The consequences of disobedience

Isaiah 9:13 Yet the people do not turn to the one striking them, they don't seek ADONAI-Tzva'ot. 14 Therefore ADONAI will cut off Isra'el's head and tail, [tall] palm frond and [lowly] reed in a single day. 15 The old and the honored are the head, while prophets teaching lies are the tail. 16 For those leading this people lead them astray, and those led by them are destroyed.

17 Therefore Adonai takes no joy in their young men and has no compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone is ungodly and does evil, every mouth speaks foolishly. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens. 18 For wickedness burns like fire, it devours briars and thorns; it sets the forest underbrush ablaze, with clouds of smoke whirling upward. (CJB)

Many like to “talk the talk,” yet, have no clue that we must also “walk the walk.” They don’t really take ADONAI or His Word seriously, and cling for dear life only to the “God loves me and knows my heart” dogma.

Some (probably many) never bother reading or studying the weekly Torah portions, or to really delve into Scripture – and, sadly, many Messianic congregations don’t teach or preach on the importance of doing this. They place fellowship and praise and worship over and above the need to study the Word.

Lately, I’ve been discovering that many have never even read the Bible from cover to cover! How can you know whom you’re serving unless you’ve read it ALL?

I could go on, but you get the drift: Many are just plain “lukewarm”; not realizing that God is NOT kidding around! The lukewarm will NOT get to spend eternity with Him!

Revelation 3:16. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you from my mouth. 17. Because you say, I am rich and affluent, and have all I need; and you don’t know that you are helpless and miserable and needy and blind and naked!

18. I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may become rich; and white robes, to be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be seen; and put eye-salve on your eyes, that you may see.

19. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Be faithful emulators therefore, and repent. 20. Behold, I have been standing at the door, and I will knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

21. And to him that is victorious, to him will I give to sit with me on my throne, even as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22. He that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. (AENT)

Since the very beginning ELOHIM has knocked Himself out to reach His people. He even provided ways for us to have weekly (seventh day Shabbat) and yearly (the mo'edim) "dates" with us. The least we could do is read His Word so we can learn how to become the holy/set apart people He intended us to be.