Biblical Confrontations
1) Yahweh confronted Adam and Eve for their disobedience or sin.
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God
knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you
will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So, when the woman saw that
the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She
also gave it to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both
of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed
fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the
sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and
Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God
among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and
said to him, “Where are you?” So, he said, “I heard Your voice in the
garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He
said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree
of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said,
“The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I
ate.” And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So, the LORD God
said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more
than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; On your belly
you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I
will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and
her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” To
the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your
conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall
be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said,
“Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from
the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
“Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all
the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles shall bring forth for
you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your
face, you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it
you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Genesis 3:4-19
Note: Sin originated with Adam, but the promise of a Messiah was given.
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men,
resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the
free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as
by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s
obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19
2) Moses confronted Pharaoh by turning the Nile River into blood.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch
out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their
rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they
may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of
Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’” And Moses and
Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So, he lifted the rod and
struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and
in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river
turned into blood. The fish that were in the river died, the river
stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So,
there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. Exodus 7:19-21
Note: The Egyptian god of the Nile Hapi was exposed as false and Pharaoh did not repent.
3) Moses confronted Pharaoh by releasing frogs throughout Egypt.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand
with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds,
and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’” So, Aaron stretched
out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and
covered the land of Egypt. Exodus 8:5-6
Note: The Egyptian god of fertility Heqet depicted with a frog’s head was exposed as false and Pharaoh did not repent.
4) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing lice throughout Egypt.
So, the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and
strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all
the land of Egypt.’” And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand
with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on
man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the
land of Egypt. Now the magicians worked with their enchantments to
bring forth lice, but they could not. So, there were lice on man and
beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.”
Exodus 8:16-19
Note: Egyptian experts admitted that Yahweh is God, but Pharaoh did not repent.
5) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing flies upon the Egyptians.
And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before
Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the
LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Or else, if you will
not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and
your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the
Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and the ground on which
they stand. And in that day, I will set apart the land of Goshen, in
which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order
that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land. I will
make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign
shall be.”’” And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the
house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of
Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies. Exodus
8:20-24
Note: The Egyptian god Khepri of
creation and insects along with the Egyptian fly god Uatchit were
exposed as false gods and Pharaoh did not repent.
6) Moses confronted Pharaoh by plaguing Egyptian livestock.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says
the LORD God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them, behold, the hand
of the LORD will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the
donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep very severe
pestilence. And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock
of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So, nothing shall die of all that
belongs to the children of Israel.”’” Then the LORD appointed a set
time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.” So,
the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt
died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died.
Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the
Israelites was dead. Exodus 9:1-7
Note: Egyptian bull god Apis and cow god Hathor were exposed as false gods and Pharaoh did not repent.
7) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing boils upon the Egyptians.
So, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of
ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in
the sight of Pharaoh. And it will become fine dust in all the land of
Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast
throughout all the land of Egypt.” Then they took ashes from the
furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward
heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast.
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils,
for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. Exodus
9:8-11
Note: Egyptian priests could not perform rituals due to boils and Pharaoh did not repent.
8) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing hail upon the Egyptians.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that
there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on
every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” And Moses
stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and
hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the
land of Egypt. So, there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so
very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since
it became a nation. And the hail struck throughout the whole land of
Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail
struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. Only
in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no
hail. And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to
them, “I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people
and I are wicked.” Exodus 9:22-27
Note: Pharaoh admitted he was a sinner and Yahweh is righteous but did not repent.
9) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing locusts on the Egyptians.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of
Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and
eat every herb of the land—all that the hail has left.” So, Moses
stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an
east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was
morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up
over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt.
They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as
they, nor shall there be such after them. For they covered the face of
the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb
of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So
there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field
throughout all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and
Aaron in haste, and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and
against you. Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and
entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death
only.” Exodus 10:12-17
Note: Pharaoh admitted he was a sinner and asked for forgiveness but did not repent.
10) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing darkness to Egypt.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that
there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even
be felt.” So, Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was
thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see
one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all
the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. Exodus 10:21-23
Note: Ra the sun god and supreme deity was exposed as a false god and Pharaoh did not repent.
11) Moses confronted Pharaoh by bringing death to all Egyptian firstborn.
And the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh
and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you
go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. Speak now in the
hearing of the people and let every man ask from his neighbor and every
woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” And
the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover,
the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of
Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. Then Moses said,
“Thus says the LORD: About midnight I will go out into the midst of
Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the
firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of
the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of
the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of
Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again.
Exodus 11:1-6
For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike
all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against
all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Exodus
12:12
Note: Pharaoh’s heir who was viewed as a living god died.
12) Moses confronted Israel for their calf idol god.
Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the
mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him,
“Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the
man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has
become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings
which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and
bring them to me.” So, all the people broke off the golden earrings
which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the
gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and
made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that
brought you out of the land of Egypt!” So, when Aaron saw it, he built
an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow
is a feast to the LORD.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered
burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down
to eat and drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said to Moses, “Go,
get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the
way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf,
and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O
Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’” Exodus 32:1-8
Note: So, the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made. Exodus 32:35
13) Moses confronted Israel for their worship of Baal.
Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit
harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the
sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their
gods. So, Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD
was aroused against Israel. Numbers 25:1-3
Note: So, Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.” Numbers 25:5
14) Samuel confronted Saul for his disobedience.
And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the
people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the
days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,
then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I
have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore, I felt compelled,
and offered a burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done
foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God,
which He commanded you. For now, the LORD would have established your
kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.
The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD
has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not
kept what the LORD commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:11-14
Note: Saul did not repent and the kingdom was given to David.
15) Nathan confronted David for his adultery and murder.
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said to him:
“There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich
man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had
nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished;
and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate his own
food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a
daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to
take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the
wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and
prepared it for the man who had come to him.” So, David’s anger was
greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD
lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore
fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no
pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD
God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you
from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s
wives into your keeping and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And
if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why
have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight?
You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his
wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the people
of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house,
because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the
Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will raise up
adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives
before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with
your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I
will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’” So, David said
to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” 2 Samuel 12:1-13
Note: David repented but suffered the consequences of his sin.
16) Yahweh confronted Solomon over his worship of false gods.
But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of
Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and
Hittites— from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of
Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely,
they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to
these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three
hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so,
when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods;
and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of
his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the
Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon
did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD,
as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh
the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for
Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for
all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
So, the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned
from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had
commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other
gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded. Therefore, the
LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My
covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely
tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your
father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I
will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son
for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I
have chosen.” 1 Kings 11:1-13
Note: The glory of Solomon’s kingdom was destroyed.
17) Elijah confronted Ahab for his false gods.
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri
became king over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel
in Samaria twenty-two years. Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the
sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And it came to
pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins
of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter
of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and
worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal,
which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did
more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of
Israel who were before him. In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho.
He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest
son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD, which
He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun. 1 Kings 16:29-34
And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab,
“As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not
be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1
Note: Ahab did not repent and Israel did not have rain for three years.
18) Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal.
So, Ahab sent for all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets
together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said,
“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God,
follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a
word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the
LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Therefore let
them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves,
cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and
I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire
under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on
the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So,
all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” Now Elijah said
to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it
first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no
fire under it.” So, they took the bull which was given them, and they
prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till
noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one
answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. And so
it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he
is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a
journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So, they
cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and
lances, until the blood gushed out on them. And when midday was past,
they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening
sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid
attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So,
all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD
that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the
number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD
had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” Then with the stones he
built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the
altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in
order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill
four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on
the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a
second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third
time. So, the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the
trench with water. And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of
the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said,
“LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that
You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all
these things at Your word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people
may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their
hearts back to You again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed
the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it
licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw
it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The
LORD, He is God!” And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal!
Do not let one of them escape!” So, they seized them; and Elijah
brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. 1 Kings
18:20-40
Note: The people of Israel repented and killed the prophets of Baal.
19) Elijah confronted Ahab for his murder and theft.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise,
go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is,
in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of
it. You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Have you
murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him,
saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked the blood
of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.”’” So, Ahab said to
Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” And he answered, “I have found
you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the
LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your
posterity and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond
and free. I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of
Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the
provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and made Israel
sin.’ And concerning Jezebel the LORD also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs
shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ The dogs shall eat whoever
belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall
eat whoever dies in the field.” But there was no one like Ahab who sold
himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his
wife stirred him up. And he behaved very abominably in following idols,
according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had cast out
before the children of Israel. So it was, when Ahab heard those words,
that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and
lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. And the word of the LORD
came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “See how Ahab has humbled himself
before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring
the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the
calamity on his house.” 1 Kings 21:17-29
Note: Ahab repented and did not see the destruction of his lineage.
20) Micaiah confronted Ahab for listening to false prophets.
Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep
that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let
each return to his house in peace.’” And the king of Israel said to
Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning
me, but evil?” Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD:
I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven
standing by, on His right hand and on His left. And the LORD said, ‘Who
will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So,
one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a
spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will
persuade him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘In what way?’ So, he said, ‘I
will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’
And the LORD said, “You shall persuade him and also prevail. Go out and
do so. Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of
all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against
you.” 1 Kings 22:17-23
Note: Ahab ignored the word of Yahweh and died.
21) Jonah confronted the Assyrian Empire for its violence.
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise,
go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I
tell you.” So, Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word
of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day
journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s
walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be
overthrown!” So, the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast,
and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word
came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid
aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he
caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the
decree of the king and his nobles, saying, “Let neither man nor beast,
herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to
God; yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence
that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and
turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?” Then God
saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented
from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did
not do it. Jonah 3
Note: The Assyrians repented and were spared at this time.
22) Isaiah confronted Hezekiah for his Babylon alliance.
At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent
letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been
sick. And Hezekiah was attentive to them and showed them all the house
of his treasures, the silver and gold, the spices and precious
ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures.
There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did
not show them. Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said
to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?”
So, Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.” And he
said, “What have they seen in your house?” So, Hezekiah answered, “They
have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures
that I have not shown them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the
word of the LORD: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your
house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be
carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. ‘And they
shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you
will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of
Babylon.’” 2 Kings 20:12-18
Note: Babylon eventually destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
23) Jeremiah confronted the temple high priest for Baal worship.
Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in
the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks that
were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
And it happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of
the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, “The LORD has not called your
name Pashhur, but Magor-Missabib. For thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I
will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they
shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it. I
will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall
carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword. Moreover, I
will deliver all the wealth of this city, all its produce, and all its
precious things; all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give
into the hand of their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and
carry them to Babylon. And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your
house, shall go into captivity. You shall go to Babylon, and there you
shall die, and be buried there, you and all your friends, to whom you
have prophesied lies.’” Jeremiah 20:1-6
Note: False religious leaders of Judah died in Babylon.
24) Jeremiah confronted the king of Judah for unrighteousness.
Thus says the LORD: “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and
there speak this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of
Judah, you who sit on the throne of David, you and your servants and
your people who enter these gates! Thus says the LORD: “Execute
judgment and righteousness and deliver the plundered out of the hand of
the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the
fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. For if
you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house,
riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people,
kings who sit on the throne of David. But if you will not hear these
words, I swear by Myself,” says the LORD, “that this house shall become
a desolation.”’” For thus says the LORD to the house of the king of
Judah: “You are Gilead to Me, the head of Lebanon; Yet I surely will
make you a wilderness, cities which are not inhabited. I will prepare
destroyers against you, everyone with his weapons; They shall cut down
your choice cedars and cast them into the fire. And many nations will
pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, why has the
LORD done so to this great city?’ Then they will answer, because they
have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other
gods and served them.’” Jeremiah 22:1-9
Note: Worship of false gods leads to evil practices.
25) Daniel confronted Nebuchadnezzar for his pride.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time,
and his thoughts troubled him. So, the king spoke, and said,
“Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those
who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! “The tree
that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the
heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, whose leaves were
lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which
the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the
heaven had their home— it is you, O king, who have grown and become
strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and
your dominion to the end of the earth. “And inasmuch as the king saw a
watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the
tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound
with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it
be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the
field, till seven times pass over him’; this is the interpretation, O
king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my
lord the king: They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be
with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like
oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall
pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of
men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. “And inasmuch as they gave
the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom
shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your
sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” Daniel
4:19-27
Note: Nebuchadnezzar became mentally deranged for seven years.
26) Daniel confronted Belshazzar for his arrogance.
Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for
yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing
to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O king, the Most
High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory
and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples,
nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he
wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he
wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his
heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was
deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then
he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts,
and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass
like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew
that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over
it whomever He chooses. “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled
your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up
against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house
before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines,
have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and
gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or
know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your
ways, you have not glorified. Then the fingers of the hand were sent
from Him, and this writing was written. “And this is the inscription
that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the
interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom and
finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found
wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes
and Persians.” Daniel 5:17-28
Note: God is not mocked and can quickly bring down nations.
27) John the Baptist confronted the false religious leaders.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his
baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from
the wrath to come? Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do
not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I
say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these
stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees.
Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance,
but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am
not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His
threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn
up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:7-12
Note: Most religious leaders did not repent.
28) Jesus Christ confronted the false religious leaders.
Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were
Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every
town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was
present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was
paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when
they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd,
they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the
tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to
him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the
Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their
thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your
hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to
say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has
power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed,
“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on,
and departed to his own house, glorifying God. Luke 5:17-25
Note: Most religious leaders did not repent.
29) Jesus Christ confronted temple merchandizing.
So, they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began
to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the
tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And
He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He
taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, My house shall be called a
house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of
thieves.’” And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how
they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people
were astonished at His teaching. Mark 11:15-18
Note: Most religious leaders did not repent.
30) Jesus Christ confronted the false religious leaders.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do
you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a
pretense make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive greater
condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make
him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind
guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but
whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’
Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that
sanctifies the gold? And ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform
it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that
sanctifies the gift? Therefore, he who swears by the altar, swears by
it and by all things on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it
and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the
throne of God and by Him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin
and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy
and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others
undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of
the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and
self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup
and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs
which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead
men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear
righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the
tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and
say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have
been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore, you
are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who
murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’
guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation
of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes:
some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will
scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you
may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of
righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you
murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all
these things will come upon this generation. Matthew 23:13-36
Note: Most religious leaders did not repent.
31) Paul confronted the Corinth church over divisions.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my
brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions
among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I
am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ
divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name
of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and
Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes,
I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know
whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize,
but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ should be made of no effect. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Note: Don’t be enamored by Christian leaders.
32) Paul confronted the Corinth church over the resurrection.
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do
some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if
there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if
Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also
empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have
testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if
in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ
is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are
still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ
have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of
all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead and
has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since
by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each
one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are
Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the
kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all
authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies
under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He
has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are
put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is
excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son
Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that
God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized
for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they
baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I
affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I
die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at
Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us
eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company
corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some
do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. But
someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do
they come?” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere
grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He
pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same
flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals,
another of fish, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies
and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the
glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun,
another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star
differs from another star in glory. So also, is the resurrection of the
dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It
is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it
is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual
body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so,
it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last
Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first,
but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the
earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the
man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the
heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne
the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this
corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O
Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:12-57
Note: The resurrection is our victory over death through Jesus Christ.
33) Paul confronted the churches of Galatia over works salvation.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you
as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so
foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by
the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in
vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles
among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.” Therefore, know that only those who are of faith are
sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,
saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So, then those who
are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of
the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is
everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the
book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law
in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet
the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by
them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become
a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a
tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in
Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith. Galatians 3:1-14
Note: Sincere faith in Jesus Christ is not achieved by works.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
34) Jesus Christ confronted the church at Ephesus.
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who
holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the
seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience,
and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those
who say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars; and
you have persevered and have patience and have labored for My name’s
sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you,
that you have left your first love. 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. But
this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also
hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’” Revelation 2:1-7
Note: All churches must remember to love Jesus Christ.
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 6:24
35) Jesus Christ confronted the church at Pergamos.
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says
He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you
dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name and did
not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful
martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few
things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine
of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit
sexual immorality. Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of
the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you
quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will
give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no
one knows except him who receives it.”’” Revelation 2:12-17
Note: Churches must not advocate idolatry and sexual immorality.
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body,
but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do
you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in
you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were
bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your
spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
36) Jesus Christ confronted the church at Thyatira.
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says
the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like
fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your
patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that
woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My
servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to
idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she
did not repent. Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who
commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of
their deeds. 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. “Now to you I say, and
to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have
not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other
burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes,
and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the
nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed
to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My
Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’” Revelation 2:18-29
Note: Churches must not advocate idolatry and sexual immorality.
Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which
is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon
the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you
lived in them. Colossians 3:5-7
37) Jesus Christ confronted the church at Sardis.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things say He
who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your
works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be
watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember
therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore, if you do not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and
you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names
even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk
with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be
clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the
Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before
His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’” Revelation 3:1-6
Note: Churches should be mindful of the return of Jesus Christ.
But concerning the times and the seasons, Brethren, you have no need
that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the
day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. For when they say,
“Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor
pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you,
brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as
a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
38) Jesus Christ confronted the church at Laodicea.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things
say the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the
creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 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— 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.
Therefore, be zealous and repent. 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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.”’” Revelation 3:14-22
Note: Christians should not desire to be materially wealthy.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for
which some have strayed from faith in their greediness, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:9-10
39) Moses and Elijah will confront the world in Jerusalem.
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one
thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are
the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of
the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their
mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he
must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that
no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over
waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues,
as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the
beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against
them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in
the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and
Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples,
tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies for three and a
half days and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And
those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and
send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those
who dwell on the earth. Now after the three and a half days the breath
of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great
fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from
heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a
cloud, and their enemies saw them. Revelation 11:3-12
Note: Moses and Elijah will prophesy just before the wrath of God.
“Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb
for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send
you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day
of the LORD.” Malachi 4:4-5
40) Jesus Christ will confront the wicked world.
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on
him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and
makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were
many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He
was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The
Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and
clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp
sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will
rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His
thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation
19:11-16
Note: Believers will be returning with Jesus Christ to the earth.
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another
and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts
blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13