You Have Been Marked!!!
As I am reading in the book of Ezekiel, the LORD is showing the bond between the physical and the spiritual in judgment. As we are recompensed for our actions, there will be no doubt of those who are of the LORD or Satan.
There will be no bias in judgment. Whether you are a buyer or seller. Rich or poor. Large or small. Every man is to be judged according to his deeds.
Their silver and gold will not save them in the day of wrath.
Let me point this out because as of now, as the economy is crashing, people will advise that we buy these precious metals for their value. But as the LORD is confirming in His Word, these things cannot satisfy the soul nor fill the stomach.
To clarify, how will this help when you are hungry or thirsty and there is no food or water? Even right now it is an idol and a stumbling block to many. Do you believe that God is going to allow your idols to save you?
There is a saying: God Sits High and Sees Low
What is key is that God sees everything. As Ezekiel was sitting among the elders the LORD took him up into a vision. (These are the same elders that would be destroyed by the avenging angels. Who believed that because Ezekiel did not see their idolatry that it was also hidden from God.) But throughout God’s Word, he is showing us that His punishment is justified.
He took Ezekiel into the hiding places of those who were to be condemned. Showing Ezekiel every abomination that was being committed in secret.
Understand that by doing this, God is letting us know that nothing is hidden from Him. It is written, “Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, each man in his [secret] room of carved images? For they say, “The LORD does not see us; the LORD has abandoned the land” (Ezekiel 8: 12, AMP).
Those who Mock His Coming
To remain relevant let’s put this in today’s perspective. “They will say, where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3: 4, NIV).
The magnitude of idol worship compasses any and everything that is worshipped and held above God in our hearts and minds. God was showing Ezekiel that they exalt the sun, carved images, fruits, and vegetables, you name it.
Another distinction that was made is they turned their backs on God. Worshipping the sun, while facing the east. You see God was very precise with the temple and how it was to be constructed. Think about it. Recall that God put His name there. Ordaining and commanding the precise measurements.
For This Purpose, God Regulated Where Worship is to Occur
I’m going to confirm this. This was David’s prayer after the building of the temple was complete. “When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance” (1 Kings 8: 35-36, KJV). God foresaw that they would begin to worship celestial beings.
Now in every area on earth under God’s command, there are angels that carry out His will. “Then [in my vision] I heard Him cry out with a thunderous voice, saying, ‘Approach now, executioners of the city, each with his weapon of destruction in his hand” (Ezekiel 9: 1, AMP).
And out of these, there is one who is called to mark those that belong to God. Those who do not follow the evil that is committed by the masses. So, if this is you, then know that you are distinct.
This is something that I believe in and am going to affirm through God’s Word. People don’t just change. The intents of their hearts are known of God from before they are formed in the womb. It is written, “‘Utterly slay old men, maidens, little children, and women; but do not touch or go near anyone on whom is the mark. Begin at My sanctuary.’ So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple [who did not have the LORD’s mark on their foreheads]” (Ezekiel 9: 6, AMP).
We Don’t Sin Against Man but Against God
Let me make this clear. This is the same as doing the bare minimum in every aspect of your life. As a healthcare professional, I see this every day. People mistakenly believe that because others don’t see them, God won’t see them.
Remember, “Work willingly at whatever you do as if you were working for the LORD rather than people”(Colossians 3: 23, NLT). Because in essence, you are. And just as God has marked His people, the enemy is marking his people.
Keep this in mind as we work to purify our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Because as I have said, the remnant will be small. At least those marked by God. The devil wants you to compromise by being complicit in your complacency. By calling good evil and evil good.
The Revelation
Many are being deceived so that they may fit in with the “world’s standards”. So hear this as Ezekiel watched God’s judgment. “As they were executing them and I alone was left, I fell face downward and cried out, ‘Alas, Lord GOD! Will you destroy all that is left in Israel [the whole remnant] by pouring out your wrath and indignation on Jerusalem'”(Ezekiel 9: 8, KJV).
So admonish those you love with the Spirit of truth. Not by words alone but by your deeds. Walking in love, at all times. And when we do fall, as we will, let us repent and get back up. Knowing that there is no condemnation for those who love Christ Jesus.
Know this also. The Holy Spirit is reminding me of this as I am preparing this blog. Your name can be blotted out of the book of life. So do not be deceived that once you give your life to God, you can just run all willy Nilly up and throughout. Not being accountable for your words and/or actions.
Always coming from a place of love!!!
Originally written on March 16, 2023.
