King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Mark
Date: Friday September 02, 2011
Chapters: Ezekiel 5-9, Proverb 2, Psalm 82
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-september-2

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world...Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” - I John 4:1-4,15-17.

There are many spirits out there, but there is only One Spirit that is true and good and that is the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God lives inside of every saved, born again believer of Jesus Christ, many will claim that they have the Spirit of God in them, but God knows the truth and so do they and He will destroy every person who refuses to accept His Son. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:12.

Fourteen years had passed after Nebuchadnezzar conquered the House of Judah and taken those who were in Jerusalem captive and into Babylon. Ezekiel was one of those held captive in Babylon, but God miraculously used him to show the Jews there what was going on back in Jerusalem. Ezekiel saw some amazing, yet heartbreaking visions as God lead him through Jerusalem, God's most disturbing news was that the city of God was wicked and everything, but godly.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her. And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you; Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations. And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.” -Ezekiel 5:5-9.

Sadly, the people that actually knew that God existed and was the One and only living God, rejected Him, mocked Him, followed false gods, idolatry, and trusted in false religion more than any heathen nation. As someone who was brought up in false religion I can honestly say, I despise it. I hate it with a passion and that is why I am determined to show people the truth. There is only One Church, the church of Christ, not the fake one people claim to call the church of Christ, but the true church the one that gives all authority to Jesus Christ. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” - Ephesians 5:23,24.

The true church is one that preaches the Gospel of Christ, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and eternal life only through Him. We are not saved by works, we are saved by believing in, confessing, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. No amount of money, possessions, works, or people can save you, only Christ can! No one or deed can take away your salvation, it is eternal.

A mark is an impression, something that symbolizes who or what you are, we all have a mark of some kind, that is what makes us all unique from one another. As Christians, we have a special mark, or at least we should have an special mark upon us, one that says, “I am saved by the blood of Christ.” Through Ezekiel, God explains the mark placed upon every believer and the fate of those without the mark.

“And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” - Ezekiel 9:2-6.

The representation of the Divine glory from above the ark, removed from the threshold, denoted that the Lord was about to leave His mercy-seat, and to pronounce judgment on the people. It is a great comfort to believers, those with the mark, that in the midst of God's judgment, there is a Mediator, a great High Priest, who has an interest in them. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:8,9.

Many nations are considered Christian nations, yet they sit back and try to justify in our minds all sorts of evil acts, and tell ourselves that God would condone them, when God tells us just the opposite. Things like homosexuality, abortion, and evolution are being justified even in the churches. Our government, schools, churches and even families of those calling themselves Christian are mocking God and they wonder why He is so angry. However, those who forsake their sins for Christ will be safe from God's wrath. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7-10.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, we confess that we are weak and fearful people apart from Your Holy Spirit that makes us valiant and strong as we stand up for Your righteousness. Our struggle is not physical, but spiritual in nature as the powers of this dark world as the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms battle for our souls. This conflict will not end until we unite with You in heaven, so keep us vigilant and trusting as we do battle with our enemy. You are the captain of our army and we will be victorious as we follow Your every command. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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