"....God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart." - 2 Chronicles 32:31.
In the first part of this series, the main topic discussed was what had drove the younger son away from his father's house/presence. The scriptures revealed it was "the abundance of the father's house" that drove the Prodigal Son from his father's presence, or rather "the desire to experience the rewards of the inheritance before the appointed time". The Holy Spirit then revealed that the Body of Christ was also suffering from the same problem.....a "Prodigal Gospel" that has been preached for years has caused many son and daughters of God to "fall away"(2 Thessalonians 2:2-3) from the condition of a heart that is truly pursuing God to a heart that is "seeking God's hand instead of seeking God's face".
In this message, the primary focus will be what drove the younger son back to his father's house/presence. What exactly caused the younger son to "come to his senses" and return to his father's house?
"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father....." - Luke 15:14-18.
It was a famine that set the stage for the possibility of the younger son's heart to reach a state of repentance. "Repentance" is a word meaning, "to change one's mind", or, "to change one's course and destination". Nothing brings repentance to a heart quite like an unmet need. The famine brought the younger son to a place of true repentance....he "came to his senses", then "changed his course" and made his father's house/presence his new "destination".
Beloved, God is using the same thing on the Body of Christ today in an effort to reach the same result! The first vestiges of the famine have already begun and will intensify greatly in the very near future. The purpose of this famine is not to destroy the numerous "prodigal" sons and daughters that have "fallen away". No....the purpose of this famine is declared in the Word of God.
"For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another." - Isaiah 48:9-11.
God has used famines many times in the history of mankind for His purpose. The Word of God declares many instances of this fact (Genesis 12:10; Genesis 41:30; Ruth 1:1; 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 18:2; Jeremiah 11:22; Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11; Revelation 18:8). It is a customary practise of God to use the method of creating or letting a physical need go unmet so that a more important need is satisfied. God is more concerned with the condition of your heart than with the condition of your body. At this present time, many sons and daughters of God are experiencing a pro-longed trial/circumstance in the physical realm, where it appears that God is ignoring their cries/prayers....seeming almost to the point of neglect; but the fact of the matter is, God is working through this trial/circumstance to perfect their faith and hopefully meet a greater need.
Beloved, if you are not presently seeing or experiencing the effects of this divine famine....of assurance, you will soon. The present famine is actually two-fold in nature. The physical manifestations of this famine are readily felt and more quickly experienced. The Global economy is hanging by a very thin thread. Natural resources are becoming scarce. Commodities necessary to maintaining today's present life-style are becoming more expensive. This is only the beginning....
"They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads. They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:18-20.
Then the real famine will begin. The second part of this famine that will be the most grievous and the most devastating....
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD...." - Amos 8:11.
God will purposely withdraw Himself for a time to allow the fullness of sin to come and the "man of sin/son of perdition" to be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3). For a time, it will appear the darkness is prevailing. Christians will lose their liberties. Persecution will begin to intensify. Huge, well-known ministries that have been preaching the "Prodigal" prosperity message....declaring that God has endless resources...will run out of resources, forced to declare bankruptcy....closing the doors. Radio and television ministries cut off. Why must these things come to pass?
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." - Malachi 3:1-3.
The Spirit of God expressly commands that all the truth be told and this message stated in its entirety....not all the "prodigals" will return....many will be the casualties of this famine. Because it will appear that the promises of God are of none effect and God has abandoned His children....many hearts will be filled with anger and bitterness.....many that once began a journey with the Lord will not enter into His rest because of unbelief (Hebrews 4:1-11). How can such a thing be stated? The very Word of God declares this horrible reality.....
"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." - Zechariah 13:7-9.
Beloved, the judgement of God is always mixed with mercy. God is long-suffering....not willing to see any perish. The "Day of the Lord" is close at hand (Joel 2:1-3). Before this terrible day, however, God is refining His people.....preparing the church to be that spotless bride He is returning for! (Isaiah 62:5). God is allowing this famine in an effort to bring the "prodigal" children to a state of repentance.....the famine is meant to cause the wayward children to "come to their senses" before it is too late!
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." - Isaiah 55:6-8.
"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." - Isaiah 44:22
Will you heed this warning from the Holy Spirit? Will you believe our report? Will you be a part of the remnant of God who's hearts have been purified that they may see God (Matthew 5:8)? Then let your heart's cry be that of the younger son - "I will arise and go to my father...."!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1YAP4Vy9s
Stay tuned for the conclusion!
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