Reading the Old Testament, you really get to know God. He hasn’t changed. He wants a relationship with us humans. Except, we humans tend to flock to whatever catches our fancy. In other words, we go with what’s popular, what’s comfortable tradition, what makes us feel good — even if it’s a sin in God’s eyes. Sinning has consequences. Unfortunately, many Catholics don’t realize that venerating Mary is idolatry and, thus, a sin. They’ve been taught that sin through the ages by leaders, popes, priests, nuns, elders, and teachers.
In this next chapter, we see what God has in store for the idolatrous leaders, elders and priests. They faced judgment back then and they will all face judgment in the future. Let’s dig in…
Ezekiel 14
Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, 2 this message came to me from the Lord: 3 “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? 4 Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves. 5 I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.’
6 “Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins. 7 I, the Lord, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice. 8 I will turn against such people and make a terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
9 “‘And if a prophet is deceived into giving a message, it is because I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet. I will lift my fist against such prophets and cut them off from the community of Israel. 10 False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins. 11 In this way, the people of Israel will learn not to stray from me, polluting themselves with sin. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’”
The Certainty of the Lord’s Judgment
12 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 13 “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. 14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.
15 “Or suppose I were to send wild animals to invade the country, kill the people, and make the land too desolate and dangerous to pass through. 16 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be made desolate.
17 “Or suppose I were to bring war against the land, and I sent enemy armies to destroy both people and animals. 18 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.
19 “Or suppose I were to pour out my fury by sending an epidemic into the land, and the disease killed people and animals alike. 20 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved by their righteousness.
21 “Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How terrible it will be when all four of these dreadful punishments fall upon Jerusalem—war, famine, wild animals, and disease—destroying all her people and animals. 22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Ezekiel 14 NLT
Venerating Anyone But Jesus is a Sin!
- If you turn from God and worship other things like, dead people (Mary and the saints), the occult, money, self, career, material things, that is a sin and unless you repent, you will go to hell.
- In Ezekiel’s day it was judgment against Jerusalem, in the Latter Days, the Last Days, the Day of the Lord, the End Times, it will the Great White Throne Judgement and by then, it will be too late!
- Back in Genesis 18, Abraham pleaded with God that if there were just 10 righteous people in Sodom, would He destroy it. Here He says that even if Noah, Daniel and Job, were there, He’d still destroy it. He mentions 3 of the most righteous people in Jewish history. (We’ll meet Daniel soon and Job down the line.)
What is an Idol?
The dictionary defines it as “An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.” And, “A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered” — like wealth or a celebrity. Idolatry is the worship of idols, or “extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone.” Idolatry is also a secondary pursuit that gets promoted to the ultimate — above the Triune God: The Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, the Roman Catholic Church has been leading its parishioners astray for centuries. If you continue to attend a Catholic church, you will continue to hear false teachings and be encouraged in idolatry.
The Certainty of the Lord’s Judgment
That’s a great heading!
Paul told us that in the Last Days, Satan will be up to his old tricks of deception…
10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NLT
The lesson learned from the Old Testament is to turn from idolatry and worship the ONE TRUE GOD. Just like He told the Israelites back then, God reiterates the same message to us as we are seeing the signs of the End Times…
Then this message came to me from the Lord: 13 “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. 14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.
Ezekiel 14:12-14 NLT
In today’s world, the Noahs, Daniels and Jobs — the righteous people — are the born-again Christians. We will be spared God’s wrath — so eloquently described in the Book of Revelation — when He zaps us out of here in the Rapture. You really don’t want to be left behind!
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24…
6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come…
10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold…
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Matthew 24:6-8, 10-12, 36-44 NLT
We are feeling the birth pains right now!
Repent and God will take you back! Repent and seek the truth! Repent and be saved!
Jesus didn’t suffer torture and die so we could have religion! He died so He could have a personal Relationship with YOU!
What are you waiting for?!
