February 23: THE COMMAND TO PERSEVERE (part 1)
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1
Jeremiah’s broken heart is behind the brokenness of his book. There is no chronology to the scenes given him by the Holy Spirit. Such a “format”—or lack thereof—keeps the reader “on tiptoes” for a purpose: history has a notable way of repeating itself, which is why the Lord’s Word instructs us to learn from the past (1 Corinthians 10:11). Jeremiah’s prophecies have an undeniable application to the New Testament church.
When the reformers began speaking out against erroneous teachings that had crept into their beloved church, they devoted their attention to making the needed corrections among church leadership. But, like the stiff-necked children of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:16) and the unconverted Jews of the first century A.D. (Mark 14:1; Acts 7:57), a demonic spirit of animosity worked among those in authority who claimed to be representatives of God.
Jeremiah was given visions of earth’s last days. Reformers from within the Roman Church recognized their own church as the spiritual Babylon prophesied in Jeremiah, Daniel and Revelation. Therefore, Jeremiah used the very terminology that would apply to the false church of the last days: We would have healed Babylon, But she is not healed. Forsake her… (Jeremiah 51:9a)
As the Protestant Reformation moved forward, the same spirit of animosity stealthily followed, right through the back door of each denomination that formed. Instead of studying the Scriptures together, each group criticized the others over doctrine. The resulting fractures are staunchly defended by the shepherds of each denomination. All claim to follow the Bible, yet the differences in teachings are marked, exhibiting a stubborn refusal to carefully study and follow the Word. It comes down to making clear distinctions between Biblical doctrines and manmade teachings disguised as divine instructions. Jesus severely rebuked this group (see Revelation 3:1-6)
Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:2
Interestingly, at the time pinpointed by an angel speaking to Daniel (see Daniel 8:14), godly individuals from the various groups got together to study out the doctrinal issues that had met with controversy. While doing so, they stumbled upon a truth that all of the other groups heretofore had missed. Stay tuned, beloved!
When Jesus walked the earth, it was widely believed among the Jews that their Messiah would establish an earthly kingdom through the overthrow of the Roman government and a rise to political power for Jews. Even Jesus’s own disciples had to be disabused of this idea (see Acts 1:6).
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:10