Jeremiah then speaks against Hananiah and pronounces the Lord will kill the false prophet (vv15-17), which did occur later in that year.

Here are just some of today’s false prophets as highlighted by Mike Winger, who served as a pastor for 14 years. His YouTube channel seeks to educate people against all the problems associated with NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), which is the latest rendition of the Charismatic Movement.

I’ve mentioned it before, but NAR boasts 500 prophets/apostles living today. The movement was largely begun by C. Peter Wagner, who is deceased and knows the absolute truth now. The people claiming to be either prophets or apostles are believed to have the same authority as the original twelve apostles and the prophets of Scripture. The unfortunate part is that these people are always adding to God’s written Word with their new “revelations.” While the true prophets of old as well as the apostles did add to God’s Word, it was by God’s design. Because of it, we have the full canon of Scripture today.

But it is interesting that in today’s Christendom, more and more people are claiming to hear from God. They gain hundreds of thousands of followers and it doesn’t even matter to many or most if their pronouncements are 100% correct or not. Need I remind readers of the most recent failures predicting the Rapture?

Here are three “prophets” that Winger discusses. Interestingly, Brandon Biggs, was the guy who allegedly predicted that Trump was going to be the recipient of an assassination attempt and that it would hit his ear. There are numerous problems and inaccuracies with Biggs’ prophecy, which Winger brings out.

• Mike Winger on Todd White:
  • https://youtu.be/FyoR5HQjI6w?si=AMVZEVlMtzFlcWYG
• Winger on Shawn Bolz:
  • https://youtu.be/GH05S53QlY0?si=k3FZ45scKnahyBFZ
• Winger on Brandon Biggs:
  • https://www.youtube.com/live/hwisXDKSwdM?si=ogUDHOlb9j8fh8eL

Jeremiah’s Letter to Captives (Jeremiah 29)
In this chapter, Jeremiah writes a letter to captives who had been taken to the kingdom of Babylon, advising them to settle down, build homes and be good citizens of Babylon while in captivity (vv4-7). He also once again condemns false prophets (vv8-9; 20-32), for their lies.

Jeremiah also speaks of God’s promise that He will return after 70 years (vv10-14) and bring the captives back to the Land of Israel.

The truth is that God will be found when the people turn and seek Him (vv12-14). This applies to non-Christians who seek Him as well as Christians who return after a time of falling away through careless thinking and living.

Jeremiah promises again that God will judge those who disobeyed and remained in Jerusalem (vv15-20). Many likely thought that they were bravely defending Jerusalem against invaders and that God would be pleased. However, they completely rejected the notion that God was not happy with their lifestyle and would take them into captivity because of a complete lack of repentance.

Application for Christians Today
Jeremiah 26-29 help us understand:

• God’s sovereignty
• God’s care and concern
• The importance of trusting the Lord by following Him regardless of how things may look to us
• We should avoid surrounding ourselves with “prophets” who tell us what we want to hear instead of what God’s Word actually says to us
• We should diligently look forward to the time we are permanently with Jesus in eternity
• We should look for stability and purpose in difficult situations

As Christians, it is sometimes too easy to sit back on our perceived laurels and slide into auto mode. We are saved. We cannot lose our salvation. We’re good. The truth is that we always need to be growing in His grace and knowledge so that our lives conform more and more to His will in every way. Some of the above bullets are more difficult than others like trusting Him regardless of how we might actually feel about a particular situation.

One of the things that helps to keep us moving in the right direction is when we consistently look forward to the time we will be permanently with Jesus in eternity. This mindset provides a purpose and stability in the many difficult situations that God allows into our lives.

I cannot imagine being Jeremiah. Talk about having a ministry that looks like it failed. He faced death from people who didn’t believe him or didn’t want to hear what he had to say. He was reviled, ridiculed and harassed over his prophetic utterances. Surely, God was with him and strengthened him, but consider that he was opposed virtually all the time from all sides.

Yet, Jeremiah obeyed the Lord and God honored that.

* from Dr. Constable’s Notes on Jeremiah

The Hypocrisy of Hollow Obedience | Elizabeth Prata

The Hypocrisy of Hollow Obedience

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

In Jeremiah 34, King Zedekiah and the Israelites promise to free their servants, hoping to gain God’s favor during Babylon’s siege. Once danger lifts, they break their vow, re-enslaving them. This hypocrisy exposes false repentance. God condemns such deceit, reminding believers that vows to Him must be sincere and kept.

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Sadly sometimes we get cute with our promises to God. We get sly with our promised actions to Jesus. In Jeremiah 34, we see an example of this,

8The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem, to proclaim release to them: 9that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, so that no one would keep them, his Jewish brother or sister, in bondage. 10And all the officials and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, so that no one would keep them in bondage any longer; they obeyed, and set them free. 11But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male servants and as female servants.

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In that scene the King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar has besieged Jerusalem. The siege went on for two years. King Zedekiah, aware that the Israelites had disobeyed God in holding their servants for more than the legal limit of 7 years, entreated them to release their servants and give them the lawful liberty they were entitled to. (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). The People enjoyed the free labor and had held on to the servants for longer than the Law permitted. The king hoped that releasing the servants en masse would find favor with God and He would then release the Israelites from the siege.

Disobedience always brings woe. For the unsaved, the greatest disobedience is failing to repent and believe the Gospel. For the Christian, prolonged disobedience without repentance results in discipline, (but not eternal judgment).

The people did let their servants go, in actual obedience to the Law finally, but also because they thought they would receive a benefit from it- namely the cessation of the siege. They were in fact just trading one personal benefit for another. When the King told them of their fault in their breaking the Law, they immediately (seemingly) reformed. They had even sealed it in the Temple with the solemn vow-covenant ceremony (verse 15, verse 18). It all looked good on the outside.

But their heart condition was another matter. There, they could not hide their despicable hypocrisy. God sees the heart. And soon, their behavior followed.

The siege was temporarily lifted. Some believe it was because King Nebuchadnezzar withdrew, turning his attention to an advancing Egyptian army.

However, the People were relieved at this release from the siege, however it happened, and in no thanks to God they immediately recalled all their servants and put them in bondage again.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible says, “When there was some hope that the siege was raised and the danger over they repented of their repentance, undid the good they had done, and forced the servants they had released into their respective services again.“

‘They repented of their repentance’…

We see throughout the Old Testament that the People are consistent covenant-breakers. This time was no different. We see that God did not overlook their sin.

For us in New Testament times, God is no less unimpressed when we go back on our promises. Matthew 5:33-37,

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”

Also James 5:12, Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Do we often promise God something but then conveniently forget the promise when all works out? When time passes? When our fleshly desires rear up again? Do we pass it off as an excuse? Or explain it away? I do sometimes. I know we all do at times.

Matthew Henry again: “For this treacherous dealing with God they are here severely threatened. Be not deceived; God is not mocked. Those that think to put a cheat upon God by a dissembled repentance, a fallacious covenant, and a partial temporary reformation, will prove in the end to have put the greatest cheat upon their own souls.”

Don’t cheat your own soul.

We don’t make vows to God anymore by cutting an animal in half and walking between the parts (at least, I hope not!), nor do we make oaths and vows at a temple (same!), but in prayer, in the sanctuary, in church in front of the Pastor marrying you, we make a vow or an oath or a promise. If we do so in all seriousness to God, it’s serious. Don’t go back on it.

As for the Israelites, God said since they did not release the servants, He will release them … to the sword and to the plague, to the famine, and to their enemies. God is not mocked.

It’s important to remember He is GOD, friend to the repentant sinner, yes, but GOD.

The Last Prophecy :: By Daymond Duck

I have heard the destruction of Babylon by fire in one hour at the end of the Tribulation Period referred to as The Last Prophecy in the Book of Revelation to be fulfilled before the Second Coming.

It may be the last prophecy to be fulfilled before the Second Coming if we do not count a final attack on Jerusalem and the Battle of Armageddon.

Anyway, on Apr. 13, 2025, a reader sent me some links to videos that are about some stunning events in the land of Babylon (Iraq) that are not too far from the ancient city of Babylon (where there has already been a limited amount of repairs and construction) that I believe many students of Bible prophecy would like to know.

Here are the links to four videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HNrKGzBmTs&t=3s (James Kaddis’ interview of Dr. Andy Woods)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vb2tuA7Pz0 (James Kaddis’ comments)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYHwpeggvmc (video of what has happened)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/iraq-is-building-a-17-billion-trade-corridor-to-bypass-the-suez-canal/vi-AA1B7XjP?ocid=hpdhp17 (Iraq is Building a $17 Billion Trade Corridor to Bypass the Suez Canal.)

I do not want to bore you with complicated teaching that you may not be interested in, but some prophecy teachers allegorize the Book of Revelation.

Some teach that Babylon in Rev. chapters 17 and 18 is New York City, the U.S., the EU, etc.

I hold a literal view and have been teaching for more than 30 years that the ancient city of Babylon will be rapidly rebuilt during the Tribulation Period, and it will be the headquarters of the one-world economic system and the one-world religious system.

I do not think Babylon needs to be a big city like New York City.

I think it will need only a few buildings for offices, staff, AI, a communication system, etc.

Here are seven reasons why I believe Rev. 17-18 should be interpreted literally, not allegorically.

One—All of the other cities mentioned in the Book of Rev. were literal cities.

When God said Ephesus, He meant Ephesus (not the EU).

When God said Jerusalem, He meant Jerusalem (not New York).

When God said a city, He meant a city, not a nation or a group of nations.

So, I believe that when God said Babylon, He meant Babylon, not the U.S.

Two—Zechariah 5:5-11 is about a woman called Wickedness who represents commerce and false religion.

Wickedness will be moved to the land of Shinar (the land of Babylon) at the end of the age.

I believe Wickedness and Mystery Babylon the Great are one and the same, and commerce and false religion will be located at rebuilt Babylon at the end of the age.

Three—Virtually all Bible scholars trace false religion and world government back to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (just a few generations after the Great Flood).

Add to that the fact that Rev. 17:10 teaches that a false religious system existed in five previous kingdoms before the Roman Empire came on the scene.

Those five kingdoms are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.

So there was false worship at the Tower of Babel and at Babylon.

In fact, Nebuchadnezzar built the statue that he ordered his world leaders to worship (including Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon (Dan. 3:1).

Four—Isaiah said Babylon’s final destruction will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Isaiah. 13:19).

Ancient Babylon wasn’t destroyed by fire and brimstone like Sodom and Gomorrah. (It was buried under water when the Euphrates River changed course.)

But three times in Rev. 17-18, God said Babylon will be destroyed by fire in one hour.

This means Babylon must be rebuilt so it can be destroyed by fire.

Five—Isaiah said that after Babylon is destroyed, it will never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:20).

But there are a few people living in Babylon today.

This means Babylon must be destroyed in the future and never inhabited again.

Six—Isaiah 14 teaches that Israel will be in the land when Babylon is destroyed.

But Israel wasn’t in the land when the Medes and Persians diverted the Euphrates River and captured Babylon.

Seven—After the final destruction of Babylon, the bricks that it was built with will never be used again.

But some of the bricks in the limited construction that is there now are used bricks that were taken from ancient Babylon.

This means Babylon will have to be destroyed again, so none of the old bricks will be used.

Know that there are many prophecies about Babylon in the Old Testament books of Isaiah and Jeremiah that are repeated in the Book of Rev., chapters 17 and 18. For example:

• Isaiah 13:21 says, satyrs or demons (devils and false spirits) will dance in Babylon after its final destruction. We go over to the book of Rev., chapter 18:2, and we read that Babylon will become the habitation of devils and false spirits.
• Jeremiah 50:15 says, as she (Babylon) has done, do unto her. We go over to the book of Rev. chapter 18:6 and we read, reward her even as she has rewarded you.
• Jeremiah 51:7 says Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand. We go over to Rev. 17:4, and we read that Mystery Babylon has a golden cup in her hand.
• Jeremiah 51:7 says the nations have drunk Babylon’s wine. In Rev. 18:3, we read that Babylon has made the nations drunk on wine.
• Jeremiah 51:8 says Babylon has suddenly fallen. In Rev. 18:2 we read that Babylon is fallen, is fallen.
• Jeremiah 51:9 says Forsake her. Rev. 18:4 says Come out of her, my people.
• Jeremiah 51:13 says Babylon sits upon many waters. In Rev. 17:1, we read that Mystery Babylon sits upon many waters.
• Isaiah 14:4 refers to the Antichrist as the king of Babylon. We know he will rule over every nation on earth, not just New York City, or the U.S., or the EU.

I don’t believe these things are a coincidence.

I believe God tied the prophecies in Isaiah and Jeremiah to the prophecies in Rev. 17-18 for a reason.

And that reason is that the ancient city of Babylon will be quickly rebuilt in the Tribulation Period.

I want to give you one of the problems that I believe has caused students of prophecy to go astray.

It will set the stage for the stunning event that I am leading up to.

Rev. chapter 18 teaches that Babylon will be a place of global commerce and global shipping at the time that the city of Babylon is destroyed.

World leaders, merchants, shipmasters, and sailors will bitterly weep when they see the smoke from Babylon (Rev. 18:9-18).

Erring prophecy teachers have said the city of Babylon is not a place of global trade and that it is too far from water for shipmasters and sailors to see the smoke.

It has been my position that world leaders, merchants, shipmasters, and sailors could see the smoke over the internet.

Elon Musk is even launching satellites to make that possible.

Anyway, here is the stunning event (use the video links above).

A large port, called the Al Faw Grand Port, has been built at Babylon to accommodate global commerce.

Construction started in 2020, and it is now complete.

Billions of dollars have been pledged, and there is a plan to build a canal and a road to bypass Iran’s threats to close the Suez Canal and the Houthis’ attacks on shipping through the Red Sea.

Global traders are anxious for an alternate route.

The last prophecy to be fulfilled before the Second Coming in the Book of Revelation could be coming on the scene now.

Here are more current events that seem to indicate that the end of the age is near:

 One, on Apr. 18, 2025, Israel shot down a Houthi missile that appeared to be aimed at Bethlehem.

Two, concerning the U.S. and Iran negotiations over Iran’s nuclear weapons program: on Apr. 18, 2025, it was reported that Iran gave the U.S. a written proposal for a three-phase deal:

• Phase 1— Iran will temporarily reduce uranium enrichmentto 3.67% in return for access to frozen financial assets and permission to export oil.
• Phase 2—Iran will permanently end high-level enrichment and allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections, including surprise inspections, in exchange for wider U.S. sanctions relief and the EU not imposing UN sanctions.
• Phase 3—Iran will transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country in exchange for the U.S. Congress approving a new nuclear agreement with Iran and lifting primary and secondary sanctions against Iran.

America’s negotiator, Steve Witkoff, welcomed the proposal, the Ayatollah Khamenei called it a good first step, and skeptics said Iran is just stalling for time to rebuild its air defenses and missile program.

(My opinion: Highly regarded and well-informed prophecy teacher Bill Koenig and his wife Tania have been very skeptical of Witkoff’s negotiations and have even implied that Witkoff may betray Israel. Iran doesn’t keep its agreements, and I find Witkoff’s immediate acceptance of Iran’s proposal very troubling.)

(Update: On Apr. 20, 2025, it was reported that another round of negotiations has been set for Apr. 26, 2025.)

Three, on Apr. 18, 2025 (Good Friday; also called Crucifixion Day), the incoming U.S. ambassador to Israel (Mike Huckabee) made his first official visit to Israel.

Huckabee immediately went to the Western Wall (called the Wailing Wall because Jews have shed tears there for about 2,000 years), where he placed Trump’s handwritten prayer for the peace of Jerusalem in a crack between some stones.)

Huckabee said Trump gave him the handwritten prayer and asked him to make his first official act as ambassador to Israel the placing of the prayer in the wall.

Huckabee inserted the prayer and then read Psa. 121 at the Western Wall.

Huckabee was scheduled to formally present his credentials to Israel’s president on the day after Easter.

(My opinion: It is just speculation, Trump’s attitude toward Israel is an indication that he would support the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount. The fact that Trump chose a staunch Bible-believing, Israel-supporting Christian to be his ambassador to Israel is not insignificant and could well be an act of God who fulfills every jot and tittle of His Word. This is not to say that Trump is the Antichrist, because I have often said that I do not think he is, but it is to say that some think he would support a rebuilt Temple.)

Four, on Apr. 20, 2025, Joel Rosenberg (All Israel News) reported that Mike Huckabee and his wife attended a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb in East Jerusalem to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Hundreds of Christians from all over Israel and the world were there for the same reason.

Huckabee said he and his wife are not only representatives of the U.S. government in Israel, they are also representatives of Jesus Christ.

Five, on Apr. 18, 2025, it was reported that Franklin Graham led prayer at a worship service at the White House on Wednesday night and that he preached at a White House service on Thursday night during Holy Week.

Following Graham’s prayer on Wednesday, Trump said,

• Nearly 2,000 years ago, during this sacred week, the living Son of God entered Jerusalem in triumph.
• Soon after, the Savior of mankind, who brought truth and light into the world, was betrayed, arrested, tried, beaten, nailed to a cross, and crucified.
• For our sake, He gave up His life, and as the very great Rev. Billy Graham once said, “God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

At the White House worship service on Thursday, Graham preached, worshipers took communion, and students from Liberty University provided special music.

Five, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Apr. 18, 2025, U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio said Pres. Trump has spent 87 days trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Rubio added that the U.S. will not continue this effort for weeks or months on end.

He said there must be significant progress in the next few days or the U.S. is prepared to abandon the effort.

Six, Pope Francis died on Apr. 21, 2025.

Following a period of mourning, a conclave will gather to elect a successor.

Pope Francis removed several conservative Cardinals and replaced them with liberals.

There will likely be a lot of speculation that Saint Malachy’s 900-year-old prophecy will come into play and the next pope will choose the name Petros Romanus (Peter the Roman) and be the False Prophet.

Be careful: True prophecy comes from Scripture.

The predictions of others may or may not be true.

We need to wait this out and see what happens.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

The post The Last Prophecy :: By Daymond Duck appeared first on Rapture Ready.

Source: The Last Prophecy :: By Daymond Duck

SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025 | LENT – SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

         Old Testament       Jeremiah 26:8–15
         Psalm       Psalm 4
         Epistle       Philippians 3:17–4:1
         Gospel       Luke 13:31–35

Index of Readings

OLD TESTAMENT
Jeremiah 26:8–15
8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the LORD and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 15 Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the LORD sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

PSALM
Psalm 4
4 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A PSALM OF DAVID.

  1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! 
  You have given me relief when I was in distress. 
  Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 

  2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? 
  How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 
  3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; 
  the LORD hears when I call to him. 

  4 Be angry, and do not sin; 
  ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 
  5 Offer right sacrifices, 
  and put your trust in the LORD. 

  6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? 
  Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” 
  7 You have put more joy in my heart 
  than they have when their grain and wine abound. 

  8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; 
  for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. 

EPISTLE
Philippians 3:17–4:1
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

GOSPEL
Luke 13:31–35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary. (2009). Concordia Publishing House.

March 4 | PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD

“I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications” (Dan. 9:2–3).

✧✧✧

God’s sovereignty doesn’t eliminate the need for prayer.

Have you ever wondered if it’s Biblical to pray for things God has already promised in His Word to do? Is it proper to pray, say, for the salvation of sinners, knowing that God will redeem all the elect anyway, or for Christ’s return, knowing it is a sure thing? Daniel gives us a clear answer.
God prophesied through Jeremiah that the Babylonian Captivity would last seventy years (Jer. 25:11–12). When Daniel read that prophecy, he realized that the time was near for his people to return to their homeland. That inspired him to pray fervently.
In Daniel 9:19 he cries out, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Thine own sake, O my God, do not delay.” He was in tune with God’s Word and understood that somehow his prayers were part of God’s plan.
The exact relationship between God’s sovereignty and our prayers is a mystery, but it is clear that somehow God’s Word and our prayers are co-laborers in achieving God’s will.
Like Daniel, you and I live in a time when many of God’s promises seem near fulfillment. Never before have world events pointed so dramatically to the nearness of the return of our Lord. Consequently, this is not the time for complacency or over-enthusiastic speculation. It is the time for careful Bible study and fervent prayer.

✧✧✧

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for His faithfulness and the sure promises of His Word. ✧ Ask Him for spiritual wisdom and insight to discern His will and then live accordingly.

For Further Study: Jeremiah 24:1–25:13 gives some background to Judah’s captivity in Babylon. After reading those verses, answer these questions: ✧ To what kind of fruit did God liken Judah? ✧ What did God say would happen to King Zedekiah? ✧ What warning did the prophets give to Judah? ✧ What was Judah’s response? ✧ How would God deal with Babylon?

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1993). Drawing Near—Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith (p. 76). Crossway Books.

January 28 – Unpopular judgement | Reformed Perspective

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.” – Jeremiah 19:15 

Scripture reading: Jeremiah 19:14,15

Today, any mention of God’s judgment is intensely unpopular. This is true not just with worldly people and skeptics, but it is also remarkably unpopular with people who consider themselves to be religious. If you read all of Jeremiah 19, you will discover that was also true of many in the days of God’s prophet, Jeremiah.

What feeling does our text for today stir within your heart? Have you been so stiff-necked, so wilful, so caught up in yourself, that you no longer really listen to God’s Word? Then you do well to fear, because the judgment of God will certainly fall upon sinners who do not repent and turn to Jesus for pardon.

Our text makes it clear that the judgment of God is not just going to come on murderers, thieves, adulterers, and others guilty of obvious, public sins. It will also fall upon those who just played at being religious, but who in reality were stiff-necked and who, in their inmost heart, would not listen to God’s Word.

This message of judgment is unpopular. Unrepentant sinners don’t want to hear it. Hypocrites don’t want to hear it. It is, however, a basic teaching of God’s Word, and popular or not, the message of our text is true. God judges people in this life and in the life to come. May you and I be ready for God’s scrutiny. May we be found as those who listen to God’s Word, and thus be found as those who live by faith, and practice that faith in humble obedience.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Lord to work in your heart so that you be found a careful listener of God’s Word, and one who puts that Word into practice in your life.

Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.

Source: January 28 – Unpopular judgement

JANUARY 17 | GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE

SCRIPTURE READING: JEREMIAH 29:11–14
KEY VERSE: JEREMIAH 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Are you aware that God knows exactly where you are and what you are doing right now? What about tomorrow, or the next day, or the next? God is just as aware of what you will be doing at 10:42 A.M. on any random morning five years from now, as He is mindful of what you are doing now.
Contrary to secular thought, we are not bouncing around haphazardly through time and space. The same God who created the universe and everything in it also has a specific plan for every single person on earth. Because He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, He alone knows the ultimate outcome of each decision we make. Therefore, only God can be trusted to guide our daily steps as we seek to follow Him.
The Lord revealed through Jeremiah, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you … thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). These two things—hope and the expectation of a bright future—are in short supply these days. However, we have the assurance of the almighty God that He already has a plan to provide us with both.
In Christ, the hope for our eternal future is secure. However, God is still intimately interested in your day-to-day living as well. Invite Him into your decisions; only He knows how to get you where He wants to take you.

Father, I am so thankful that You are interested in my day-to-day living. I invite You to guide me in every decision and get me where You want to take me.

Stanley, C. F. (2006). Pathways to his presence (p. 18). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 9 | You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.

Jehovah Nissi: Lord-My-Banner. When my enemy comes in like a flood, Your Spirit, Lord, will lift up a standard against him.

I will rejoice in my salvation, and in the name of my God I will set up my banner! You, Lord, have revealed my righteousness. Let me declare in Zion the work of the Lord my God. I am more than a conqueror through You who loved me. Thanks be to You, God, who gives me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ.

I will be strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might. I will be valiant for the truth … and fight Your battles. “Be strong, all you people of the land,” You say, “and work; … do not fear!” I look at the field, white for harvest. For yet a little while, and You who are coming will come and will not tarry.

Light and dark; spirit and flesh; truth and lies; tolerance and discrimination … The battles are many, Lord. Keep me focused on You, a rallying point, my guide in conflict, and a banner of victory.

Psalm 60:4; Exodus 17:15; Isaiah 59:19; Psalm 20:5; Jeremiah 51:10; Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Ephesians 6:10; Jeremiah 9:3; 1 Samuel 18:17; Haggai 2:4–5; John 4:35; Hebrews 10:37¹

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¹  Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 18). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 7 | Remember me, my God, for good.

Lord, You remember me, the kindness of my youth, the love of my betrothal, when I went after You in the wilderness. You will remember Your covenant with me in the days of my youth, and You will establish an everlasting covenant with me. You will visit me and perform Your good work toward me. For You know the thoughts that You think toward me, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways higher than my ways, and Your thoughts than my thoughts. I would seek You, God, and to You I would commit my cause—who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward me cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

You see my sin more clearly than I do, yet You choose to remember me “for good.” I praise You for this mercy, this grace.

Nehemiah 5:19; Jeremiah 2:2; Ezekiel 16:60; Jeremiah 29:10–11; Isaiah 55:9; Job 5:8–9; Psalm 40:5¹

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¹  Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 16). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

December 8 | Future Security

Scripture Reading: Psalm 123:1–4

Key Verse: Lamentations 3:22

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah soon after the fall of Jerusalem. It reflects the great mourning of those whose homes had been destroyed. It was an awful time for the people of Judah. Their loved ones were deported to Babylon, and enemy armies occupied the holy temple of Solomon.

All that had represented security to Judah was gone. The country was dispersed, the center of worship desecrated, the armies defeated, and families disbanded. If you have ever experienced this deep a loss, or have had your security stripped from you, you know the awful despair that can overcome the soul.

Yet Jeremiah was not completely given over to desolation. He believed God’s compassions would never fail (Lamentations 3:22). Jeremiah held on to a security which was deeper than anything the nation could offer. William Gurnall writes, “The Christian, like a chalice without a base, cannot stand on his own nor hold what he has received any longer than God holds him in His strong hands.”

You have protection that goes beyond armies and buildings, because you have God’s strong hands holding you. When you go through difficulties, you have security that can never be taken away. You can know your future is secure.

Oh Father, I have put my focus on physical security. Yet there are always new threats. Help me to realize that Your compassions are with me no matter what the circumstances.¹

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¹  Stanley, C. F. (2006). Pathways to his presence (p. 359). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

December 4 | Where can wisdom be found?

Father God, if I lack wisdom, I ask You, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to me. But I will ask in faith, with no doubting. I trust in You, Lord, with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I acknowledge You, and You shall direct my paths. You alone are wise. I will not be wise in my own eyes.

Jeremiah feared and said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But You, Lord, said to him: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.”

Whatever I ask You, Father, in Jesus’ name You will give me. Until now I have asked nothing in His name. Ask, and I will receive, that my joy may be full. And whatever things I ask in prayer, believing, I will receive.

Genuine wisdom can be found only in You, dear Lord, so teach me to turn to You for wisdom and to trust without doubt or fear.

Job 28:12; James 1:5–6; Proverbs 3:5–6; 1 Timothy 1:17; Proverbs 3:7; Jeremiah 1:6–8; John 16:23–24; Matthew 21:22¹

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¹  Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 363). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

EVERY LEADER’S FIGHT OF FAITH | The Log College

EVERY LEADER’S FIGHT OF FAITH

by Bill Elliff; November 14, 2024

How do you lead people in faith when everything seems to be going in the opposite direction? When all the odds are against you? When others are distracting and contradicting the things you believe God wants to say? When it doesn’t seem to be working, although you feel that you are honestly following what God has told you to do?

A LONELY SHEPHERD

The book of Jeremiah is a record of the leadership of such a shepherd. God called him to be a prophet in a dark season in Israel’s history. His strong, prophetic words finally led him to be thrown into prison.

But all of his words from God came true. And people realized, after the judgment, that God had been speaking through Jeremiah. His faithfulness vindicated God.

WRESTLING WITH FAITH

Jeremiah, though, had moments of doubt where he questioned what God was doing. Chapters 14-15 record such a moment. And in the middle of Jeremiah’s questions and fears, God comes with a strong reminder of what Jeremiah’s posture should be. Here it is in the Amplified and New Living translations.

Jeremiah 15: (Amplified)

19 Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God’s faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you—not you to [the people].

20 And I will make you to this people a fortified, bronze wall; they will fight against you, but they will not prevail over you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 15 (NLT)

¹⁹ This is how the Lord responds:

“If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.

If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman.

You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

²⁰ They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

Every man of God’s great challenge is self-doubt. We wrestle with whether or not we’ve heard God properly and if we are leading in the right direction. No honest leader wants to misrepresent God. And we’re human. But God uses humans. He has made us in His image and calls us to rule over this world and the next with Him. He has made us like He is so we can join Him in what He does. That’s His way.

God awakened me at 2:30 am today because he needed me to receive this and deliver it to a faithful pastor I know who is facing a great faith challenge. An important moment in his ministry career. To call him to faith. To help him run through the tape believing God. If you think of it, pray for this unnamed pastor today that God might use His word to lift him and his people to fresh belief. The city in which he pastors desperately needs this church as a great gospel outpost for the kingdom.

Perhaps it’s also a word for you, as it is this morning for me too.

Do You Seek Great Things? | Pastor Jack Hibbs

Do You Seek Great Things?

Jeremiah 45:5a

“…do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them…” 

According to Scripture, each believer has a gift to be used to advance God’s kingdom. And what a joy and privilege it is to serve Him! There is nothing quite like it, yet our service can be hindered or even corrupted by thoughts of grandeur.  Such was the condition of the prophet Jeremiah’s co-laborer Baruch.

Jeremiah was front and center as a prophet, while Baruch, the scribe, worked behind the scenes. Both were vital callings, but brewing within the scribe was a desire for some of Jeremiah’s limelight, and God knew it.

Baruch may have kept his hopes to himself, or he may have voiced them aloud. Scripture doesn’t say what prompted the Lord’s strong words, but one thing is certain: If we want notoriety and applause from people, self-seeking will follow, and no one is exempt from that. John the Baptist’s disciples experienced this when they felt overshadowed by the rise of Jesus’ ministry, “Behold, He is baptizing, all are coming to Him!” (John 3:26). John’s response is a healthy reminder to all those serving God, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

God’s admonition to Baruch wasn’t easy to hear, but it came with this promise, “‘…behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’” says the LORD. “‘But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go’” (Jeremiah 45:5b). Like Baruch, we have the precious promise of salvation. Let us determine to glory in that alone.

Awaiting His Return,

– Pastor Jack

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October 19 | “The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them.” (Num. 10:33.)

GOD does give us impressions, but not that we should act on them as impressions. If the impression be from God, He will Himself give sufficient evidence to establish it beyond the possibility of a doubt.

How beautiful is the story of Jeremiah, of the impression that came to him respecting the purchase of the field of Anathoth. But Jeremiah did not act upon this impression until after the following day, when his uncle’s son came to him and brought him external evidence by making a proposal for the purchase. Then Jeremiah said: “I knew this was the word of the Lord.”

He waited until God seconded the impression by a providence, and then he acted in full view of the open facts, which could bring conviction unto others as well as to himself. God wants us to act according to His mind. We are not to ignore the Shepherd’s personal voice but, like Paul and his companions at Troas, we are to listen to all the voices that speak and “gather” from all the circumstances, as they did, the full mind of the Lord.—Dr. Simpson.

“Where God’s finger points, there God’s hand will make the way.”

Do not say in thine heart what thou wilt or wilt not do, but wait upon God until He makes known His way. So long as that way is hidden it is clear that there is no need of action, and that He accounts Himself responsible for all the results of keeping thee where thou art.—Selected.

“For God through ways we have not known, Will lead His own.”¹

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¹  Cowman, L. B. (1925). Streams in the Desert (pp. 303–304). The Oriental Missionary Society.