AUTUMN SAINTS

PROPHETS, FALSE AND TRUE
Ezekiel 14:1-11
Matthew 24:36-51

You may have read that according to some modern prophets, Jesus is returning in May of this year. Well, maybe, maybe not. Jesus himself said that not even he knew exactly when that might be. It is not God's will that any should parish and so the door remains open until the Lord himself decides to close it. But, what exactly is a prophet? A biblical prophet was/is someone who speaks God's word to his people. These words are spoken with great authority because they are based on Truth, God's Truth. We have lots of false prophets who speak with authority based on the truth as they see it. They preach "Peace [success, happiness, health, pleasure]" where there is none. They tell us what we need to be doing and when and how we should be doing it. They misdirect our focus. They assure us that if we do what they tell us to do, all will be well. There are economic prophets: "Follow the green line and invest with us and you'll reach the magic number for the retirement of your dreams." We have medical prophets who tell us that if we eat right, exercise, keep up our medical visits, have a positive attitude, we will extend not only our lives, but the quality of our lives. We have pleasure prophets who tell us if we take the right cruise we can indulge ourselves. We have marketing prophets who tell us that a 57" TV will make us happier than a 19" TV will. There may be some truth in these words that bombard us on a daily basis, but partial truth can turn our direction away from The Truth. In Ezekiel God brushes aside these misguided prophets and says "I will answer these elders myself." His purpose in answering them himself is so that they might repent and become more fully his people.

Jesus in his prophetic role, tells us that time is limited. He will return and when we least expect it. It will could be while we are engaged in getting all this economic security, healthy lifestyle, pleasure, giving our daughter the best wedding ever, or accumulating and collecting our "stuff." In fact we could be so busily engaged following these "minor prophets" that we miss preparing for The Prophet's return. How do we prepare? Jesus says that we prepare for his coming by being engaged as his servants in the work he has called us to do for the Kingdom. If we get distracted thinking that he won't return in our lifetimes, or focus on the wrong things [security, health, pleasure, accumulation] we may not be prepared. We may not be doing what he considers most important.

So, what are those things and how can the older set still actively participate? Jesus calls us first of all to tell the good news. I have heard older people say "It seems that I spend my whole life in Doctor's offices." Well, is there a better place to connect with people who are suffering, scared, weak, or lonely? Are you sharing your hope in the Lord? Jesus calls us to be reconcilers. Are there members of your family who are not speaking to one another? Is it possible that God wants you to be a peace maker? God calls us to pray and to spend time getting to know him intimately. Are you interceding for the world, our world leaders, your church leaders, your friends, your family? Are you spending time in the Word so that you have answers to those who ask of you? Are you loving him so much that you can hardly wait for his return? God calls us to leave a legacy. Are you telling your stories of God's faithfulness? Have you written a history of God's activity in your life for those who come after you? Do your friends and family know what is central to your life? These are just a few things to get you started. As you read the Word there will others that speak to you.

The True Prophet speaks "I will return." Are you listening to him or to all the other prophets around?