The Biblical story of Jonah is an interesting one. Wherever Jonah went, he brought revival. Jonah was a prophet of revival. Even in Jonah's rebellion, he brought revival to hardened sailors and wicked Ninevah. Jonah carried with him the spirit of repentance. Jonah brought conviction of sin wherever he went. Both the hardened sailors and wicked Ninevites repented of their sins. Both were convicted of their sin and turned to God.
I believe there is a generation of Jonah prophets who have been in rebellion against God who are about to come out of their place of rebellion into a place of obedience. Unusual signs and wonders happened to bring Jonah out of his rebellion: 1) a wild storm, 2) a big fish, 3) a palm tree and 4) a worm. Through that process, salvation came to Jonah and those around him.
The story starts with Jonah receiving a word from the Lord. That word was to "preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." Jonah 1:2, NIV. Rather than obeying the word of the Lord, Jonah runs from the word of the Lord. Jonah wanted to get away "from the presence of the LORD". Jonah 1:3. So, he ran. How foolish! Yet God, in His great mercy, sent a storm to confront Jonah's disobedience. But that terrible storm wasn't enough. So God sent a fish, a BIG fish.
I am speaking prophetically to those of you who are called to be Jonah prophets - a BIG fish is coming! God is fishing for you. God is fishing you out of your disobedience and turning you towards a place of obedience. You may have gotten away previously, but you will not get away this time. The BIG fish is coming!
I find it interesting that while Jonah was in rebellion against God, he still feared God. Jonah said, "I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land." Jonah 1:9. Jonah feared God but rebelled against God because he knew God was merciful to those who were wicked, including the Ninevites. Jonah hated Nineveh. Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed. But he didn't want to preach against Ninevah's sins because he didn't want God to have mercy on them.
Jonah was in rebellion, wanted to be in rebellion, and refused to obey God. When the sailors and all on the ship cast lots to see who was responsible for the storm, the lot fell on Jonah. The storm was Jonah's fault. Jonah knew it. Jonah told the sailors what he did. Those sailors, pagans, asked Jonah: Why have you done this?" Jonah 1:10. Jonah never did answer their question. Instead, their second question came: "What shall we do to you?" Jonah 1:11.
Jonah was busted. The sailors were broken. Yet, even in their brokenness, the sailors feared harming Jonah; they feared God. Those sailors did not want to be held responsible for Jonah's death; they didn't want innocent blood on their hands. How far we have fallen as human beings? Heathen men had more honor for God and human life than many church members. Although our technology may be greater, our hearts are harder.
Jonah's message to Ninevah stands. God is not unrighteous. God judges sin. Yes, he is merciful. But mercy requires repentance. Without that required ingredient, judgment remains. God, in His mercy, allowed the sailors to experience Jonah's judgment. So terrified by it, the Bible says, "they cried out to the LORD..." Jonah 1: 14, NKJV. Why? They "feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows." Jonah 1:16.
I want you to understand the power of the conviction on Jonah's life. Jonah, as a prophet, carried a mantle of conviction of sin. Whether Jonah was in rebellion or obedience, that conviction was present. Jonah carried the fear of the Lord in his heart and on his life. Jonah's message was judgment, not mercy. But in that message of judgment, God's convicting power on Jonah's life offered mercy to those who responded to Jonah's message.
God doesn't do things the way we think He ought to do them. God's ways are higher than our ways. God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We expect God to do one thing and God does the exact opposite. Why? Because He is God. Jonah knew the mind and heart of God. Jonah had entered into a place few of us are allowed access: God's heart. God knew Jonah, and Jonah knew God. That is why God did what He did in Jonah's life.
It can be easy to look down on Jonah as the rebellious prophet in Scripture. And he is. But Jonah is an example to prophets today. We have missed the message in Jonah. A message that is relevant to us. What is that message? "For just as Jonah was three days in the sea-monster's belly, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth." Matt. 12:40, Weymouth New Testament. Jesus is saying, like Jonah brought conviction to the Ninevites, I am bringing conviction to this generation.
Each generation since Jesus's resurrection has had Jonah prophets who were called by God to preach against the sin of their generation. Oftentimes, those Jonah prophets have run from their calling. For some, like Jonah, they relished in the judgment that would come. For others, fear caused them to run from their calling. Yet, we have come to a moment in history where we can no longer allow these prophets of judgment to remain silent. We need our Jonah's.
Jesus has sent this "evil and adulterous generation" a cadre of Jonah prophets to preach against the sin of this age. Their words are filled with convicting power. They bring conviction of sin to all who will listen. But their hearts have become hardened. They have run from their calling. Like Jonah, they ask, "Why has this task fallen on me? Why do I have to endure ridicule for what I preach? Doesn't God see how wicked people are? Can't I just remain silent?"
The answer is, No! God will not let His Jonah prophets stay silent any longer. God has sent His Jonah prophets to this generation as THE sign to this generation. Jonah prophets are THE sign of Christ's reality to a lost generation caught in the throes and woes of wickedness. Jonah point the way to the cross; they bring conviction of the reality of the cross; they bring repentance to those who are lost in sin.
I am speaking to those Jonah prophets who have felt out of place in this generation - we need you. Today, more than ever, we need prophetic voices to bring the reality of convicting power to a lost church and world. Why? Our destruction is imminent. We may not see it, but that is the reality we face: America (and other nations) is (are) on the precipice of destruction. And Jonah prophets carry the message that we need to hear; they are our sign.
As such, I am calling Jonah prophets to step forward. Let God bring conviction through your lives. Yes, you may be misunderstood. Yes, you may want to walk away (or run) from your calling. But God won't let you do that. He must have a witness before He brings judgment to allow those under His judgment to turn from their sin towards Him in humble repentance.
God is saying to His Jonah prophets, "I have hired you for this generation, you have been sent by me to this generation, go forth and bring the message I have placed in you for this generation to this generation. I will back your words like I backed the words of My servant, Jonah. Even in your disobedience, I will use you to bring forth My words to this generation. You are My witness.
Like Jesus said to Lazarus, I am saying to Jonah prophets, "Come forth!" Now is your time to arise! Bring tears to our eyes! We need it.
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