Judgment

Some have asked me why I am writing forty articles in forty days and why am I writing them at this time. It’s an honest question. It’s apparent that they don’t know and would like to know. I’ll give an honest answer.

The honest answer is multi-faceted, but I’ll do my best.

One thing is that Holy Spirit moved within my heart, issuing a mandate that I do so. Another thing that crushes my heart is found in the Book of Hosea.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being  My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will forget your children.”  Hosea 4:6 (NASB95)

My hope is to open avenues of obtaining knowledge that coincides with the gospel of Jesus Christ. With more knowledge comes greater understanding and with greater understanding comes wisdom. With wisdom, faith is increased for faith cannot grow without hearing God’s word in its entirety.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 (NASB95)

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”  Romans 11:17

Recently I read a post by a pastor who referenced Hebrews 10:26-29:

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but the terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.  Anyone who  has set aside the Law of Moses dies without Mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much severer  punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the  blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

This pastor discerned, correctly, that this Book was written to those new Jewish Christians. He advocates that they were still offering sacrifices in the temple for their sins and that the writer was admonishing those new Jewish believers for the practice. Therefore, the preceding Scriptural passage has nothing to do with the modern day believer.

I have a problem with that, personally. What he said about the continuation of offering sacrifices may be true. I, personally, have not found evidence of that. However, if the Book of Hebrews is for the Hebrews (i.e. Jews) only, then why is it in the Biblical cannon for us in the present day? If they were offering sacrifices during the time, then the writer was correct to admonish them. But if the “believer” in present day continues to sin, knowingly and willingly, are they not as guilty as the Hebrews or Jews? I believe so. If one is “saved” how can they so willingly continue to sin and not expect some form of judgment? You can’t live like hell Monday through Saturday and go to church on Sunday and expect God to be okay with that.

“Put the trumpet to your lips! Like an eagle the enemy comes Against the house of the LORD, Because they have  transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.”  Hosea 8:1 (NASB95)

If we, and when I say “we” I mean gentiles and Jews, continue knowingly and willfully sinning after receiving the knowledge of truth, have we truly accepted the LORD Jesus as our Lord and Savior?

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for  those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And if it is with difficulty that the righteous are saved, what will be become of  the Godless man and the sinner?  Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust  their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.  

Judgment will begin in the church! It has already begun! In case you are doubtful, consider the following.  

“But because of  your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of  the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds.”  Romans 2:5-6 (NASB95)

That last verse, “who will render to each person according to his deeds,” is in reference to the Old Testament. It can be found in Isaiah 59:18, Jeremiah 17:10 and 32:19, Ezekiel 18:24, and Hosea 12:2. Now that I think of it, it can be found in other New Testament Books such as Matthew 16:27, 2 Corinthians 11:15, 2 Timothy 4:14. However the most chilling comes in Revelation 20:11-12.

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no  place was found in them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were  opened; and another book was opened, which is the BOOK OF LIFE; and the dead were judged from the things which  were written in the books, according to their deeds.”  Revelation 20:11-12 (NASB95)

That Book of Life is where those who are saved are recorded. It is also where there deeds are recorded. Judgment starts within the church. God will separate the wheat from the tares, the good from the evil.

I didn’t want to write this article. I knew it was coming and I begged Holy Spirit to let it pass this time. But my spirit can not rest in disobedience. I love you all too much to not tell you the truth.

I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. I judge you not. I just here to warn you. Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand.