Forerunners

Today I am writing to forerunners.  Forerunners are not easily understood by their peers because they have new information.  It requires a change in the way people think, which we all a “paradigm shift.”

We think of John the Baptist as being a forerunner because he went before the Lord, preparing His way.  But the Jewish nation was not ready for Jesus, despite John’s words and ministry.  Jesus came before people understood why God had sent Him.  He had a small gathering of people, and narrowed the group even more by offending them (Jn 6:60-66).  Those that remained did so because they recognized that Jesus had the words of “Eternal Life,” because he was God’s Son (Jn 6:68-69).

Most of the Old Testament prophets were not received of their generation, either.  It was only in hindsight that their writings were read by others and received with understanding.  And yet, God required all His prophets, including His Son, Jesus, to be faithful. 

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” (Hab 2:2).  God knows that people may not understand what He is saying.  But He does not base His ministry to Man on their own understanding. He asks us to write the words down.  He will bring a herald to run with it.

Jesus told His disciples that "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (Jn 6:44). No one could understand Jesus, His ministry, or Who he was until God drew them to that understanding . . . and it was not time to draw them until Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit baptized them. Jesus truly was a prophet who spoke ahead of the time of understanding.

I have often heard that prophets who speak what others do not understand are told that they are speaking “ahead of time.”  They are told that they should wait until the Lord prepares others to hear and understand them.  If this were so, we would have no faithful prophets whose words are recorded in the scriptures for us to read today.  In fact, the truth is quite the opposite of what these advisors say, for understanding of those things we do not understand comes from the Holy Spirit and not from our own minds. The Holy Spirit is the herald who runs with the word He gives to His prophets.

God has called many forerunners in this day, men and women whose words will fall on deaf ears.  Nevertheless, I urge you who have God’s words to record them for a time when God will grant the listeners understanding.  Some will receive them now, and be prepared by your words. And some will understand in hindsight what God has said through you.  Amen.