“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20

Man, it has been a hot summer! But, this is the way Summer typically is, especially in Southeast Texas. Why am I talking weather? I don’t know, I guess this is the normal for how we break in when we are trying to strike up a conversation. But the reality is I’m about to make you aware of a season that we are currently in. Hopefully you will be enlightened to see people that are not saved, as vitally important to God. In fact God uses prophetic symbolism, parables, metaphors and analogies throughout The Word of God. It is The Holy Spirit that reveals The Heart of God in prophetic and poetic imagery.

The opening reference scripture in Jeremiah 8:20 is Yahweh's Heart response towards Israel’s depravity, but prophesies to us as well. God’s Design for Israel was for it to become a Nation that would model His Heart for the benefit of the surrounding nations. Israel’s representation of Yahweh’s true intentions would cause other nations to examine the futility of their idolatry and then turn to the God of Israel for Salvation (Ex.19:6, Is. 42:6). But instead Israel was influenced by pagan worship and then became overwhelmed and occupied by foreign invaders. This particular verse is God’s Heart being grieved at the depravity of His beloved. He is also deeply angered at the lack of spiritual leadership to lead Israel back to Him in reconciliation for restoration. Jeremiah is God’s mouthpiece and he is tremendously effected by the culture that has manifested due to Israel’s violation of God’s Word. Summer in Jeremiah 8:20 is a prophetic season in which God has designed for harvesting a Nation ( Isaiah 5:1-7, Israel is God’s Vineyard). That seasonal dispensation (Old Testament) came to an end, and a new season began. In The New Covenant, summer is mentioned throughout The New Testament as a seasonal time-line for the Church bearing spiritual fruit and God harvesting the seeds sown from preaching the Word of God (Mark 4: 1-20). In the book of Matthew 24:32-35 is a prophetic analogy of the Fig Tree (Israel) and its new season of bearing leaves to remind us of the rebirth of Israel and The Son of God’s return. “From the fig tree (Israel) learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He (Jesus 2nd coming) is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Wow!! This is amazing. God is relentless in His love and faithfulness towards Israel and His Church. He brings the remnant of Israel back from being scattered through out the world and they become a Nation again in 1948 (Jer. 9:16, 13:24-27, 16:14-21, 30:1-24). Jesus again using a metaphor to describe the last days and for us to keep are spiritual lens upon Israel and our world.

None of us have to be recognized a prophet or an apostle to discern the season we are in. We just need to be a lover of God to analyze the world that we live in. Again we look at Israel and see how she has been Divinely protected from her enemies. Ever since becoming once again a Nation (1948), she has been attacked. For example the wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, and numerous other conflicts, out numbered twelve to one, she overcomes and prospers. When Jesus describes the last days in Matthew 24, He is warning us about being deceived and being led astray. He then describes the last days. He says, observe “The Fig Tree,” (Israel) when it produces leaves (a sign of growth) know that summer is near and I am at the gate and ready to consummate (*complete in every detail) My Kingdom. I have personally observed changes in our Society and also the world that testifies the rapture of the Church is near. Here are some signs: Increase of intensity in rebellion against authority, whether civil or family, hatred towards one another, murder, wars, new diseases, strange weather events and etc.…. All of these prophetic signs point to a season in which God is awakening His Church to respond in urgency for the sinner to be saved and be discipled. Being a Disciple is a follower of Christ. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist He began His earthly ministry. He immediately began choosing His disciples. Jesus began instructing them in The Kingdom of God. He proclaimed that the Kingdom of God is here and then demonstrated what The Kingdom of God was here to do, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give,” Matthew 10:8.

After The Cross and before His ascension into Heaven, The Lord Jesus issued this commandment: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” Matthew 28:18-20. This commandment from our Lord clearly instructs the Church to train believers in Kingdom Ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). As leaders here at Shiloh Ministries we hear what The Spirit of The Sovereign Lord is saying. Daily the men at Shiloh are instructed in The Word of God and then we go out and demonstrate it with signs following (Mk. 16:17). The men are so excited when we go on our outreaches in Liberty, Baytown, Houston and the surrounding areas. They get to see first hand The Holy Spirit expressing His love for hurting humanity. I want to encourage everyone to meditate upon The Word of God and be intimate with the Holy Spirit. He will instruct you into discerning the times and develop in you The Heart of Father God for the lost and broken in this world that we live in. “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36.