Question: I recently heard the teaching that Genesis:41:25-32 [25] And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
[26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
[27] And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
[28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
[29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
[30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
[31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
[32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
See All... spoke of a great end-time gathering of souls or revival right before the Great Tribulation. And I always thought that Luke:18:8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
See All... was speaking of Jesus’ return for the church and the condition of the earth at that time. I honestly can’t find in the Word a great “last days revival,” or in-gathering. And to me, the Luke reference makes more sense if it means His return for the church in the midst of a great apostasy. I love and respect the godly minister who spoke these things. He is very knowledgeable in the Word and in his teaching. I don’t want to be confused, could you please help me?
Response: We agree with your concern. Unfortunately, too many may come up with an idea and then seek out Scriptures that would seem to support the idea. Sometimes, the wresting of Scriptures (2 Peter:3:16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
See All...) appears so blatant, particularly if we look at the simple meaning of the words as well as considering the full context of the passage. Genesis:41:25-32 [25] And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
[26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
[27] And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
[28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
[29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
[30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
[31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
[32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
See All... specifically and expressly details the dream given to Pharaoh, which Joseph, through insight given by the Lord, interpreted. It was a specific warning to Egypt for a specific time in their history. Whether an individual believer might receive an application for their own life is something that only the Lord can give. We can’t just lift the Scripture from context and apply it to a doctrine. Consequently, there is no biblical basis for using those verses from Genesis to support the idea of a great endtimes revival. It just doesn’t fit.
In contrast, Luke:18:8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
See All... is very straightforward. The Lord asks specifically, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” The implication is obvious. The Lord knows the heart of man and his susceptibility to deception and his willingness to follow another. “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (John:5:43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
See All...). The Lord will return to the earth not during a time of great revival but in a time of apostasy. The question naturally follows: “Shall he find faith on the earth?” The apostasy we see today is increasing, leading naturally to the conclusion that the time of the Lord’s return draws near. With so many false teachers, cults, and false Christs being presented, “shall he find faith on the earth?”
Finally, for the teacher you respect, this is a wonderful opportunity to pray that the Lord might correct any errors and, if given an opening to speak to him, the right words for you.