Therefore thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you are going to die, because you have counseled rebellion against the LORD.'” Jeremiah 28:16

There was a false prophet named Hananiah, and he was telling everyone in Israel everything they wanted to hear. He was telling Israel there would be peace and prosperity. Even Jeremiah believed him at first saying , Amen! May The Lord do so! (Jeremiah 28:6)

Hananiah even broke the yoke off of Jeremiahs neck to symbolize that Israel would be set free from their burdens and captivity. Everything was sounding great, everyone was buying into this new prophet!

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Go and speak to Hananiah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made instead of them yokes of iron.” Jeremiah 28:12-13

God quickly spoke to Jeremiah and rebuked everything Hananiah has told everyone. God warned Jeremiah anyone who follows Hananiahs instructions and serves the King of Babylon will receive a “Yoke of Iron”, this is obviously a more severe punishment than the Yoke of Wood they were carrying before

Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Jeremiah 28:15

Jeremiah then rebuked the False Prophet Hananiah and told him you are selling lies to the people and leading them astray. Doesn’t this sound familiar with Christianity today? How many false preachers do we see today selling “Snake Oil”? Selling Prosperity Gospel when there is no prosperity.

Be careful who you are following and listening to, God placed the Yoke of Iron on those who believed the False prophecy of Hananiah, Test the Spirits and make sure you are following True Doctrine!

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE “—Galatians 3:13

Are you living Under The Law or are you living Under Grace? There are many Christians today who are still trying to be “legalist” who are still trying to fulfill the Law. Paul clearly teaches here “Anyone under the law is cursed”, why would you want to still live under the curse of the law?

For example, there is a Messianic Jewish group who teaches Circumcision is a salvation issue. They believe because God required circumcision under the Abrahamic Covenant, that its still required under the New Covenant.

This is a classic example of being a legalist. Trying to live under the law yet still claiming to be under grace. You cant be both, you are either under the law or under grace. Here is why

“If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, Deuteronomy 21:22

Under the Mosaic Law anyone who committed a great sin should be put to death on a tree. As we know the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23) Jesus took that curse for us and was crucified to a tree (Cross). If you repent of your sins and make Jesus your Lord, Jesus is the atonement for your sins.

This is why you cant live under the Law and Grace. Under Grace Jesus became cursed for your sins. Under the Law you are cursed and worthy of death. Repent and Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to set your free Amen!

saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the LORD has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever; Jeremiah 25:5

The prophet Jeremiah has told the nation of Israel, he has been preaching the same message from God for over 23 years, but still nobody was listening. His message was very simple, Turn away from your sin (Repent) and dwell on the land ( Eternal Life)

However instead of listening to Jeremiah, they repeatedly mocked him, beat him, even imprisoned him. See people are very hostile to the Word of God. A lot of people don’t want to “Repent” because they love their sins more than they love God

and do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, and I will do you no harm.’ Jeremiah 25:6

God said “Stop worshiping other gods” , the people of Israel worshipped many false gods including molech and baal. Today people have made many things their gods, Money, Sex, Drugs, Gambling, people put many things ahead of God , things that are unholy and destructive to themselves.

God said if you stop sinning  “I will do you no harm”, God is looking for people to come to Repentance!

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Jesus continued to preach this message “Repent (Turn away from Sin) for the Kingdom of God (Eternal Life) is at Hand (Judgement is coming)

However Jesus did even more, he became the atonement for our sins! If we Repent he has declared us justified and righteous before God Amen!

One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten due to rottenness. Jeremiah 24:2

Here God is using symbolism to show Jeremiah that people are going to be separated into two groups. This is a common theme throughout the Bible (The Sheep and the Goats). So what determines who will be good or bad fruit? Obviously, it’s our works that indicate our fruit.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? Matthew 7:16

Jesus taught us that we would know false prophets by the fruits they produce. People can claim to be “Born Again” or even claim to be a “prophet” However if their lifestyle contradicts the Word of God, they are a fraud.

For example, its one thing to say your are married to someone but its another thing if you cheat or disrespect them. Are you truly devoted to that person if you continually betray them? No you’re a fraud, bad fruit.

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Matthew 7:17-18.

Jesus goes on to day a good tree cant reproduce bad fruit. If your truly a Christian you can’t continue to sin, otherwise you’re not truly saved. A good tree (Christian) cannot produce bad fruit (continual sin)

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7:19

So what happens to the bad fruit? Its thrown into the fire (Hell) People need to understand the Kingdom of God will not have Sin. Sin and death is abolished. All Sin equals death. You cant have either one in an eternal Kingdom.

So then, you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:20

So how do you know who is truly saved or not? Jesus said you will know them by their fruits (works) If you continually live in sin, you need to repent. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you and set you free from the fire!