… I also swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine… (v.8)

Then your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord God. “But you trusted in your beauty and became unfaithful because of your fame, and you poured out your obscene practices on every passer-by to whom it might be tempting. (v.14-15)

Now your older sister is Samaria, who lives north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lives south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. Yet you have not merely walked in their ways and committed their abominations; but, as if that were too little, you also acted more corruptly in all your conduct than they. As I live,” declares the Lord God, “Sodom, your sister and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done! Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, plenty of food, and carefree ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. So they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it. Furthermore, Samaria did not commit half of your sins, for you have multiplied your abominations more than they. So you have made your sisters appear innocent by all your abominations which you have committed. Also, bear your disgrace in that you have made judgment favorable for your sisters. Because of your sins in which you acted more abominably than they, they are more in the right than you. Yes, be also ashamed and bear your disgrace, in that you made your sisters appear innocent. (v. 46-52)

Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger; and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant. So I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, so that you may remember and be ashamed, and not open your mouth again because of your disgrace, when I have forgiven you for all that you have done,” the Lord God declares. (v. 60-63)

Both the Northern Israel and the kingdom of Judah built a city to worship God. The Northern Israel built altars for God at Dan and Bethel (in Samaria region), and Samaria was their capital city. And Judah continued to worship in the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the authorized place for worship to God because the Tabernacle was there as we read 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Jerusalem was the pride of the kingdom of Judah. However, God reveals that Jerusalem has committed more sins than Samaria or Sodom. That does not mean that Samaria or Sodom will escape judgements. When Ezekiel received God’s words, they had already been punished and destroyed. This chapter warns the people of Judah of the fall of Jerusalem. As always, the judge tells the sinner why he/she is judged. Although the sentence will be carried, God gives hope to His chosen people that He will restore the city and make it His eternal dwelling place. I am not talking about a city that can be visible on the earth.

The Protestant churches boast that they are different from the Roman Catholic church. They boast that they worship God right. They call themselves true churches of God. They call their church their mothers. But their mothers are harlots. It is very sad, but it is true. They are not true churches. The only true church is the invisible church. They praise the Reformers and the Confessions. Yet, they do not follow what they say. Many have abandoned the Confessions. They put trust in men’s words, not God’s. They worship men, not God. They worship themselves, not God. They lure people to their churches saying that they can save them but make them worse sinners than themselves.

This is the end of churches that speak lies. Jerusalem who denies Sola Gratia and speaks lies will fall. If anyone puts hope in a visible church or a church system, the end will be sad. Only the words of God will remain.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)