The Time of John – The Time of the Messenger

The Time of John – The Time of the Messenger

When God is about to do something new there is a time between the old and the new called “The Time of the Messenger” or “The Time of John”.  It is a time of intense ardent pursuit of the Kingdom of God, a violent pursuit to usher in and be a part of the new. We are in such a time.

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When Herod started killing babies the Jews ought to have realized something was stirring in the Kingdom of God; the enemy always tries to hinder what God is up to.  The Jews should have paused and remembered Moses, the slaughter of the babies by Pharaoh and their deliverance from Egypt. 

It had been nearly 400 years since the prophets and now this crazy man named John showed up on the scene and was telling the people to repent and be baptized.  Something was stirring.  The people asked John if he was the Prophet, Elijah or the Christ; “Who are you so we can tell those who sent us?” John’s response was startling, “"I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’" Some liked John and came to the baptism waters others scoffed. Had the echo of Herod’s slaughter already been wiped from their memory?  Some understood some didn’t.

Are we any different? Do we realize the time in which we live?  The unborn are being murdered before their first breath. Why is satan so outraged at this generation?  Could it be he knows his time is short and the generation which will resist his kingdom out of loving obedience to the Lord Jesus is upon the face of the earth?  

When God is about to move dynamically upon the Earth He sends out His messengers (like John), some people hear and respond to the call and some people don’t. The message is still ringing “prepare the way for the Lord” will we respond and rise to the occasion to seek His Face and advance with Him in His Kingdom?  Will we hear the sound and respond?

I believe this is a unique time on the earth.  Like the scripture below in Matthew 11 – The flute has been piping and the dirge has been sung. We have heard it, have we responded?  God has spoken and has been calling to this generation through many means: the prophets, signs in the earth, disasters, wars, world leaders rising and falling, the economy, the ability to plant chips in people and many others.  The end is not here but the sun is definitely setting upon this age!  Are we ready for what is coming?  The birth pains are here, the olive tree has sent out its tender shoot – 

How will you respond in the Time of the Message?

Hear this scripture from Matthew 11:

Matthew 11

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: "’I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.

"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: "’We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.  "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.  And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.  But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

What will you response be?