Isaiah 61: It’s Time To Shine
For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:11 (NKJV)
In Matthew 24* Jesus foresees: 'This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come' (v.14). It's a clear and positive action plan, reaffirming Isaiah’s Words above.
But… reconsider the 5 hard verses preceding Matthew 24:14:
'They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved' (Matthew 24:9-13).
Today, Christians are hated by many. In the harshest of nations, Christians are persecuted, imprisoned, and killed.
Meanwhile, in nations like America, false prophets DO rise up and deceive many, with their ‘Great swelling words of emptiness’ (2 Peter 2:18).. Unmistakably, lawlessness abounds.
Since Jesus spoke these tough words in Matthew… over 2000 years have come and gone. It's taken time for man to develop the worldwide web and fields of media.
To some saints, it seems like ruination. To me, it seems like OPPORTUNITY.
Right now, God’s directing a miracle. Rising against this dark, downward spiral are actors, models, and talent for Christ. Rising against the cultural downflow and surely against the odds are God's stars!
Guess what? They’re causing…
'Righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations' (Isaiah 61:11), that 'This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations' (Matthew 24:14).
For this unusual moment in time, cool and courageous Christians rise and shine in film, fashion, music, and theater!
Jesus said: 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field' (Matthew 9:37).
Saints have been asking and God has answered!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ, you’re God's bright and talented field workers. For this moment in time, the enemy, Satan, is restrained… and you’re commissioned!
Through your witness, millions upon millions of lost, confused, and prodigal children will be brought into the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 61: It’s Time To Shine (Part 12, Conclusion)
* Matthew 24: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt+24&version=NKJ
** Link to the top 50 countries of Christian persecution: http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.