The prophetic future

Today’s passage contains the words spoken by the prophet Micah. He is speaking about the “prophetic future.” The content concerns the final judgment that will come upon the people of Israel. We can know when this will be fulfilled from the words in verses 1-2. (1) He is deeply grieved. The reason is that he has become like one who goes out to gather fruit in a field after the harvest is finished. In other words, no fruit remains. (2) “The early fig” is something very delicious and is quickly picked (ref. Isa. 28:4; Hos. 9:10). In this context, “the early fig” refers to “the righteous (the godly),” that is, “the remnant of Israel.” (3) It says, “The godly person has perished from the land, and there is no upright person among mankind” (v 2). Since in every age there is always a “remnant of Israel,” it is difficult to imagine a time when there is not even one godly person. However, when we consider the prophetic future, there is one time when this will occur. That is the period immediately after the Church has been raptured. All believers will be taken up to heaven, and only unbelievers will remain on the earth. At that time, the Great Tribulation will begin.

The content of the judgement

The prophet Micah remembers what the people of Israel will experience during the Great Tribulation and laments greatly, saying, “Woe to me!” (1) They will experience corruption throughout society. Verse 2 says, “All of them lie in wait for bloodshed; each of them hunts the other with a net” (ref. Ps. 12:1; 14:2-3; 53:2-3; Isa. 57:1-2). (2) They will also experience corruption in the legal system. Verse 3 says, “As for evil, both hands do it well. The leader asks for a bribe, also the judge, and the great one speaks the capricious desire of his soul; so they plot it together.” (3) Even those regarded as good people are corrupt in reality. Verse 4 says, “The best of them is like a thorn bush; the most upright like a thorn hedge.” (4) Therefore, the Great Tribulation will come upon him. “The day when you post your watchmen, your punishment is coming. Then their confusion will occur.” “The day of your watchmen” refers to the day of judgment, the time of the Great Tribulation. In the Great Tribulation, all human relationships will be destroyed. One will no longer be able to trust a neighbor, a close friend, or even a wife. Family relationships will also be shattered. The Jewish people are known for having strong family bonds, yet even those bonds will be broken. As it is written, “For son disavows father, daughter rises up against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a person’s enemies are the people of his own household.” The Lord Jesus also gave the same prophecy (in Matt. 10:34-36, He quoted this prophecy of Micah). Whether one acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah determines whether human relationships and family relationships are destroyed or restored. The solution to every problem humanity face is found in Jesus Christ. If we desire the restoration of good relationships, it is essential first to build an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus ourselves. In Him is the solution to every problem.