The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah faced a generation that is very similar to the one we face today. Corporate and political leaders had given themselves over to corruption and deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another. The fundamental values that founded and supported the nation were being dismantled. And the spiritual leaders seemed to be powerless to do anything about it.
Jehovah God told Jeremiah to give this message to the people of Israel:
"At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart." (Jeremiah 18:7-12 KJV)
If we are honest, we will admit that the Church--in its present condition--is not ready for Christ's return. That is why that Christ is again walking in the midst of His people preparing His Bride for His coming. By His Spirit, He is stirring us out of our complacency. He is revealing and reproving sin, calling us to repentance, bringing us to a new, stronger position of dedication and commitment, and releasing a fresh anointing of His Spirit upon us. As Jesus walks in our midst, He knows our individual and corporate strengths and weaknesses. His message today to us is the same as it was to the seven churches in Asia...“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches...” (Revelation 2:7).
"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God". (Revelation 2:1-7) The church at Ephesus was over forty years old when Christ directed John to write this message to them. A new generation of believers had arisen who did not have the same fervency of love and devotion as those who first received the Gospel when the church was established. Believers in this church performed many good works, persevered, patiently endured hardship, and exhibited discernment in identifying false teachers (Revelation 2:2). But Jesus--the One with eyes as a flame of fire--sees beyond the outward appearance to discern the true condition of this church. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows the spiritual climate of every church and each individual within that church. Within the Church today, we see the outward appearance of a strong, healthy, productive Body. Some of the largest congregations of professing believers exist in the world today and great cathedrals, organizations, and denominations are being raised up. But our Lord is looking beyond these things, revealing our true condition, and calling us to repentance. Many of us have left our first love. We have replaced our love for God with our work for God. Read More... |