TAKE HEED
Time after time the plead has been made for people to repent from sin, to forsake all iniquity and fleshly lusts. The warning has been given, the proclamation made: "The wages of sin is death; but the free gift of YAHWEH is eternal life in the Messiah YAHshua our Master" Romans 6:23.
Though our pleads may fall on deaf ears, we are commanded to speak YAHWEH'S word faithfully "whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse" Ezekiel 3:11. Speaking through Ezekiel, YAHWEH said, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at MY mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die: and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turns not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul" Ezekiel 3:17-19.
In Isaiah 58:1, we are told to "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet and declare to MY people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins." Joel 2:1 says, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in MY holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble: for the day of YAHWEH comes, for it is near at hand." And Revelation 18:4-5, 8 urges, "Come forth, MY people, out of her, that you have no fellowship with her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues: for her sins have reached even to heaven, and YAHWEH has remembered her iniquities…Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is YAHWEH Elohim who judged her."
Spiritual Babylon, the great city, shall be destroyed with all who abide therein. The call has been made to come forth; we are to separate ourselves from her sins and cleanse ourselves from the transgressions committed in her midst. Without repentance and separation there will be no forgiveness, and the wrath of YAHWEH shall destroy the disobedient.
To break it down: spiritual Babylon may be a high-rise apartment building which has been condemned. The demolition crew has made preparation by setting explosives throughout the building so to bring it down, but before setting off the charges a megaphone is used to warn anyone who may still be inside. GET OUT OR BE DESTROYED!
Should someone disregard the warning and remain inside, their fait is in their own hands, for the explosives were not set with the intent of taking life. The final warning was given and those not taking heed perished. Likewise, YAHWEH will one day do away with all sin. He has sent His prophets to give warning but many refuse to listen, not really believing that fiery judgement is forthcoming. But very soon time will run out and all who abide in sin will likewise perish. Remember, the building spoken of represents sin (spiritual Babylon), and it is the building which must be destroyed.
At one time or another we have all lived in the condemned building, for Scripture says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of YAHWEH (Romans 3:23). While living in disobedience to YAHWEH'S commandments we were destined of destruction, unwilling to conform to YAHWEH'S will, unwilling to exit the building. As YAHWEH is holy, His people are commanded to be holy (set-apart). They are to sever themselves from the world, having been transformed by YAHWEH'S word: "This is how we know that we know [YAHWEH]: if we keep HIS commandments. One who says, I know him, and does not keep HIS commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps HIS word, YAHWEH'S love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in HIM…Do not love world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the FATHER'S love is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the FATHER but is of the world. The world is passing them away with its lusts, but who does YAHWEH'S will remains forever" 1 John 2:3-5, 15-17.
If one professes salvation and still practices sin, he is a liar, for he still resides in Babylon. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." For one to be "In Messiah" requires repentance, a turning away from sin; there must be acceptance of YAHshua's blood atonement, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22); and there must be a willing heart which leads one in obedience to YAHWEH'S commandments (Matthew 12:50), for sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
Do you hear what the Spirit is saying to the assembly? Are you willing to take heed and separate yourself from sin and those who practice sin? The call is now being made to "Come forth,' but soon the warning cry will cease--"He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each man according as his work is" Revelation 22:11-12.
By Richard Anderson