The Blindness of the Shepherds

In the Old Testament God had very harsh words to say to the Israeli leaders for the priesthood degenerated to a mere liturgical form and contained precious little substance. Most of the prophets who prophesied had not been sent by God and what they said was what people wanted to hear. The very men whose responsibility was to represent Israel before God and say, "Thus saith the Lord" to Israel, failed to recognize that their primary task was to herd the sheep - do not immerse themselves in rituals and seek personal gain. Although these men spent their entire lives being governed by the Law of God, few of them understand the Word of God and obeyed with all your heart.
"The priests said not, Where is the LORD? And those who handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit." [Jeremiah 2:8].
"For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." [Jeremiah 10:21].
"Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they trampled my field a desolate desert my desired field." [Jeremiah 12:10].
"Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock and driven them away, and have not visited , I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. " [Jeremiah 23:1-2].
Of course, the word pastor here refers to those whom God has placed in positions of spiritual leadership. And in an example of spiritual blindness most incredible ever recorded in the annals of history, these men as a group - utterly failed to recognize the coming of his long-awaited Messiah. How could they be so blind?God had provided for them a timetable for the arrival of the Messiah by the prophet Daniel, so they had no excuses!
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city to finish transgression, to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know and understand from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street and wall shall be built again, but in times of trouble . And after threescore and two weeks will cut the Messiah, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, and its end will come like a flood, and there will be war to the end; the desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week will put a stop to sacrifice and offering, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured over the desolate. " [Daniel 9:24-27].
Modern scholars have determined that the order of King Artaxerxes to restore and rebuild Jerusalem was issued in 445 BC. Therefore, 69 "weeks of years", or 483 years later, the Messiah of Israel would be on the scene! The British scholar and Bible scholar, Sir Robert Anderson, estimated that of 14 March 445 BC to April 6, 32, it took exactly 483 lunar years (or prophetic) 360 days and this was precisely the date on whichJesus presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah. He did so by entering triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey - an event that the prophet Zechariah foretold that the Messiah would accomplish. [Zechariah 9:9].
Thus, using just a little common sense and logic, the experienced leaders of Israel should have been able to predict the structure of general time of arrival of the Messiah. However, they had become so preoccupied with politics and self-promotion that when the Savior came, only a few humble shepherds (in the literal sense) and a group of pagan observers of the stars (the "magicians" or wise men of Babylon) were the only people aware of the fact. The Almighty God became a man with intent to redeem His fallen creatures, and yet they did not receive! [John 1:1] The most stupendous event in human history took place in a humble stable in Bethlehem of Judea and all who should be eagerly awaiting the event were sleeping in their homes - blissfully ignorant.
Unfortunately, we are in a similar situation today. The mentality of "we can see the trees but not the forest" among many pastors still invincible from the first day of the Lord's advent, when He made the following comments:
"And he came to the Pharisees and the Sadducees, to try, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning: Today will be foul weather because the sky is red and lowering. hypocrites, know how to discern the face of heaven, can not discern the signs of the times? " [Matthew 16:1-3].
Jesus Christ was miraculously systematic and fulfilling the requirements of the Messianic prophecy before their eyes, but they refused to recognize the truth! His credentials were impeccable and all aspects of His life and ministry were beyond reproach, but even so they did not accept. Why? The rejection was due solely to ignorance on their part? Certainly not, because many of the common people recognize the Messiah, so it makes sense that the rulers and leaders also recognized! Those men were not stupid - they were the intellectual elite of the society of that time and knew the Scriptures from beginning to end and from end to beginning. Most of them could quote large portions of memory, so that ignorance of the factual information was not the problem. The hardness of their hearts and spiritual blindness - the inability to understand and apply the facts of the Scriptures in a spiritual walk with God - led them to make the deliberate choice of prestige and personal wealth on what they obviously perceived to be a "lost cause" . We find this sentiment expressed in the following verse:
"If we let him thus, everyone will believe in him and the Romans shall come and take us will be our place and nation." [John 11:48].
Yes, those shameless bastards recognize the Messiah, but found that he and his followers did not overthrow the Roman rule. Thus, they opted to retain the status quo in which they were the big fish.Consciously betrayed Jesus Christ - his Messiah - to keep in leadership and in doing so, almost literally violated all laws in the book. With this vile act, the shepherds of Israel ended up sacrificing his flock in order to cease to grasp the full spiritual meaning of the Messiah - that He was indeed "Immanuel" - God with us!
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel."[Isaiah 7:14].
Continuing with this thought, we return to the present time. History repeats itself and once again many of the scattered sheep of God are being driven by "blind guides" [Matthew 23:24] - pastors who refuse to recognize the signs of the times and continue to break down barns to build bigger ones [Lucas 12:18]. Church growth and prestige among fellow pastors is an pandemic among evangelicals today. The emphasis on plans and programs specifically designed to produce growth on the minds of pastors and almost nothing else seems to matter. Fill banks using tactics that are little more than entertainment and request great offers to finance the construction of Houses of Worship and Family Life Centers that cost millions not only keep one, but in most cases, a team of several pastors who live so busy as ants in an anthill.However, pragmatism obsessive hideous masks the fact that most of the "converted" can actually be formed by non-believers.At some point, the cattle were placed behind to push the car, and not in front to pull it, and Satan is very happy to cooperate in putting hordes of his tares among the few ears of wheat. I am convinced that many ministers understand that this is what happens in their ministries. However, as the shepherds of Israel, they are content to retain the status quo. They recognize that rock the boat would mean the loss of power, prestige and even his retirement - so that the business should continue as usual!
For these men apparently little importance that the signs of the times are once again proclaiming that a stupendous event is imminent - "the doors" [Matthew 24:33]. Oh, they occasionally mention that Jesus Christ is coming to your church and recommend the book series Left Behind, etc.., And instill in the minds of his congregation is a concept that, in all probability, false - the premise that the coming the Lord will take place at a propitious moment in order to save all believers to suffer intense persecution and even death. The assumption is that all persecution is inflicted during the Tribulation Period, but not before. However, the church has been persecuted since its inception and is becoming increasingly apparent that she would probably leave this world the same way. God's children around the world are facing a growing animosity of a hostile audience and this will only worsen as the evil continue to gain ground.
Of particular concern to us at the Cutting Edge profound disinterest that most pastors shows when confronted with information from an occult nature. With precious few exceptions, their understanding is minimal and they want to keep that way!Their attitude is the old maxim, "I see nothing wrong, do not hear anything bad, do not speak no evil." In other words, "Do not look for problems, and problems do not seek!" Saying that there is a satanic conspiracy behind the current events is to invite ridicule veiled. However, the Bible is clear that this is the case during the last days. So why pastors are so reluctant to admit the obvious?
The conclusion is inescapable - many of them are apostates and are merely representing their role in take by deception as many as they can from unsuspecting believers to complacency and eventual disaster. Some of the other are genuine, but pay attention to academic credentials and "tactics successful ministry" of apostates - and end up sticking to principles and precepts artfully designed and made to deceive. Satan just loves the plans and programs and all kinds of activities that keep people feeling good about themselves and busy. "Religion" is their specialty and their craft and the more carnal emotion he can evoke in the process, the more he likes! So you need to stay alert!
Author: Pastor Ron Riffe