The Book Of Ezekiel.

The Book of Ezekiel.

Corruption in the Church.

Ezekiel 8:1-4 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. [2] Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. [3] And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. [4] And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

Once again the Glory of God appears and Ezekiel is informed as to what the LORD says about the Temple. The Word of God examines Temple worship and oversight. This is a revelation of Christ, the Head of the Church, looking upon and within the Church on earth, the meeting place of God's redeemed people.

Ezekiel chapter 8 reveals a most thorough examination of the Church throughout it's history on earth. We must remember that this is the Word of prophesy,

Revelation 19:10 I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed. Remember the message of the Lord Jesus Christ to the 7 Churches in Revelation chapters 2-3. The repetitive phrase 'I know thy works' is faithfully recorded. And so Ezekiel 8 gives us a graphic picture of the Corruption that Christ finds in the Church fellowships on earth in every age.

Our thoughts from the chapter fall into 3 sections,

The Corruption.

The Cover-up.

The Consequence.

The Corruption.

As we read this prophetic passage in Ezekiel chapter 6 we may well ask, how is it possible for Corruption to enter into the fellowship of God's redeemed people ??? The answer may well come as no surprise, from the human heart, from that old sinful nature, that torments and trips up our new nature.

Romans 7:22-25 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

When spiritual corruption enters the brliever's heart, it is as a result of compromise. Soon the sin of backsliding takes hold, this in turn will adversely affect the family and home.

We see this evidenced from the very beginning, from the first fellowship of God's redeemed people. The altar had been established by Almighty God making the sacrifice where blood was shed so that Adam and Eve might be clothed, that their sin might be covered. After Cain and Abel entered the family fellowship things changed. Cain sought to alter the worship service, he wanted a different sacrifice, one where there was no blood atonement. Corruption entered and rebellion ensued.

We only take this as an example as to how Corruption enters the church fellowship. It is relatively easy to plot the repetitive instances of corruption appearing in the history of the Church on earth. In the Tabernacle, in the Temple, in the New Testament church assemblies, and in the Church today. Corruption is a great blight upon the fellowship, witness and testimony of God's believing people.

The tragedy is, that when Corruption is present then blessing is absent. Frequently the Saviour is found without the Church fellowship seeking entrance to cleanse, correct, and to comfort the people of God.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Ezekiel chapter 8 shows this very picture, the glory of God standing without, while corruption is found within. The way into the place of worship was offensive to the LORD, such was the corruption within. There was nothing attractive, nothing welcoming about the Church. It had descended to look like a place where idolatry was prevalent. Rather than worshiping and praising Almighty God, corruption had made the Church a place of offence against the Almighty.

As believers in Christ, we must guard our hearts by living Holy lives governed, controlled and sanctified by the Word of God. Let us not allow corruption to enter our hearts lest we carry it into the Church fellowship.

Blessings in Christ. Rev Mervyn Cotton.