What's even worse – The church is IGNORING the judgment of God – Denying even that it IS the judgment of God! It's time to see what GOD solemnly THREATENS to this people!
Jeremiah 7:2-4 Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house [The CHURCH OF GOD], and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates [DOORS] to worship the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, AMEND your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye NOT in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.
YOU are the temple of the LORD (1 Corinthians 6:19). But that doesn't make you ABOVE God's law! Just because you may have some portion of God's spirit DOES NOT MEAN that God will allow you to sin with impunity, without JUDGING you for it.
The judgment of God is the CHASTENING, the PUNISHMENT He sends. When God decides to make you into a better person, when you are TOO FAR out of line for Him to be happy with you, He will give you a good spanking so you'll LOOK AT YOURSELF!
Hebrews 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Think about it; Your earthly parents corrected you TO PRODUCE A CHANGE in you. You received chastening from them because you were doing things that were WRONG, and they wanted you to HAVE A REASON to look at yourself, and CHANGE.
Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
God does it for the same reason – to make you CHANGE, so that you can be HOLY. Because by changing your mistakes, and correcting your faults, you BECOME holy. God creates this in you by JUDGING you and CHASTENING you.
If your life goes sour, if a calamity befalls you, if you seek God's help and He IGNORES you, it is NOT “TIME AND CHANCE”. It is the JUDGMENT of God! And yet, when castrophe strikes the Church of God today, when brethren are slaughtered in God's house, or when prominent men with thousands of people praying for them die, we are told “This is just time and chance - I tell you, this is NOT the JUDGMENT OF GOD!” (and that is a direct quote from Sermon I heard!)
Jeremiah 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem [The CHURCH OF GOD] slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, WHAT HAVE I DONE?
When God punishes you, He expects you to say “WHAT HAVE I DONE??” - because both you, and the church in general, ARE RESPONSIBLE for God not protecting you! If you ask God to be in services (as with the opening prayer), or if you pray for someone to be healed, and God doesn't protect or heal, this is NOT time and chance – it is God IGNORING you! God DECIDES, He makes a JUDGMENT, NOT TO HELP YOU!
And if you don't seek to discover your sin in the face of the judgment of God, the next time judgment will be more severe! And yet the church scoffs at the very possibility that it could be their fault! We hear that “God is TESTING us... we did nothing wrong, Satan is just attacking us”. But Satan CANNOT attack you unless God lets him! (Job 1:9-10)
Jeremiah 5:3-4 O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them,[God – Not SATAN] but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
Verse 12 They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; [“THIS IS NOT THE JUDGMENT OF GOD!!”] neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
Does this not describe the church today? Do they not say, “It is not He”, when God judges them? When they receive punishment, do they receive correction?
Jeremiah 8:6 ... Every one turned to his course [job], as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? ... lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
WHO claims to have the Law of God today? Who CLAIMS that since GOD is with them, that no evil will come upon them – regardless of what they do?? The CHURCH OF GOD!!
Micah 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
When God allows someone to enter church services in Wisconsin and start KILLING PEOPLE in the CHURCH OF GOD, this is NOT time and chance! God was EASILY able to stop this from happening – but He DIDN'T! Why?
He didn't stop it because it was HIS judgment – HE sent it to the church FOR A REASON. It was a PUNISHMENT, to bring HIS PEOPLE to repentance – and yet they throw it away, and SCOFF, and RIDICULE those who say God isn't happy with them!
Jeremiah 7:8-10 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.[“Time and Chance”] Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
The church today seems to feel it is SPIRITUAL, and is somehow EXEMPTED from the laws and judgments of God! They feel they are FREE to have dreamcatchers and statues or pictures of angels on their walls, free to joke and talk about adultery and homosexuality, free to watch shows like Charmed and movies about Vampires, Ghosts, and DEMONS – and because God somehow LOVES them more than He's ever loved anyone, He won't mind! This attitude is what is bringing the PUNISHMENT of ALMIGHTY GOD on the Church today!
Jeremiah 7:11-15 Is this house, which is called by my name, [THE CHURCH OF GOD] become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh [PASADENA], where I set my name at the first [IN WORLDWIDE], and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel [WORLDWIDE]. And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name [The CHURCH OF GOD], wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh [PASADENA]. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren [the SPLINTER GROUPS], even the whole seed of Ephraim [WORLDWIDE].
They believed that they were free to do what they wanted in the last decade or so of Worldwide. They thought that since God was among them, nothing could happen to them. So go to Pasadena, Bricketwood, and Big Sandy and look at what's left! You honestly believe God will handle YOU differently, if you repeat their mistakes, and more importantly – IGNORE GOD'S JUDGMENT when He sends it?
Jeremiah 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
It's too late to simply pray. Your only hope is to REPENT. To ask WHAT HAVE WE DONE. THEN, and ONLY THEN, God will hear you.
Jeremiah 7:5-7 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
This is the answer. The only one. Next time, the judgment will get worse. This time, 8 died. Next time, perhaps God will be less sparing. How many must die before they realize it is God that is unhappy with them, not merely Satan? 80? 800?
Jeremiah 21:5 (God speaking to Jerusalem, and the Church) And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
Jeremiah 7:26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation [CHURCH] that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
No, I don't expect them to like this. But if there is anyone there who wants to hear it, who truly wants to know WHY God let this happen, this may be their only chance to repent.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
The righteousness of the church as a whole today is pathetic. In many cases, just like Israel, they do worse than the people to whom they are SUPPOSED to be lights and guides. (2 Chronicles 33:9) Most will say “But we're not that bad!”
Aren't you? That should remind you of this scripture... “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” (Matthew 23:30)
Jeremiah 8:10-11 ...for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
They say, and I quote - “There are those who've said this is the judgment of God – I'm here to tell you it IS NOT!”. This is a LIE! They've said “God is just testing us, to teach us patience. It'll all be better soon”. This also is a LIE! They've made the members feel a LITTLE better, they've healed them SLIGHTLY by saying “PEACE!” but there is no peace. No, it's only going to get worse.
Jeremiah 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Are they ashamed of owning 49% of subway restaurants that sell pork on saturdays? No, they justify it by saying they “don't have a controlling interest”. Yet it doesn't seem to bother them to accept the money. Is this not covetousness? Or idolatry of money? Or sabbath breaking? Or selling unclean meats? Do you suppose God likes this?
Are they ashamed of selling a home on the sabbath, because “that's when most houses are sold, after all”? Ashamed of having angel statuettes in their homes (Oh, we don't BOW to them or anything)? Ashamed of giving their child a dreamcatcher because “If he doesn't have one, he has bad dreams! Oh, it's just some string and wood, it isn't an idol or anything. We know better, we're spiritual!” I have personally witnessed each of these things, frequently, along with hundreds of other abominations in the Church today!
No, they WILL steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom they know not; And come and stand before Him in the CHURCH OF GOD, and say they are delivered to do all these abominations! (Jeremiah 7:8-10)
How many compromises like this are made in YOUR church every week?
Jeremiah 9:9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation [CHURCH] as this?
But do you think that those 8 poor people who were killed in Wisconsin were sinners above all people that are in the Church of God? “I tell you, Nay: but, except YE repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5). It was a TERRIBLE tragedy!
Jeremiah 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
But if the church doesn't repent, they died in vain! And worse, God will have to spank the church harder next time – just as you would a rebellious child.
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Many have wondered – and this is a fair question – why would God allow this to happen to what is the best, most straight-laced group out there first? The “Spearhead of the work”, as they are fond of saying. Why not start with some of those who are farther from the truth?
Zephaniah 2:15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: (“WE are the ones doing the work!”) how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Because God expects MORE of them! And He begins His judgment at those to whom He has given, and therefore expects, the most (Luke 12:47)!
And so the first judgments, and the harshest, must go to those who know the most. And it and will continue to do so until they repent or are utterly destroyed.
Ezekiel 9:1, 5-7 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.... And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. [The CHURCH OF GOD] Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. [The BEST, doctrinally, of the Church]
It begins with the ANCIENT MEN. Those of the churches to whom God has GIVEN THE MOST, are attacked first!
8-10 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel [The CHURCH] in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [The CHURCHES] is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
This is horrible to watch, and it will grow worse. God will not stop, He will not feel pity for them, unless and until they realize that it is His judgment that is doing this, and repent.
Jeremiah 3:12-14 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
It will only be 1 out of thousands that repents, if that many. The rest will hate the person who brings this to them. Which are you?
Read Jeremiah chapters 5-9 and DECIDE if it's Satan attacking the church, or God making one last effort to make a wayward Church holy, before he destroys them utterly for their iniquity. Then pass the truth on, and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Nathaniel Burson, www.TheSimpleAnswers.com
P.S. Even if I'm wrong – where is the harm in doing what I say? In thoroughly examining yourself? But there is great harm, to you, and to your family, in rejecting this if I am right.
Jeremiah 9:12 WHO is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
(Calvin's Bible Translation) Who is a wise man to understand this? And to whom has Jehovah’s mouth spoken, That he may declare why the land is to perish—Is to be laid waste like the desert, So that no man should pass through?