Scoffers & Mockers Then & Now. A ‘Great Convergence of Signs.’

By Gary Ritter 

Back in Ezekiel’s day, he faced much scoffing and mocking when he brought forth the Word of the Lord. Despite being so faithful to God and being a conduit for many messages to the Israelites, their constant scorn of God’s prophetic Word had to weigh on Ezekiel. To reassure him, God spoke extensively about those who chose to ignore Him and make light of the Word His prophet brought forth. In Ezekiel 12:21-28, here is God’s declaration and warning:

 “And the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, ‘The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision. For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,’ declares the Lord God.

 “And the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed,’ declares the Lord God.”

 In these verses we hear God’s tone. He’s angry at the people who don’t believe. They’ve said that whatever God might have declared isn’t for today; that the prophecies might happen sometime in the future – maybe. And God makes it clear: Enough! He will perform His Word, and it will happen soon.

 In reading this, it struck me how similar the situation was when Peter wrote his second epistle. Compare the above with 2 Peter 3:1-7 where he says:

 “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’

“For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

It’s said that history repeats itself, which seems relatively true. In addition, events in the Bible often have near-term and long-term fulfillment, often described as a telescoping effect. Ezekiel’s prophecy was for then. Peter’s prophetic word was for then. But both seem quite applicable to the situation we’re experiencing today.

Those of us who believe in a pre-Tribulation Rapture continue to speak and warn: “Come to the Lord. He is merciful and just. Choose life through His Son, Jesus Christ. We’re in the final days of the latter times. Jesus’ Words in Matthew 24 and in Luke 17 and 21 are coming to pass. The convergence of signs foretold makes the situation urgent. Repent, and call on the Name of the Lord!”

But people ignore our pleas. They scoff that all this was supposed to happen in the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Since nothing occurred then, nothing will happen now. It’s all a myth.

We live in an astonishing period right now where God’s Word is being fulfilled at a rapid pace. The prophecies of God are happening right now before our very eyes. More and more people are scoffing and mocking. It’s the enemy’s way of trying to discourage God’s people so that they’ll back down. Instead, we need to act more boldly.

Hebrews 12:12 encourages us to:

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”

Now isn’t the time for retreat. Let us occupy and be about the Lord’s work. He is coming soon!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

A. Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; that He was both fully God and fully man and that we are saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. Become a son or daughter of God by receiving Christ.

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess with your heart and with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).

. . . “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. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).

. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).

. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).

. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).

. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).