Apostasy takes time

Apostasy takes time. Apostasy takes time. Apostasy takes time. Apostasy takes time.

It takes time for the faith of one generation It takes time for the faith of one generation to be rejected by another generation.to be rejected by another generation.


It takes time for the faith of one generation It takes time for the faith of one generation to be rejected by another generation.to be rejected by another generation.

Satan works through dishonest ways and Satan works through dishonest ways and will deceive you as to his real intent. His will deceive you as to his real intent. His most powerful weapons are found within most powerful weapons are found within the fellowship of God’s people. the fellowship of God’s people.


Someone may have a family history and a Someone may have a family history and a personal history of being a leader among personal history of being a leader among the people of God but in reality is the people of God but in reality is something else. something else. (2 Cor 11:13-15)(2 Cor 11:13-15)


2 Corinthians 11:13-152 Corinthians 11:13-15 - - For such For such are are false false apostlesapostles, , deceitful workersdeceitful workers, , transforming transforming themselves into apostles of Christthemselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no . 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself transforms himself into an angel of lightinto an angel of light. 15 Therefore . 15 Therefore it is it is no no great thing if great thing if his ministers also transform his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousnessthemselves into ministers of righteousness, , whose end will be according to their works.whose end will be according to their works.


Many parents would have had no idea what Many parents would have had no idea what thoughts and attitudes were being thoughts and attitudes were being introduced to their children and relatives in introduced to their children and relatives in the background. the background. (2 Pt 2:1-2)(2 Pt 2:1-2)


2 Peter 2:1-22 Peter 2:1-2 - - But there were also false But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, be false teachers among you, who will who will secretly bring in destructive heresiessecretly bring in destructive heresies, even , even denying the Lord who bought them, denying the Lord who bought them, and and bring bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.


A combination of bitterness and pride are A combination of bitterness and pride are commonly found in dishonest leaders.commonly found in dishonest leaders.


A combination of bitterness and pride are A combination of bitterness and pride are commonly found in dishonest leaders.commonly found in dishonest leaders.

The reaction of one to the God’s word The reaction of one to the God’s word reveals the kind of heart he has. reveals the kind of heart he has. (Ex 7:1-4)(Ex 7:1-4)


Exodus 7:1-4Exodus 7:1-4 - - So the LORD said to So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you Moses: "See, I have made you as as God to God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. 2 "your prophet. 2 "You shall speak all that I You shall speak all that I command youcommand you. And Aaron your brother . And Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. of Israel out of his land.


3 "And 3 "And I will harden Pharaoh's heartI will harden Pharaoh's heart, and , and multiply My signs and My wonders in the multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 "But Pharaoh will not land of Egypt. 4 "But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies Egypt and bring My armies and and My people, My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.Egypt by great judgments.


Men who are self-willed become bitter over Men who are self-willed become bitter over time at sound teachers and those who stand time at sound teachers and those who stand with them. with them.


Their hardness of heart will often be Their hardness of heart will often be revealed revealed by looking to share bitterness with by looking to share bitterness with others others. From Korah to Absalom false . From Korah to Absalom false leaders can motivate others through leaders can motivate others through inflaming passions over the unfairness of inflaming passions over the unfairness of “traditional” brethren. “traditional” brethren. (Num 16:3-7)(Num 16:3-7)


Numbers 16:3-7Numbers 16:3-7 - - They gathered together They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ""You take You take too much upon yourselvestoo much upon yourselves, , for all for all the congregation the congregation is is holyholy, every one of them, , every one of them, and the LORD and the LORD is is among them. among them. Why then do Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORDthe LORD?" 4 So when Moses heard ?" 4 So when Moses heard it, it, he he fell on his face; fell on his face;


5 and he spoke to Korah and all his 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the the LORD will show who LORD will show who is is HisHis and and who is who is holy, and will cause holy, and will cause him him to come near to to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him. cause to come near to Him.


6 "Do this: Take censers, Korah and all 6 "Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company; 7 "put fire in them and put your company; 7 "put fire in them and put incense in them before the LORD incense in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be tomorrow, and it shall be that that the man the man whom the LORD chooses whom the LORD chooses is is the holy one. the holy one. You take You take too much upon yourselves, you too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levisons of Levi!"!"

The Leaders of Israel spoke and looked The Leaders of Israel spoke and looked like spiritual menlike spiritual men


God intervened in a meeting of Ezekiel and God intervened in a meeting of Ezekiel and the elders of Israel. the elders of Israel. (Ezk 8:1)(Ezk 8:1)



Ezekiel 8:1Ezekiel 8:1 - - And it came to pass in the And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth sixth year, in the sixth month, month, on the fifth on the fifth day day of the month, as I sat in my house with of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before methe elders of Judah sitting before me, that , that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there.there.



They looked and dressed like good men. They looked and dressed like good men. Ezekiel is about to see as God does.Ezekiel is about to see as God does.



They looked and dressed like good men. They looked and dressed like good men. Ezekiel is about to see as God does.Ezekiel is about to see as God does.

Jesus knew men for who they really were. Jesus knew men for who they really were. ((Jn 2:23-25)Jn 2:23-25)



John 2:23-25 - Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.



Ezekiel comes into the presence of God. Ezekiel comes into the presence of God. (Ezk 8:2-5)(Ezk 8:2-5)



Ezekiel 8:2-5Ezekiel 8:2-5 - - Then I looked, and there Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire -- was a likeness, like the appearance of fire -- from the appearance of His waist and from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber. like the color of amber.



3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and 3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner to the door of the north gate of the inner court, court, where where the seat of the image of the seat of the image of jealousy jealousy was,was, which which provokes to jealousyprovokes to jealousy. .



4 And behold, 4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel the glory of the God of Israel was was therethere, like the vision that I saw in the , like the vision that I saw in the plain. 5 Then He said to me, "Son of man, plain. 5 Then He said to me, "Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north." So I lift your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, north of the altar gate, was this image of was this image of jealousy in the entrancejealousy in the entrance. .



God wants us to know His nature. Our God God wants us to know His nature. Our God is fire and light! is fire and light! (Ezek 16:38; 23:25)(Ezek 16:38; 23:25)



Ezekiel 16:38Ezekiel 16:38 - - "And I will judge you "And I will judge you as as women who break wedlockwomen who break wedlock or shed blood or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you are judged; I will bring blood upon you in in fury and jealousyfury and jealousy..



Ezekiel 23:25Ezekiel 23:25 - - I will set My jealousy I will set My jealousy against youagainst you, And they shall deal furiously , And they shall deal furiously with you; They shall remove your nose and with you; They shall remove your nose and your ears, And your remnant shall fall by your ears, And your remnant shall fall by the sword; They shall take your sons and the sword; They shall take your sons and your daughters, And your remnant shall be your daughters, And your remnant shall be devoured by fire.devoured by fire.



No sin is in Him or can abide in His No sin is in Him or can abide in His presence. presence. (1 Jn 1:5-6)(1 Jn 1:5-6)



1 John 1:5-61 John 1:5-6 - - This is the message which This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to we have heard from Him and declare to you, that you, that God is light and in Him is no God is light and in Him is no darkness at alldarkness at all. 6 If we say that we have . 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and fellowship with Him, and walk in darknesswalk in darkness, , we lie and do not practice the truthwe lie and do not practice the truth..



God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, he will see these men as God does! he will see these men as God does!



God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, God now allows Ezekiel to bear a burden, he will see these men as God does! he will see these men as God does!

God’s people need honest, mature God’s people need honest, mature shepherds that trust in God!shepherds that trust in God!



A shepherd knows the sheep. A shepherd knows the sheep. (John 10:3-5)(John 10:3-5)



John 10:3-5John 10:3-5 - - "To him the doorkeeper opens, "To him the doorkeeper opens, and and the sheep hear his voicethe sheep hear his voice; and he calls his ; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 "And when he brings out his own sheep, "And when he brings out his own sheep, he he goes before themgoes before them; and the sheep follow him, ; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 "Yet they will by for they know his voice. 5 "Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.“strangers.“



A leader is concerned for the real welfare of A leader is concerned for the real welfare of the sheep. What comes first? the sheep. What comes first? (Jn 10:11-12)(Jn 10:11-12)



John 10:11-12John 10:11-12 - - "I am the good shepherd. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the The good shepherd gives His life for the sheepsheep. 12 ". 12 "But a hirelingBut a hireling, , he who is he who is not the not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and fleesand flees; and the wolf catches the sheep ; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.and scatters them.



A leader will lead by principle and not by A leader will lead by principle and not by convenience. convenience.

The Leaders of Israel had a different agenda The Leaders of Israel had a different agenda than what they professedthan what they professed


Ezekiel was able to see what went on Ezekiel was able to see what went on behind closed doors. behind closed doors. (Ezk 8:6-12)(Ezk 8:6-12)



Ezekiel 8:6-12Ezekiel 8:6-12 - - Furthermore He said to Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations."you will see greater abominations."



7 So He brought me to the door of the 7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, "Son of in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there."abominations which they are doing there."



10 So I went in and saw, and there -- every 10 So I went in and saw, and there -- every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. 11 And there stood all around on the walls. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. incense went up.



12 Then He said to me, "Son of man, have 12 Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen you seen what the elders of the house of what the elders of the house of Israel do in the darkIsrael do in the dark, every man in the room , every man in the room of his idols? For they say, of his idols? For they say, 'The LORD does 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the not see us, the LORD has forsaken the landland.'.'



The vision is almost like a science fiction The vision is almost like a science fiction movie where he is able to go through walls movie where he is able to go through walls and see things that the elders did not others and see things that the elders did not others to see.to see.



They had separated themselves from the They had separated themselves from the people and likely despised them for their people and likely despised them for their

ignorant following of traditions. ignorant following of traditions. They were the enlightened ones!They were the enlightened ones!



These Elders had developed a secret These Elders had developed a secret “fellowship.” “fellowship.”



This room was off limits except to the This room was off limits except to the priests. The Elders used it because the priests. The Elders used it because the people could not see them. people could not see them.



Can you imagine this scene? A room filled Can you imagine this scene? A room filled with idols, the walls covered with idols, and with idols, the walls covered with idols, and secret worship to idols by the leaders of secret worship to idols by the leaders of God’s people?God’s people?



Can you imagine this scene? A room filled Can you imagine this scene? A room filled with idols, the walls covered with idols, and with idols, the walls covered with idols, and secret worship to idols by the leaders of secret worship to idols by the leaders of God’s people?God’s people?

The most incredible statement is made The most incredible statement is made about their thoughts about the nature of about their thoughts about the nature of God! God! They did not develop these views They did not develop these views overnightovernight..



These men had lost the ability to be honest. These men had lost the ability to be honest. They had become dishonest politicians only They had become dishonest politicians only interested in retaining power.interested in retaining power.



These men had lost the ability to be honest. These men had lost the ability to be honest. They had become dishonest politicians only They had become dishonest politicians only interested in retaining power.interested in retaining power.

Can you imagine how much they hated Can you imagine how much they hated Jeremiah for his preaching? Jeremiah for his preaching? (Jer 19:1-4, 14-15)(Jer 19:1-4, 14-15)



Jeremiah 19:1-4Jeremiah 19:1-4 - - Thus says the LORD: Thus says the LORD: "Go and get a potter's earthen flask, and "Go and get a potter's earthen flask, and take take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priestssome of the elders of the priests. 2 "And go . 2 "And go out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which which is is by the entry of the Potsherd Gate; by the entry of the Potsherd Gate; and proclaim there the words that I will tell and proclaim there the words that I will tell you, you,



3 "and say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O 3 "and say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, Israel: "Behold, I will bring such a I will bring such a catastrophe on this placecatastrophe on this place, that whoever , that whoever hears of it, his ears will tingle. hears of it, his ears will tingle.



4 " Because 4 " Because they have forsaken Me and they have forsaken Me and made this an alien placemade this an alien place, because they have , because they have burned incense in it to other gods whom burned incense in it to other gods whom neither they, their fathers, nor the kings of neither they, their fathers, nor the kings of Judah have known, and have filled this Judah have known, and have filled this place with the blood of the innocentsplace with the blood of the innocents



Jeremiah 19:14-15Jeremiah 19:14-15 - - Then Jeremiah came from Then Jeremiah came from Tophet, where the LORD had sent him to Tophet, where the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the Lord's prophesy; and he stood in the court of the Lord's house and said to all the people, 15 "Thus says house and said to all the people, 15 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I I will bring on this city and on all her towns all will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against itthe doom that I have pronounced against it, , because because they have stiffened their necksthey have stiffened their necks that they that they might not hear My words.‘”might not hear My words.‘”



There is no harder audience to teach than There is no harder audience to teach than those who are “raised in the church” but those who are “raised in the church” but have hardened their hearts to really listen. have hardened their hearts to really listen. (Ezk 3:5-11)(Ezk 3:5-11)



Ezekiel 3:5-11Ezekiel 3:5-11 - - "For you "For you are are not sent to a not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, language, but but to the house of Israelto the house of Israel, 6 "not , 6 "not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to youthey would have listened to you. .



7 "But the house of Israel 7 "But the house of Israel will not listen to will not listen to youyou, because , because they will not listen to Methey will not listen to Me; for ; for all the house of Israel all the house of Israel are are impudent and impudent and hard-hearted. 8 "Behold, hard-hearted. 8 "Behold, I have made your I have made your face strong against their facesface strong against their faces, and , and your your forehead strong against their foreheadsforehead strong against their foreheads. .



9 "Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I 9 "Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; have made your forehead; do not be afraid do not be afraid of themof them, , nor be dismayed at their looksnor be dismayed at their looks, , though they though they are are a rebellious house." 10 a rebellious house." 10 Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I receive into your heart all My words that I speak to youspeak to you, and hear with your ears. , and hear with your ears.



11 "And go, get to the captives, to the 11 "And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and children of your people, and speak to them speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GODand tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' ,' whether they hearwhether they hear, or , or whether they refusewhether they refuse.”.”



They tried to silence Jeremiah by They tried to silence Jeremiah by intimidation and finally physical torture. intimidation and finally physical torture. (Jer 38:4-6)(Jer 38:4-6)



Jeremiah 38:4-6Jeremiah 38:4-6 - - Therefore the princes Therefore the princes said to the king, "Please, said to the king, "Please, let this man be put let this man be put to deathto death, for thus , for thus he weakens the hands of he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this citythe men of war who remain in this city, and , and the hands of all the people, by speaking the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For such words to them. For this man does not this man does not seek the welfare of this peopleseek the welfare of this people, but their , but their harm." harm."



5 Then Zedekiah the king said, "Look, he 5 Then Zedekiah the king said, "Look, he is is in in your hand. For the king can your hand. For the king can do do nothing nothing against you." 6 So they took Jeremiah and against you." 6 So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king's son, which king's son, which was was in the court of the in the court of the prison, and prison, and they let Jeremiah down with they let Jeremiah down with ropesropes. And in the dungeon . And in the dungeon there was there was no no water, but mire. So water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mireJeremiah sank in the mire..

The hypocrisy of these Elders caused many The hypocrisy of these Elders caused many to openly practice what they did in secretto openly practice what they did in secret


Hypocrites think that their actions only Hypocrites think that their actions only affect them. affect them.




Ask anyone who has had a relationship with Ask anyone who has had a relationship with one like this can bear witness.one like this can bear witness.




Ask anyone who has had a relationship with Ask anyone who has had a relationship with one like this can bear witness.one like this can bear witness.

Satan knows there will be fruit that will Satan knows there will be fruit that will abound in others. abound in others. (Rom 2:17-24)(Rom 2:17-24)



Romans 2:17-24Romans 2:17-24 - - Indeed you are called a Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know boast in God, 18 and know His His will, and will, and approve the things that are excellent, being approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, darkness,



20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, teach another, do you not teach yourselfdo you not teach yourself? ? You who preach that a man should not steal, You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?



23 You who make your boast in the law, do 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "law? 24 For "the name of God is the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of blasphemed among the Gentiles because of youyou," as it is written.," as it is written.



Consider the deep commitment that many Consider the deep commitment that many under these Elders had made to Satan. They under these Elders had made to Satan. They did not know God! did not know God! (Ezk 8:12)(Ezk 8:12)



Ezekiel 8:12Ezekiel 8:12 - - Then He said to me, "Son of Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, the room of his idols? For they say, 'The 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the landforsaken the land.' .'



Jesus knew that this kind of “religion” can Jesus knew that this kind of “religion” can be taught and shared. be taught and shared.



Imagine the stern warning of Jesus himself. Imagine the stern warning of Jesus himself. (Lk 12:1-3)(Lk 12:1-3)



Luke 12:1-3Luke 12:1-3 - In the meantime, when an - In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples another, He began to say to His disciples first first of all, of all, ""Beware of the leaven of the Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisyPharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 "For there . 2 "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. nor hidden that will not be known.



3 "Therefore whatever 3 "Therefore whatever you have spoken in you have spoken in the darkthe dark will be heard in the lightwill be heard in the light, and what , and what you have you have spoken in the ear in inner roomsspoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetopswill be proclaimed on the housetops..



The temptation to become a hypocrite is The temptation to become a hypocrite is great. great. It is not hard to be oneIt is not hard to be one. .



The temptation to become a hypocrite is The temptation to become a hypocrite is great. great. It is not hard to be oneIt is not hard to be one. .

The Pharisee’s were very successful in The Pharisee’s were very successful in duplicating their character. duplicating their character. (Mt 23:15, 27-28)(Mt 23:15, 27-28)



Matthew 23:15Matthew 23:15 - - "Woe to you, scribes and "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, Pharisees, hypocriteshypocrites! For you travel land ! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, is won, you make him twice as much a son you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselvesof hell as yourselves..



Matthew 23:27-28Matthew 23:27-28 - - "Woe to you, scribes "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, and Pharisees, hypocriteshypocrites! For you are like ! For you are like whitewashed tombs which whitewashed tombs which indeed appear indeed appear beautiful outwardlybeautiful outwardly, but , but inside are full of inside are full of dead dead men's men's bones and all uncleannessbones and all uncleanness. 28 . 28 "Even so you also "Even so you also outwardly appear outwardly appear righteous to menrighteous to men, but , but inside you are full of inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessnesshypocrisy and lawlessness..



How did all of the Elders fall in line to How did all of the Elders fall in line to these things?these things?



Likely there were some who knew the truth Likely there were some who knew the truth but were too weak and cowardly to stand up but were too weak and cowardly to stand up to the “non-traditional” paths advocated by to the “non-traditional” paths advocated by some.some.



Likely there were some who knew the truth Likely there were some who knew the truth but were too weak and cowardly to stand up but were too weak and cowardly to stand up to the “non-traditional” paths advocated by to the “non-traditional” paths advocated by some.some.

They may have made some “courageous” They may have made some “courageous” stands like Pilate and openly stated the stands like Pilate and openly stated the truth. Words alone do not constitute a truth. Words alone do not constitute a stand! stand! (Mt 27:23-25)(Mt 27:23-25)



Matthew 27:23-25Matthew 27:23-25 - - Then the governor said, Then the governor said, ""Why, what evil has He doneWhy, what evil has He done?" But they cried ?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather not prevail at all, but rather that that a tumult was a tumult was rising, he took water and washed rising, he took water and washed his his hands hands before the multitude, saying, "before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see of the blood of this just Person. You see to itto it."."



25 And all the people answered and said, 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood "His blood be be on us and on our children.”on us and on our children.”



The people had given into an emotion based The people had given into an emotion based worship of idols. worship of idols. (Ezk 8:13-16)(Ezk 8:13-16)



Ezekiel 8:13-16Ezekiel 8:13-16 - - And He said to me, "Turn And He said to me, "Turn again, again, and and you will see greater you will see greater abominations that they are doing." 14 So abominations that they are doing." 14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for women were sitting there weeping for TammuzTammuz. .



15 Then He said to me, "Have you seen 15 Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, this, O son O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these." 16 So He brought me abominations than these." 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, porch and the altar, were were about twenty-five men about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.worshiping the sun toward the east.



After experiencing the deeply personal and After experiencing the deeply personal and emotional “weeping for Tammuz” can emotional “weeping for Tammuz” can you imagine how offensive the name-you imagine how offensive the name-calling preaching of Jeremiah was to them?calling preaching of Jeremiah was to them?



After experiencing the deeply personal and After experiencing the deeply personal and emotional “weeping for Tammuz” can emotional “weeping for Tammuz” can you imagine how offensive the name-you imagine how offensive the name-calling preaching of Jeremiah was to them?calling preaching of Jeremiah was to them?

They likened this new worship as “trivial” They likened this new worship as “trivial” changes in their “more mature” changes in their “more mature” understanding of the “freedoms” that they understanding of the “freedoms” that they claimed God gave them. claimed God gave them. (Ezk 8:16-17)(Ezk 8:16-17)



Ezekiel 8:16-17Ezekiel 8:16-17 - - So He brought me into So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, LORD, between the porch and the altar, were were about twenty-five men with their about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and their faces toward the east, and they were they were worshiping the sun toward the eastworshiping the sun toward the east. .



17 And He said to me, "Have you seen 17 And He said to me, "Have you seen this, this, O son of man? O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judahhouse of Judah to commit the abominations to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.they put the branch to their nose.



The common man might say, “the Priest The common man might say, “the Priest and the Elders who have studied the and the Elders who have studied the scriptures more than I have must know what scriptures more than I have must know what they are doing! After all, these things are they are doing! After all, these things are done in the temple of God.”done in the temple of God.”

What message could reach such a people?What message could reach such a people?What message could reach such a people?What message could reach such a people?

God had Jeremiah preach the perfect God had Jeremiah preach the perfect message for this people. message for this people. (Jer 6:16-19)(Jer 6:16-19)


Jeremiah 6:16-19Jeremiah 6:16-19 - - Thus says the LORD: Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the ask for the old pathsold paths, where the good way , where the good way is, is, And walk And walk in it; Then in it; Then you will find rest for your soulsyou will find rest for your souls. . But they said, But they said, 'We will not walk 'We will not walk in itin it.'.' 17 17 Also, I set watchmen over you, Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, they said, 'We will not listen'We will not listen.' .'


18 Therefore hear, you nations, And know, 18 Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what O congregation, what is is among them. 19 among them. 19 Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people -- The fruit of their calamity on this people -- The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words, Nor My law, but rejected it.words, Nor My law, but rejected it.


The people rejected this “legalistic The people rejected this “legalistic message” for their own thoughts. God then message” for their own thoughts. God then gave them “the fruit of their thoughts.”gave them “the fruit of their thoughts.”


Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider:


Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider: 1. How can you know if a leader(s) is 1. How can you know if a leader(s) is

corrupt?corrupt?


Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider: 1. How can you know if a leader(s) is 1. How can you know if a leader(s) is

corrupt?corrupt? 2. Why is it difficult for the people of God 2. Why is it difficult for the people of God

to rise above its leadership? to rise above its leadership? (Jer 5:31)(Jer 5:31)


Jeremiah 5:31Jeremiah 5:31 - The prophets prophesy - The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their falsely, And the priests rule by their own own power; And My people love power; And My people love to have it to have it so. so. But what will you do in the end?But what will you do in the end?


3. Why does the kind of preaching that God 3. Why does the kind of preaching that God demands become unpopular? demands become unpopular?



4. What makes the worship of God distinct 4. What makes the worship of God distinct from false worship?from false worship?



4. What makes the worship of God distinct 4. What makes the worship of God distinct from false worship?from false worship?

5. Why would it have been difficult for the 5. Why would it have been difficult for the common man to see the problems in Israel?common man to see the problems in Israel?

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Apostasy takes time