It is with sadness that I feel it time to close this group.
I have appreciated the conversations and debates we have had. I would ask that you respect my wishes to move on to the next chapter of our lives.
I created the group to give people a place to cry on shoulders about the wayward directions of the church, and to call out the leaders' hypocrisy. It has now been brought to my attention during some personal spiritual growth that it is not my place to judge. That if we are to be persecuted, then I wish to be found blameless of deserving any persecution as retribution for criticising the church leaders.
I don't always know what is right. I hope that like Saul/Paul, I can be forgiven for my persecuting the church through a course correction. I still disagree with the church's recent directions, but everyone here knows that. There is no new information to be had.
Just know that we should be followers of Christ, and not make the church an idol.
In conclusion, I feel I should only use scripture to demonstrate our awful situation:
Ezekiel 34:
2 ...Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
My greatest hope is that we may follow God's servant in the end-of-times, and leave the rest to the Lord. I hope that many of you, through your awakening to corruption in the church, can realize when hard decisions are to be made, we must go with that servant and none other. I hope to see you all there.
Study the words of Isaiah, the words of Ezra, and the words of many ancient prophets concerning the last days. They all tell the same story. Our time is short. I fully expect in the very near future to see things prophesied thousands of years ago. May God be with you til we meet again.