JD: I've got to say right now that I think this all brings us to another passage of scripture that we're hearing frequently especially right now as we've hear before and other times of crisis and that is II Chronicles 7:13 & 14. That is concerning judgment, repentance and restoration. Give us your thoughts on that David.
DJ: Well of course I dealt with the use of that passage by Jonathan Cahn in the Harbinger when he linked the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to God's judgment as well. The very familiar passage says this, when I shut up heaven and there is no rain or command the locusts to devour the land or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
So the coronavirus pandemic would fall under the category of pestilence in the Bible. It's something that God can use to bring judgment. However, the context of that passage is the dedication of the first Temple and the Lord's words of both warning and comfort to Solomon. So this is a promise made to Israel that God will restore His people as a nation if they repent in the face of judgment. But Jimmy neither American nor any other country can claim these promises. This isn't a guarantee to us as a nation. But on the other hand the Lord is gracious and He's loving and kind and so we can take comfort in who He is as reflected in this passage. We can find refuge in our personal relationship to Him. If there is sin there is forgiveness when we repent.
You know Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith in the storm but that rebuke wasn't because they didn't believe Jesus would save them. The problem was they weren't trusting Him for the outcome for whatever if might be. And you know sometimes, even for believers, sometimes the boat does sink even when we have great faith rather than fear.
JD: David James, Bible in hand explaining how Christians are misusing the Old Testament promise from II Chronicles 7:14.
We report this information because it is setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
The promises of God's word are absolute when used in the proper context. As we study the Bible we must remember that we interpret the Lord's promises from a technical interpretation. Who was He speaking to and for what purpose? There is also a spiritual application for each promise as well.
We must use God's method of interpretation especially as we study the prophetic passages to know for sure God's plan for the future.
