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Volume 10 ... #2
Strong Rebukes Given By Godly People
Sometimes our words and actions become strong when we are confronted with sin, especially with sin in the church. (You who are parents know what this is like.)
We often feel we have done wrong by being so harsh.
But I am reminded of times Jesus spoke strongly bringing correction ... and so did John the Baptist ... and Paul warned the church what he would do to them when he came if they failed to correct themselves.
These are examples for us:
Jn. 2:13-16 ... And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when HE had made a scourge of small cords, HE drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not MY Father's house an house of merchandise.
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Mt. 16 ... 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto HIS disciples, how that HE must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took HIM, and began to rebuke HIM, saying, Be it far from THEE, Lord: this shall not be unto THEE.
23 But HE turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind ME, Satan: thou art an offence unto ME: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
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Luke 24 ... (After the crucifixion and before Jesus ascended into heaven) 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus HIMSELF drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know HIM.
17 And HE said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto HIM, Art THOU only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And HE said unto them, What things?
And they said unto HIM, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered HIM to be condemned to death, and have crucified HIM. 21 But we trusted that it had been HE which should have redeemed Israel:and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not HIS body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that HE was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but HIM they saw not.
25 Then HE (Jesus) said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into HIS glory?
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John 21 ... 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth THEE? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou ME.
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Mt. 16 ... 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, HE said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
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One of the strongest rebukes that I know of in the Bible was given by John the Baptist:
Lk. 3 ... 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
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In training me for the work God was going to have me do on this earth, this example of John the Baptist was called to my attention and I felt God saying to me, "Don't be afraid to address them harshly."
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God said to the prophet Ezekiel ... Eze. 2 ... 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against ME: they and their fathers have transgressed against ME, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak MY words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
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Paul warned the church to correct things before he came for if not he would "bewail" many.
II Cor. 12 & 13 ... 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Chapter 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
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