Devotion 1 of 2: Jer 6
In v.1, Jeremiah prophesies “disaster will appear out of the north.” Jeremiah repeats this warning many times. He prophesies they will be cruel and have no mercy (v.22-23). This will be fulfilled through AC, who will kill many Christians. But if we cry out to God, He will also free us to escape many times, like Peter and Paul did!
The enemy from the north is speaking of Babylon, which is located east of Israel. So why does he say north? Scholars believe it is because while both Babylon and Persia are east of Israel, they are also north of Jerusalem.
In v.17-18, God says He set watchmen over Judah, but the people would not heed His words. The watchmen are another picture of the LDC. We are to warn believers that we will face AC, and he will persecute the church! Most believers may not listen, but let’s love and warn them anyway.
デボーション1/2：Jer 6
1節で、エレミヤは北から災いが来ると預言しています。エレミヤはこの警告を何度も繰り返しています。彼は、彼らが残忍で哀れみがないと預言しています（22-23節）。終わりの時代に、これは反キを通して実現し、多くのクリスチャンを殺します。しかし、私たちが神に叫ぶなら、神はペテロとパウロのように、私たちを何度も牢獄から解放して逃げさせてくださいます！
北からの敵は、イスラエルの東に位置するバビロンのことを言っています。では、なぜ彼は北と言うのでしょうか？学者たちは、バビロンとペルシャはどちらもイスラエルの東にありますが、またエルサレムの北でもあるからだと考えています。
17-18節で、神はユダに見張り人を立てましたが、人々は神の言葉に注意しなかったと言っています。見張り人は終末教会の別の象徴です。私たちは信者たちに、クリスチャンは反キに直面し、彼は教会を迫害するだろうと警告しなければなりません！大部分の信者は耳を傾けないかもしれませんが、それでも彼らを愛し、警告しましょう。
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Acts 6
The first 7 deacons and Stephen’s trial is recorded in this chapter. The deacons were chosen to solve the problem of discrimination against Greek-speaking Jewish widows in the early church (v.1-7). I believe racial prejudice is a deep instinct-like emotion that every human has. Even the revival early church had it! When the world revival happens, let’s ask God to help us love people from every nation!
In order to stone Stephen, the Synagogue of the Freedmen set up FALSE WITNESSES to accuse him of blasphemy (v.13-14). The world is generally divided into autocratic (AG) and democratic governments (DG). Usually, AGs lie and deceive because they must control the people. DGs usually must tell the truth because the people have the authority to vote them out of power. Recently the US has shocked the world by moving into the AG camp. Let’s pray that all things work for good so the LDR can happen and billions of souls be saved!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku