Has my ministry been offensive to you? Has the prophetic message of warning caused you to turn your back and stop up your ears? Perfect! That's exactly how God set it up. As was the case in Isaiah's calling, all prophetic ministries are offensive to those whom God already knows are unwilling to hear.
In a given season, in response to a particular set of circumstances, even Jesus's ministry was offensive to those who would reject Him. What is so sadly profound about Jesus's prophetic ministry, is those who were offended. Those who were most offended by His assignment were the Chief Priests. Those who should have supported Jesus, the very ones for whom His life was ransomed, rolled against Him. Not only did they pay Judas to betray Him, they also persuaded the people to demand His crucifixion. Why? They were offended by Jesus's ministry; particularly His prophecies about them. Jesus just never seemed to have anything good to say about them. Therefore, given their response to Jesus's assignment, the church's silence, in my assignment, has not come as a complete shock to me.
Enamored as always by God’s Holiness, this morning I am also elated for this early Christmas gift. While I was worshiping God through prayer using the text of Isaiah 6:3 this morning, God revealed to me the genesis of my calling.
They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:3 (NLT)
As I have said before, though I have been treated like Jeremiah, who was also attacked by his hometown, my assignment is largely based on Ezekiel. Yet, the Holy Spirit led me to read all of Isaiah chapter 6. The Word is presented in chapters for a reason (keep it in context). Before I answered God's call to this assignment, like Isaiah, God also revealed Himself to me.
I have always viewed the book of Isaiah as the Bible's summary, placed, not at the beginning, but rather, plopped right down in the middle of the scriptures: as only God can do, without explanation. Needless to say, I was floored. But, it all makes absolute sense now. The context of Isaiah 6 is exactly how I was brought forth into this assignment. And because the same prophetic messages have been given to me to deliver to my hometown, she has turned her back so that she cannot see what's on the horizon; and having shut up her ears, she has likewise hardened her heart, despisingly rejecting the message of warning.
As morbid as this testimony may be perceived to some, in this Christmas season, because God saw fit to enlighten me with this early Christmas gift of revelation, I am inclined to offer to Jesus an early birthday present through my testimony.
In a given season, in response to a particular set of circumstances, even Jesus's ministry was offensive to those who would reject Him. What is so sadly profound about Jesus's prophetic ministry, is those who were offended. Those who were most offended by His assignment were the Chief Priests. Those who should have supported Jesus, the very ones for whom His life was ransomed, rolled against Him. Not only did they pay Judas to betray Him, they also persuaded the people to demand His crucifixion. Why? They were offended by Jesus's ministry; particularly His prophecies about them. Jesus just never seemed to have anything good to say about them. Therefore, given their response to Jesus's assignment, the church's silence, in my assignment, has not come as a complete shock to me.
Enamored as always by God’s Holiness, this morning I am also elated for this early Christmas gift. While I was worshiping God through prayer using the text of Isaiah 6:3 this morning, God revealed to me the genesis of my calling.
They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:3 (NLT)
As I have said before, though I have been treated like Jeremiah, who was also attacked by his hometown, my assignment is largely based on Ezekiel. Yet, the Holy Spirit led me to read all of Isaiah chapter 6. The Word is presented in chapters for a reason (keep it in context). Before I answered God's call to this assignment, like Isaiah, God also revealed Himself to me.
I have always viewed the book of Isaiah as the Bible's summary, placed, not at the beginning, but rather, plopped right down in the middle of the scriptures: as only God can do, without explanation. Needless to say, I was floored. But, it all makes absolute sense now. The context of Isaiah 6 is exactly how I was brought forth into this assignment. And because the same prophetic messages have been given to me to deliver to my hometown, she has turned her back so that she cannot see what's on the horizon; and having shut up her ears, she has likewise hardened her heart, despisingly rejecting the message of warning.
As morbid as this testimony may be perceived to some, in this Christmas season, because God saw fit to enlighten me with this early Christmas gift of revelation, I am inclined to offer to Jesus an early birthday present through my testimony.
Thank You LORD
Afterthought: Judge nothing before it's time. Howbeit, if and when you judge; judge righteously.
