Introduction

This week, we continue with 《Lamentations of Jeremiah》. When the lament begins, do you all know what has happened? It sounds quite distressing; people have died. Who likes to listen to a lament? Isn't that right? You see someone there saying, "Oh, I can't sleep, let me listen to a lament." Who likes to listen to that? No one does. Are there any among us who listen to laments when they can't sleep? If so, that would be quite peculiar.

《Lamentations of Jeremiah》 Chapter 4 is excellent, better than having no lament at night. If one were to listen to 《Lamentations of Jeremiah》 every week of their life, it would be quite a wake-up call. Everyone would realize, "Oh! This is serious." So, you must look at it in the context of the current situation. I tell you, it's eerily familiar. All the prophets and priests are vying for traffic; this is an era of vying for traffic.

Now, if I talk about 《Lamentations of Jeremiah》, the traffic I already have will disappear. Who likes to listen to this stuff? It's impossible to get traffic. But blessed are those who are willing to listen, as it can help you avoid many disasters. In a person's life, one disaster can set you back to the pre-liberation era, and two disasters can set you back to before creation.

Some time ago, a sister shared with her pastor a disaster she had witnessed. I had seen many similar disasters before, countless.

She said she had a very good friend, and the sister said she had contracted a very bad illness. She didn't want to tell me the specific name of the illness, as it still needed to be confirmed, but I knew it was probably cancer, or if not cancer, a cancer-like condition. This was the last thing I expected, because in my mind, she was a very spiritual person. She had been speaking about visions and dreams and had started a vision and dream ministry, establishing prayer altars all over the world. She could even be considered my spiritual mentor.

She became a believer in Beijing many years ago, and after only a few days in my traditional church at the time, she and her husband said they wanted to leave. Coincidentally, I asked her why, and she said, "I can't stay in the church; the pastor is too controlling." I was dumbfounded, not knowing what she was talking about, which shows my state at the time; I really didn't know anything.

Later, the sister often called me, and we gradually became familiar and studied the Bible together. I learned a lot with her, and she often had dreams and visions, which I envied very much. We also stayed in this ministry together for a while. I also went to other churches, but no matter where I went, my son's bedwetting problem could not be solved.

Later, when I came to the Chinese Mingding Doctrine church, my child showed significant improvement after only a few weeks. At this point, I suddenly realized that it seemed only in the Chinese Mingding Doctrine church was the God here real. From then on, I stayed, and many years have passed in the blink of an eye. This was also the first time I made a decision for myself about which church to attend; before, I would stay wherever people said was good.

Over the years, that sister went to many places and often told me about her dreams, saying that God led her wherever she went. She also said that there were all kinds of jealousy and strife in her group. But I became increasingly unwilling to listen to her talk about these things. I advised her to come out and introduced the Chinese Mingding Doctrine to her. She thought it was okay, but she could only listen for half an hour; listening for too long was unbearable, and she felt that the teacher's preaching had many parts that were quite carnal and vulgar.

Until recently, she got sick and asked me to pray for her. I struggled to tell her what I saw, asking if she could reflect on whether she had been wrong all these years. But even though I beat around the bush and told her euphemistically, she was still very angry, saying that what I said did not edify her, scaring me into shutting up and letting her be. As a result, she was diagnosed with cancer cells in her blood a few days ago.

I tell you, I have not only seen but also ministered to the kind of story this sister described. After all that, oh my goodness. That is, you can live in a curse, but you can't tell her she's living in a curse. Isn't that deadly? It doesn't edify her. What is edification? Brothers and sisters, do you know what edification is? Truly freeing you from the curse, that's true edification.

This sister of ours is actually a small pastor, and she analyzed the symptoms and roots of the disease. The root cause is extreme discernment of good and evil, extreme selfishness, and extreme love of the world. But she doesn't know it herself, but we know it. If you tell her, you will definitely offend her. In fact, she loves God quite a bit and often repents.

But I think the reason for her illness is that she was in a group without God's presence, doing things that were not in accordance with God's will, inviting a curse. You look at visions and have dreams all day long. I tell you, what is that? Surely she comforts others when they get cancer, right? Don't provoke people who already have cancer.

Alas, what I see is that studying God's word without a system, not knowing God's will and actions, leads to doing many things that are not in accordance with God's will. Discerning good and evil, clinging to one's own understanding and dreams, and resolutely not eating pork. A Muslim? I think the way to solve the problem for this kind of person is to have a systematic study of God's word. People who like to see visions and have dreams find it difficult to put in the effort to study God's word, do you all know that? Speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, seeing visions, having dreams, and listening to God's voice are all shortcuts, not wanting to understand God's word clearly.

Then, my husband and I went to see her, and the sister apologized to us, saying that she usually didn't take good care of us. I thought to myself, "Forget it, taking care of us? Don't take care of us into leukemia." Isn't that right? From now on, she will love us, her family, and her children well. Oh my goodness, it's still the same old thing. How can it be changed? Isn't that right? She doesn't think there's anything wrong with what she does and thinks she's perfect.

She also told us that she wanted to have a good talk, saying that she had a dream and wanted to build a church with us. A physical, tangible connection between real people. She had mentioned this to me several times, and I had mumbled and brushed it off. This time, I directly rejected it. These are all the words of the sister I mentioned. We need to grow well in the Chinese Mingding Doctrine church; we are far from having the ability to start a church.

Later, I sent her the war prayer recording on YouTube, which has a high click-through rate. In addition to listening to the Chinese Mingding Doctrine occasionally, she also listens to others, even about the love of Jesus Christ.

At that time, I realized that not everyone can accept the preaching of the Chinese Mingding Doctrine pastor. Is this people's fate? But Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; there is only one way to God. It is impossible for all roads to lead to Rome. Only one of the paths she and I chose is correct, so I have to be on my guard and continue to think and study seriously in my understanding and deal with my flesh.

This is the tragedy of this generation: peace, peace, peace, and suddenly disaster strikes. If you are really preaching a pure gospel, do you need to go to the hospital for confirmation? You must know that our God is the greatest doctor. The most tragic thing is not understanding why things are this way until death. It's about the same level as the people in Jeremiah's time. Because they don't read Jeremiah, and they can't understand it, they don't know that people often live under God's wrath. Brothers and sisters, never believe those chicken soups anymore; fear God.

Do you know what Jeremiah encountered in that era? They were all people who looked pretty good. When they met, they would say, "Oh, I want to love you well." When the Babylonian army came, they made their children into curry human flesh. Who did it? They did it themselves, cooking their own children. Oh my goodness, that was so tragic, so tragic.

I am filled with emotion, especially with emotion. I often feel sad in my heart about things like this. A pastor who is a good friend of mine had tubes inserted for four months. I tell you, the urine that came out was all salt water. Oh my goodness, it was very painful, and his whole body turned dark chocolate.

I went to see him when he was lying in the coffin. I didn't have a chance to see him before. I tell you, he didn't have kidney failure from COVID, but he was treated for kidney failure. When I went to see him, he was lying in the coffin. I asked his wife, "Why has his skin turned black, like a mummy?" His wife said, "It's from the medication." He got COVID a year later than I did before he died.

I am especially filled with emotion. He stayed in the hospital for four months, costing about forty thousand Singapore dollars. I hope that brothers and sisters can listen and that brothers and sisters will not walk into disaster. Don't think that things are pretty good right now; today being good doesn't prove anything; it's just that God's wrath has not yet come. Still thinking you're not bad is really deadly.

Now everyone can understand, right? Why do I serve God with all my strength? You say I'm too self-righteous. It's really not. I use all my strength because I know that no matter how much I love God, it's not enough. Because the Bible says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength; this is the best way.

Why? Because I always feel that I am not good enough. I always feel that I am far, far away from being good enough. I don't think I have the truth, although I founded the Chinese Mingding Doctrine and established a framework, but I am far from being good enough in pastoral care, and my heart is willing, but my strength is insufficient.

Among the things I have to do, there is training our small pastors, training our ministry assistants, and the brothers and sisters among us. We prevent them from falling into the Pharisees. Oh, I tell you, there are many problems, one after another. I have recently gained a little comfort because we are starting to expand overseas little by little.

Scripture

The Lord has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his hot anger. He has kindled a fire in Zion that consumes her foundations. The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the world’s people, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. (《Lamentations of Jeremiah》4:11-13)

This word is too good. Even with this word, we still don't know how to fear God. Without this word, when will we be able to fear God?

Prayer

God, let us have a heart of reverence before you. God, save us from your anger, save us from your fierce anger. God, may we build the church on the rock of Jesus Christ. You kindle a fire and burn the foundations of Zion. God, you are our foundation. From now on, we will live for you and save us from your anger.

God, let us constantly proclaim your word in the church, whether this word is light or heavy, whether this word is pleasant or unpleasant, we will do what pleases you. God, open the minds of our brothers and sisters, let us know how to fear you, let us know how terrible it is to live in your anger. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Scripture Background

Do you know what Jeremiah saw at that time? Jeremiah pushed open a door on the streets of Jerusalem, and oh my goodness! A child's mother cooked her child. The child was still in her arms yesterday, and today she turned the child into curry meat. Oh my goodness, I ask you, if you were Jeremiah, how would you feel? I feel super shocked, super shocked.

The Babylonian army surrounded the city of Jerusalem three layers inside and three layers outside. It is said that for one year and four months, it was impenetrable; not even a mouse could get in. If a mouse got into the city, it would definitely be curry mouse. I tell you, God's wrath was poured out on Jerusalem, but he didn't let Babylon break through immediately. It would be better if they broke through immediately, right? It's better to die by the sword than to die of hunger. In the end, it lasted for a year and four months.

The bodies were like burnt charcoal, so tragic. The people inside Jerusalem, whom he saw with his own eyes, could not repel Babylon, and Babylon could not break through the city walls for a year and four months. Do you think God is ruthless? He forced out the evil in the Israelites. They looked pretty good before, but now, good heavens, the loving women are cooking their children. Is this the woman I know? She used to be fair and clean, wearing gold and silver, but now she is dark and ugly. These are all things Jeremiah saw with his own eyes.

In this city, only Jeremiah said, "Surrender." The other prophets could not break through. "This is the city of our great king. We have the temple here, and we have the ark of the covenant here." But in the days of old Assyria, they didn't win the war even when they took the ark of the covenant to fight. Then these prophets said, "We must win." Have you ever noticed this kind of Christian? They always like to say, "I will win, I will win, I will win."

I said, "Forget it. Just looking at your appearance, you don't look like you're going to win." They still thought they were under God's protection and cover and would live among the nations. They thought they had the word of God and would be above and not below, the head and not the tail. Is it the word of God? Yes, but it's not for you, is it?

So you need to know that some seriously ill people have come among us recently, and they are all believers. They are used to hearing good things, but it's better not to believe. They don't know that these diseases are God's wrath, and this wrath is similar to the wrath that God poured out on the city of Jerusalem.

The prophets and priests who tell the truth are not listened to but are persecuted and even killed. Jeremiah is an example. Jeremiah paid a heavy price for telling the truth and suffered a lot. Jeremiah also suffered. What did Jeremiah eat when there was no food in the city? Jeremiah went in to pray and ate the word of God. The prophets and priests who tell lies can survive, and they are not killed but can be promoted and make a fortune. When they tell too many lies, they don't even know they are lies. This situation is very difficult to deal with.

At this time, the end has come, so we must re-know God and re-examine ourselves. Some people ask me, "Teacher, what do you think of the future of Singapore?" Alas! I said, "Do you want me to tell the truth or a lie?" The future of Singapore is not good. Don't look at how beautiful it is now. We have to look at it according to what 《Jeremiah》 says; it's not good. Because all that belongs to the world, the bitter cup will also be passed to you. When people say peace, peace, disaster will suddenly come.

Brothers and sisters, don't think that anyone will escape God's wrath. Not only the Israelites, but also the Edomites, those who belong to the world, none of them will escape God's wrath. After Jeremiah finished speaking, I felt very sad in my heart. You know, when the Israelites accumulated wrath for themselves, God's wrath came, and many people died. What did Jeremiah say to those who didn't die? Jeremiah said, "When the penalty for your sin has been paid, the Lord will not let you be carried away again."

The people were taken captive for 70 years. How many 70-year spans can a person live through? If you were 20 when Jerusalem was captured, you would be 90 after 70 years. That generation would have passed away. What need would there be for further captivity? None. It would be the end. Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must revere God. Why must you revere God? Because once you provoke God's anger, your generation will suffer greatly.

**How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner. How precious were the children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold! But now they are considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter’s hands. Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert. The tongues of infants cling to the roofs of their mouths because of thirst; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them.**

**Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those nurtured in purple now lie on ash heaps. The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her. Their princes were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires.**

**But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of the produce of the fields. With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, and made them their food during the destruction of my people. (Lamentations 4:1-10)**

There is only one reason: the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed within her the blood of the righteous. I tell you, those in the same trade are often enemies. Jeremiah was a true prophet, and the false prophets were his enemies. I ask you, can a prophet be killed outside of Jerusalem? Who killed Jesus Christ? It was the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the Pharisees. If you try to challenge that system, you will die a miserable death.

I must thank God. Those who are willing to listen will listen. I will not kick down doors or challenge others. I do not have that courage. But how much this generation resembles Jerusalem in Jeremiah's time! Everyone is saying, "Peace, peace," but disaster strikes suddenly. Isn't that so? The problem is, who do these people in the city of Israel think they are serving? They think they are serving God, defending the city of Jerusalem. Does God want that? No. God wants the hearts of the people.

Today, Christians pray for their countries. Did the priests and prophets of that time organize themselves to pray together? Yes. Today, there are also many groups praying for America, for Singapore. Is that what God has asked them to do? No. They are acting on their own desires. If you tell them the truth, they will try to destroy you. That is the scene Jeremiah saw, and that is the background of this lament.

## Gold Cannot Stop God's Wrath

How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! Did the gold have any luster at that time? No. If you have a piece of bread and I have a piece of gold, can I exchange my gold for your bread? No, because gold is worthless. Food is more valuable than gold.

I have heard my mother say that during times of famine, a sack of money could not buy a small bag of bread. That is how it was. Money was worthless. Why? Because they thought having money was enough, but money could not stop God's wrath. God's wrath caused the gold to lose its luster and the fine gold to become dull. How can fine gold become dull? God can make it happen. Gold is useless.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must readjust our attitude toward money. We always think about investing and getting rich. During the Lunar New Year, we say, "Gong Xi Fa Cai!" But when God's wrath comes, is gold useful? No. We must rebuild our foundation on Jesus Christ.

These prophets and priests valued gold. Why did the prophets and priests sin and shed the blood of the righteous? It was all for money. Why do people keep gold? It is all for the sake of living. But if I tell you that you will die tomorrow, what will happen to your money? You will rush to find a lawyer to write a will and make arrangements.

Once people place their faith in money, once they place their faith in gold, fine gold, and silver, it is over. Not only will it not stop God's wrath, but it will also invite God's wrath. You must know who God is angry with. Some people cannot bear to hear what I say. After hearing it, they think it is a deadly sermon. The voice of accusation is very strong. I do not listen to this accusatory sermon.

## The Temple Cannot Stop God's Wrath

You must understand that the temple was the temple of Jehovah, built by Solomon and David at great expense. But I tell you, God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. The temple cannot stop God's wrath. You know how great these prophets and priests thought the temple was. They thought that because they had the temple and the Ark of the Covenant, they would surely be victorious. Could they be victorious? No. They were utterly corrupt.

Everyone who builds a church wants to build a thriving church. But can that foundation withstand God's fire? Can it withstand God's wrath? If it cannot, it is better not to build it. Why? Because God will bring the Babylonian army to destroy the city and the temple. If it cannot withstand, it will invite God's wrath.

If you build the church on the foundation of Jesus Christ, it will not invite God's wrath but will please God. This is very important. Do not think that I am talking about a victorious church of the Chinese Mingding Doctrine. God does not care about that. God cares about whether we have a heart that reveres Him. God dwells in the hearts of people.

## The Identity of God's Chosen People Cannot Stop God's Wrath

**How precious were the children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold! But now they are considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter’s hands. (Lamentations 4:2)**

Do you see that? The precious children of Zion, "I am a child of God." You can shout all you want, but it is useless. Those people all thought they were children of God. I have seen several good friends pass away, one after another. I have attended funeral after funeral, and it has not been easy. They all thought they were God's chosen people, God's children. If they were children of God, would this have happened?

The Book of Life makes it clear that these are all curses. Do not think that because you were saved in 2012, you no longer need to be saved. It is useless. "I am already a child of God," like the prophets and priests in Israel and Jerusalem. They thought their identity was so noble, but it was useless.

On the contrary, because of the sins of the prophets and the iniquities of the priests, even if these prophets said, "We are God's chosen people, we are God's children, here is God's temple," God does not care. Isn't that absurd? "We are descendants of Abraham, we will be above and not below." Stop it. It is better to revere God. Do not have wicked thoughts in your heart while saying "Thank the Lord" with your mouth. It is useless.

Therefore, clean up what is inside us and know what we are filled with. God sends fire to Zion and burns Zion's foundation. So when we build a church, we do not please people but only please God. If we please people, we are not servants of Jesus Christ. If you please people and still serve Jesus Christ, you will surely invite God's great wrath.

Do not say that you are a child of God. It is useless to say that. It is better to be practical and revere God more. Do not wait until disaster has already struck and still enjoy listening to motivational talks.

## Those Who Used to Eat Fine Food and Lie on Scarlet Cushions Cannot Stop God's Wrath

I have seen many Christians who think their businesses are doing well. "My business is doing well, so how can I not be pleasing to God? If I were not pleasing to God, how could my business be doing so well?" I think there is something wrong with that statement. Other people's businesses are doing even better than yours. What is the use? Esau's business was bigger than Jacob's. So that is not clear.

Poverty is certainly not good. It is difficult for a poor person to be a spiritual person. He is not blessed. It is difficult for a sick person to be a spiritual person. It is difficult to say that he is blessed by God. But if you are not sick, what does that prove? It proves nothing. Many people who are not sick simply have not yet experienced God's wrath. Many wealthy people simply have not yet experienced God's wrath.

In the city of Jerusalem, before the Babylonian army came, people used to eat fine food, drink fine wine, and enjoy delicacies. They would eat lamb skewers and drink two bottles of beer. When they slept, they would sleep on scarlet cushions and scarlet mattresses. Scarlet mattresses were for the nobility. They lived well at that time, but the prophet said that they were living in God's wrath. They would say, "Stop it. Look at my house, look at what I eat and sleep on. Are you envious? Do you know how much my mattress cost? It is not an ordinary mattress. It cost $100,000."

But that cannot stop God's wrath. It only shows that you eat well and sleep well, but you are confused and good for nothing. Being able to make money only shows that you know how to make money. You are doing well. What does doing well prove? It proves nothing. Brothers and sisters, do not confuse this concept. It only means that disaster has not yet struck. When the Babylonian army surrounds the city of Jerusalem, those who used to eat fine food and wear scarlet jewels will come out looking like they have been burned in charcoal or dug coal in a mine. They will come out as a dark, unrecognizable person.

Therefore, do not think that a good life comes from God. Some people buy a $30,000 mattress and still suffer from insomnia. The mattress is too good, so they have insomnia. Do not use a good life to say that you are a spiritual person. It is useless.

## The Beauty of the Nobles Cannot Stop God's Wrath

**Their princes were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires. But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. (Lamentations 4:7-8)**

In the future, you may eat well and become fat and fair, and put on some makeup. But in the end, you will come out looking like you have been burned in charcoal. So the things that people pursue, when they walk into the church, everyone will say, "Brother Wang is good, Brother Li is good, Brother Zhang is good." They are respected in the church because they have money and status. If the prophets and priests value these things, will that not be a problem?

So God deliberately makes their faces blacker than charcoal and their skin shriveled on their bones. You used to live a good life, but now you will taste the most normal things. Who told you to think that these things are spiritual? They think it is good. We, as brothers and sisters, must also know that these things are because of the sins of the prophets and the iniquities of the priests. I guarantee that churches that preach motivational talks will thrive. Churches that preach Lamentations will not, but churches that preach Lamentations will certainly be filled with people who truly seek God and revere Him.

In the coming years, you must know that God is tearing down churches. The pandemic in the past few years tore down many churches, and recently He has continued to tear down churches. After tearing them down, He will bring the people who belong to God into God's kingdom. So when you build a church, build the foundation of the church on the body of Jesus Christ, on the truth of God.

Even if God sends fire, it cannot burn it down. What is eternal will always be eternal. Do not build a church with wood, hay, and straw. It cannot withstand God's fire. God will burn it down and say to those who built the church, "Those who built the church will be saved as one escaping through the flames." So we must have a heart of reverence. If the things you preach are not the words of God and are not systematic, who will believe you?

## Conclusion

The tragic end is all because of the sins of the prophets and the iniquities of the priests. So God will use His fire to burn down the foundation. God will use His fire to tear down the temple, to convey false faith, which is nothing more than a motivational faith. The kingdoms of this world are no exception.

**Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who live in the land of Uz; but to you also the cup shall pass; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare. (Lamentations 4:21)**

Do you understand? Edom represents the world, represents loving the world. Egypt represents the world, Edom represents the world. Do not be anxious, you who belong to the world. The cup will surely pass to you. In the coming generation, people will see those who are unclean and avoid them, saying, "Do not come near me." In the end, they will become annoying to everyone. Not only will you suffer God's wrath, but you will also be hated by people on earth and be unclean.

"You must not dwell here." Jehovah will scatter them in His anger and no longer care for them. People will not respect the priests or honor the elders. We looked to people for help until our eyes failed. We still hoped, but we hoped for a nation that could not save us.

**They dogged our steps so that we could not walk in our streets; our end drew near; our days were numbered; for our end had come. Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains; they ambushed us in the wilderness. The Lord’s anointed, the breath of our nostrils, was caught in their pits, of whom we said, “Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.” (Lamentations 4:18-20)**

Did they lie? No. They thought they were the anointed ones, that they were breathing the breath of Abraham. In fact, they were caught in the pits. So they thought they were living under the shadow of Jehovah God, living among the nations, but they were not. They were suffering retribution, a tragic end. I hope that after hearing this, brothers and sisters will ponder it carefully and turn to God and revere Him before these things happen to you, so that you will not fall into this disaster.

That is the end of our sermon. May God bless you all.

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