How can families thrive when we live in perilous times of apostasy?
The apostasy is the falling away from the faith in Christ, which happens before the rapture of the church. We are in the midst of that time now, and need to be faithful servants watching for the coming of Jesus.
“Let no one deceive you by any means: for that day (the day of Christ) shall not come, except there comes a falling away first (Apostasy)…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
“For this know also, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy”. (2 Timothy 3:2)
Isaiah the prophet and his family are a great example of how families can be a victorious ministry team to a backslidden nation, enduring times that seemed almost hopeless. They are also a picture of what we are to be in this time, God’s faithful remnant. Isaiah’s wife was a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3), who brought forth sons, whose names were prophetic words of God to the nation. Isaiah stated, “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel…” (Isaiah 8:18). Your marriage and family are also a sign to this fallen world system, which is why the family unit is under relentless attack. The husband and wife team are a picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31,32). Would you like to make the enemy and his minions mad? Live a fruitful life spiritually by becoming one with the LORD in fellowship, and physically fruitful in marriage by procreating children, which the Bible declares are a gift of the LORD, His reward (Psalm 127:3), and are arrows against the enemy (v. 4), and will speak with the enemies at the gate. (v. 5). Teach the word of God to your children. This command is part of the most important commandment in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:4-7), known also as the Shema. BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY!
Did Isaiah fix his eyes on the political system of the day? No, he saw the LORD sitting on the throne, exalted above all things (Isaiah 6:1). We need to have this focus in our lives! Presidents, kings, and rulers are people we should pray for (1 Timothy 2:1-2). They come and go, but they are under the control of our Sovereign Lord. He deserves our focus and attention and praise. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Remember, God laughs at the globalist, anti-Christ, one world government system that is emerging (Psalm 2). BE LOOKING TO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH!
Isaiah saw Jesus sitting on the throne and was broken over his own sinfulness, Woe (OY!) is me! (Isaiah 6:5) God wants to send out families and servants to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) wherever He leads, but we need to be broken by seeing His Holiness and our sinfulness, and be touched and transformed by Him. The question is: “Who will go for US?” And will you go if no one gets saved, and no one listens to your message? Just be faithful to His call, for He is forever faithful to you. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9) BE BROKEN AND POURED OUT FOR JESUS!
