A Famine Of True Biblical Teaching Is At Works

A famine of true biblical teaching is at works and will continue to spread like wildfire today and in the years to come. In the context of the time of the end marked by heavenly signs (Amos 8:9), Amos quotes Almighty Yahweh foretelling a time of famine—a famine of His Word. “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says Yahweh, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Yahweh” (Amos 8:11). When will this famine of hearing the words of Yahweh come? Will it mean all Bibles will be rounded up and burned? Imagine what happens when Elohim’s words are not readily available any more!  How can this happen along with a resurgence of religion? What can we do to prepare now for the famine of the Word prophesied to come? Today we’ll share the answers with the guidance of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit. As always, we will let the Bible interpret itself. May you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear for this true and faithful heavenly messages.

Yes, Almighty Yahweh in the Bible already declared there will be an end-time spiritual famine. Considering the proliferation of Bibles in hundreds of languages today—it remains the world’s most translated, best-selling and most popular book ever written and recorded—the warning in Amos 8:11 is surprising with rising religious interests and religious revivals happening! “They (the peoples) shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro (back and forth), seeking the word of Yahweh, but shall not find it” (Amos 8:12). Yes, the Bible states that there will be a “famine of the hearing of the word” as we approach the end of this age. This prophecy refers to a time when “the end has come upon My people Israel” (Amos 8:2), and yes, it has dual applications to both the ancient nation of Israel and to all the modern nations descended from ancient Israel.

A “famine” of hearing the truth occurs when the nations of Israel are taken over by a foreign power that prohibits the proclamation and practice of the true biblical faith. This happened around 720BC when Assyrians carried the northern 10 tribes of Israel into captivity. It will happen again during the Tribulation, when the modern descendants of ancient Israel are punished for their sins (Matthew 24:9; Hosea 5:5; Jeremiah 22:5–9). The prophet Daniel explains how this “famine” of hearing the truth will come about in the last days. In a vision, Daniel saw a “little horn” dominating the last seven revivals of the Roman Empire (the fourth beast; read Daniel 7:7–8, 19–20). This little horn will be a prominent religious figure (and his church), teaching blasphemous doctrines that contradict the Bible. This “horn” works to change the true biblical feasts (you can read about the true appointed Bible feasts here), and will persecute those who truthfully and faithfully follow the Scripture (Daniel 7:21, 24–25).

Most religions have already fulfilled and will fulfill these end of the age prophecies! History records that the bishops of Rome presided over councils that changed the weekly day of worship from the biblical Sabbath (the day observed by Yahshua and His early disciples; read Luke 4:16; Acts 13:42–44; 16:11–13; 17:2) to Sunday. Pagan sun worshipers already observed Sunday; one rationale for the change was that it would make it easier for pagans to convert to this new form of “Christianity.” In a similar manner, Easter was substituted for the biblical Passover, and winter solstice celebrations were “Christianized” to attract pagans into the fold. Roman law backed these ecclesiastical decisions to accept non-biblical doctrines and practices in the name of “Christianity.” The Roman papacy has emphasized Sunday as a day of worship, and has urged the adoption of European laws enshrining Sunday as a holiday. Such unbiblical doctrines could be used to discourage the observance of the one and true biblical Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) and to promote obedience to Sunday worship.

Listen, readers! In a vision, the prophet Daniel prophesied that a powerful end-time leader, with links to a revived Roman system, will make a seven-year covenant that will at first permit the Jewish people to resume sacrifices, “but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering” (Daniel 9:26–27). This covenant will begin as a token of religious toleration, but after three-and-a-half years “all pretense of religious toleration will be dropped” as this ruler attempts to enforce conformity to a corrupt religion. This influential end-time spiritual leader, and his efforts to stifle and obliterate true biblical doctrines, are clearly linked to the words and actions of the many false religious teachers at the end of the age (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:3, 11, 15; Revelation 17:1–5).

The New Testament provides additional insights about end-time events that will contribute to “a famine…of the hearing of the word of Yahweh.” Yahshua said that in the years just preceding His return, “many will come in My name… and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:5). False teachers will preach about another Yahshua and a different gospel, contradicting the Bible (2 Corinthians 11:1–4). Do not be fooled by this false Jesus and different gospel! Remember: Yahshua, His apostles and the Church He founded kept a Saturday Sabbath and observed the biblical Holy Days. Historical sources and the biblical record show that Yahshua was not born on December 25. The Bible states that no one but Yahshua has gone to heaven (Acts 2:29, 34; John 3:13). Humans were not created to go to heaven, but to reign on this earth with Yahshua Messiah in the coming Kingdom of Yahweh (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; Daniel 2:44–45; 7:27). The true and faithful biblical teachings will be suppressed in the last days, because it conflicts with traditional beliefs boosted by a false religious system that will dominate the world.

Yes, we need to be preparing for the years of famine during the years of plenty. It starts with hearing Yahweh’s words now, studying them, treasuring them and obeying them. Yahweh calls on all to repent of sin and to live by every word of Elohim. But it’s not just about our own salvation. Yahweh is calling many now to help spread His Word. That’s part of the mission He gave His Church, to preach His good news to the entire world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). The Bible indicates that as we approach the end of this age, militant religious activity will increase (Revelation 6:1–2). In the last days, people will have “a form of holiness,” but it will not be based solidly on the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1–5; 4:1–4). An influential religious figure will use supernatural powers to deceive people to believe lies, and will suppress the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12). False teachers will “bring in destructive heresies” and will ridicule biblical doctrines and speak evil of the truth, while they twist Scripture to support their erroneous ideas (2 Peter 2:1–3; 3:1–18). “With the coming famine of Yahweh’s Word in mind, His servants today should have the same urgent mindset that Yahshua had in His human ministry. Savior Yahshua told His disciples, “I must work the works of Him (Yahweh) who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Amos 8-9).

In closing, the apostle Paul said, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?…So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim” (Romans 10:14-15, 17). Remember, those who rejected the true biblical teachings previously will suddenly notice they are missing, and will conduct a fruitless search throughout the land (Amos 8:12-13). Isn’t that typical of our human condition, to be unaware of what we really want and need until it’s gone? In the time leading up to prophet Amos’ prophecy, Yahweh’s words had been proclaimed through the preaching of Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Joel and Hosea. Today we have all these as well as the rest of the Bible. Yahweh’s ministers today must warn ( we do!) of the consequences of sins and the need for repentance. But today, as in Amos’ day, so few listen. Yahweh’s long patience finally ended with ancient Israel, and will again with our modern world! When people ignore His message too many times, He promises to remove that message. The prophet Isaiah echoes the thought: “Seek Yahweh while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6) because a period of darkness is coming (John 9:4) and with it will come “a famine of the hearing of the word of Yahweh.” Help us spread His Word while there is still time.

Yes, a famine of true biblical teaching is at works now and at the end of the age. Throughout history, Yahweh’s Word (Bible) has been under attack by many enemies, but His Word always remains triumphant! This famine will come because of stealing, injustice, oppression and other sins as the prophet Amos records. As Yahweh’s faithful ministers from the Holy Land of Israel (where everything begins and ends), we have an obligation to spread the correct understanding of His Word, to preach the true Gospel, and to warn the world. We hope this message is a blessing to you. May Elohim keep and protect those who preach and teach the real truth of the Bible. We humbly pray this to Father Yahweh in heaven through Messiah Yahshua, our Master and King, amen. Halleluyah, shalom!