The Hope of Restoration
The days of the Gentiles are almost over. God has given us plenty of warning that the Spirit will not forever strive with the rebellious. But before this generation comes under the retribution of almighty God, a great restoration is prophesied.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25 NKJV).
The psalmist David said the righteous shall “be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit...whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3). However, that promise is only to those who refuse to walk in the way of sinners and are devoted students of God's Word. “The ungodly are not so,” said David (v. 4). They become weak and withered, blown about by every wind of doctrine. The compromisers are like withered trees, diseased and corrupted with every kind of worm.
This is a picture of many professing Christians in God's house today. They neglect their Bible reading; they become too preoccupied to pray and build themselves up in the faith; they become cozy with the ungodly and take their seat among the scornful.
An army of cankerworms has been eating away at the lives of these backslidden Christians. Outwardly they appear as trees planted by the water, but inwardly they are corrupted, weak and diseased. They are drying up spiritually and no longer bear fruit. Sin is eating away deep within those who have strayed from the presence of the Lord.
God has told us how he is going to bring about this great restoration. First, he will pour out his Holy Spirit in abundant ways that will bring health and strength back to all the trees in his forest. The worm of sin will begin to lose its power as God's people get back to Bible reading. A powerful revelation of the Lord's new covenant will make God's people as bold as lions. Yes, believe it! A revival of spiritual strength and divine health is going to be poured out from on high.
