In order that “they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” Mark 4:12 NRSV.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12.

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18.

In the notes below for our chapter, Jeremiah 25, it said: “Jeremiah gave this message in 605 B.C., the year Nebuchadnezzar came to power. From verse 3 we learn that the beginning of Jeremiah’s ministry was in 627 B.C. He predicted the 70 years of captivity a full 20 years before it began.” Is that important? We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21. Yes. It’s important. This chapter tells them exactly what will happen, and it did happen. And it tells them why it happens. And though the Lord has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. They said, “Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse My anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.” “But you did not listen to me,” declares the Lord, “and you have aroused My anger with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.” v. 4-7. It goes on to say how long, This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. v. 11. And Jeremiah is told…This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup filled with the wine of My wrath and make all nations to whom I send you drink it. When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them…This is what the Lord Almighty says: You must drink it! See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished; for I am calling down a sword on all who live on the earth, declares the Lord Almighty…The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; He will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword.” declares the Lord. v. 15, 28-31. Again in the notes below: “25:15-38 Judah would not be the only nation to drink the cup of God’s wrath. Here Jeremiah listed other wicked nations who would experience God’s wrath at the hand of Babylon. Finally, Babylon itself (called Shehsak in 25:26) would be destroyed because of its sin.”

Can we not see the upheavals in this world today and in the lives of people we love and in our own lives? And why does Scripture warn us to turn from evil? You have brought harm to yourselves. What does Creator God bring? We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. Revelation 22:16. Who will you listen to?