The Oldest Purest Church
After examining the different denominations and churches, we find that the apostolic church was the purest church that ever existed. Yet, Paul stated that, at his time, the devil started to pollute the pure church. He said, “mystery of iniquity doth already work” and the “man of sin” will be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). As this sin continued, the church fell away during the Dark Ages when it did persecute the saints, ban the Bible and teach false doctrines.
Some years later, Paul, in his letter to the elders of the Ephesian church, foretold that the apostasy would be due to people within the church arising “to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). He asked Timothy to heed the same dangers, adding that a time was coming when people would turn to fables, refusing to hear the truth (1 Timothy 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4).
The apostle Peter and Jude spoke similar words about those who have abandoned the right path (2 Peter 2:1, 12–22; Jude 4, 10–13). And the apostle John taught that, at his time of writing, many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18). Jesus Christ Himself admonished His followers to beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15; 24:24), and foretold that many would be offended as a result of their preaching (Matthew 24:10).
The End-Time Biblical Church
Today, there are many denominations that claim to be God’s true church, yet they differ widely in biblical interpretation, faith, and practice. How can the believer locate God’s true church? Jesus Himself solved this dilemma by describing His end time church in perfect detail that the believer can easily identify it. That description is found clearly in book of Revelation chapters 12 and 14:
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). So, the saints will:
- Have the Faith of Jesus.
- Keep the Commandments of God (including the seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment-Ex. 20:8-11).
- Have the Testimony of Jesus Christ (“for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
Jesus recognizes His children who are in Babylon (unfaithful churches). He says, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:16, 27).
The Lord is calling His faithful children from all fallen denominations saying, “Come out of her [Babylon], my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4, 5). Jesus promises that His people who are yet in Babylon will hear and recognize His voice and come out to safety.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
