Dan A. Rodriguez Articles, Books, and Podcasts
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2, 3 NKJV)
Following are the same verses as above from another translation:
And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. (Habakkuk 2:2, 3 AMPLIFIED- Classic edition)
The appointed time is NOW!
RESTORATION!
When we stand before the Lord, we all want to hear, "Well done you good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." I certainly do, and I will hear it on that day. How can I be so positive even though I messed up as a Christian? Have you messed up as a Christian?
I'll use myself as an example. Did I always do things right? No, I didn't. Did I mess up at times, and even sometimes, royally? Yes, I did. Does God forgive when we repent, or does He continue to hold it against us? If He did continue to hold sins against us, then we are all "royally" and terminally screwed, and hell bound. That is a terrifying thought. Hell is no joke. Eternity in the lake of fire is worse than any horror movie. No, I will pass on that. Thank the Lord, He forgives, and He restores "royally"! We don't have to go to a devil's hell. We can be heaven bound. Glory to God!
King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband. Yet, when he repented, God forgave and restored him. Well, I haven't committed adultery or murdered anybody, and maybe you haven't either, but I sinned in other ways that were just as bad. Even if you sinned like David and Bathsheba, do you think He can still forgive and restore us today? Did you know that even after all those terrible and disgusting sins, that from the marriage union of David and Bathsheba came Solomon, and he was a direct ancestor of the Lord Jesus? What? Wait a minute! Do you mean to tell me that David was not condemned to perpetual adultery or banished from his throne, and that Bathsheba was not ostracized as an adulteress? No, they were not condemned forever, they were not banished, and they were not ostracized. They were forgiven, cleansed, and restored to a place greater than what they could ask or think after they repented. That is what God can do! No, there was no excuse for their sins, and they were clearly violations of God's commandments, but they repented.
Read Psalms 51 and David's prayer for forgiveness. David and Bathsheba's forgiveness and restoration happened under a covenant that was defective. They had the temporary blood of goats and bulls to cover sin! Each year the sacrifices had to be made again. We have a BETTER covenant established upon BETTER promises sealed in the ETERNAL blood of Jesus, and it totally cleanses and washes from sin those that will repent and apply it by faith. (Hebrews 8:6, 9:12-14, Romans 3:24-26)
Do you know that if we sin, when we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us by His eternal blood from all unrighteousness? That is the Word of God in 1 John 1:7-10.
It is a terrible thing to write off people because they messed up or because their lives got messed up. Yet, the church has often done just that. The church often parades its wounded in front of a firing squad and shoots its own wounded soldiers! Instead, they should be actively binding up their wounds and restoring them to health so they can fight again. Of course, it will strongly depend on each individual if they will humble themselves, repent, and receive God's restoration.
Is it more important to think you are right theologically and condemn the wounded to the firing squad, and write them off as dead? Is it all over for them? It could be if they don't repent. There is always hope in God for the humble that refuse to hide their sins but acknowledge them and repent! (Proverbs 28:13) If they truly repent, are they gone forever? Some would think that it's all over, and that there is no hope for them, but I have GOOD news today. There is repentance, forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration after repentance! Always, and it is NEVER denied!
Can those dry bones live again? Those bones were left in the desert, and the blistering heat of the sun bleached them white. That is like what sin does when we sin. We become subjects to the curse and death. BUT... there is still hope! The bleached bones are dead and seemingly unusable. Can they live again? Ask the Lord God and Ezekiel if those bones can live again? Is there a resurrection miracle available or are they done forever? Yes there is a miracle, but it is only found in God's presence and by His power.
Again, He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” (Ezekiel 37:4-6 NKJV)
God can restore and cause to live that which was dead and give it NEW life and power!
So, I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So, I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. (Ezekiel 37:7-10)
You can't unscramble the eggs of the past, but you can surely make an omelet out of it! I heard a pastor use that example, and it is easy to understand. Have you ever scrambled eggs only to remember you wanted them fried or some other way? I have done that, but obviously you can't go back in time and unscramble the eggs. You must move forward on to something else. God is the MASTER chef, and His ideas for good cuisine are endless. A beautiful and delicious omelet can come out of it! Believe it!
David and Bathsheba couldn't go back and undo the sins they committed, could they? No, but God later blessed their union. That is so amazing to me. God's goodness and mercy are truly everlasting! David and Bathsheba could not go back and unscramble the mess, but examine their story in the Bible for yourself and see if they were blessed or cursed. No, they were extremely blessed.
God can restore that which the cankerworm and the locust have eaten and destroyed. He can make it productive and beautiful again, like the Garden of Eden! He did it with David and Bathsheba. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), so I believe He can do that for you and me! Read Joel 2:12-27 and see the restoration of the Lord, and then add to that Jeremiah chapters 29-31. Wow!
Let me give you an important insight to restoration manifestation. YOU MUST assist and participate regularly at a powerful and anointed church that preaches the Word without compromise, brings people to Jesus consistently (altar calls and soul winning) and ministers the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of speaking in other tongues uncompromisingly, heals the sick, casts out demons, preaches about stewardship in giving and receiving, and is carrying out the great commission of Mark 16:15-20 and Matthew 28:18-19. Also look at Acts 19:1-20 as an example of a mighty church. If you go to a dead church that does not do these things then you will never receive restoration. It takes a living church that is soundly and firmly grounded in the Scripture and practices it for a manifestation of restoration. Otherwise, you will be greatly disappointed. What if there is no anointed or Spirit-filled, Bible-believing churches in your area? Either start one as the Lord leads and calls or move to where there is one! There is NO excuse.
There is no more important message than the message of Jesus dying for us and going to hell in our place so we could be redeemed. It is time to really study this subject profusely. You will need it in the days ahead. You must know what and in Whom you believe. Not only that, but these books have been used to teach Bible classes, Sunday schools, church members, Bible School classes, and more. Get my published books, free to you here: "The Story of our Great Redemption" and in Spanish, "Tres Días Y Noches En El Corazón de la Tierra." It's the same subject matter but the Spanish version has slightly more info than the English version. Hooray for the Latinos!
Now you can get them and use them and spread them around. You are not allowed to change the text or copy and paste the books as though you are the author, but you can copy the link addresses and send the books everywhere with my blessing! Get them into the hands of pastors and ministers, and especially to the deacons and the board. Get them into the hands of the dumb and smart, the fat and skinny, the rich and poor, among people of all colors, persuasions, and creeds. Send them to the lazy government worker that wouldn't attend to you, and to the CEO of major corporations. Be an evangelist with the message. It is a powerful message. Use it wisely.
The links below download the full books in PDF format, and they are free of charge. Read them on your favorite app. Amen!
The Bible says that the power of the Holy Spirit would be coming on all believers to produce a witness in our city, state, country, and even to the rest of the earth. (Acts 1:8) That power from on High came on the day of Pentecost after Jesus was raised from the dead. (Acts 2) Jesus also commissioned all believers to preach the gospel to every person with signs following. (Mark 16:15-20) We are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded us. (Mat. 28:19, 20) EVERY believer has a responsibility to carry out these orders from the Head of the Church, Jesus THE Anointed One (Christ). I am doing a part to get the Word out to all the world. Of course, there are many other ways to get the Word out such as one on one witnessing, and through meetings, large and small. How can you get involved in getting the Gospel message out? Here is one way. Forward these teachings and recordings to your friends, family, and acquaintances. Be a blessing to someone else. Get them under the rich anointing of the Holy Spirit and the Word.