Plans and Processes

Isaiah 28:22 Now therefore, do not be mockers, Lest your bonds be made strong; For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, A destruction determined even upon the whole earth.


Jesus is passionate about His plans. God operates in plans and processes. Many mistakenly think that when Jesus returns, he will waive his hand and everything will be "fixed." You would only think this if you had never read the 150 chapters in the Bible about the time we are entering.


To approach this time casually is mockery. Mockery is a strong word, I know, but I think about it like this: If I set aside a Saturday to get stuff done around the house, and I expect my sons to help me, because I need the help and I want us to be together in something that benefits us as a family, then I let them know “on Saturday, plan on helping me!” If Saturday rolls around and I find them sleeping in late, and then realize they went and made other plans with friends that now they have to break, and they start to complain that they are missing out on what they wanted their Saturday to be like, they are making a mockery of my decision as the dad to do something that benefits the whole family. This would be very unpleasant for the whole family, and especially disappointing to dad, if he is excited about doing something important with his sons.


Even though Jesus literally FILLED the Bible with information about His return, many literally make a mockery (an insincere, contemptible, or impertinent imitation) of it. Many go to church on Sunday, claim to love Him, sing songs about Him, yet they have spent nearly 0 hours finding out the primary thing on Jesus’ mind, which is taking possession of everything He paid for on the cross!


I don't say this to be judgmental, I say this because the Bible is clear that a casual approach to Jesus and His plan to return is devastating to those who hold this attitude, AND it grieves God. Up until very recently, I had no idea what Jesus' plan even was, let alone what my role in it was. I have an important role, and so do you. If you are reading this, let me assure you: His plan is awesome and YOU have a role in it…that starts yesterday! As a sobering sidebar, Jesus says that if you don't clearly understand His plan and your role in it, you risk "falling away." His plan is really intense. According to the Bible, and my anecdotal observation, MANY are unprepared.


Matthew 24:10-14 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.


Matthew 24:21-24 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.


I believe my city has a great role to play in this time of glorious trouble. Jesus is the one bringing the trouble, which really does make it glorious…like the trouble in Egypt during the Exodus. I believe God has issued an invitation to SW Michigan to be a "city of refuge." In every time of impending judgment in the Bible, God makes it clear that His desire is to show a difference between people in agreement with Him and people in rebellion to His plans:


Exodus 8:22-24 And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ” And the Lord did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.


God followed this pattern of separating the people in agreement with Him from those in rebellion throughout the Exodus, in Sodom, during the Babylonian captivity, in his sparing Nineveh...every time. The Book of Revelation, and the other 120 Chapters describing the coming end-time judgment, make it clear that God will make an example of those in agreement with Him. In fact, at the time of the 6th seal of Revelation, God will pour out His spirit on all His servants in such a unique way we will all walk in amazing supernatural signs and wonders (Joel 2:28-32). Wherever God's people corporately press into Him in advance of the judgment, the glory of God will rest in thick measures and large populations will be spared the extreme effects of the guaranteed-to-come Tribulation. God told Abram that even 10 people in agreement with God would have resulted in the sparing of ALL of wicked Sodom. This invitation still stands. Joel 2:12 is an end-time promise directed to OUR generation:


Joel 2:12-14 That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before.


There is an invitation...several actually...for our city, but an invitation requires a response. We are uniquely positioned between two very large metropolitan cities. Cities in the end-time have a unique prophecy hanging over them:


Jeremiah 4:26 I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the Lord , By His fierce anger.


This is a promise over the nations of the world…including ours. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that many of the cities of the world are turning against God in filling themselves with all kinds of violence, lust, and hate.


We have an important role to play if we will have eyes to see it and respond now. At the time the cities are left desolate, a victorious Bride who has "made herself ready" will be a faithful witness of the Groom's love and wisdom. A great harvest...perhaps a billion choosing Jesus for salvation...will be brought in to God's kingdom. The Tribulation is intended to save, not crush, those who would choose Jesus. The events of the Book of Revelation are the least intense means necessary to reach the greatest number of people, at the deepest heart level, without ever violating free will. This will be the greatest fulfilling of the great commission in one generation ever! We all have a unique role to play. God will give us wisdom to know how to prepare if we will say "yes!" Every person who is willing to say yes in this time is faceted, like a diamond, to fit in a setting only they can fill. God has a unique and important role to anyone willing to follow Him in it!


God likens the diverse roles we have in this generation, and His ability to place us like a wise farmer:

Isaiah 28:23-29 Give ear and hear my voice, Listen and hear my speech. Does the plowman keep plowing all day to sow? Does he keep turning his soil and breaking the clods? When he has leveled its surface, Does he not sow the black cummin And scatter the cummin, Plant the wheat in rows, The barley in the appointed place, And the spelt in its place? For He instructs him in right judgment, His God teaches him. For the black cummin is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is a cartwheel rolled over the cummin; But the black cummin is beaten out with a stick, And the cummin with a rod. Bread flour must be ground; Therefore he does not thresh it forever, Break it with his cartwheel, Or crush it with his horsemen. This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.