Nineveh
I want to return to a subject that I dealt with before, but not in the same way. If you remember, one of our early newsletters spoke of Nineveh and how it was extremely unusual that an entire city would repent. I spoke of how it may have been the only time in history when both God, who wishes that everyone repent, and the devil, who did not want Nineveh destroyed, were on the same page. When God and the devil work for the same outcome, things happen!
You may recall that Jonah was a prophet to the ten northern tribes known as Israel. He was calling them back to God and to repentance. He had been unsuccessful so far. They considered him an amusement. God decided on a plan that would wake them up—he sent Jonah to the most wicked city in the world with the message that in forty days it would be destroyed. God knew that by sending Jonah on that mission, Jonah would gain the respect of the people of Israel after the demise of Nineveh, and the people of Israel would also repent, knowing that both Jonah and God meant business. Jonah did not want to go, hence we have the famous story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish. I really do not blame Jonah. If I were to go to San Francisco, get on all the local radio and TV stations announcing that San Francisco was to be destroyed in 40 days, I know that they would count me as a “nut case.” However, after Jonah experienced three days in the belly of a whale, he was willing to do whatever God instructed. He went to Nineveh and began walking through the streets of that great city announcing his message. After covering only a third of the city, everyone heard what was going on and repented, including the king. God relented what he had planned, Jonah felt betrayed and sulked, Nineveh was not destroyed, and Israel was not awakened out of their lethargy.
I am sure that God was happy that the people repented, the devil was probably thrilled that Israel was not shaken awake. God’s plan to reform Israel was circumvented by His desire to see anyone repent. The devil knew God enough to play his cards right. As you study further in
the Bible and history, you will discover that the repentance did not last long. Nineveh was eventually destroyed, but not at the time when Israel was ripe for reformation. The great controversy between Christ and Satan is played out in this world with very real and difficult scenarios.
The story of Jonah and Nineveh is not only very unusual, but it has important implications for today. I was recently asked why there are so many people being converted and why there is a seeming revival in the Christian churches of today. Why are tens of thousands of people finding the Lord and becoming Christians? Why are “mega-churches” having so much success? How is it that a book like The Purpose Driven Life can reach such great heights of popularity? Why is Christian music competing so well with secular music in the industry? How is it that a film about Christ’s Passion received such world-wide fame? How can Left Behind become such a household term? These phenomena could not be imagined when I was growing up.
As we read the story of Jonah, we can find the answer: Again, both God and the devil are pulling for the same outcome—to an extent. God wants everyone to come to a knowledge of Him, repent and receive salvation. We assume that the devil is not in favor of people becoming Christians. This is where we are wrong.
Through the study of prophecy, we know that the devil is going to impersonate Christ’s second coming soon. That being the case, do you think the devil wants people to be Christians or non-Christians when he impersonates Christ? Obviously, he wants as many as possible to be Christians hoping for the coming of Christ. It is no wonder that today it is more and more popular to receive Christ. But, is the revival complete?
Pop theology today leaves out some very important aspects of following God that a person needs to know to successfully go through the great deceptions at the end time. The Sabbath will be a test of loyalty just before the true coming of Christ. I notice that the Sabbath is not real popular in the present revival. The Bible teaching that when Jesus comes He will destroy the lost and there will be no second chance or 1000-year reign of peace on earth seems to have been left out of the current revival.
What I am trying to say is this: Do not be fooled by all the current religious interest and sincerity. Nineveh repented and was saved from destruction—for awhile. Satan will do everything he can to foil God’s attempts to bring true revival and salvation. He will even use “God” to accomplish his purposes. If you are in a Sabbath keeping church that teaches that when Jesus returns, probation has ended, your church probably is struggling to survive. When you see the growing mega-churches swallow up your impact, do not get discouraged and think God’s blessing is being poured out elsewhere. It just might be that it is not God’s blessing that is bringing this revival, nor His frown that is causing your cause to languish. Remember this: There has never been a time in the history of this world when the majority was right.
Until next week, keep up the faith and persevere.
Dennis
www.dennispumford.com
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