Many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 Billy Graham was definitely one of the chosen few. Like John the Baptist, Jeremiah and others, his destiny seemed to be sealed before he exited his mother's womb. There is a catch phrase that has become somewhat of a cliché among Christians, "In God's perfect timing." But I am convinced that everything does actually happen in God's perfect timing. The birth, life and passing of Billy Graham is perhaps one of the greatest examples in modern history. His simple message of personal salvation was probably the main catalyst that brought into existence a Christian mindset that transcended denominations, establishing a block of Christianity known as Evangelicals; who have not only been influential in the Church at large but also in the American political arena.
For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. 1 Peter 4:17 A thorough study of Scripture reveals that judgment, at least where the believer is concerned, is for the purpose of redemption and reconciliation rather than condemnation. Judgment exposes that which stands in the way of our becoming like God (which entails possessing His character, enabling us to be fully equipped for ministry). Often, this exposure is brought about by rather intense and severe tests and trials in our lives.
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy? Amos 3:7-8 Much can be learned from the writings of Jewish sages and rabbis, not found in the Bible but kept and handed down for centuries. I have discovered something very significant, taught by these sages and rabbis regarding the prophetic fulfillment of the Feasts of God. The three main feasts are Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, with Passover and Tabernacles being three part feasts, making a total of seven feasts.
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 (see also 2 Thessalonians 3:13) Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-16 This word redeem is translated from the Greek verb, exagorazo, which means "buying up the opportunity." The word time in Ephesians 5:16 is from the Greek word for time, kairos, or a time in which something is seasonable (a specific time, as opposed to chronological time or days on a calendar). It can also mean "a specific time pregnant with destiny."
One of the definitions of redeem is to fulfill. Another is to recover or take back. Jesus said that Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles (nations), until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled (see Luke 21:24). Obviously, the time that other nations controlled Jerusalem ended during the Six Day War in June of 1967, when Israel took back the old city of Jerusalem from Jordan. After hundreds of years, the ancient Biblical capital of Israel was once again under Israeli control.This happened suddenly, just as did the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948, which I believe signified an acceleration of time, speeding us toward the fulfillment of many Bible prophecies.
Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. Isaiah 28:9-10 Enlighten means to impart knowledge or to shed light on something, intellectually or spiritually. God has been about enlightening mankind since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden over 6000 years ago. Ultimately, this enlightening will bring about the restitution of all things (see Acts 3:21).
We know the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8 took place when Israel was born all at once, coming out of Egypt a wealthy nation in one night. In 539 BC, the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon, where exiled Jews were being held captive. God used this heathen king to orchestrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple after seventy years of Jewish captivity in Babylon, sending a remnant back to Judah and financing their efforts. This too happened rather suddenly, even though it had been prophesied years before by both Isaiah and Jeremiah.
This year marks fifteen years since the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. In Scripture, the number fifteen represents rest, which is made possible by deliverance, which is what the number fourteen represents. The Feast of Unleavened Bread occurs on the 15th day of Nisan in the first month on the Hebrew calendar. It was to be observed as a day of rest. The 15th day of the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar begins the Feast of Tabernacles, also a day of rest. God appeared to Abraham on the 15th day of Nisan and told him that his descendants would be slaves in a foreign land (Egypt). Years later, God delivered all the firstborn of the Israelites from the death angel just as Passover began after sunset on the 14th day of Nisan. Twenty-four hours later on the 15th of Nisan, the Israelites began to come out of Egypt (see Exodus 12:40-41).
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalm 85:6). Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth (Hosea 6:1-3). Revival: a word that means different things to different people. Perhaps, rightly so. There are different types of revival. Personal revival. Spiritual revival. Even, political revival. Sometimes these various types of revival are so intertwined that they cannot be separated into neat, easy to understand packages.
Follow Up
