In the entertainment crazed society we live in, very few people, even Christians, will endure a message of what they consider ‘gloom and doom.’ They would much rather hear some cleverly told story containing a lot of humor! Nevermind that we are living in the days that demand a sobriety and a vigilance to understand and be ready for the events of Revelation.
As I begin a series of blogs titled “Woe is Me”, I guess I feel the need to try and preempt some of the negativity to such a serious subject. I felt the same way back in the mid-nineties when I was given the message that was contrary to what a lot of people had been preaching, including myself, of the prosperity gospel.
Well, I never wanted to swim upstream of the flow or be a ‘prophet of doom’ – it is always easier to go with the flow. But I didn’t choose the message, I’m just the messenger. And that’s the way it is today with this series. You are not going to hear a lot of ‘happy talk’ in this series.
As a Watchman for the Lord, the message I have been given to deliver to whoever will listen, takes on a very serious nature because of the Times we are living in. Things are accelerating NOW. NOW is the time to do exactly what you are told to do by God’s Spirit.
With that in mind, I am going to write a series of blogs about the Woes of the Bible. They have never been more relevant than at this moment in time.
A Reluctant Messenger
Before stowing my briefcase, I retrieved the package and held it warily in my hands. Why, God? I thought as I stared at the package. Why have You given me this assignment? You know I’ll do anything You instruct me to do; but I confess, I’m scared. I don’t really want to be the one to deliver this. But I have promised to obey no matter what the cost, so I’ll do it.
Nearly a day and a half later, as I unpacked my luggage in a hotel room in Singapore, I took the package out of my briefcase and opened its contents.
Inside a leather three-ring notebook was a message—the most explosive, exciting, frightening, yet exhilarating message I had ever received from God.
The message had been ten years in the making; five of those years I had spent in a federal prison while God got my undivided attention and brought me to the point where I was willing not only to hear this message and accept it as the truth, but to proclaim it.
After my release from prison, the message remained sealed in my heart, burning within me, refining my own thinking and lifestyle. It was not until a few days before Christmas 1997 that God gave me the go-ahead to speak it aloud.
It was not the kind of message most people want to hear. It was a warning from God, and I felt that He had called me—of all people—to sound the alarm.
By and large, most of the church in the United States does not want to hear an apocalyptic message. It wants a message of health and wealth, hope, healing, and financial prosperity mixed with a measure of blathering psychobabble focused on getting our needs met. Rarely does anyone talk about sacrifice, repentance of sin, or our failure to be what God has called us to be. When, for example, was the last time you heard a message on the cost of discipleship? When was the last time you heard someone preach on the judgment of God or the horrors of hell? How often have you heard a message encouraging Christians to bear one another’s burdens?
No, we simply want to be happy Christians.
After all, who wants to be known as a prophet of gloom? Who wants to be the bearer of bad news? My temperament is one that cries out for people to like me. I have never enjoyed confrontations, arguments, or battles (although I’ve been in more than my share). My personality is that of a peacemaker. It is simply not my nature to bring a negative message. My desire has always been to bring joy and encouragement, and that is what I tried to do in a variety of ways during most of my ministry.
Yet now, as I studied the Scripture and contemplated the warnings I believed God had placed in my heart and mind, I came to realize that even this dire word was a message of hope, an encouragement for the body of Christ, the family of God, the true church. But it was genuine hope based on sound doctrine, rather than foolish spiritual slogans propagated by pleasure-loving disciples. This message had been formulated by considering a mass of scriptural evidence rather than contrived concepts derived from one or two obscure passages or the twisting or shading of biblical truths to one’s personal interpretation.
For those who heed this word from God, it will be life; those who do not pay attention to God’s final warning will be sealing their own tombs.
1998 in “Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse”
I thank God for you & Lori.We understood to be prepared before we saw your program.then you had the answer,we stocked up 36 food buckets,& have given some to people that could not get them.Then my husband went home to be with the Lord 4 years ago.But I have the peace of the Lord to sustain me.I still order things from you almost every month.I had a water well put down 2 months ago ,with adeep well hand pump on it.What is food without a water source?May God continue to give you prophecy of these times we are living in.
Brother Jim & Lori, My husband & I started getting the buckets of food when you started sending them out.We have understood that we are in the end time & even had a well with deep well hand pump put in.Food without water is not good.My sweet husband went to be with the LORD 4 years ago. I am so glad I understood these things & am not afraid of what is coming. I have purchased 36 buckets over the last few years & have given some to other people so they will be a little prepared.May God continue to bless you & family.
When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; withour it, nothing is bearable.
Nita, you live life with a purpose. Hallelujah!!!
Jim,
As long as I can remember I have known that these were the end days. Thank you for your message. There are few “Christians” who understand what God told me. When I asked Him if there would be a pre trib rapture or not, He was clear. “I have never taken my people out before they were tried in the fire. My character does not change.” I don’t often hear things that clearly but that was almost out loud. It is up to us to be a light in the darkness and speak the truth in love.
Thanks again
The LORD wants us to be HIS eyes, hands, and feet in these last days.
woes of 2012???
The woes of 2012 will be that we’ll take for granted that our next breath will be there and the next day.
To everyone who wrote in:
I can’t reply to each individual here, but I want you to know that I read every one of these posts and I appreciate your support and encouragement. Keep writing in. Your testimonies are very important to me and Lori and to others who read them.
God loves you, He really does!
Jim
Dear Mr. Bakker,
I asked JESUS into my life while watching your tv show in 1981.
Praise the Lord! Glad you’re here.
Jim
Jim, I am in Florida, originally from Massachusetts…and have been in hurricanes in Florida in 2004..We had them in Massachusetts ,but not like in Florida…I recall hurricane Bob, Gloria and the Noname storm specifically..This hurricane Irene is a dry run ,Florida missed it but our country is being put through a test..I am praying that all who are in the path of hurricane Irene either come to Christ or rededicate themselves to Him. You have been talking about record making things and it is all happening..This storm will test our country and expose our weaknesses and show how we respond to such a huge force to be reckoned with, because even more severe events are sure to happen…I was on the phone with a dear friend in Baltimore when the earthquake hit the other day.She had to hang up..but called me back and told me it was an earthquake…God is trying to get our attention….some of us are listening..and I want to say thanks for being the watchman God has called you to be..I am trying to tell others..though some think I am crazy….but I know the Word of God…and so I shall not be moved…He is my fortress…He is OUR fortress…God Bless You…Preach what God tells you to preach…He will say well done one day…that is precious…I am thankful that God called you for these last days…I will be reading your blog.
I’m here in the East anticipatiing Irene. And it’s just as Jim and Lori have been warning about. Merchandise flying off the shelves- no size D batteries in Home Depot since yeasterday. No more bottled water. Sold out of gererators, and what’s coming in may be double in price. Gas running out. Story on news channel of potential food shortages of deliveries can’t be made. People discussing what they would do without water. I hear mention of tarps, battery operated radios, how to get power to their laptop….
I am just so grateful for the work you are so willing to do for all of us who are listening, and for the Lord, of course. I only wish you had the time to post on your blog EVERY day!
Even if Irene does not cause the damage projected, it is a good chance to see what still needs to be done before another one!
Praying for you, and with many thanks, Anne
Jim what you were saying today about men and abortion women and abortion is exactly what I have heard for 25 years. The very story of the 80 year old, I have had told me by such a woman time and time again. Men have been my focus since the beginning and when men gather for recovery, and when they are acknowledged and embraced, men weep louder and longer than women.
FreeMeToLive.com
Guysforlife.org
go to http://www.cbn.org and click on signs of the times:how will it end go to Thursday 8/25 Pat Robertson teaching on the 700 club exactly what Jim has been saying
Jim, you better be ready to consol Pat Robertson. the pre-trib people will be all over him.
As the name of this church implies I fully believe these are the last of days and the message must be repentance and warning ignorant Christians who have been deceived by doctrines of demons.
I like you, have been on a personal journey from what I was taught (pre trib) to seek only what the BIBLE says and its clear you canot read Revelation without seeing clearly that the four horsemen of Revelation 6 are on this earth now preceding the numberless multitude who suddenly appear in heaven in Rev. 7
Every time I hear your teaching and your passion I cry “YES LORD!” AMEN!
Pastor Ken,
People who turn the world upsidedown, who really make a difference for CHRIST are those who live on the edge and take the risks because they know the payback is so much greater.
Thank you, pastor Ken, for your service for JESUS.
I too had a vision with many dreams over the years. I too will choose to be beheaded. CHOICE. I am in a room with a crowd of people. There are several men at the front. A door leading to the left and a door leading out to the right are in front. Each person is called forward and ordered to CHOOSE. I make a Bold Statement as I hurry to the front and tell them to send me to My Lord!…I WILL RETURN WITH HIM IN GLORY very soon… The fear was quite palpable. I exhorted as many as possible on my rush to the blade waiting for me. Father, give us courage & strength.
For all who read Kathy Sue’s comment.
There is room at the feet of JESUS for you, just as you are. And now is the time for you to take a stand! A decision has to be made. Get up out of your seat today, because there are no guarantees about tomorrow. The most important decision of your life is this one. Choose well!
I have been sharing this message for over 25 years. I am now rewriting and publishing a book called “Rapture in Reality” which shows an important part of the picture that the Body of Christ has not understood. The key is to behold Him and be changing (transformed) from glory to glory as we worship Him in Spirit and Truth until the mystery of Christ in me the hope of glory is completed in the elect.
Dear Sir,
Woe Is Me – Introduction
Thank you for your blog.
I feel it’s a great title for a series of blogs. Why? Well from my point of view it goes straight to the heart of god our father. When we need comfort and sympathy god’s son Jesus puts his arm around us and works his divine magic, on the other hand when it’s discipline we want then it’s the big gun out there that is required, god the father. We are so weak and full of sin, starting in Moses’s days, idolatrous, unfaithful to god. The sad truth is nothing much has changed in these modern times, and I know you are right sir, it is definitely ‘woe is me’ like your title so perfectly brings to the readers attention. I feel just a little bit of god’s wrath can cleanse us tremendously, and it would hurt! The beauty of our faith is when things start to get to hard for us we can always run to Jesus for comfort, he’ll always put us under his wings, like a mother hen calls for her chicks annd covers them with her wings.
God bless,
Stephen
Staffordshire
UK
Trying times are learning times.
Jim you are on the right path the Lord desires that you share the message for the time is short for the airwaves will be shut down it is imperative that the messages get out. Shalom
Jim Bakker, GOD offers you an opportunity beyond a lifetime. Thank you for your service.
Soon the horrible judgments in the book of Lamentations will come upon America.
Only a right standing with God can bring us through what is to come. Only a remnant will be saved. It is time to repent and obey in sincere humility.
We are called to be faithful UNTO the end, what ever that end may be.
God bless always in His service!
JDF
One day we will all stand before GOD, and HE will do an audit of our lives, a final exam; then we enter eternity.
Pastor Jim,
I am listening!!! The Holy Spirit revealed to me in 1978 what Jesus said He was coming back. Someone told me about Matthew 24, starting at verse 29, Jesus said, “immediately after the tribulation of those days” and then He talks about the sun darkening and the moon not giving it’s light etc and then His return.
I started preparing in 1998 but then got sidetracked. I was prepared for the year 2000 as I didn’t know if that was going to trigger the “one world monetary system” that Revelations talks about.
The Lord recently showed me that the FINAL TEST of whether we go to heaven or not will be when the mark of the beast comes into play. We have to be ready to lay down our lives especially if we are not prepared to be God/self-sufficient.
There is a video on youtube, from Ken Peters from the Prophecy club, I recommend that people watch it. He saw the tribulation period and in his dream had his head cut off when he would not renounce the Lord.
The Lord was right there with him to walk him through the experience. I hope people will watch it.
I am looking for people to partner with me as I started preparing a place but have not been able to complete it. I can be reached at:
jegill91677@yahoo.com
Discover what your suppose to do by seeing who comes through the door each day.
Pastor Baker, thanks for being an instrument for God to use in these last days I’v been sitting under an awsome prophet of God, Nita Johnson. Her ministry is based on preparing us for the difficult times ahead, but more importantly, growing deeper and deeper in God, humbling ourselves, letting go of the ego and flesh and becoming a servant to be used by God. I will admit, coming from Full Gospel, this was certainly a refreshing type of gospel being preached. Not many ministers preach on embracing the cross. So, to you and Nita, I thank God so much for raising you, Nita, Bob Jones, Rick Joyner and Alex Jones for such a time as this. You all have been sounding the trumpet for quite a while now. Prayerfully people will open their hearts to your messages while there is still time.
Thank you, Theresa for your words. GOD is not hard to please. HE does not expect us to be absolutely perfect. HE just expects us to keep moving toward HIM.
Trying to warn Christians in the United States, of God’s judgment, is like talking to granite. They simply do not want to hear it. More than that, they think I am borderline crazy.
I recently warned my cousin, who lives in Southern California, of an impending economic collapse and west coast earthquake, as seen by many prophets. I laid it out precept upon precept. He didn’t believe a word of it. He thinks the U.S. economy “will turn around.” He doesn’t believe that God speaks outside of the Bible. In other words, he believes that God is now mute. And this belief is widespread among Christians in the U.S.
I have been booted from a home fellowship, and totally ignored in a local church, because I warned the people that trouble is coming.
I hear you, I have had to pull back because people, even my family think I’m crazy. They only want to hear good things. The Lord said they have itchy ears.
Thanks for being a dedicated man to the
truth. I tried to talk to my pastor about
about the revelation teaching I got from your
Ministry. I told him that he could look at it but
that I needed it back because I wanted to study about Jesus near return and prepare
for the days ahead. He kept it and told me
to keep my mouth shut about negative things.
He also got up on the pulpit and said that Jesus wouldn’t be back for at least 50 yrs.
I’m not welcomed there but I’m not sure where to go now. Keep up the good work
and don’t appologize. We must get ready.
Paula,My husband and I were in a church where many actually could not stand the sight of me!You see, I had received the Baptism of Holy Spirit and began to HEAR the Lord. I would write everything down in my journal and even gave warnings to the church to repent!I loved every one of my enemies in that church. I Prayed and interceeded for them all until the Lord walked up to me in prayer one morning and said, Kathy, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. I had emergency surgery & 6 months of chemo. In the Lap ofGod for 6 months. Not one of them came to my home to visit me, my husband nor my children! It is their loss! We were given permission to leave & I have sad memories of them because every Word came to pass as I had warned! Do what you know is right. You can’t save anybody; that’s Jesus’ job! Just LOVE HIM. God Bless your journey!
Scripture tells us to consider the ant. The ant is dilligent,
Gathering it’s food, protecting its young. There are times I just
take a step back and say Lord, what else do I need to do. When you
spoke of the rain barrels a light came on. I can water my fruit
trees even when there is a limit on watering. Preparing can be
hard work, but it will be well worth all the preparation when we
need it. Then it also gives us peace of mind. God is speaking to so
many people to get ready. Get in the ark so to speak. Don’t wait till
the rains and storms begin to start building. The time is now. God gave the plan, Noah started in obedience to God. Preparation is similar in the fact, we have God’s Word, he has given us a plan, start there and begin to build, whether it’s food storage, or preparing your home to withstand a storm, start somewhere and be amazed at God’s provision as he adds the items you need
You’re a humdinger Louise! I need a whole lot more just like you. We appreciate your encouragement.
Jim
Dear Jim, Please know my prayers and i am sure many others , are with you everyday asking the Lord to give you strenght to bring forth the word of the Lord, it is not about what we want to hear, but of what we must hear, if we truly are seeking the Lord, because i can truthfuly say because of Godly men like yourself bringing the word of the Lord i have drawn closer to Lord and seek him dailey, because the alarm must be sounded! oh many will refuse to believe it is the Lord speaking, But jim the ones that do will be so grateful to the our Lord, that you obeyed his call in your life. Be blessed my brother and be encouraged ! we know God loves us , thats way he sent you!!
JESUS stood at the fork in the road. Would HE fulfill HIS purpose and bring honor to GOD, or would HE shrink back and live a comfortable, sef-centered life?
Pastor Baker,
I’m sure that you give this warning with a heavy heart, but if The Lord has put it in your heart then woe to you if you do not give it.
I asked a local pastor if his church was preparing to help the needy when America is plunged more deeply into crisis and mentioned several prophetic voices I respect (such as Rick Joyner). Sadly, this pastor would not hear it, saying that The Lord would not bring judgment upon America because judgment was part of the old covenant and he insisted that the cross of Christ put an end to the judgment of nations prior to the last day.
What strikes me as very strange, perhaps prophetic, is that his name is Jim Bakker (no kidding).
May The Lord bless you,
Paul
Paul,
GOD warns us to not get too attached to what’s around us because it is temporary. Like possibly the luxuries the USA is experiencing right now.
THE AMERICAN YOUTH NEED HELP MORE THAN EVER AND ARE BEING LED IN WRONG DIRECTIONS BY HOLYWOOD AND THE GET IT NOW ATTITUDE INSTEAD OF WORKING FOR IT. WHAT BOTHERS MOST PEOPLE IS THAT THERE IS NO REMORSE IN PEOPLE FOR BAD MISTAKES OR WRONGS DONE, THERE IS A COLDNESS IN SOCIETY BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTION WE HAVE BEEN HEADED FOR SOME TIME. WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO ANNOUNCED WE ARE NOT A CHRISTAAIN NATION, WE WERE SADDENED AND MUST CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT SAFETY AND HOW AUR LIVES ARE AFFECTED.