HOW THE MIGHTY FALL

Tonight (Wednesday,1/8, 7:00 p.m.), gather with your Calvary Chapel family in the Holy Grounds Cafe or on our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we continue our study of Ezekiel (25-28).

Ezekiel, a young priest taken captive by the Babylonians, challenged his fellow captives and those left in Jerusalem to cease disobeying and rebelling against God through a series of colorful and thought-provoking signs and proclamations. But no matter what he said or did, his prophetic messages fell on deaf ears.

As Ezekiel continued to warn Judah, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. There would be no escape. No time to change their minds. Judgment had come as a result of their rebellion.

To make matters worse, the surrounding nations watched as the Babylonians waged war against the Jewish people. Each nation to the North, East, West, and South of Israel was wealthy, powerful, and influential. Each was confident if Nebuchadnezzar set his sights on them, they could successfully repel him. And each one took joy in watching Israel suffer.

Through Ezekiel's prophecies, the nations would soon learn that no matter how powerful they thought they were, they could not withstand the awesome power of Almighty God.

The Apostle Peter, who was ministering to Jewish believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire and wilting under the tyranny of the Roman Empire, asked a poignant question that the nations of Ezekiel's time failed to answer.

Unfortunately, the Romans also failed to understand, and the same is true today. He asked, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God" (1 Peter 4:17)?

Peter's message was that if God's people rebelled, He would be the One to bring them to account. Even though His chastisement can be painful, it has always been and will continue to prune His people, not destroy them.

But, the unbelieving have no such safety net. If they, in their rebellion against God, refuse to acknowledge Him or turn to Him in faith, they will face His full and unbridled wrath that will send them to a fiery eternity.

Please pray that this journey through the Word of God will be received by open hearts that long to grow in Jesus' grace and Knowledge. Moreover, He will do deep and abiding work in and through us for a world desperately needing a Savior.

In His Strong Love,

Pastor