Strike Her Children Dead

• Revelation 2:23 (NIV84)

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"I will strike her children dead." - Rev. 2:23

Seems kind of harsh - don't ya think?

At first reading, my mind has these images of small innocent children who are being punished for the sin of their parents. But that's not the case. This is a reference to those in the church who choose to follow teachers who lead others astray and create division in the church.

Remember...this is all about Jesus. Revelation is about Jesus. The church is the bride of Jesus. And division, immorality, teaching that is contrary to what Jesus says... will not be tolerated. Yes, there is grace and yes time is given to repent - but there comes a time when even Jesus says, "enough". and then deals with both the teachers and those following their teaching.

Why so harsh though? Think of it on a human level in marriage. Sandy is my bride. Anything that threatens her, creates unsettlement, etc. ... I will do whatever I can to protect her, keep her healthy, and rid her life of that.

It's the same with Jesus and the church. The church is His bride. (Although Jesus has a whole lot more grace and patience than I do.)

And what a person says makes no difference. It is behavior and motive that Jesus knows and primarily pays attention to. Christians who say all sorts of mature and deep spiritual things - even from scripture - but their behavior and motives (which only they and God know) create division, lead others astray, point to loyalty to a man not to Jesus - they are the ones who Jesus will deal with. And He will also deal with those who choose to follow them.

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