End of the Church Age, page 1

"Amos 8:11:

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."

The book of Amos is speaking of the very time in which we are now living. And this verse is very pertinent to this time. God is speaking of a famine that is to come. It is not a famine of bread and water. Spiritually bread identifies with Jesus who is the bread of life. Water has to do with the true Gospel. Thus God is declaring this is not a time when there is a famine of the declaration of the true Gospel. That is, in the churches that exist today there may still be Pastors that faithfully bring the true Gospel to their congregations. There may still be missionaries sent out by these faithful churches who are still faithfully bringing the Gospel to the lost of the world.

However, it is the next phrase that is so ominous. "a famine of hearing the Word of God." Why is that so ominous. We must remember there are two very important ingredients in God's plan of saving the elect. First of all they must be under the hearing of the Word of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 8:17).

Secondly God must apply that faithful Word to the hearts of those He plans to save. God opened the heart of Lydia (Acts 16:14). That is, if God is going to save someone He must give that person spiritual ears to hear the Word spoken."

src: www.familyradio.com...
src: www.familyradio.com...