Revelation 18:14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance
18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
The “fruit of the soul” represents the maturity or fullness of the soul and its resulting outcome and expression. When man develops his soul at the expense of his spirit, religion is the result. His mind generates ideas that result in earthly idols to worship. His mind exalts the created over the creator. His lawlessness moves him toward perversity rather than holiness even to the point of redefining the meaning of basic principles such as life and marriage. When the soul is placed in charge, the result is a taskmaster who is never satisfied. When the soul of man is exposed for what it is, there is a time of mourning for the emotions are saddened by the loss of “self” which is replaced by “selflessness” of Love. As Agape Love strengthens us, the time of mourning is minimal and we move on to the glorious calling set aside uniquely for each of us.
The self-preservation aspect of the ego will distance itself from any impending judgment if possible. If there is an outward judgment of the soul of man, the ego will attempt to go underground until the judgment has past. In this hour that will no longer be possible for nothing will be hidden:
Psalm 44:20 If we had forgotten the name of our God,
Or stretched out our hands to a foreign god,
21 Would not God search this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart.
A shipmaster governs the direction of the ship. He determines the path taken. Our minds will view the destruction of the religious harlot and see the necessity to keep a safe distance from this destruction lest our soul be fully sucked into judgment. When a ship is in peril, its merchandise or “fruit” is tossed overboard in order that it may survive the storm. Every carnal thought will be jettisoned away from the “ship”:
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
When judgment comes to our souls, there is a notable corrective interview about our priorities. There are those who “pinched” pennies as though pennies were scarce and they place supreme importance by hoarding of wealth. That subtle aspect of greed will be exposed and judged. Others have attempted to habitually manipulate others by making people feel guilty by not living up to some mind-generated standard of conditional love. That too will be judged. “If you loved me, then you would…” has been their mantra whether voiced or simply thought. Religion is conditional by nature. If you perform then you are accepted. If you don’t perform, then you must pay the price, you will be punished by various mind games. The soul is harsh in its judgments against others and FATHER’S Love will soon expose the fruit of the soul in those who have taken the path of religion and soulish acts and responses.
There are those who produce fruit of the soul and are known by such fruit. Then there are those who produce fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
It is time to be a fruit inspector!