God’s End Time Church
The Bible says there is one body into which Jesus calls His end time church – the bride of Christ. The apostolic church was the purest church that ever existed. But Paul stated that, at his time, the devil started to pollute the pure church. He said, the “mystery of iniquity doth already work” and the “man of sin” will be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). Sadly, the church fell away during the dark ages when it persecuted the saints and banned the Bible.
Today, there are many churches that claim to be God’s true church, yet they differ widely in biblical interpretation, faith, and practice. So, how can we locate God’s true church? Jesus has solved this dilemma for us by describing His end time church in such detail that we 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).
The true church (denomination) or the saints will:
- Have the Faith of Jesus.
- Keep the Commandments of God (including the seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment-Exodus 20:8-11).
- Have the Testimony of Jesus Christ “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). The Spirit of prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:11).
The faith of Jesus and the keeping of the commandments are 2 necessary elements in Christian living. The commandments of God are a reflection of His character. They set forth the divine standard of righteousness that He would have His children live by. But on his own man is unable to do so (Romans 8:7).
But the Son of God came to empower people to be restored to the divine image. Through His power men can keep the divine law (Romans 8:3, 4) and thus reflect God’s holy image. The end time church thus honors the commandments of God, and keeps them, not in any legalistic way but as reflection of Christ, who lives in their hearts (Galatians 2:20).
“Come Out of Her My People”
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).
Jesus is calling His faithful children out of the fallen churches 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). And He 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
