WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-4,22

Does Jesus judge based on the Ten Commandments?  Since the very first commandment says, “You shall have no other Gods before me”, or I am to be your first love.  The resurrected, ascended Christ, dealing with the very first church in Revelation 2, the church of Ephesus, has this to say in verse 4, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”  In the very next verse, Jesus says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”  Jesus is still judging based on the Ten Commandments in the book of Revelation.  That is clear, both with the church at Ephesus and the church at Thyatira.  Revelation 2:22 says concerning sexual sin, “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”    Then in verse 23 He says, “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”  The children there were the disciples who were being taught that sexual immorality is OK – you can get away with it; it is not a big deal.  What is happening today when our church leadership refuses to address the issue of homosexuality.  God still judges in the New Testament, according to the standard of the Ten Commandments.  How then is “Christ redeemed us from the curse” to be applied?   The curse was usually death.  Redemption saves life. Without redemption, penalty comes!  The blood of Jesus covers us when we repent.  If there is a refusal to repent, then the blood does not cover.  A person stands in the position of receiving the full judgment.  Any denomination that ordains homosexual bishops has chosen apostasy and deserves the full measure of covenant justice, which is stated in Revelation 2:23.  When Jesus says He will kill their children (disciples) with death in the New Testament – I believe Him!   Will God kill church leadership in days ahead?  You can bank on it, just get ready, hide and watch.  Jesus the Judge is coming first to the church and then to the world.  How shall we represent Him in the days ahead?  That is what this preparation is all about.  Enabling today’s church to represent Jesus, just as Peter did in Acts chapter 5 and just as Paul did in Acts 13, is now necessary!