There’s an enemy lurking about seeking to destroy the true disciples of Yeshua the Messiah.  It is sneaky and can overtake any follower of Yeshua unawares. Who and what is this insidious prowler seeking to steal from us our passion for Yeshua and maybe even our salvation? This vicious enemy is weariness, complacency, and apathy and is perhaps our greatest spiritual foe. 

Make no mistake. This ravenously rabid foe can weaken and even destroy the most stalwart individual and even take down a whole nation. The Bible from one end to the other is full of such examples. Weariness and complacency can weaken even the staunchest Christian, so that they  become sitting targets and victims of the world, flesh and the devil. Be warned! This evil enemy has taken out many people and you are in its cross hairs! Being aware of this is the first step in overcoming this vicious foe.

Weariness and spiritual lukewarmness is a slow and subtle process of enemy attrition, a slippery slope involving spiritual declension resulting in the enemy’s victory. Even Christians who are active in spiritual works and ministry, can fall prey to this enemy. This is because religious activity devoid of heart, love, passion and the Spirit of Elohim can still leave us empty and unfulfilled—like a hollow spiritual shell. Europe and America, for example,  are full of beautiful old churches and cathedrals and Christian denominations that are cold, empty and devoid of spiritual life. This is because the people that once filled these churches long ago lost their passion for Jesus Christ and the Bible. These empty churches are now silent monuments testifying to the spirit of weariness and lukewarmness and of people who have fallen victim to the subtle and surreptitious spirit of lukewarmness.

Let me give an example of what I mean by asking you, the reader, a simple question. Any one of us may have fallen into the snares of weariness, apathy and complacency without even knowing it. How do we know this? If the answer to the following question is yes, then you may be a victim who needs to take a serious look at the state of your spiritual life. The question is this: How would your life change TODAY if you knew Yeshua were coming back tomorrow? If you are not doing what you know that you should be doing, then your are likely a victim of complacency and lukewarmness more than you think. This should be a wake up call to get ready, for Yeshua could return at any moment. Beyond that, none of us knows when our last breath or heart will be, and our next waking moment will be in the presence of Yeshua our King, who will judge and reward each of us according to our works contrary to what many churches have erroneously and sadly taught their hapless members (Rev 20:12; 2:23; 19:8; Matt 5:19; 16:27; Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:17; Eph 6:18). 

Let me give you another illustration to punctuate my point. Most of us exert great effort to prepare our homes when we know that company is coming to visit us. We clean the house, tidy up the clutter, buy special food, prepare the guest accommodations, and mow the grass. Why don’t we attach the same priority of effort to our spiritual homes with regard to Yeshua coming back to this earth for his people? He could come at anytime. Let me explain. First, we don’t know when Yeshua is coming back. Second, again, none of us knows when we are going to die. Either way, you could be standing face-to-face with Yeshua in an instant!

Here is another hopefully thought provoking question. Why do we often put a higher priority on our physical well-being and appearance than on are spiritual well-being and on how we appear to Yeshua our Messiah and soon-coming Bridegroom? Many of us spend hours in the bathroom focusing on embellishing our appearance, or hours in the gym working out keeping ourselves fit physically. Yet when it comes to our spiritual appearance and fitness, we might spend fifteen minutes a day if that! This is because most of us are spiritually lukewarm to one degree or another. This is largely because many of us—especially in the West— live in a rich, soft, affluent, materialistic, self-absorbed, comfort-driven and pleasure-seeking society. We live in a world full of distractions—often alluring ones—and things that are constantly demanding our attention. Moreover, we’ve never had to live without, suffered physical lack or been persecuted for our beliefs. Because we have been conditioned to this status quo of affluent abundance for so long, we tend to think that the status quo of our comfortable lives will never end. The problem is that a study of history and the Bible tell us that such periods of peace and prosperity are usually the exception and not the rule, and all such periods are usually short-lived. They come to an end and give way to regime changes often involving much suffering and privation.

Now let’s get back to the main question. Do we really live as if today may be our last day of life, and tomorrow would be our judgment day before King Yeshua, where we will have to answer for every idle word we have ever spoken, and will be judged for all that we’ve done or not done in service and obedience to him? Will Yeshua view us as a good steward of the time, talent and treasure he has given us or a foolish steward for wasting our time on stuff, in the long run, that has no spiritual value? These are serious questions that deserve, no require some deep and honest soul searching.

Here is another soul-searching question. Why do so many of us have so little passion for Yeshua, and so little sense of urgency about living for him knowing that we could meet him in person at any moment? It’s because apathy, complacency and weariness have overtaken us. None of us are immune to this spiritual disease, which has too often been the norm rather than the exception a among believers down through the ages.

In 1 Peter 3:1–14 we read, 

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of Elohim the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of Elohim, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Likewise, John in Revelation 3:14–22 writes of the Laodicean church,

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of Elohim; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

How can we overcome the spiritually insidious cancer of weariness and complacency leading to lukewarmness? First we must humbly admit that we have a sin problem. Next we must repent of this sin. Finally, we need to determinately take steps to revive and awaken ourselves spiritually and then pray for heaven’s help in doing so. Too often only the fires of privation and persecution will bring revival to most people. That’s the sad truth as born out by the history of Elohim’s people as recorded in the Bible. Very few people can keep the spiritual fires burning in their lives, their level of spiritual zeal high, and maintain a solidly vibrant walk with YHVH when times are easy. The Scriptures are full of prophets who in vain tried to warn Elohim’s people to repent of sin and turn back passionately to Elohim or else judgments would come. Almost without exception, the people refused to listen and instead mocked, laughed at, scorned, ridiculed, exiled, imprisoned or killed those messengers from Elohim.

Make no mistake. In these end times, persecution is coming and is already here for many believers around the world. In fact, it is needed not only to help mature the body of Yeshua, but to wake them up spiritually from their spiritual slumber. This is especially needful in the formerly western Christian nations. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:11–17,

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of Elohim, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of Elohim, him shall Elohim destroy; for the temple of Elohim is holy, which temple ye are.

So again, we ask the question, if you knew Yeshua were coming tomorrow, what would you do differently today?

Why do so many of us have ears that are plugged from hearing this message? Why are some of you mocking this message in your heart calling it alarmist? Do you really think that you’re ready to meet Yeshua at this very moment? If so, you need the satanic spirit of pride and lukewarmness cast out of you! You’re also listening to the lying spirit of self-righteousness and self-delusion. Too often we justify our lukewarmness by comparing ourselves with someone else who is more lukewarm than we are as we declare, “I’m not as bad as that guy”? Now let’s be brutally honest with ourselves. Do we really think that such arrogantly, thoughtless and silly excuses will impresses YHVH-Yeshua on judgment day?  

So why are you lukewarm in your relationship with YHVH Yeshua? (Again, let’s be honest with ourselves. We’re all lukewarm to one degree or another! We all have room for improvement.) What idols do you have in your life that are preventing you from pursuing a passionate, daily relationship with him through Bible study, prayer self improvement and on diligently serving and obeying not just your Savior, but the one who is your Lord and Master? How much time each day are you investing in building your relationship with YHVH Elohim? If you are not taking the time to get to know him now, how do you think that you will hear his voice in the hard times of persecution and tribulation when your survival may depend on it? Will he even hear you when you cry out to him in your time of need? Will your hear him when he speaks to you to go here or go there, or do this or do that? Probably not. 

YHVH’s judgments and the persecution of believers that is coming down on this generation due to the ravages of the spirit of antichrist are huge and is imminent. Judgment begins first at the house of Elohim (1 Pet 4:17). The fires of trials and persecution are coming our way and for many disciples of Yeshua are already here. They are needed. Why? To refine out of the saints of Yeshua the wood, hay and stubble or sin, carnality and lukewarmness (1 Cor 3:12–15; Rev 3:14–21), so that we  will be ready to meet him either when we die or when he returns.

Only prayer, knowing his word, hearing the voice of Elohim and knowing how to battle spiritually will save you. If you’re not preparing for the hard times to come now, how do you expect to survive when they do come? Only a foolish solider goes to war without proper preparation, training and gear. Currently there is an epic end times battle going on between the forces of evil darkness and the light of truth and good, and we are in the middle of this war whether we believe it or not. 

Now, not tomorrow, is the time to tighten up, to gird up your the loins of your spiritual life, to repent of the sins of apathy, complacency and lukewarmness, and to put away any spiritual idols that are keeping you from seeking YHVH-Yeshua with all of your heart. Now is the time to rearrange and to reprioritize your daily schedule and to seek Yeshua with all your heart through Bible study, prayer, meditation on the word of Elohim, praying in the Spirit, fasting, intercession and reaching out to those who are spiritually lost and by discipling the spiritual babes YHVH has sent your way. When you to these things, not only will you be a wise virgin who is prepared to meet Yeshua our soon-coming Bridegroom (Matt 25:1–13), but most assuredly you will hear those words on that day when our Lord and Savior returns, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt 25:21, 23).