June 2021

Gò0dNews for Everyone

An Unpopular Message

J

by Brent Goodge

esus had been out of Nazareth for some time, but

don’t even realize we are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind,

He was finally back home. As Jesus entered the

and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Jesus’ entire message to the

synagogue that Sabbath, He was asked to read. He

church of Laodicea should be an embarrassment to all who

turned to one of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 61:1,

bear the Name of Christ (Revelation 3:14-22). Interestingly

2). But when He told His friends and neighbors that He

enough, the word Laodicea means “a people judged.”

was the Messiah, they turned on Him. His response? “No prophet is accepted in His own country” (Luke 4:16-30). Why is a prophet never accepted in his own country? Just maybe, it’s because we all want to believe that their

The Bible predicts that one more set of unpopular prophetic messages will go to the entire world before Jesus returns (Revelation 14:6-12). The very first of these is the same message, if not the same wording, as 2000 years ago.

messages of warning should be for “those people out there” instead of for God’s people. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was the message given by John the Baptist as well as by Jesus (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17). It was also the keynote address by Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). Each of these messages was presented to God’s chosen people, the people who felt they had no need for repentance (Luke 15:7). For any prophet to boldly give this message to the religious leaders of Israel was unthinkable (John 3:5-10). Are we willing to honestly ask ourselves if Christianity

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is restated

is any more likely to accept needed reproof today than

as “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His

God’s chosen people were 2000 years ago? Are we any less

judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7).

likely to condemn immorality and other evil “out there”

Jesus calls on the church that is judged, the church that

while ignoring sin cloaked in religion than the ancient Jews

is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,” to deliver

were? Do we ever pretend that God didn’t mean what He

the final message of repentance in the judgment hour. Is

said in the third commandment that those who take His

it possible we aren’t giving the message because we aren’t

Name in vain will not be held guiltless (Exodus 3:7)? Do we

living the message?

truly hate the things Jesus hates, including sowing discord Even if we don’t want to admit we know the answer, Jesus loves us too much not to tell us. Jesus says His people

32 // June 2021

About The Author

among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19)? Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and desires to walk with Jesus, whatever conditions that might lead to.