Devotion 1 of 2: Jer 23
This chapter is a very strong rebuke against the shepherds and prophets of Judah. The shepherds were scattering and destroying the sheep (v.1). In the last days, this applies to pastors who unintentionally scatter and destroy believers; in other words, causing church attendance to drop and churches to close. This is a phenomenon that’s happening in many denominations across the world. One reason for this is the lack of a revival spirit.
God’s words against prophets and priests are also razor sharp. He calls them profane and wicked (v.11); He says they prophesied by Baal, causing the people to err (v.13) and they commit adultery and walk in lies (v.14). God warns not to listen to their prophecies (v.16) because He has not sent them (v.21)!
In our age, this word would apply foremost to the liberal pastors and leaders of mainline denominations. But it may also apply to pastors and Bible teachers who hold a fundamental viewpoint of the Bible, but who deny the 1906 Pentecostal Revival and God’s endtime plan of restoring the church to a glorious revival church.
Let’s pray church leaders will hear God’s voice and follow it!
デボーション1/2：Jer 23
この章は、ユダの牧者と預言者たちに対する非常に強い叱責です。牧者たちは羊を散らし滅ぼしていました（1節）。この言葉は、終わりの日に、意図せずに信者を散らし滅ぼす牧師に当てはまります。つまり、礼拝出席数の減少、また教会閉鎖の増加を意図せずに起こしているということです。これは、世界中の多くの教団で起こっている現象です。その理由の1つは、リバイバル精神の欠如です。
預言者と祭司に対する神の言葉も鋭いものです。神は彼らを汚れていて、悪人と呼び（11節）、彼らはバアルによって預言し、民を惑わし（13節）、姦通し、うそをついて歩いていると言います（14節）。神は彼らの預言を聞くなと警告します（16節）。なぜなら、神は彼らを遣わさなかったからです（21節）。
現代では、この言葉は主にリベラルな牧師や主流派の教団の指導者たちに当てはまります。しかし、これは、聖書の根本的な見解を持ちながらも、1906年のペンテコステ派のリバイバルと、教会を栄光あるリバイバル教会に回復するという神の終末の計画を否定する牧師や聖書教師にも当てはまるかもしれません。
教会の指導者たちが神の声を聞き、それに従うように祈りましょう。
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 23
In this chapter, Paul testifies once more in Jerusalem, another dissension breaks out, a group vows to kill him, and he is sent away to Caesarea. During his testimony, Paul realizes there were Sadducees and Pharisees present, so he declared his belief in the resurrection, which caused a big argument between the 2 sects (v.6-10).
Who were the Pharisees? They were the Evangelicals of Jesus’ day. They were devoted to religious purity and observing the Law of Moses, opposed to Greek influence, and believed in the resurrection and the supernatural. They also represented the middle class and probably opposed Jesus the most of any group.
Who were the Sadducees? They were the Liberals of Jesus’ day. They denied angels, the resurrection and the supernatural and believed only in the power of man’s free will. They were involved in the Temple, its festivals and sacrifices, but were more interested in secular government than in religion. They represented the upper class.
We, as a Charismatic church, are closer to Evangelicals than Liberals, but as we saw in Jeremiah, both groups can be deceived by false prophets and can be destroyed by Babylon, or AC. So, we want to love both groups and share with them God’s endtime revival plan so they can also join in and be restored to the glorious church that will defeat AC and bring national and world revival during the tribulation!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku