Complaining Brings Judgment
Hi Friends,
I hope all is well with you today—and every day! God is good; he is faithful! The Lord has given me a vision with a very serious message to share with you. It is a warning of judgment against believers who lack genuine faith and the ability to trust God.
The Visions
The Green Onion
In the vision, I saw a single green onion on a flat surface. It had been cut into three pieces: one third of the onion was cut away from the left. It was made up of the dark green stems. The middle third was made of the slightly lighter green, slightly more tender stalk. And the last third was made of the lightest green portion and the white head of the bulb with tiny short roots.
A green onion looks like a miniature leek. As soon as I saw this vision, I was reminded of the Israelites in the wilderness complaining to Moses that they wanted to go back to Egypt where they could enjoy the leeks and the food that they missed in the desert. If you remember the story of the Exodus, they complained of hunger to the Lord, so he gave them manna to eat. But after a while, they grew tired of manna, and they they wanted meat. They were self-absorbed, and thought only of their stomachs and for what their taste buds desired. Can you imagine that they had no appreciation of what the Lord had done for them by leading them out of Egypt and the terrible slavery they suffered. They actually complained that it would be better for them to return to bondage in Egypt rather than look forward to the promised land.
“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!’” Numbers 11:4-6
Complaining is Sin
I believe that this vision is given to make us aware of our own complaining. I remember years ago (about 25), I was at the altar alone, praying in the dark. I heard the Lord speak to me saying, “Would you stop complaining!” I was stunned to hear his strong, angry voice. Then he said, “Do you want to be like the Israelites that wandered in the desert for forty years?” I said, “No, Lord!” I repented on the spot, and promised to not complain anymore. But within just a short while, of leaving the altar, I found myself complaining again!
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” Romans 7:24
Complaining really means, “I deserve better.”
Complaining is ingratitude. It is a feeling of entitlement that displeases God. Why do we complain? What did Job say about his circumstances to his wife? He was certainly plagued with misfortune and most people would believe that he had a “right” to complain.
“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Job 2:7-10
Job loved the Lord, and also feared God, for if you remember, Job always offered the Lord sacrifices for his children, just in case they sinned.
“Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular practice.” Job 1:4-5
We need the fear of God to maintain the proper attitude and respect for him. I find that most people do not fear God in the least. They curse, and sin by taking the Lord’s name in vain. They disrespect him as if he has no ears and no eyes that see what they say and do.
“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Returning to Bondage
The onion was cut into three parts which is significant. When an onion is cut, it releases its juices into the air which causes one’s eyes to tear. The Israelites were reminiscing about the customary foods of fish, garlic, onions and leeks. They were longing to have the foods they loved. So they cried to the Lord, and brought him their complaints.
"Was it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you brought us to the desert to die? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." Exodus 14:11-12
The Israelites suggested that to return to Egypt under the conditions of slavery was better than “dying” in the desert. When we pray, and are actually complaining, we demonstrate our utter lack of trust in God.
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.” Matthew 17:17-18
The tears we cry cutting leeks and onions are nothing but an irritation to the eyes. But the tears of fear and doubt irritated God. God was perplexed at their lack of trust. He performed miracle after miracle showing his mighty power, and then when something disturbed them, they would immediately doubt God’s ability to save them or provide for them. The same is true today, when we doubt God’s faithfulness to keep his promises, we turn to other means, and abandon God altogether. When some people don’t get what they want, they can treat God as if he is a broken vending machine. “I put in my quarter— how come I didn’t get anything?
Many return to their old ways, and become ensnared in the same sin that led to bondage in the first place. Their former life seems best to them for they are comfortable with it. It may be how they supported themselves, or what brought them pleasure. However, returning to sin only leads to greater bondage, as I have quoted before:
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26
So the tears of ingratitude lead to bondage. And bondage leads to tears of misery and torment because now their situation is even worse than before.
Complaining Brings Judgment
The onion was cut into three pieces, each representing a third. This is also significant, because it represents God’s judgment. In the book of Revelation, the “Trumpet Judgments” are pronounced as 1/3 third of this and 1/3 of that.
When the first trumpet is blown, we see that 1/3 of the earth and 1/3 of the trees are burned up.
When the second trumpet is blown, we see that 1/3 of the sea is turned to blood, 1/3 of the creatures in the sea die, and 1/3 of the ships are destroyed.
When the third trumpet is blown, we see that 1/3 of the rivers and springs turn bitter and cause the death of many people.
When the fourth trumpet is blown, 1/3 of the sun, 1/3 of the moon, and 1/3 of the stars turn dark. 1/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night also go dark.
When the sixth trumpet sounds the four angels that are bound at the Euphrates river are released to kill 1/3 of all mankind by three plagues: fire, smoke and sulfur.
Three represents perfection and completion. I believe that the division of one by three, or 1/3, represents the cutting down of God’s creation, which before the fall was “good,” or perfect. But now that we are getting closer to the end times, we see that wickedness is increasing. It seems to be overtaking the world. I believe that this vision shows us that we are nearing the time when God will destroy what he has made and start anew with a new heaven, a new earth and a new Jerusalem.
This vision to also to encourage the church to wake up and get right with God while there is still time.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
The Lord wants us to be pure and holy, not complaining and grieving his Holy Spirit. We his church have tested his patience. It is perfectly clear that the Lord does not like complaining for it shows our ingratitude and our inability to trust him. We become a thorn in his side rather than a blessing. Our complaining brings him dishonor.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:14-16
Judgment came to the Israelites, but only after they failed to place their trust in God over and over again. They insulted him by their lack of faith. You can easily hear the Lord’s frustration with the Israelites as he speaks to Moses and to Aaron in the following passage, informing them of his decision to bring judgment upon the people.
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’ I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.” Numbers 14:26-35
How is it that we test the Lord with our complaining? Why can’t we just simply be content? I love what the Apostle Paul said about this:
“I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
I believe that this is the secret to not complaining: to realize that the Lord is our provider, and he will give us what we need. We are the sheep of his pasture, and he is the good shepherd. We should not lose heart when things don’t go our way or happen in our timing. We need to learn to simply trust in his goodness and in his unfailing love. As in any relationship, trust is built over time, as we experience a person’s character and his trustworthiness. So as we spend time in the Lord’s presence and in his word, he reveals his heart to us. We learn to trust him and realize that he wants the very best for us. He tells us:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34
However, if we do not spend time with him, and his word, we will not appreciate him as the all powerful God that he is. We will go about our business like nothing matters. We will do whatever pleases us. We will take matters into our own hands, and only serve him when it serves us to do so.
The Lord’s salvation and promises are for the faithful. His warnings are for everyone. He wants us to be committed to him and to hold fast to his teachings and his ways. He does not want anyone to be lost, but all to come to repentance.
Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth because they needed to be reminded about their complaining and the judgment that would follow.
“We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:1-11
So let us take in the whole counsel of God’s word. For we see that instruction from the Old Testament is quoted often in the New Testament. The entire Bible is full of godly instruction that will help us mature and grow in our faith, so that we will trust him in all things and in every circumstance.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So if the Lord is asking us to stop complaining, let’s take it to heart, and do what he says. Let’s heed the warnings that come to us, for he wants us to honor him and bring him glory, for we are his creation.
Thanks for reading. I know that this is a serious message. The Lord wants us to understand the gravity of complaining and lacking faith in him.
God bless you. He will keep you with his mighty right arm! Please pass this message along to other believers. Thanks!
“All things are possible to those who believe!” Mark 9:23
