In many of my preaching opportunities, I’ve said, “I am not an end-time preacher, but I am a preacher in the end times.” I say this because I sense the Lord speaking to the church as we walk out our purpose in these last days. Too many people are divided on the timing of prophetic visions and predictions for the last days. Some say, for example, “It’s noon!” Others say, “No, it’s 12:15!” We must stop fighting about what time it is and know it is time! Time brings awareness and expectation to the fulfillment of promises and produces passion.
In chapter twelve of the book of Ezekiel, we find the Lord speaking to the children of Israel about their attitude towards the Lord’s warnings concerning their rebellion and resistance to His instructions and leadings. In Ezekiel 12:22, the Lord asks the question, “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails?’” The problem with time is that if allowed, its passing will create a callused heart that begins to live without expecting God’s word coming to pass.
Now we know that all judgement and anger was laid on Christ on the day of Calvary. We are not awaiting punishment but reward. Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’”) The curse is three-fold – sickness and disease, poverty and lack, and spiritual separation from God. As I read this verse in Ezekiel, I am encouraged because God wants to lay to rest the complacency of believers concerning His promises being fulfilled. No matter what area or topic being believed for, the enemy would want there to be casual and even stagnant faith that knows God can and will but has no appetite of expectancy for it in the now! This believing causes one to sit and passively spectate rather than standing and looking actively!
The Lord wants His children to take a posture of faith and a position of anticipation and expectation that lives in the now. He wants us ready in every moment, believing Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?” The body of Christ must become bold and courageous to do what the Lord has spoken. Through meditation and declaration of God’s word, you will build a firm foundation with no reservation or plan of retreat. The “What ifs” and “Yeah buts” are the signs of a rusty and corroded faith, which has been inactive with nonexistent expectations. Whether it is healing, provision, or the promise of His coming, we must remain vigilant to live persuaded daily, with unwavering faith, that God’s word in our lives is fulfilled.
Questioning is a sign that doubt is at the door. 2 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” This is the voice we heard in Ezekiel, days are prolonged, and vision fail. Here it is again, and nothing has changed. Instead, listen to the encouragement God is giving us in this moment. 2 Peter 3:1 (TPT) says, “Beloved friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you in which I’ve attempted to stir you up and awaken you to a proper mindset.” It’s time to think right, believe right, and give no place to a shadow of turning where God’s word is questioned.
I want to end with this: Ezekiel 12:25 and 28, “For I am the Lord. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,’ says the Lord God.” “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,’ says the Lord God.’”
Whatever you have been believing for, don’t get weary in well doing. I’m telling you; it is fulfillment time. It’s time for the unfolding of God’s goodness; it’s time for breakthrough and an unleashing of supernatural increase so that you are raised up to the promised place. Don’t allow time, nor the words of naysayers, to pull you into a comatose state where you become foreign to the things of God. Instead, keep a white hot, fervent expectancy to His word. May the words that were spoken to Mary by Elizabeth in Luke 1:45 ring loud and true in every area of your life. “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”