[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Good vs Evil: Micah’s End-Times Prophecy

A quarter to one-third of the Bible is prophecy. And yet most people don’t take Bible prophecy seriously.

Long-time viewers of Tomorrow’s World know that on this program, we not only discuss world news, current events, and Christian living. We discuss Bible prophecy. And it’s not just because it’s a curiosity. It’s not just to hear exciting things about the future. If we have ears to hear, God has a message for us in His word, especially as end-time events draw near. We need to understand Bible prophecy.

So today on Tomorrow’s World, let’s dive into one of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. It’s one of the lesser-known books, one of the so-called Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are called that not because they are less important, but because they are much shorter. In fact, the book we’re talking about has only seven chapters.

Which book am I referring to? The book of Micah—it’s found in your Bible toward the end of the Old Testament.

But what does the book of Micah have to do with you and me today? Is there something we can learn from it? Could this small, obscure book hold some unexpected treasures we can dig up to help us as the end of the age draws near?

Micah 1 | The Day of the Lord and God’s Wrath

The prophet Micah was born over 700 years before Christ. His ministry lasted from about 750 to 687 BC. He was from Judah, from a town called Moresheth, about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. He was roughly contemporary with the prophet Isaiah, who is much more well-known.

While some prophets—such as Isaiah—were from Jerusalem and had access to the royal court, Micah was from a small town in a rural area.

In the book bearing his name, Micah speaks of a time to come of worldwide calamity. Notice what he says in Micah 1:2.

Hear all you peoples, listen, O earth, and all that is in it. Let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place (Micah 1:2–4).

It doesn’t take too much knowledge of the Bible to recognize he’s talking about the Day of the LORD. It’s very similar language to what we later find in the Book of Revelation.

The Great Tribulation and the Day of the LORD will lead right up to Jesus Christ’s return to earth. He’ll set His feet on the Mount of Olives and fight against the nations gathered against Him. And Micah gives us a dramatic, powerful illustration of how it will happen.

This obscure prophet from a small, agricultural village spoke of it more than 2,700 years ago.

So should the book of Micah interest us? Well, if we’re living in the time just before this calamity strikes our nations, it should absolutely concern us.

Notice also further context Micah provides regarding these events. This we find in Micah 1:5.

All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel.

In other words, Christ is going to come back to set up His government. But He’s also coming back to bring an end to the transgressions of the house of Israel.

Micah 2 | End-Time Warning for the House of Israel

Who is the house of Israel? If you’ve been a viewer of Tomorrow’s World for a good bit of time, you know that we explain that the Bible identifies the modern-day House of Israel (or Jacob, for that was his name before it was changed to Israel). Modern-day Israelites today constitute the British-descended nations of the world, as well as other countries of Northwest Europe.

In short, the descendants of the patriarch Israel were to experience spectacular blessings in the centuries leading up to the end-times. The modern-day nations of the former British Empire, and other northwest European countries have enjoyed tremendous material wealth as well as military strength.

But we have not used those blessings properly. In fact, what do you find in many of these countries today? Immorality, greed, selfishness, and a widespread rejection of God’s instruction book—the Bible. Read on in Micah 2:1.

Woe to those who devise iniquity and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance (Micah 2:1–2).

One of the major themes of the book of Micah was the inequality in the social structure of the land. Now this is not to be confused with a socialistic or communistic approach. That’s not what God wanted.

What He desired was righteousness and obedience among those in power and those who had material wealth, not using that influence to bend the rules for themselves while the poor are drowning in debt. And yet all too often, we see examples of that happening around us even today.

Notice what God’s response was to their actions in Micah 2:3.

Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks; nor shall you walk haughtily, for this is an evil time.”

Micah 3 | Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good

Going on in Micah 3:1.

And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice? You who hate good and love evil… (Micah 3:1–2).

And it is an evil time when leaders even use their influence to redefine good and evil. Do we see that today?

Some in leadership positions are recasting morality to be just the opposite of what God says. They condone deviant behavior as worth celebrating. They portray those who defend immorality as being kind and loving, while one who would uphold God’s standards are painted as harsh and cruel.

The parallels with our time are hard to miss, especially when you realize many of us are living in the modern-day nations of Israel. But he doesn’t stop there—he also corrected the religious leaders. Notice Micah 3:5.

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who make My people stray, who chant “Peace” while they chew with their teeth, but who prepare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

In other words, religious leaders are supposed to teach those whom they serve. They are supposed to feed them spiritually. They should help them understand the ways of God. But Micah is saying in his time, the religious leaders themselves were deceived and leading the people astray (Micah 3:6).

Therefore, you shall have night without vision, you shall have darkness without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be dark for them. So the seers shall be ashamed, and the diviners abashed; indeed, they all cover their lips; for there is no answer from God (Micah 3:6–7).

Micah was saying the religious leaders were leading their nation astray. But what about in our day? Do too many churches teach traditions of men instead of the commandments of God? Do too many religious leaders perpetuate myths and lies instead of the truths of the Bible?

All you have to do is look and see for yourself what you find in your Bible.

Micah 3:8 Explained | God’s Servants Must Boldly Preach the Truth

What does it mean to be a servant of God?

So Micah gave them a scathing indictment. But notice what he told them next, about himself. He told them he would tell them the truth, straight from God and His word. Notice Micah 3:8.

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

A voice crying out in the wilderness. That’s what Micah was—a courageous and bold servant of God. So what would God have us do today, if we want to be God’s servants doing God’s will and His work? Well, we need to do the same thing. We need to speak boldly. We need to speak plainly, declaring to the modern descendants of Jacob their sins so they can change and repent.

This is not a popular message, but it’s the truth. Do you want the truth? In love. In gentleness. With compassion. Yes. But the simple and plain truth.

How could we, if we’re servants of Jesus Christ, give you anything less? And that is what we strive to do here at Tomorrow’s World.

So why are we looking at the book of Micah today? Because it speaks of something still ahead of us. It speaks of the coming calamity in the Day of the LORD, but also it speaks of the collapse of the Israelite nations that many of us are living in right now. These messages are as relevant as today’s news.

But that’s not the end of the story. There’s much more to this obscure book.

Micah 4 | Jesus Returns to Set Up the Kingdom of God

You see, Micah goes right on, speaking about what will happen after Christ’s return, after the so-called Battle of Armageddon. And he brings a message of comfort and hope. Notice what he says in Micah 4:1.

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob…” (Micah 4:1–2).

This is a remarkable passage, because it speaks in detail about the future of the world. In particular, [it’s] about how nations all over this globe will be ruled over by God during the Millennium.

You see, in Bible prophecy, mountains represent kingdoms or governments. So this is saying that there is coming a time in the latter days when God’s Kingdom will be established on the top of the other kingdoms. People from all over the earth will come up to Jerusalem to worship the King (Micah 4:2).

He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Some people believe that the Kingdom of God is on earth today. But is that true? Or does this say it’s something yet in the future?

We read, “Out of Zion the law shall go forth.” Is the law of God being disseminated from Jerusalem today? Is God’s law even being taught by most churches in this world? Sure, lip service is often given to the Ten Commandments, but how many actually reason their way around the Commandments, especially the fourth commandment about the seventh-day Sabbath?

What will Christ do when He comes (Micah 4:3)?

He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks….

Outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York, there is a sculpture of a man beating a sword into a plowshare. But right now, that’s not reality, is it? Peace has not spread all over the earth. In other words, the Kingdom that Christ will bring is not yet here. But peace will come when Christ sets His feet on the Mount of Olives. Again, think about this.

Going on in Micah 4:3.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

When you see all nations stop fighting, and when you see all nations stop preparing for war, that’s the time when Christ will be ruling on this earth. And again, through the prophet Micah, we learn that time is coming. Notice what else it will be like. Read in Micah 4:4.

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.

Has that happened yet? Do all people around the globe enjoy security and prosperity? Or do too many live in fear of gangs breaking into their homes, their young sons being forced into military conscription, and their families terrorized? Many people living today suffer such brutality or other inhumane treatment.

But Micah said, through the inspiration of God, there will be a time when it will stop. And people will be blessed in peace and safety, and be able to raise their families and enjoy the fruit of their labors (Micah 4:5).

For all people walk each in the name of His God, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.

When you understand it, this is talking about the destiny of the saints. Those who are converted, real Christians today will rise to meet Christ at the resurrection. And they will rule with Him, helping and teaching mankind the ways of God. What a beautiful picture of the future. God says He will heal and comfort and help the afflicted. Notice Micah 4:6.

“In that day,” says the LORD, “I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted, I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation…” (Micah 4:6–7).

When you look at the world around you today, you would never guess that someday in the not-too-distant future there will be peace, harmony and global cooperation. But that’s why Bible prophecy is so important. Not only does it give us a warning of calamity to come—which is vital—it also gives us hope for the future.

Micah 6 | God’s Case Against His People

But where does that leave you and me? What about our lives right now? Does God, through the prophet Micah, give us any advice now, as we prepare for the times ahead? Yes, He does.

Let’s pick it up in Micah 6:1.

Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’s complaint, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a complaint against His people, and He will contend with Israel” (Micah 6:1–2).

The background here is that God has a complaint with His people Israel. These are the people who have inherited the Bible, the people who have the writings inspired by God, the people who know what He says and yet have strayed from it.

Could this be referring to our people today, who have largely turned their back on God?

Going on in Micah 6:3.

Oh, my people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.

Think about this in terms of where we are in prophecy today. Many of us live in the modern Israelite nations of the earth, and because of that, we enjoy some of the richest, most productive places on the planet. And yet, by and large, many of our people have rejected God, even many who call themselves Christian. Many don’t want God telling them what to do, telling them how to live, or making them feel guilty if their behavior constitutes “sin.”

Yes—what has God done to us? He’s only given us the chance to live in some of the most beautiful and secure nations on earth. He’s given us His word. It explains how to live a blessed and happy life. He’s taught us how to love our neighbor and avoid the penalties of bad choices in life. He’s given us a Savior.

The question is not what has God done to us, rather, what has God not done for us?

Micah 6:8 Explained | What Does the LORD Require of You?

The prophet then asks some intriguing questions. Notice in Micah 6:6.

With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? (Micah 6:6–7).

He goes from the ridiculous to the ludicrous. No, God doesn’t require us to sacrifice thousands of rams to please Him. And He surely doesn’t require us to sacrifice our own children. What does He ask from us?

Have you ever really asked yourself that question? Micah answers it for us—notice in Micah 6:8.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Sometimes we can make serving God much more complicated than it is. Micah is saying that the intent of God has always been very simple. Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God.

What about you? Is there something that holds you back from just simply serving God? Have you misunderstood what God expects of you? He doesn’t demand some great herculean feat. He just wants obedience from a pure heart. He wants us to change for our own good.

Jesus gave us the same concept, with slightly different wording, in Matthew 23:23. He explained the weightier matters of the law are “justice, mercy, and faith.”

Speaking of our Savior, it’s also important to note that the prophet Micah is the one who prophesied where the Messiah would be born. It’s found in Micah 5:2.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting.

A little town of Bethlehem. You might have heard of it. It’s the town where Christ was born. That’s another surprising element of this Old Testament prophet. He foretold of our Savior with such remarkable detail that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew where He would be born. How incredible!

And he also foretold that our Savior would someday be the ruler over Israel. It’s coming yet ahead, when He will also rule over the whole earth.

Micah 7 | How to Repent and Find God’s Mercy

Micah also spoke of God’s great mercy in pardoning sin. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we can be forgiven of our sins and we can be pardoned when we repent, when we are deeply sorry—so sorry that we want to turn from our sins, change our lives, and never look back.

Micah explained that God is a God of forgiveness (Micah 7:18).

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old (Micah 7:18–20).

So Micah is packed with surprises. Not only does He predict the Day of the LORD, the punishment of Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ, he also tells us about how we can have a relationship with God and Christ today.

He was a courageous man who lived in the 700s BC. He prophesied of the demise of the northern house of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. But he also spoke of the end of the age, the coming calamity on the whole world, and the wonderful reign of Christ that will follow.

And he gave us advice on how to have a close and personal relationship with God. There’s so much we can learn from this dedicated servant.

Micah lived in a time when he had many enemies. It was a time when evil was increasing, an “evil time,” God called it.

We are also living in an evil time, but we’re not left without hope and encouragement from this remarkable servant of God. His example can inspire us to have faith and strength in our day, as we face the dangers of our age.

So what was Micah’s conclusion, when he faced difficulties and trials in his day? Notice in Micah 7:7.

Therefore, I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

It takes faith to wait on God when things look bleak. And it takes faith to believe that “my God will hear me.” But as this next video shows, Jesus Christ recognized the challenges His followers would face in the last days. He knew we would have times when we believe and know God is there. He also knew we would need His help with our unbelief—and He Himself will strengthen us.

So watch this next video to learn how to build the faith you need so you can feel a closer connection with God—and so you will be able to say with conviction, as Micah did: I will look to the Lord. My God will hear me.