Page 261 - Bible Writers Theology Original

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The prophet Daniel "...understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem" and said, "I set my face unto the LORD myGod,toseekbyprayerandsup plications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: and I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said...we have sinned" Paniel 9:1-20).
The Word of God declares, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
The Command to Repent
While preaching in Athens, the apostle Paul declared, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now conunandeth all men everywhere torepent"(Acts17:30). IntheOldTestament,Godcommandedthenation of Israel to ref)ent and return each time the people turned away from God.
^ The prophet Ezekiel transmitted the command of God in this Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions...why wi ye
^e, Q house of Israel...! have no pleasure in the death of
t a
dieth...tum yourselves, and live ye" (Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33.11). e Isaiah, "And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping and to
mourning,andtobaldness,andtogirdingwithsackcloth:"(Isaiah22.12). In thefirstchapterofIsaiah,itiswritten,"Comenow,andletusreasontoget - er, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool Ifyehev^- ing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; f
ye shall be devouied with the swoid: for the mouth of the LORD hath spo-
It"(Isaiah1:18-20;Isaiah55:7). WhenIsraelranawaymthedaysof Jeremiah, God said, "Turn, Obacksliding children...for I am married unto you...and I will bring you to Zion" (Jeremiah 3.14).
In time of God's impending judgment, Joel exhort^, "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fast ing, and with weepint and with mourning And rend your heart, and not your garments and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly" Qoel 2:12-
17).
John the Baptist sounded the command to repent across the land ofIsrael andalongtheJordanRivertopreparethewayofthecomingMessiah. Itis writteninLuke3,"John...came...preachingthebaptismofrepentance." He was "...the voice of one crying in the wiIdemess...Prepare ye the way of the Lord...all flesh shall see the salvation of God...O generation of vipers...Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance... axe is laid unto the root of the
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