Tag: peace and safety
Prophetic ‘white-washers’!
Scripture reading for August 20: Ezekiel 12-15
“Because they have led My people astray, saying “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. . . .I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:10-11a, 14.
God hates lies and will judge false prophets! In this section of Ezekiel, God gives him a message for the prophets of Israel who are leading the people astray with the peace, safety, and prosperity lie. These prophets were telling the people what they wanted to hear. This was allowing the people to go on in idolatry and sin and brought God’s wrath upon the nation.
God likened these lying prophets to painters who whitewashed flimsy walls that were poorly constructed. The walls looked clean and white, but they were very unstable. God was going to expose the poor foundation by sending a storm upon the nation that would topple the white-washed walls and bring them down on those who painted them and those who built on a poor foundation. The crashing walls would destroy those who did such shoddy work and those who tried to make their work just look good.
Preachers can put on a show too. They can whitewash by tickling ears just to get a crowd. They can tell how God wants them rich. All they have to do is to give money to the preacher and God guarantees that they will get a hundred times more back. They can tell people that God is love and won’t send anyone to hell. If they just belong to their church or send money, God will overlook all their sins. Others whitewash the truth about the need for repentance from sin and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. They offer alternatives that don’t require faith in Christ’s blood sacrifice ! Their goal is to make them feel good without any arousal of conviction. These walls are going to crash down when judgment falls! The day of Christ’s return will reveal the broken foundations!
Are you firmly anchored on the Rock of Jesus Christ as Lord? Have you repented of your sins and idolatry and found grace through the blood of Jesus? Are you hungry for biblical truth and sitting under preaching that gives the whole counsel of God? A day is coming when every foundation will be exposed!
False prophets with whitewash!
Scripture reading for August 21st: Ezekiel 12-15
“Because they have led My people astray, saying “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. . . .I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:10-11a, 14.
God hated lies and promised to judge false prophets! God gave Ezekiel a message for the prophets of Israel who were leading the people astray with the peace, safety, and prosperity lie. These prophets were telling the people what they wanted to hear. This allowed the people to go on in idolatry and would surely bring God’s wrath upon the nation.
God likened these lying prophets to painters who whitewashed flimsy walls that were poorly constructed. The walls looked clean and white, but they were unstable. God was going to expose the poor foundation by sending a storm upon the nation that would topple the white-washed walls and bring them down on those who painted them. The crashing walls would destroy those who did such shoddy work or put on a show.
Preachers today can put on a show too. They ‘whitewash’ people’s walls just to get a crowd. They tell them that God wants them rich and if they give some money to the preacher and they will get a hundred times more back. They tell people that God is love and won’t send anyone to hell. Others whitewash the truth about the need for repentance from sin and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. They offer alternatives that don’t require faith or talking about the cross and the blood! They try to make them feel good and get them in and out without any arousal of conviction. Whitewash is being spread around today on the walls of people who have not repented! These walls are going to crash down when judgment falls! The day of Christ’s return will reveal the foundations and strip off the whitewash!
Beware of ‘feel-good’ prophesies!
Scripture reading for August 11th: Jeremiah 26-29
It takes discernment to hear the voice of God. What sounds good is not always truth and only the truth will make us free! In Jeremiah 28 we have a story of two prophets speaking to God’s people. One had a message of victory and hope, and the other a message of judgment and captivity. One message was true and the other was false. After the messages were given, the people had to decide which one to believe.
In the fifth month of the fourth year of King Zedekiah, all the people were gathered with the priests in the temple. Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon spoke to Jeremiah in front of all the people. Jeremiah had been wearing a wooden yoke around his neck for a long time telling the people of their coming captivity. Hananiah spoke that within two years, God would remove the yoke of the Babylonians and Judah would be free. To illustrate that message, he took the yoke off Jeremiah and broke it in front of the people. (Jeremiah 28:1-4,10-11)
Jeremiah responded initially with an ‘amen’ to the message. But he added some prophetic insight. Most prophets are sent to warn of coming disaster and turn the people back to God. This prophecy of peace will only be from the Lord if it actually happens. (Jeremiah 28:6-9)
Jeremiah went his way and then the Lord spoke to him to go back with a word for Hananiah. He was to tell Hananiah that he was not sent by the Lord and that his prophecy was not true. God was going to remove the wooden yoke and place an iron yoke on his rebellious people. His final word was that Hananiah would die because he preached rebellion against the Lord.
How would you decide which was true? As we finish reading, the truth becomes apparent. In the seventh month, three months later, Hananiah died! God’s word is always validated because it comes to pass! Please take time today to thank God for His word and the blessing of knowing the truth. Ask Him for discernment in these last days to keep you from being deceived by messages that simply make you feel good but are not of God!
Blameless at His Coming!
Scripture reading for October 12th: 1st Thessalonians 5:3-28
A key truth of the Christian faith is the second coming of Christ. Christ will come in the air to meet believers who are living for him. They will be preceded by those who have died in faith, being instantly resurrected in a glorified body. Both groups, the living and those who have died, will be caught up to heaven. (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) No one knows the day or hour this will happen. This means that Christians should live each day in holy anticipation!
“But you, bothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like the others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1st Thessalonians 5:4-6) People of the night are usually asleep and not alert to Christ’s coming. People of the night are often doing deeds of darkness, such as getting drunk and carousing. Christians belong to the day and are people of light. They understand the times and the urgency to live self-controlled and moral lives. Through faith in Christ, they are obedient to God’s word and ready for Christ’s coming.
“Be joyful always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid all kind of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-22) Paul’s short summary of how to live pleasing God and ready would be good for all to memorize. Our attitude of joy and thanksgiving in continuous prayer kindles the Spirit’s fire to obey God. We are open to God’s leading, but test all things and avoid all evil.
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” God was at work in the Thessalonians and is working in us today. He has called us to be holy and given us the Holy Spirit. Jesus is coming for His spotless Bride! Lord help me to be blameless!
Truth? Or consequences?
Scripture reading for August 11th: Jeremiah 26-29
It takes discernment to hear the voice of God. What sounds good is not always truth and only the truth will make us free! In Jeremiah 28 we have a story that always makes me stop and consider what I might have done as I listened to these two prophets debate one another. One had a message of victory and hope, and the other a message of judgment and captivity. One message was true and the other was false. God allowed the contest to take place in the temple of the Lord in front of the priests and all the people. After the messages were given, the people had to decide which one to believe. Were they to prepare for captivity or deliverance? Was the message of peace and restoration truth or was the message of judgment and a yoke true? I know which I would have wanted to believe!
In the fifth month of the fourth year of King Zedekiah, all the people were gathered with the priests in the temple. Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon spoke to Jeremiah in front of all the people. Jeremiah had been wearing a wooden yoke around his neck for a long time telling the people of their coming captivity. Hananiah spoke that within two years, God would remove the yoke of the Babylonians and Judah would be free. To illustrate that message, he took the yoke off Jeremiah and broke it in front of the people. (Jeremiah 28:1-4,10-11)
Jeremiah responded initially with an ‘amen’ to the message. But he added some prophetic insight. Most prophets are sent to warn of coming disaster and turn the people back to God. This prophecy of peace will only be from the Lord if it actually happens. (Jeremiah 28:6-9)
Jeremiah went his way and then the Lord spoke to him to go back with a word for Hananiah. He was to tell Hananiah that he was not sent by the Lord and that his prophecy was not true. God was going to remove the wooden yoke and place an iron yoke on his rebellious people. His final word was that Hananiah would die because he preached rebellion against the Lord.
Wow, what would you have done? Who would you want to believe? Wouldn’t it have been tempting to hate Jeremiah and his message? How would you decide which was true? As we finish reading, the truth becomes apparent. In the seventh month, three months later, Hananiah died! God’s word is always validated because it comes to pass! It took three months of waiting to know, but the truth became evident! Please take time today to thank God for His word and the blessing of knowing the truth. Ask Him for discernment in these last days that you will not be deceived by messages that simply make you feel good but are not of God!