Churches of today honor people but despise Jesus Christ

Malachi 1:6-14

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“There is Salvation in no one else,
for there is no other Name under heaven given to people
by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12

• People honor one another but where is reverence for the Living God?
• Churches despise the altar and defile the Gospel of Christ.
• Closing the doors of the churches is better than disgracing the name of Jesus.
• Today’s churches think honoring the name of Jesus Christ is a waste of time.

People honor one another but where is reverence for the Living God?
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name.” Malachi 1:6a

In this verse, the Holy Spirit speaks of those who honor other people and honor those in authority, but they have no honor or reverence for the Living God. This is exactly what we see in today’s culture. This all relates to honoring the dignity, esteem, respect, and lifestyle of other people but teaching that it is hate speech to refer to people as sinners in need of being born-again through Jesus Christ. This is humanism, which is the fig leaf worn to cover the atheistic entity that gives people what to say, feel, do, and think. Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.”

“How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:44

Today’s culture knows to honor the authority they live by, but they consider honor and belief for the Living God to be nonsense. Jesus Christ says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24 Today’s culture lives by the atheistic authority that gives them what to think, feel, say, and do which requires unbelief in God the Creator, rejection of the need for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and oppression of the Holy Spirit. This entity replaces the human spirit and conscience to enliven the image of the beast to speak and live through people. People everywhere are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

Honoring human beings but not honoring God through Jesus Christ comes about through behavioral modification. Positive feedback is given to people to reward living by the entity with power over physiology that gives them what to think, feel, say, and do. Negative feedback is given to discourage living for God through Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. By what people say and do, they are groomed to their place in life, “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” Isaiah 1:3

Churches despise the altar and defile the Gospel of Christ.
“Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ “You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 6b-8

Before the coming of Jesus Christ, in the Old Testament, God gave specific guidelines for making offerings and sacrifices on the altar. The foremost guideline was that the animal sacrifice was to be unblemished, healthy, and free of defects. This was to be the “scarlet cord” pointing to Jesus Christ as the pure and unblemished Lamb of God who would take away our sin by the sacrifice He made on the altar of the Cross. As quoted, “…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

The heart, mind, and soul of the Israelite priests held very little value for the Living God, and it showed in what they offered to Him as a sacrifice. The diminishing of the value of God involved the Israelites honoring other people and human authority instead of honoring the Living God ad His authority, as said in verse 6a. They were saying to God, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ The answer is that they placed “defiled food” on the altar, which means that the part of the animal sacrificed to God was blemished in some way. They considered the table where the sacrifice was laid to be nothing sacred and regarded it as meaningless in their utter disregard for the word God. The sacrifices were far from being unblemished because the animals were the worst of the flock. They were blind, lame, and sick.

Obviously, the Israelite priests felt better served to kill and burn the lame, sick, and blind animals in the fire as a sacrifice to God and to keep the best of the flock for themselves. They were more concerned about the quality control of their earthly possessions and valuables than they were about the quality of their heart, soul, and mind. In essence, they felt the quality of human relationships was much more important than living for God. This describes today’s culture, who fills the churches, as they put the practice of humanism above living for God through Jesus Christ. Humanism attaches prime importance to human beings, and common human needs, rather than to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Today, humanism is empowered by the atheistic entity that has power over physiology to give people what to feel, think, say, and do.

Those of today’s churches do not feel that they are doing anything wrong in honoring people, in the name of joining with the community family through humanism, even though they have abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are prone to ask, “In what way have we despised God?” In their demeanor, they boast, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 This is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

The answer to the question of how today’s churches despise the Holy name of God are clearly stated, as quoted below.

“You offer defiled food on My altar.” Jesus Christ sacrificed His life on the Altar of the Cross to be in conformity to the will of God to atone for our sin. This is the most important Altar and Sacrifice we will ever know. The churches of today defile this Altar by rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the message of the Cross. They lift up human beings and live by human authority rather than honoring God and His authority. Also, there is the altar of our soul where we come to God, by way of the Altar of the Cross, to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God by living for Jesus Christ. The altar of our soul is being defiled by today’s churches because our heart, soul, and mind are not being fed the Bread of Life, the testimony of Jesus Christ. They see universal human needs as the replacement to Jesus Christ and rely on human rationale to solve the world’s dilemmas.

This is the pure food of the word of God, the true Gospel of Christ, as described by the Apostle Paul, “Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed to you, which you have also received, in which you also stand, by which you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the message I proclaimed to you, unless you believed to no purpose. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures…” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’“ A table is where food is placed, and people eat from whatever is available and set there to nourish themselves. The table of the Lord is where the word of God sets, where the testimony of Jesus Christ is offered, and where we fill up on the Holy Spirit. The churches of today imply that the table of the Lord is worthless, they totally disregard and disrespect it.

Instead of feeding the congregation with the word of God, the principles of humanism are taught, which are empowered by the atheistic entity that has power over physiology to give people what to feel, think, say, and do. Instead of feeding the congregation with the testimony of Jesus Christ, the churches teach that honoring human beings and honoring human authority brings salvation to humanity. Instead of feeding the congregation to nurture growth in the Holy Spirit by the remission of sin, the churches teach that Holiness comes by not recognizing sin, and thus canceling the born-again experience and the chance for a new lifestyle in Jesus Christ.

If we love Jesus Christ, and if the churches love Him, then we and they will feed His sheep with His Gospel, “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” John 21:15-17

“And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?“ The priests were offering the worst of the flock as a sacrifice to the Lord, as they kept the best of the flock for themselves. The quality of earthly possessions meant more to them than the quality of the spirit, mind, and soul. This shows that their heart, mind, and soul had no respect whatsoever for offering the Living God the best of what they had. It’s obvious to see that the churches of today are not offering the best of what they have to God, through Jesus Christ, in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are offering to God those who are blinded by humanism, lame in not being able to walk with Jesus Christ, and sick with a soul, spirit, and mind absent of the Holy Spirit. The churches offer God those who honor human beings and human authority but not honoring God and His authority. They are more concerned about earthly quality of humanity than they are of eternal quality of the spirit.

Our Lord Jesus came to heal the blind so that they could see God’s will for them. He healed the lame so that they could walk with Him in service to God. He healed the sick to bring health in the Spirit of God. The healing of the blind, lame, and sick was an offering to God His Father, not to offer them broken and downcast, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:4-6

“Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” The Holy Spirit poses the question, “If the lame, blind, and sick were offered to the governor of this world, would that be acceptable?” The governor of this world is the entity with power over physiology to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity enlivens the image of the beast to speak and live through people. Would people be accepted favorably by this atheistic entity who were blind to its presence, not able to walk by the thoughts feeling, words, and behaviors given, but were sick in that they were a liability to its agenda and culture? The Holy Spirit says, “Offer them then to your governor!” Of course, the atheistic governor of this world would not be pleased because it would be powerless to build a global culture on those unable to be groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

God wants people to see Him through Jesus Christ by the remission of sin who live in the presence of the Holy Spirit. God wants people who walk with Him side-by-side with His Son Jesus Christ. God wants people who are healed in the spirit, soul, and mind by being born-again through Jesus Christ. God is not pleased with today’s churches who honor human beings and human authority but have no honor for Him, Jesus Christ, nor the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Closing the doors of the churches is better than disgracing the name of Jesus.
“But now entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:9

The phrase “While this is being done by your hands…” alludes to the act of honoring humans and their authority while failing to honor God and His authority. People are serving humanity, through humanism, instead of serving God, the Creator. The question “…will He accept you favorably?” is posed by the Holy Spirit, asking each of us if we can expect God’s favor if we reject Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness for sin and bestows the Holy Spirit. The question is asked, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3-4 The Holy Spirit encourages, “But now seek God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. ‘God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— [by grace you have been saved].” Ephesians 2:4-5

“Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the Lord of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:10-11

The phrase, “Who is there among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?” is the Holy Spirit saying it would be preferable to shut down the churches rather than their continuation in the current state. The congregation of today’s churches gather to sing contemporary songs that fail to honor the Trinity as one person. It would be better to keep the church doors shut. Whenever God is praised in song, it must include homage to Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Singing solely about God, while omitting Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, is akin to kindling fire on His altar in vain. The Holy Spirit beckons us with the words, “Come home, come home; you who are weary, come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!” [Church Song] Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed in Jesus Christ? Acts 19:2.

Today’s church leaders, teachers, and preachers have forsaken the Gospel of Jesus Christ, choosing instead to uplift human beings in the name of humanism. They align with the earthly authority that has power over physiology to give people what to think, feel, say, and do, and humanism is the fig leaf it wears. They fail to recognize the authority of God. Their offerings on the Altar of God are futile, and it would be better if the church doors remained shut. The essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is this one verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story, for I know it to be true; it fulfills my desires like nothing else can do.” [Church Song]

God has no pleasure in the churches of today’s culture and does not accept their “worship” within the churches. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things…who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” Romans 1:18, 22-23, 25

Even as today’s culture fills the seats in churches, the name of God remains exalted among those of us who serve Him through Jesus Christ, in the company of the Holy Spirit. We are Gentiles, saved by what Jesus Christ did for us on the Altar of the Cross to atone for our sin. His name is great among the nations because the followers of Jesus Christ exist in every nation. “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:10-11

“For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Today’s churches think honoring the name of Jesus Christ is a waste of time.
“But you profane it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’ You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord. “But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.” Malachi 1:12-14a

While the name of God is great among the faithful few followers of Jesus Christ, who are among nations, today’s culture profanes His name. The prevailing global culture has an overwhelming presence in churches, including teachers and leaders. They show little respect for the fruits of the Holy Spirit, consider living by the Gospel of Christ futile, and disrespect the Bread of Life.

They desecrate the Bread of Life by failing to nourish the spirit, mind, and soul with the word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather, they embrace the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit as sustenance on the Lord’s table. Those within the churches are feeding on the thoughts, emotions, and words fed to them by the atheistic entity that exerts influence over physiology.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is disregarded by those of today’s churches. The Holy Spirit is He who draws us to Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and is our assurance of eternal life. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to lift up the name of Jesus Christ to glorify the Living God by spreading the testimony of Jesus. The Holy Spirit infills us and sanctifies us as we live for our Lord Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit are such qualities as love, kindness, goodwill, joy, faith, goodness, peace, meekness, gentleness, self-control, patience, and perseverance. These qualities are not part of humanism that honors human beings and human authority above honoring the Living God and His authority.

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-5

The churches of today sneer at the Bread of Life that nourishes the spirit and soul through Jesus Christ. They think it is a waste of time to live by the fruit of the Spirit. They depend on the atheistic and artificial entity with power over physiology to give them good feelings and happiness to make them feel righteous in their sin. This is like celebrating the festivities of Christmas but despising the birth of Christ and His existence.

The leaders of today’s churches bring the stolen, lame, and sick “sheep” into the churches as members, which are those who have been separated from living for Jesus Christ. “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18 In their humanism, which is the fig leaf worn by the entity giving people what to feel, think, say, and do, they have “…a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:5

The Holy Spirit says this to the churches of today, “But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.” Malachi 1:12-14a Jesus Christ is the unblemished male Lamb of God who sacrificed His life on the Altar of the Cross to atone for our sin. However, the churches of today are filled with deceivers who gives to the Lord what is blemished as they honor human beings and their authority rather than honoring god and His authority.

 “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:30-33

“For I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:14b

---

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1