INTERESTING FACTS : Richard Stockton, JUDGE; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

"As my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument, and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God; the universal defection and depravity of human nature; the Divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior; the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with an habitual virtuous life; and the universality of the Divine Providence: but also, in the bowels of a father's affection, to exhort and charge [my children] that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state, [and] that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially - even in this life."

DAILY READING : EZEKIEL 9 - 12

TEXT : Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

THEME : Sin

It may surprise you to learn the Church is corrupt. Moreover, similar to the history of the Jews in the Bible, the Church has always had true believers and false. The Church of Jesus Christ has had both wheat and tares in it from the time of Christ's departure. This is what Christ taught and warned you of - beware of those who come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Sin - in the form of the lust for prestige and power, the love of money, unjust and unrighteous leaders, as well as adultery, slander, evil speaking etc. ad infinitum, has been in the Church for two thousand years. The only difference is the degree of godliness or ungodliness in any period of Church history. Other than that, false teachers and true, dedicated believers and careless hypocrites, righteous elders and unrighteous have always dwelt together. Further, they will continue to dwell together until Christ separates them at His return.

Notice the LORD, in preparation for judgment on the Jews, says - "and begin at my sanctuary." Again, this may seem strange. Yet, it is consistent with the nature of God that He would judge those who profess they are leaders in His Church. After all, they claim not only to follow the LORD, but also to be teachers of His Word. Therefore, it is natural for the LORD to begin His judgment with those who claim they are leading others in "the way." Further, the "ancient" are the first to be judged.

Keep in mind the LORD is not judging righteous men, but unrighteous. The vision shown to Ezekiel of what the elders of Israel were doing in secret was graphic and repulsive. Gross immorality and idolatry was found in the sanctuary of the LORD, in His Temple - the place of His presence. The highest authorities in Judah had forsaken the LORD and His commands. The people followed in like fashion. However, we must remember the people "loved it so," as you read in Jeremiah. Nevertheless, God's judgment begins with those who should know better, and claim they do.

The New Testament accentuates the principle of God judging sin first in His own Church. The Apostle Peter writes-

1Pe_4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Thus, we see a law of God - He will judge His own people first, starting with the leaders, then the people themselves before He judges those who do not believe in Him.

The Apostle Paul [presumably the writer of the Book of Hebrews] states -

Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS PURE AND HOLY"

Still, there is hope for the righteous as we read in Ezekiel 9:4-5. God commands a "mark" to be placed on those who cry for righteousness, for He will spare them. Even more, the LORD promises His help and presence for those who turn to Him though they are in captivity.

Eze_11:16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

You will see a corollary to this "mark" described as a "seal" in the Book of Revelation -

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. Rev 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Truly, there is great reward in believing in the LORD! Even during times of severe judgment, He will not forsake the righteous, and none that call on Him shall be ashamed!

The true Church, a multitude of believers mixed together with non-believers who associate themselves with the Church of the Living God, will always be pure and holy. In other words, the true Church will be always as righteous and godly as the false Church is unclean and unrighteous. Thankfully, the LORD knows the difference and will judge accordingly, though both dwell together - for now.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

As the Scripture states, labor to purge yourself from vessels of dishonor within the Church. Endeavor to be someone the LORD can use for His glory, rather than a useless instrument that needs to be discarded. Depart from immorality, injustice, and ungodliness. Be patient with the evil within the Church and fret not. Soon, the Master will return and separate the sheep from the goats.

Until then, fight the good fight of faith.