Winnowing: it is the process by which the chaff is removed from the grain,or whatever has chaff in it. When I pick up pecans with my pecan picker it does not discriminate - I end up with sticks, leaves in addition to pecans. I will take this load to a large powerful fan, running it and standing before the powerful wind pouring it from one container to another. The wind will blow the debris easily away unless there is something heavy which can be easily removed otherwise. Get the idea?
I sense God is winnowing his people - removing the false shepherds from among his people. Not only them but lay persons as well. He is on a fast track to expose the false believers amongst his children.
It seems as though there is a rash of suicides among clergymen - just yesterday, I think it was, I read another report of a beloved pastor taking the gun to himself, leaving his flock in a shock.
Then you have pastors who get involved with another woman or man and they are defrocked - most of the time temporarily.
Or, there is a push to ordain to the pastorate homos, be they male of female. Or, there are well known clergymen who come out in support of perversion.
And...then you have the faithful who will raise a hue and a cry about these sins who are demonized by the powerful, in effect silencing them. And they are left alone to suffer at the hands of the powerful by marginalizing them.
Persecution? Seems like it is worse coming from the carnal church then from secular folks...
Beloved, let us beware of the tactics of the devil lest we get caught in his snare. Stay close to the WORD and let no one deter you with their fine words, rhetoric and charm. The devil knows the WORD intellectually better then most and he will use it to beguile even the sincere. Whether he will accomplish his goal will depend on how close you live with the Shepherd.
This has been on my heart for some time and the exposure of false believers is accelerating, so do not let it deter you but resolve to not esteem persons who evoke your admiration to an unhealthy level that will cause you to stumble if a revelation would reveal the existence of a wolf. Or, better yet, listen to the red flags the Spirit places in your heart.
God bless.