Nevertheless, listen now to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets of old who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.” vs7-9

We must judge between false prophets and true. False prophets say, “Peace and prosperity,” but it doesn’t happen!

I’m heartbroken with the false prophets in Africa, prophesying prosperity to poor people and collecting offerings, while they PERISH without going to the doctor! The false prophets in America prophesied health, wealth, and prosperity, telling us we could, “Name it and claim it... decree it and declare it,” and they are utter frauds and liars. When will people look at what they do?

I listened to a sermon this morning, where you couldn’t hear the preaching because of, “Amen... Say it... Hallelujah... That’s right,” coming out of mouths before he finished the sentence: It is not that people got something spiritually; it is they are conditioned to be happy, no matter what is said, and talking while the preacher teaches is important to make them feel good. This is why Paul said only one person is to speak at a time, so that all may be built up and all may learn.

And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should hold his peace. [1 Cor 14:29-32]

True prophets preach the gospel of God’s grace. Jeremiah told them to BOW to the king of Babylon, and we must bow to the gospel, bow to suffer, and bow to the kingdom that’s not of this world. We must bow to chastisements and the God who rules absolutely! He says,

By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him. [Jer 27:5-7]

I don’t know when covid-19 will end; I don’t know the impending economic impact, etc. I do know that God sits on the throne, and He’s done it for our good, if we believe the gospel, and if we bow to Him, then it will be well.

Paul had to bow to humbling afflictions, but he got more grace! I must bow to my inability to preach, but as I do, He works in me by the Spirit, not the self-righteous workings of the flesh. We must bow to God’s absolute sovereignty, but when we do, then there is rest and peace.

Away with the false god who exists to make you happy and doesn’t want anything painful to happen. Bow to the God of Job, the God who cursed Adam, and the God who hung His own Son on the cross before the foundation of the world - the God that’s after His own glory and glorifies all who trust Him.