A HOUSE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER

“My house will be called a house of prayer, ‘but you are making it a den of robbers.’”
(Matthew 21:13)

When Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem he drove out all those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those who were selling doves. (Matthew 21:12) Jesus was so indignant about the way the temple was being used that his actions led him to rebuke and drive out those using the house of God for their selfish ambitions. This display of disrespect and dishonor to our Lord in his church is sinful and has continued throughout centuries. For example, Antiochus IV (175-163 B.C.) a Syrian ruler committed to Hellenism used the temple funds for his own demise and ordered the erection of a statue of Olympian Zeus in the temple and even had a sow sacrificed on the sacred altar. The Roman Senator Caligula demanded worship of himself as deity and instructed his representative in Syria to erect his statue in the Jerusalem temple. All these were actions taken by men in favor of pleasing themselves with disregard to God’s holiness and his house of worship.

I would like to think that in the 21st century such acts would have been banned or condemned by most Christians. But seeing how complacency and self-indulgence seem to be endured in our society, I can only conclude that we are closer to the end times. Men’s heart is open to selfish ambitions then pleasing God. It says: “because of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…” Matthew 24:12

Recently I watched on television a religious annual event, that is, a numbers of animals being taken to the Catholic Church and priests performing blessings on these animals. My friend, do not be deceived. The Bible does not recognize such acts as being acceptable in God’s eyes? In the Old Testament animals were used for specific purposes such as sacrificial offerings, bartering, for substance or safekeeping. God’s house has always been a house for worship and prayer. It is never mentioned in the bible that animals were to be blessed but only people and children (Mark 3:10; 10: 14-16).

My friends, let us be girded with the truth of the word, so that when we see all manner of deceit and evil taking place, we will be full of the holy spirit to be able to discern good from wrong. God’s word says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (v.4) He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)