From the Introduction to Jacob’s trouble – the last sifting of Israel. The role of the Church in the drama at the threshold of the Messiah. By Lars Widerberg (01) For you, dear reader, an introduction to a book, particularly to this book, has to make way and to set before you a door opened. If the author is granted grace to engage your perception from the very outset and beginning of a demanding text, the interaction may become profitable – profitable for the purposes of the Lord. It is He, our Redeemer, and Lord, who holds a door open for both writer and reader. One of the seven churches, to whom the Apostle John wrote on behalf of the Lord, received peculiar encouragement – a door held open for service, a door held open because of and based on reoccurring reduction. By immediate facts settled by the words of the apostle, we are made aware of the absence of impressiveness and power in this particularly blessed gathering of Saints – John uses two words form the Greek language, “micros” and “dunamis”, to describe the state of affairs, an outright commendable state of affairs. May we therefore, like the Church of Philadelphia, keep to His Word at every given moment of our toil in relation to writing as well as reading – and then go on in the same manner in a seeking of the Lord for our corporate role in this great matter of Israel and the Church. There is a door, held open, for profitable service in the last days. Rev 3:8 The prophetic burden of the last days – a seeing according to heavenly purposes Prophetic men are identified by their acute desire for discernment and wisdom – for a knowing and understanding according to heavenly standards. Theirs is an identifying of the covenant of the Lord, also in its eschatological aspect – which means, they seek to understand what the people of the covenant are to face and encounter in the days of the return of the Redeemer. Theirs is a radical apprehending and understanding of the prophetic scenario, which is to bring a finalization of the redemptive purposes as foretold by the prophets of old. Jeremiah was, amidst his many tears – indeed, because of his many tears, brought to a seeing and announcing of a new and radically different covenant into which the Jewish nation in its totality, as the chosen nation, is to be driven and drawn. Jer 31:31-33 Our very dear prophet, Jeremiah, introduces and re-opens two major issues, which are to be recognized even as far back as with Moses, then with David, with Isaiah, as well as with several, if not all, the other prophets of the Old Testament. Any given situation responds, according to corporate prophetic understanding, with great trouble when the chosen nation chooses to approach the given reality in contradiction and opposition to the instructions of the Heavenly covenant which are, by mouth and pen, set forth among them. Jeremiah re-opens the issue of breaking the covenant by stating the fact of a coming of horrifying days in the future to be labeled “Jacob’s trouble”, as a statement judgment against every item and issue emanating from this very root of covenant-breaking. Isaiah embarks on a similar route by being allowed to define these days as one single day of final vengeance. For our benefit, for you and me, Jeremiah adds: “In the latter days ye shall consider it”. Jer 30:7, Isa 34:8, Jer 30:24 The second major issue opened by the prophet Jeremiah is the grand and glorious speaking about the new covenant to come. “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” The whole nation, the chosen people of Israel, are to be made able to walk according to the heart of the Lord, the very heart of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Messiah – and the nations will follow, as Isaiah has it in his words about Zion to be set forth as the place of learning, the learning of heavenly protocol. Ezekiel adds to this end time scenario in his describing of the changing of inner guards, the displacing of old hearts and the installing of that which belongs to true spirituality. Each part of this Heavenly work belongs to the future – even to our very near future: “In the latter days ye shall consider it”. Jer 31:31-33, Isa 2:2-4, Eze 36:26-27, Jer 30:24 Further reading to be found at: One final Sifting - Israel and the Church during Jacobs trouble Via Widerberg’s FB wall
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:29:12 +0000
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