If Old Testament Israel is a "type" of the New Testament Church (and, it is), it is important for us believers to pay attention to how God dealt with His chosen people.
Ezekiel, chapter 7, offers a sobering picture.
"The word of the Lord came to me saying...the end is upon you, and I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you...then you will know that I am the Lord!...Now I will shortly pour out My wrath on you and spend My anger against you; judge you according to your ways and bring on you all your abominations...I will repay you according to your ways".
I fear God is speaking to His church in North America. A fair question might be; "what have we done to deserve God's wrath?" God is clear...we have taken all the gifts He has given us and used them to elevate and honor ourselves rather than God. We have replaced humble spirits with arrogance. We have worshipped false gods. God says He will put an end to it. He says He will also turn His face from us...bring the worst of the nations, and they will possess our houses. Our churches will be profaned. When anguish comes we will seek peace and there will be none.
In case we're tempted to believe God is being uncharitable, He finishes by saying "by their own standards I will judge them". So, God will be returning to us precisely what we offered Him. Now may be a good time for God's arrogant, self-satisfied people to return to the source of our many blessings. Perhaps we may avert the judgments God visited in Israel.
Pray!
Live boldly out there today...
