WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT AMOS?
Amos: The Farmer-Prophet
(Amos 9:1-10)
Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'" Amos 7:14-15
Understand the Wickedness of Our Day Amos 1-2:3 - Syria - Philistines/Gaza - Tyre - Edom - Ammonites - Moab
Present Day - Russia - North Korea - China - Iran - ISIS/Iraq/Syria - Somalia - Taliban/Afghanistan -
Judah - Amos 2:4-5 "...they have rejected the law of the LORD, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked."
Israel - Amos 2:6 "... they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals- those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man &his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned"
Take Serious God's Judgment Amos - Ch.3 = Warning, Ch.4 = Doom & Gloom, Ch.5 = Another Chance, Ch.6 = Woe, Ch.7 = Judgment Described, Ch.8 = Judgment Guaranteed, Ch.9 = Judgment Happens
Rejoice that God Saves Some Amos 9:11-15 “In that day I will raise up..repair...restore...plant.”
Personally Test Your Faith: Living or Dead? “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” Revelation 20:11-15
- “He will render to each one according to his works” Romans 2:6-11
- “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:14-24
- “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap...” Galatians 6:7-10
Personally Plead w/the Lost: God's Judgment is Sure "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:3-5
"when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
Suffering happens.
The Cause? 1) our sin 2) others' sin 3) living in a fallen world (illness/disease, accidents, natural disasters) 4) Satan & his demons 5) The Lord’s discipline or punishment
The Purpose? Know God is in Control! “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
"Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?" Amos 3:6
Non believers: Repent, or Perish "unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5
"thus says the LORD...'Seek me and live'" Amos 5:4
"Seek good, and not evil, that you may live..." Amos 5:14-15
Believers: Take Hope in Eternity with God "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18
Ask the Lord to Save "I said, 'O Lord GOD, please forgive!'" Amos 7:2,5
Speak the Truth but Prepare for False Accusations "the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'" Amos 7:15
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10