Both gave themselves to a nation from a land afar.

Ezekiel 23:40

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

“Furthermore you sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and there they came. And you washed yourself for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments.” Ezekiel 23:40

The Israelites of yester-years and the Israelis of today both sent messengers to faraway nations to solicit military empowerment and governing strength. In the times of the Israelites, they formed an alliance with Egypt to receive military aid for the purpose of rebelling against their captivity to king Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian empire. Today, the government of Israel has formed an alliance with America for the same reason, to receive military and government empowerment to wage war against being defeated by her enemies in the Middle East.

The Israelites of yester-years did everything they could to make themselves look attractive to the Egyptians. They made themselves clean by the standards of the Egyptians, adopted the attitude that she only had eyes for them, and adorned herself in ways to reflect what the Egyptians wanted to see. Likewise, the government of Israel washed to be clean in the eyes of America, being the only democracy in the Middle East region. Israel adopted the attitude that she only has eyes for America and has adorned herself with an appearance that is attractive to America. Being “dressed-up” to solicit the aid of another nation is a tactic used to receive favorable notice.

Unfortunately, soliciting the military aid and government power of a far-away nation meant turning away from the will of God to receive Jesus Christ and to live in the Holy Spirit. Faith is put in worldly power instead of in the Spirit of God, but God says “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zachariah 4:6 Washing with the soap of a worldly nation means not being washed in the heart, soul, and mind by the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ. Having eyes only for advantageous powerful nations meant being blind to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Adorning self to appeal to worldly powers meant being ugly in the eyes of God and losing the adornment of the fruit of His Spirit.

Because of Jesus Christ, we do not need to travel to a faraway place for our Salvation. When we draw close to Him, He draws close to us and His word is within our heart, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you... The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” James 4:6, Romans 10:8-10

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
[Church Hymn]

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“….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