In 2 Timothy 3:1-9, the Apostle Paul is telling Timothy that at the end of the age, end-times, there would be perilous times and perilous men. Today’s prayer meeting was very sobering as the Lord spoke prophetically to us about this and what we ought to do and how to stand. We see an amplification of demonic attacks and opposition to the Truth – the gospel of Jesus Christ – towards those who are standing for truth, so the church must stand strong in holiness and purity.
The Holy Spirit led us to pray regarding a couple of scriptures that are mentioned below.
The first one is where Jesus is talking to His disciples in Matthew 7:6 where He says; “Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.”
To expound on this, let’s read what Matthew Henry’s Commentary of Matthew 7:6 says;
“2. It is not every one that is fit to be reproved; Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, v. 6. This may be considered, either,
(1.) As a rule to the disciples in preaching the gospel; not that they must not preach it to any one who were wicked and profane (Christ himself preached to publicans and sinners), but the reference is to such as they found obstinate after the gospel was preached to them, such as blasphemed it, and persecuted the preachers of it; let them not spend much time among such, for it would be lost labour, but let them turn to others, Acts 13 41. So Dr. Whitby. Or,
(2.) As a rule to all in giving reproof. Our zeal against sin must be guided by discretion, and we must not go about to give instructions, counsels, and rebukes, much less comforts, to hardened scorners, to whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and enraged at us. Throw a pearl to a swine, and he will resent it, as if you threw a stone at him; reproofs will be called reproaches, as they were (Luke 11 45; Jer 6 10), therefore give not to dogs and swine (unclean creatures) holy things. Note, [1.] Good counsel and reproof are a holy thing, and a pearl: they are ordinances of God, they are precious; as an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is the wise reprover (Prov 25 12), and a wise reproof is like an excellent oil (Ps 141 5); it is a tree of life (Prov 3 18).”
The Dake Annotated Reference Bible says; “Do not force truth upon rebels who reject it, or give holy things to faultfinders, speck hunters, or evil speakers.”
There is a time that the Lord says to just turn them (Christians),over because they choose not to listen to truth. No matter how much you care for and love the Christian, when they refuse to be obedient to the Bible, the commands of Jesus, and continue in sin and disobedience, you need to let them go. They have a free will and God will not force His will on them.
In Matthew 10:11-15, Jesus had sent out the 12 apostles to preach in the surrounding towns and cities, He had given them full authority to cast out unclean spirits, to heal all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. IF the people did not listen to the good news of the gospel, Jesus was firm and said the following which to some may seem harsh and that was to shake the dust off your feet;
“7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, [d]cleanse the lepers, [e]raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
It seems as though the Lord is getting quite fed up with the state of the lukewarmness of the church and He’s saying, enough is enough. The Laodicean church in Revelation is evident of what’s happening in the majority of the global church today.
Revelation 3:14-22 says; “14 “And to the [i]angel of the church [j]of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [k]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be [m]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Jesus desires and requires obedient disciples and children. He tells the man who wanted to follow him in Matthew 8:21-22; “21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury [care for till death] my father. 22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead.”
Jesus fully knows the heart of man, nothing is hidden from His eyes. He asks us to pray for Christians and He also knows when it’s time to turn people over. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 that he handed over two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander; “whom I have delivered to Satan in order that they may be disciplined [by punishment and learn] not to blaspheme.”
Also in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Paul tells the Corinthian church to “...hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.” This man was living in sexual sin and instead of the church being grieved about it, they were proud and arrogant! Paul knew that if they allowed him to continue in fellowship, it would act like leaven (yeast), and would contaminate the whole church. There are situations when you need to turn people over.
After this exhortation, the church was obedient as we read in 2 Corinthians 2:1-9 where Paul asks the church to forgive and comfort and encourage this same man as he had repented of his sins. There is restoration where there is true repentance of sin.
Jesus is sifting and purifying His church. Humble yourself before Him today and repent, turn from your wicked and sinful ways. Acts 2:38 says; “38 And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
To read the prophecy from this Sunday, please click here to read it. It coincides with the prayer meeting.
Pastors Richard and Marjorie - Bondslaves of Jesus Christ
