Once again how much context is important.
“One of the texts most commonly cited in the hope for imminent revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14, “[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Mistaken uses of this verse lessen our confidence in the predictions some make concerning a coming revival.
First, in the original context where God speaks these words to Solomon, the term “my people” refers to the people of Israel, and therefore the term “their land” refers to a land that is really “theirs” in the sense of God’s giving it to them as a covenant blessing, namely, the land of Israel. But when we apply this text to our contemporary situation, “my people” would refer to the Christian Church who cannot say, in whatever country that they reside, that this country is “their land.” The church has no land, the way Israel had a land. The Christian Church is a pilgrim people. We are aliens and exiles (1 Peter 2:11). Therefore, the proper application of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would, perhaps, be that, if the church will humble herself and pray and seek God’s face and turn from her wicked ways, God will incline to heal the church. But it goes beyond what this text assures if we say that any country where the Christian church humbles herself will experience a Great Awakening.”
– John Piper (from the book A Hunger for God, pg 115-116)
“Porque nada podemos contra la verdad, sino por la verdad.” (2 Corintios 13:8)
Pastor James T. Cater
Miramar Church
6390 SW 32nd Street
Miramar, FL 33023
(954) 981-4677
pastorjim@miramarchurch.org
or Caterluvmy4@aol.com
www.miramarchurch.org
0 Comments