Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts"....
This passage of scripture reveals to us the insidious working of the devil in introducing to the servants of God pagan practices that are forbidden in the scriptures, and which inevitably lead away from Christ. The Lord voices His displeasure with Jezebel, who in this instance represents any church or anyone that teaches both sexual and spiritual fornication. In the days of king Ahab this is exactly what was done through Jezebel, for she introduced the Jews to some of the darkest forms of idolatry and pagan worship, which also included many male and female temple prostitutes, who were consecrated on the altar of sensual indulgence, and had multiple illicit affairs with the worshipers.
This is what caused the judgments of God to come down upon His people in the form of a severe drought which then took a deadly toll on both man and beast. But the same methods have been employed throughout the ages by satan, who hates the divine precepts, and is always looking for ways and means to bring paganism into the churches of Christ, via those who are not converted in heart and mind. Currently, there are many pagan practices that have now become an integral part of modern Christendom, and although many may not know it, the institutions of the heathen have now become so firmly entrenched in our religious beliefs, that many sincere Christians now openly vouch for them.
Tattoos and body piercing in their various forms are of pagan origin, yet they are embraced as a part of Christian culture to the point where those who abstain are seen as being quite odd. Sexual immorality too has taken center-stage, and we have gone so far as to anoint with holy oil, those who practice alternative lifestyles, in direct violation to the plainest teachings of the Bible. But one of the more widely accepted practices in Christendom today is the wearing of jewelry, which if someone were to dare speak against, they might very well be stoned. The devil has indeed made serious inroads into the Christian psyche, by letting out of his mouth, water as a flood, so that the churches of Christ may be swept away by the prevailing iniquity.
Now, although some of us Christians may not know it, the wearing of jewelry originated with satan, for this is how he was originally made by God, hence the reason why he sparkled when walking among the stones of fire or on the sea of glass in heaven, before he fell. And thus, in an effort to have us poor mortals be transformed into his own image and likeness, the practice was introduced first to pagans, and then to the people of God. And now the practice has become so firmly rooted and grounded in our lives that it is now considered abnormal not to to wear jewelry, but that does not change the fact that it is forbidden in the scriptures, and that it emanates from satan. Let's read:
Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold".... 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
1st Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves"...
It becomes obvious that there has been a great falling away from the purity and simplicity of the gospel, and because of this the time has now fully come for the machinations of the evil one to be exposed. The true gospel in its unadulterated form must therefore be preached to all the inhabitants of the earth, before Christ can put in His appearing, and the sacred duty devolves upon the shoulders of all those who have been beneficiaries of the grace of Christ. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to repair the various breaches and inroads that have been made by the introduction of pagan rites and customs, and if we set our minds to the task, God will give us both the power and the victory to do battle against foes within and without. Let's read:
Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!