Prayer: Father! We are unable to fully grasp the privileges You have given to Your children. Even though they may be despised and considered insignificant in this world, because of You they are exalted. We are honored and made instruments of Your glory. Thus, You are able to use people in all conditions as Your vessels. Therefore, we thank You in Jesus’ name, asking You to grant us Your Spirit of help and speak with us. Amen.
The
Israelites left their homeland and entered Egypt. Once they entered Egypt, the
Egyptians referred to them as Hebrews. Whatever the Egyptians called them, now
God too refers to the Israelites in the same way. Egypt was a great nation —
wealthy, educated, and highly civilized. Hence, they thought highly of
themselves and despised others. Likewise, they despised the Israelites.
However, they did not realize or recognize that the Israelites were a people
established by God. The Egyptians prided themselves in their land, customs, and
gods. Therefore, they rejected even Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews.
The
same condition is evident in today’s times. The people of the world are divided
into two groups:
1. The believers
2. The unbelievers
The
unbelievers possess honor, wealth, and influence in this world. God Himself
told Moses to say to Pharaoh, "The Lord God of the Hebrews says
this…" In Exodus chapter 8, the Lord God said, “I will separate My people
from the Egyptians.” That means the nation of Israel was to be set apart.
Similarly, in chapter 9, God said not only would the people be separated, but
even their livestock would be set apart. So, God not only distinguishes between
believers and unbelievers, but also separates the possessions of believers.
Nothing from the believers will be given over to the unbelievers — God makes a
complete separation.
No
disease came upon the animals in the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived.
But the people and livestock in Egypt were struck by sickness. The absence of
illness among the Hebrews was due to God’s mercy. Death came upon the cattle
and people of Egypt. Yet God gave them chance after chance, but the Egyptians
did not repent. Even in this, we can see God’s mercy — He showed grace even to
the unbelievers.
Until
a certain point, the magicians could replicate some of the miracles Moses
performed. But they couldn’t do all of them. They saw the power of God and were
afraid. Likewise, in today’s world, even though unbelievers do not have divine
power, they still succeed in their worldly pursuits. However, they cannot
escape the coming seven-year Great Tribulation. They will not be able to endure
or withstand it. That tribulation will be greater than the plagues that
occurred in Egypt.
God
has placed two things in man:
1. Knowledge
2. Heart
The
plagues in Egypt were understood intellectually, but they did not pierce the
heart. But the great tribulations of the coming seven years will affect the
heart deeply. Pharaoh's heart was troubled by the plagues in Egypt, but he did
not repent. Similarly today, God has sent afflictions so that we may repent,
but people are still not repenting.
Evils
Found in Pharaoh:
1. Despising the people
of God
2. Disregarding the God
of the Hebrews
3. Hardening his heart
because of the sufferings he experienced
When
sufferings arise, both believers and unbelievers tend to ask why God allows it.
But the Bible shows us that God permits
it for several reasons:
1. To
reveal His power
2. So
that the whole world may come to know His strength
3. So
that all may acknowledge that the LORD is God
4. So
that the name of God may be proclaimed throughout the earth
Now
is the time of the Second Coming. During this period, the gospel of the Second
Coming must be preached fully across the entire world. Before the Millennial
Reign begins, the complete gospel must be proclaimed in every language and
region. Believers who preach the message of the Second Coming will speak in all
languages. In this era, faithful ones will teach the full gospel of Christ's
return to every people group.
Even
hermits and sages will leave their caves and come out. Although this is not
explicitly written in the Bible, we can understand it from Church history.
God
has made specific preparations throughout history:
1. The Jews – to prepare
for the birth of the Lord into this world
2. Believers – to
proclaim the message of the Second Coming to all
3. Abraham – so that all
may receive the same kind of faith
4. Moses – to reveal
what is in the heart of God
5. Joshua – to establish
the inheritance for God's people
6. Peter – to bring the
Jews into the Church of God
7. Paul – to bring the
Gentiles into the Church of God
8. John – to write the
Book of Revelation
9. Pharaoh – to display
God's power and to proclaim His name across the world
In
Exodus
chapter 9, the Egyptians saw God’s wonders and were filled with
fear. In the same way, today too, many non-believers fear God. Some are even
preparing for His coming. Therefore, each one of us must fulfill the task for
which God has prepared us. While
preparing ourselves for the coming of the Lord, we also have the responsibility
of preparing others. That is the very work we have all been called to.
Blessing: So, may the Holy
Spirit prepare you according to today’s devotional thought, to receive that
work and become visible signs of Christ and His coming in this world. Amen.
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