The Warning From Jesus

Jesus warned the churches, in the book of Revelation, about a teaching He would not bless… “I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam… repent, or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:14-16).

Balaam was a prophet-for-hire in the book of Numbers in the Bible (See chapters 22-24). He was hired to curse Israel by the king of Moab. Four times Balaam tried to curse Israel, but four times the Spirit of God took over, until he glumly resigned himself to the fact… “Behold, He has blessed and I cannot reverse it.”

In his heart, Balaam loved the “wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15).  Many false teachers and podcasters are doing the same thing… “They have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward” (Jude 1:11), as if pay, and their platform, will reverse what God’s Word has decreed.

Just as surely as “a Star arose of out Jacob” at Christ’s first appearing, so a “Scepter shall arise out of Israel” at His return. “Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion.” And what a dominion it will be! “From sea to sea and from the (Euphrates) river to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8). He will speak peace to the nations, and His enemies shall “lick the dust.”

People hating on Israel want to sound authoritative, but only God’s opinion matters, and He has already told what Israel’s end shall be. And the same is true for you and me. What others think of us holds no weight. It’s what God thinks and it’s whether we’re right with Him.

Jesus’ words have the final say. Hallelujah. Just watch.

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)