The Daily Word of Righteousness

Sound the Alarm in the Churches, #7

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones To judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 1:14,15—NIV)

How can we identify those who are sinners in the churches, according to the Book of Jude?

They change the grace of God into an excuse for immorality.

They deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ, teaching that we do not have to follow Christ in strict obedience and discipleship. So many today are willing to receive Christ as their personal Savior but never as their personal Lord!

They are full of bodily lust.

They reject authority.

They are ready to bring accusations against the fallen lords of darkness, that is, they are spiritually presumptuous.

They follow the way of Cain. They are envious of those whom God has blessed and seek to harm them, often by slander and gossip.

They rush for profit into Balaam's error. They seek to make money from the things of Christ.

They perish in Korah's rebellion. They attempt to overthrow the leadership God has established.

They set themselves as shepherds of God's flock but they feed only themselves.

They are grumblers and faultfinders.

If you will study the above list you will see that this type of fleshly behavior can be found in many Christian churches. Jude does not say these men will go to Heaven by grace. Jude warns that the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His saints to judge the behavior of sinful church members.

We see then how utterly misleading is the present concept of salvation by grace, and the present concept of the nature of the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

The coming of the Lord is described as follows:

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:11-14—NIV)

Such is the appearing of Christ and His saints.

Notice that the saints who appear with Christ are dressed in fine linen.

The fine linen of Christ's warriors is not that of ascribed righteousness but of actual righteousness of behavior, a righteous behavior they have been able to practice as they have gone to the Mercy Seat for help, and as Christ has been formed in them.

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:8—NIV)

If we are to ride with the Lord Jesus in the Day of the Lord we must undergo a prolonged preparation.

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. (Revelation 17:14—NIV)

To be continued.