January 26: TREACHEROUS PRETENSE
“…that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” Revelation 19:18
The Bible indicates that people of every social and economic standing will stubbornly resist His invitation to join the marriage supper of the Lamb, hence the above listing of various buffet items for the scavenger birds. Yet Scripture also contains numerous broad lists of the saved (e.g. Psalm 107:3). There will be redeemed people lifted out of every culture and situation, for they have allowed patience [to] have its perfect work, that [they] may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). The bride of Christ is to be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).
After Israel split, Jeremiah pleaded with God’s people to turn wholeheartedly to Him. The ten tribes of Israel had fallen into ruin, and yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense (Jeremiah 3:10). Divided Judaism and Christianity have a strong parallel in their histories: The fallen northern kingdom of Israel parallels the fallen Roman church out of which the Reformers fled. And fallen Protestantism parallels the southern kingdom, her treacherous sister Judah. Jeremiah was given visions of the day toward which we are speeding; the day of Christ’s return:
The LORD will roar from on high . . . against all the inhabitants of the earth . . . for the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh . . . And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become as refuse on the ground. Jeremiah 25:30,31,33 (see also 4:23-26)
The world as we know it is careening to its prophesied end. Jeremiah’s phrase, all the inhabitants of the earth, is notably similar to those who dwell on the earth, John the Revelator’s designation for the lost. In contrast, the saved have love for the truth of Scripture (2 Thessalonians 2:10) and are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), which is where their treasure is located (Matthew 6:20).
Is there a treacherous pretense behind the current ecumenical movement? It is certainly bringing about a new “unity,” but beware of its deceptive proposed solution to the problems of the world. This proposed solution will go directly against the commandments of God. [The beast] shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law… (Daniel 7:25)
The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left. Isaiah 24:4-6
For further study: Deuteronomy 11:22-28; 27:14 - 28:2; Matthew 23:38; 2 Peter 3:10