THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION
By Randy Loudenslager
Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. Deuteronomy 28:47-48
This word from the Sovereign LORD is first for the United States, but it will affect the entire world.
I have loved you because you have loved me. I clothed you in fine garments and built you a land that awed the world with its splendor. I gave you everything you wanted and because you sought what was just and right I gave you more. You are like David's son Solomon who loved me and desired justice and mercy above all else. For this I prospered him beyond his comprehension. But he left me for others. Not content with more than he could spend he committed adultery with the god's of death. You also have committed this treachery. I have sent my prophets among you for decades and you ignored them and treated them with disdain. Yes, even their mention puts your teeth on edge.
I have sent new prophets among you. They
do not bring warnings. When I speak through them their words are
not the words of ones who say "turn back before it is too
late!"
Now I am telling you that the furnace of affliction is your lot.
I will test and refine my remnant among you, but I will spare
little else.
I say now what I have always said in my love for you, turn back, even now. I will be your refuge and bath you in my tenderness and mercies and goodness shall overflow your cup.
Your hearts are betraying you. You cannot imagine such things happening to your nation. Look about you, it has already started. Yes, it has begun and I will not withdraw my hand until it is finished! Listen to your false prophets as they tell you that the stock markets will rebound or the fires that burn your treasures will be vanquished. Will your weather forecasters bring you rain or raise your crops and dying cattle back to life? Will the sudden defeats I will bring upon your armies convince you? Will flooding or earthquakes awaken your desire to seek refuge in me? No, your hearts are cold and hard. What once was warm mercy and love for your brothers has become stone in your bosoms. Your false prophets with their gospel of the enduring human spirit will be your only condolence.
My children who have humbled themselves and have eyes to see, prepare yourselves. You can see what is coming and you know that I will soon follow. Do not ask me what you must do to prepare, listen to me. Not with your ears must you listen but with your hearts. I will tell you what you must do and I will guide your every footstep, if your faith will allow me.
The efforts of your leaders and shepherds are fuel for the fire. In serving themselves they have led the blind to damnation. Just as they have not shown mercy nor shall I! Dare you say that it doesn't matter when I come! Your false teachers are teaching the gospel of death and all who believe will believe the lie as well. You will look in horror when I ride the clouds of your doom! Your guilt will cause you to curse and prevent you from rejoicing as I bring salvation to those who are watching for me with wide open eyes.
Is this message to dark and gloomy for you? Does it wear you down? Do you want me to lift your hearts? My grace is sufficient for you! In my grace through faith which is proven by your obedience will you find the joy of the LORD! Peace comes to those who by believing obey me. They will be steadfast and undeterred. And although they may lose their lives they will gain eternal life in my presence and great will be their reward.
"Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light - pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!" Amos 5:18-24
