Wednesday, June 15, 2016

I Will Turn Against The Lambs

The Minor Prophets Speak To Today


Cemetary

Are You Willing To Stand Among The One-Third That Will Be Left



Zechariah 13:7-9 NLT

____________________________________________________________

I Will Turn Against The Lambs
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    the man who is my partner,”
    says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“Strike down the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered,
    and I will turn against the lambs.
Two-thirds of the people in the land
    will be cut off and die,” says the Lord.
    “But one-third will be left in the land.
I will bring that group through the fire
    and make them pure.
I will refine them like silver
    and purify them like gold.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘These are my people,’
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
____________________________________________________________

I Will Turn Against The Lambs


What a haunting statement.

I didn't say it, God did.

And no matter when you believe it was, will be, or was and will be fulfilled. It, according to the New Testament, is written as a warning to those of us upon whom the period of grace has come.

Further disturbing, Jesus quotes the prior verses saying he is the Shepherd and leave open the reality that his lambs, regardless of the flock they are in, can expect the same kind of treatment at the hands of the Lord.

Two-Thirds of the People Will Be Cut Off And Die


Is the land referred to the Israel of Jesus' day? 

Is it his followers in the Kingdom on earth?

Is it the present or a future Israel?

Does 'the land' refer to the whole earth and thus God's lambs throughout the earth?

I am not here to tell you which. I am not here to take the place of the Holy Spirit in telling you the who and thus whether you are part of the who and the potential two-thirds who will be cut off and die.

We know God purges those who say they are his people. We know he cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit. 

We know that the disobedient receive discipline even, if he knows it is necessary, severe discipline in this life.

We know God makes an example of some individuals as a call to seriousness to the rest. Think Ananias and Saphira.

And, we know, God rescues many, who are too weak to stand the coming test, by their physical death.

These are serious ways of God and we do ourselves damage by ignoring them.

Two-Thirds of the People Will Be Cut Off And Die

Will You Be One Of Them


If this causes you fear, you and God need to have a little talk.


(Are you willing to stand among the one-third who will be left?)


Photo Credits:
Cemetary by Gavin Clarke, some rights reserved @ flickr.com

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