Amos, Paul, James, Peter in Agreement 

See Monday's Views if you haven't read it.

   Rejecting God's word invites God's silence, perhaps a judgment worse than enemy attacks or acts of nature. He gives people over to their sinful desires.

   Eight centuries B.C., Amos saw in a vision the Lord standing by the altar in the temple, ready to destroy it. When Christ returns to stay, "Christians" with sinful lifestyles - while outwardly believers - will also suffer the wrath of God. 

   In Amos 9:11-15, God promised that Israel would not be totally destroyed. There would be a day when the nation is restored and bless all "nations" who worship God. We know this as the "millennium." 

   James was the half-brother of Jesus (born to a virgin). He and his brothers didn't understand or believe the Jesus they knew when he began his ministry. But James knew the truth when his half-brother, risen from the dead, paid him a visit.

   James became leader of the Jerusalem church and wrote a hard-hitting, general letter to churches in numerous regions, calling for faith and deeds ... "without deeds faith is dead."  - James 2:26 

   The council at Jerusalem had a dispute and debate about whether gentile Christians must follow Jewish traditions. Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, said, God who knows the heart showed that he accepted them (gentiles) by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. - Acts 15:8

   James added, quoting Amos, After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. It's ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it. That the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things. - Acts 15:16-17; Amos 9:16-17 

   Ingrafted branches. Paul, also Jewish, wrote to the Romans, Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and ... Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! - Romans 11:11-12. 

   Paul added, Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. ...The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. - Romans 11:25-26.

   Amos wrote that the earth will be transformed and abundantly productive. Israel will be restored to the Lord. The Messiah will reign over all nations, and Israel will be a blessing to them, fulfilling God's covenant with Abraham and David.

          Jimmy