I was reading a recent entry in Joel Rosenberg's blog and came across this sentence:

We explained the increasingly dangerous Iranian nuclear threat, and the urgent need for Christians to get ready and be prepared for the trials around the world and especially in the Middle East that will come in the last days.

Joel was speaking at his first Epicenter Conference in Asia (held in the Philippines). Did you notice the words "get ready and be prepared"?

Over the years I've learned that the Holy Spirit speaks in themes. Certainly the Holy Spirit speaks individually, locally, and very personally. I'm stressing the point of global themes because of their seriousness. Global themes are for the entire body of Christ and I believe the theme right now is Prepare.

Jesus warned all of us about what would be happening in the days preceding His second coming and Paul explained the general social and spiritual mood of the people in the last days. As the centuries have expired many thought they were living in the last of the last days. But, they weren't.

Now, predictably, many Christians (and pagans) think that we are definitely living in the last of the last days. But, what we think isn't that important. It's what God thinks that matters. And, if the Holy Spirit is saying to the church globally to get ready and be prepared we should pay attention.

Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking in Poland and stated:

“[After the Holocaust,” the Jewish people rose from ashes and destruction, from a terrible pain that can never be healed. Armed with the Jewish spirit, the justice of man, and the vision of the prophets, we sprouted new branches and grew deep roots. Dry bones became covered with flesh, a spirit filled them, and they lived and stood on their own feet. As Ezekiel prophesied: ‘Then He said unto me: These bones are the whole House of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone; we are doomed.’ Prophecy, therefore, and say to them: Thus said the Lord God: I am going to open your graves and lift you out of your graves, O My people, and bring you to the land of Israel.’ I stand here today on the ground where so many of my people perished (Auschwitz) — and I am not alone. The State of Israel and all the Jewish people stand with me. We bow our heads to honor your memory and lift our heads as we raise our flag-a flag of blue and white with a Star of David in its center. And everyone sees.  And everyone hears. And everyone knows – that our hope is not lost.”

To this Rosenberg commented:

The question for all Israelis and all people everywhere is now this: If the prophecies of Ezekiel 37 have come to pass in our lifetime, isn’t it remotely possible that the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39 will come true in our lifetime as well?

I encourage you to read Ezekiel 38-39. Listen to the Holy Spirit. What is He saying to you, personally, and what is He saying to all of us, globally? I believe His theme is Prepare.

What do you think?