When we study the "minor" prophets in the Old Testament, we notice certain themes recurring in many of them - the anger of God against sin, the certainty of judgment, the evils of pride and of exploitation of the poor, the love of money and the immorality found among the leaders, God using the heathen to chasten His people, the need for faith and patience if God does not answer immediately, not being deceived by external manifestations of revival, and promises to the remnant.
All the prophets spoke about a remnant among God's people. They spoke about how, in a time of declension among God's people, there would be a few who would be faithful to God.
The things written in the Old Testament have been written for our instruction(1 Cor.10:11). There is a decline among Christians today just like there was a decline in Israel in the past. The two kingdoms - Israel and Judah - are a picture of the two groups in Christendom. Israel, with 10 tribes, symbolizes the larger group of mainline denominations. And Judah, with 2 tribes, symbolizes the smaller non-conformist assemblies. But both these groups are in decline today. In the Old Testament, Judah did not learn from Israel's mistakes. And the non-conformist groups today have not learnt from the mistakes the mainline denominations have made - and they have made the same mistakes themselves. But ultimately, from both groups, God has chosen a remnant today.
There is spiritual decline today - both among the ritualistic groups and among the independent groups. But in the midst of all this, God has a few who have a heart for Him. They are not all found in one denomination. They are found in all the denominations - men and women who love God and are seeking to honour Him in all things. They are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit and do not get involved in controversies. They are very careful in the use of their tongues and are very faithful with money. God is gathering such people together in these days as His remnant.
The theme of the prophets was always restoration. The remnant prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus. When the Lord was born, there was a small remnant - Simeon and Anna in the temple, John the Baptist, the shepherds, and a few wise men from the east. Today also there is a remnant in Christendom who are preparing the way for the coming of the Lord.
Zephaniah first speaks about the coming day of judgment. He speaks more about "the day of the Lord" than any other prophet. There was a revival in Judah in King Josiah's time, about 4 years before Nebuchadnezzar came and took them away as captives. But it was a superficial revival. The prophets like Zephaniah and Jeremiah saw through that and were not deceived. But most people in Israel were deceived. Many Christians today are also being deceived by so-called "revivals" and are unable to see through their hollowness and superficiality. Much of what is called "revival" today in Christendom is merely emotional excitement and psychological gimmicks imposed on a gullible public by clever, money-loving preachers. There is no revival there to holiness, or to humility, or to freedom from the love of money, or to poverty of spirit, etc. Any revival that does not lead God's people to obey the teachings in the sermon on the mount (Mt.5 to 7) is a counterfeit. Don't be deceived by what is called "revival"today! Most of it is not revival at all.
Be the first to react on this!
Zac Poonen ( - Present)
God called brother Zac Poonen to a new work early on in his Christian experience. The movement is now called Christian Fellowship Churches where the New Covenant of New Testament Christianity is clearly preached.Brother Zac Poonen has written 25 books most of them being on the deeper Christian life. Many of these have been translated into a number of languages and have been circulated widely around the world. He clearly and passionately shares the narrow way of Christian discipleship that is neglected by so many modern preachers.
Recommends these books by Zac Poonen:
Through The Bible by Zac Poonen
The Final Triumph-A verse by verse study of the book of Revelation by Zac Poonen
Beauty for Ashes by Zac Poonen
Zac Poonen is a former Indian Naval Officer who has been in full time ministry in India for nearly 50 years as a Bible teacher and preacher. He holds responsibility for a number of churches in India and abroad. He currently pastors the Christian Fellowship Church in Bangalore, Karnataka.
He has written more than 25 books and numerous articles in English - which have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His messages are available on audio and video format.
Like the other elders in his church, Zac Poonen also supports himself and his family through what he describes as "tent-making" and does not receive any salary for his services. He does not receive any royalties for any of his books, CDs or DVDs, that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore.