Actually, He was denouncing these places—strongly rebuking them. It was a long held practice of the Hebrew prophets to use this term, Woe, with reference to those who were disobedient and rebellious toward God. He did this publicly, as a witness against them, that all may hear.

The people of Bethsaida (house of fish), as well as Chorazin (furnace of smoke), and Capernaum (village of comfort) [Strong’s Definitions], were all located at the north end of the Sea of Galilee area. Because the Lord denounced the people of these cities (the controlling majority) as a Prophet, they were undeniably predominantly Hebrew, and the people there knew what He was doing. The people were controlled by the religious leaders, so the ultimate fault is laid at their feet, though the wimpy followers were just as guilty.

There was no need to lay a curse, nor did the Lord practice such against people. In essence, people curse themselves, or allow for a curse upon themselves, by rejecting the Lord Jesus. This opens them up to demonic influence with no recourse.

It is one thing to not believe the Gospel, in the sense that one has never been presented with a strong and correct witness, but quite another to reject it after receiving one. The Lord’s presence and work at that time in that area was so obvious that whoever would reject Him and His work, the one and only real Gospel, was truly aligned with the devil whether they knew it or not.

Here is the point: It is one thing for unreal Christians to reject real Christians. But what if the Lord Jesus showed up and began denouncing “churches” in America for the same reasons He denounced those cities of His time? Such an event would remove the fake religious outer wrapping in many of these places and one would then see what’s really going on behind the scenes. Most would reveal themselves for the Christian Pharisees they are and turn on Him in a second, doing exactly as the first century Pharisees did against the Lord.

Since the Lord Jesus actually is here, in the form of His Holy Spirit indwelling real believers, such rebuke must come from Him through His chosen ones according to His will and direction, and such rebukes and denunciations are increasing. It is one of the characteristics of the Great Awakening that falsehoods be revealed. It is one of the reasons for persecution. Persecution is increasing, and this is a good sign. It is a sign that TRUTH is coming forth. YES!

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