God’s Last Day Church Identified.
Down through the ages God has always had a faithful Church.
This Church has been the object of Satan’s wrath. He has always persecuted those who belong to God. 1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you.”
According to Revelation 12:6 and 11, The church of God that fled into the wilderness (538AD to 1798AD, a period of 1,60 years) overcame Satan (the accuser of the brethren, who persecuted them through his deceived followers), by the blood of the lamb (by their faith in Jesus they overcame); and loved not their lives until death (faced martyrdom).
This Church has been the object of Satan’s wrath. He has always persecuted those who belong to God. 1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you.”
According to Revelation 12:6 and 11, The church of God that fled into the wilderness (538AD to 1798AD, a period of 1,60 years) overcame Satan (the accuser of the brethren, who persecuted them through his deceived followers), by the blood of the lamb (by their faith in Jesus they overcame); and loved not their lives until death (faced martyrdom).
There are 7 points that identify God’s Church in this time in history.
Jesus says in Luke 11:9, that we are to “seek that we may find”, for Ephesians 4:5 “there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism”.
(1) God’s true Church will appear after the Dark Ages experience; that is after 1798.
The woman (symbolic of the true or pure church) fled into the wilderness for 1,260 years (Dark Ages). Therefore it was in hiding in isolation through years of unjust persecution.
(2) God’s true Church will hold the same truths as the apostles; their teachings agree with Bible doctrine.
Jesus says, John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life”.
Malachi 3:6 says “I am the Lord I change not”.
(3) God’s true Church will keep the 10 Commandments; including the 4th.
Jesus says in Luke 11:9, that we are to “seek that we may find”, for Ephesians 4:5 “there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism”.
(1) God’s true Church will appear after the Dark Ages experience; that is after 1798.
The woman (symbolic of the true or pure church) fled into the wilderness for 1,260 years (Dark Ages). Therefore it was in hiding in isolation through years of unjust persecution.
(2) God’s true Church will hold the same truths as the apostles; their teachings agree with Bible doctrine.
Jesus says, John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life”.
Malachi 3:6 says “I am the Lord I change not”.
(3) God’s true Church will keep the 10 Commandments; including the 4th.
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments”.
1 John 2:4 “He that said, I know Him and keeps not His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not I him”.
(4) God’s true Church will have the gift of prophecy.
The apostle John says, the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass. The true Church must have understanding of prophecy.
Note: Prophecy is a forecast, foretelling or revelation.
We read in Revelation 12:17 that the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman (the true church) went to make war with the remnant (the small portion) which keep the Commandments of God (they obey all the 10 Commandments) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10).
In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 The gifts of the Spirit are listed as, wisdom, knowledge, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, divers kinds of tongues (languages) and interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:1 says “Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” Furthermore in 1 Corinthians 1:7 while speaking to the Church at Corinth, Paul says, Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
(5) God’s true Church will preach the final end-time, message of Revelation 14:6-12.
This message includes the (1) preaching of the gospel world-wide, (2) calling people back to worship the Creator God, (3) warnings against worshipping false religious powers (4) warnings of the judgment to come, (5) revealing that God’s wrath will be poured out upon those who receive the mark of the beast.
(6) God’s true Church will be a world-wide missionary church; taking the gospel to every nation, tongue and people.
1 John 2:4 “He that said, I know Him and keeps not His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not I him”.
(4) God’s true Church will have the gift of prophecy.
The apostle John says, the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass. The true Church must have understanding of prophecy.
Note: Prophecy is a forecast, foretelling or revelation.
We read in Revelation 12:17 that the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman (the true church) went to make war with the remnant (the small portion) which keep the Commandments of God (they obey all the 10 Commandments) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10).
In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 The gifts of the Spirit are listed as, wisdom, knowledge, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, divers kinds of tongues (languages) and interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:1 says “Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” Furthermore in 1 Corinthians 1:7 while speaking to the Church at Corinth, Paul says, Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
(5) God’s true Church will preach the final end-time, message of Revelation 14:6-12.
This message includes the (1) preaching of the gospel world-wide, (2) calling people back to worship the Creator God, (3) warnings against worshipping false religious powers (4) warnings of the judgment to come, (5) revealing that God’s wrath will be poured out upon those who receive the mark of the beast.
(6) God’s true Church will be a world-wide missionary church; taking the gospel to every nation, tongue and people.
Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost;
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”.
(7) God’s true Church will teach salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
1 Thessalonians 5:9. For, God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation, in any other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Note: If we have the faith of Jesus Christ, we have faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely.
A further identifying mark of God’s true Church.
God’s true Church will do all things to His glory and this includes taking care of your body temple, by abstaining from harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs.
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”.
(7) God’s true Church will teach salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
1 Thessalonians 5:9. For, God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation, in any other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Note: If we have the faith of Jesus Christ, we have faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely.
A further identifying mark of God’s true Church.
God’s true Church will do all things to His glory and this includes taking care of your body temple, by abstaining from harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs.
1 Corinthians 3:16. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are”.
The true Church will also have a health message, as this is in agreement with the word of God.
Note: There is a list of unclean foods in Leviticus chapter 11.
Who is included in the true church?
The special group of 144,000 (Revelation 14:1-5), are also included in God’s true church, although the true church does not consist entirely and exclusively of them.
There is also a great multitude that belongs to the true church of God.
Revelation 7:4. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Revelation 7:9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
As the twelve apostles were a special group, in the time of Jesus first coming, so the (12x 12,000) 144,000 are a special group, in the later times; who are filled with the Holy Spirit and faithfully preach and teach the true gospel. In the days of Jesus, besides sending out the 12 disciples, He also sent out a group of 70 (Luke 10:1) to preach and teach; likewise in these later days there will be many others besides the 144,00 who will faithfully preach and teach, and stand for gospel truth.
The true Church will also have a health message, as this is in agreement with the word of God.
Note: There is a list of unclean foods in Leviticus chapter 11.
Who is included in the true church?
The special group of 144,000 (Revelation 14:1-5), are also included in God’s true church, although the true church does not consist entirely and exclusively of them.
There is also a great multitude that belongs to the true church of God.
Revelation 7:4. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Revelation 7:9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
As the twelve apostles were a special group, in the time of Jesus first coming, so the (12x 12,000) 144,000 are a special group, in the later times; who are filled with the Holy Spirit and faithfully preach and teach the true gospel. In the days of Jesus, besides sending out the 12 disciples, He also sent out a group of 70 (Luke 10:1) to preach and teach; likewise in these later days there will be many others besides the 144,00 who will faithfully preach and teach, and stand for gospel truth.
How do we find God’s faithful church?
One easily recognized feature of the true church is that the believers or members of the true church keep all the commandments of God, as enumerated in the Scriptures. (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5) There are very few churches today who are keeping all the commandments of God. Many presume they are, but the truth is they are not. God’s 10 Commandments have been altered by the Catholic Church, and partly adopted by the majority of Protestantism: the second has been abolished and the 10th split in two, and the fourth Commandment that commands us to rest from labour and keep holy, the 7th day (Saturday), has been changed to the first day (Sunday). The Catholic Church claims that they have the power to make such a change; and hence the change made to the 4th Commandment is their mark of authority.
We find the faithful church by looking for a Church that keeps all ten Commandments, a Church that finds salvation in Jesus Christ alone, a Church whose teachings adhere to Bible truth, a Church that has a world-wide mission focus, a Church that has the spirit of prophecy and a Church that is giving the warning messages of the three angels found in Revelation 14:6-10. Any Church that does not have all these characteristics is not God’s true Church, no matter how much they profess to be. Doctrine must be based on the sure word of God.
One easily recognized feature of the true church is that the believers or members of the true church keep all the commandments of God, as enumerated in the Scriptures. (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5) There are very few churches today who are keeping all the commandments of God. Many presume they are, but the truth is they are not. God’s 10 Commandments have been altered by the Catholic Church, and partly adopted by the majority of Protestantism: the second has been abolished and the 10th split in two, and the fourth Commandment that commands us to rest from labour and keep holy, the 7th day (Saturday), has been changed to the first day (Sunday). The Catholic Church claims that they have the power to make such a change; and hence the change made to the 4th Commandment is their mark of authority.
We find the faithful church by looking for a Church that keeps all ten Commandments, a Church that finds salvation in Jesus Christ alone, a Church whose teachings adhere to Bible truth, a Church that has a world-wide mission focus, a Church that has the spirit of prophecy and a Church that is giving the warning messages of the three angels found in Revelation 14:6-10. Any Church that does not have all these characteristics is not God’s true Church, no matter how much they profess to be. Doctrine must be based on the sure word of God.
How do we enter that Church?
We are called into one body (Colossians 3:15); the body is the church: we enter the church through baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...
Is it really necessary to enter God’s church?
Ephesians 5:25-27. Husbands love your wife even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; that it should be holy and without blemish.
It is important for us to belong to God’s true church, (1) because He died for all those who would prove faithful to Him, and (2) He has promised to cleanse His church through obedience to His word, (3) that they may be a people that are like Him in character.
We are called into one body (Colossians 3:15); the body is the church: we enter the church through baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...
Is it really necessary to enter God’s church?
Ephesians 5:25-27. Husbands love your wife even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; that it should be holy and without blemish.
It is important for us to belong to God’s true church, (1) because He died for all those who would prove faithful to Him, and (2) He has promised to cleanse His church through obedience to His word, (3) that they may be a people that are like Him in character.
