We are living in the day and hour ripe for judgment from our Lord Jesus Christ. His first target is all the churches who calls themselves by His sacred, powerful, and holy name! In the Book of Revelation 2-3, it tells us that there are faithful churches in the midst of churches who were not right in the sight of the Lord. And there were more churches who were wrong in the sight of God than there were the faithful, God fearing and God pleasing. And the Lord Jesus exposed them:

1). The Loveless Church (Revelation 2:1-7)
2). The Compromising Church (Rev. 2:12-17)
3). The Corrupt Church (Rev. 2:18-29)
4). The Dead Church (Rev. 3:1-6)
5). The Lukewarm Church (Rev. 3:14-22)

The churches who were right in the sight of God,

6). The Persecuted Church (Rev. 2:8-11)
7). The Faithful Church (Rev. 3:7-13)

And these churches are alive and well today! In fact it is describing the church age as we know it today. And the Lord Jesus is sick to His stomach literally of those who calls themselves Christians, yet, have not repented or changed in accordance with keeping the fruits of true repentance, which is the fruits of being born-again. Living holy and consecrated unto God our Maker, in accordance and guidance to His word and Holy Spirit.

He warns that He will spew, wretch or vomit out those who do not comply with Him, His teachings and His ways. This includes those who have not complied and walked by the ways of His Holy Spirit, which is in essence being lukewarm, stuck in between two opinions, being double-minded who has one foot in the world and one foot in church (hypocritical). Describing those sitting along side the fence, or playing church, play-acting Christianity,

Revelation 3:15&16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Scolding and correction comes to the house of the Lord first, by the absolute love, power mercy and authority of God our Father Himself, and then to the world as it is written and promised 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Those of Whom God Loves, He Rebukes, Chastens And Scourges

Correction is for our benefit, not for our destruction. It is also the way the Lord operates (Revelation 3:19; Proverbs 3:11-12 & Proverbs 15:10-11). He first warns (verbally rebuke). If the corrections were not headed, then further corrections in action then is as follows: He first disciplines. If that didn’t work, He then chastens. If that still has not gotten attention, He will scourge.

Hebrews 12:5-6 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

If we still choose to go astray, being rebellious after all this, He will then eventually take His flight and deliver that person or a people to the desires of their own heart. Another words, He will excommunicate us from His presence forever and the relationship thereof, which is the loss of salvation

Romans 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The Book of Romans was written through the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit directly warning Christians in the church of Rome, not just for yesterday but also for today, if “Christians” continue to sin deliberately and reject the disciplines of the Lord and go astray, there will be consequences to the point of no return. This concurs with what LORD had warned long ago:

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not strive with man forever.”

The word Strive means: ‘to struggle with’ or (to contend or wrestle with). I’ve had this conversation with a brother in Christ not too long ago. And he told me flat out “I don’t buy that. The Lord Jesus promised: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “That’s true,” I replied. “He had promised that, but who was He talking to? His disciples… The obedient… The Faithful… The God Fearing in Jesus Christ who desires Him and all His ways continually. And not to the obstante, the stiff-necked and the rebellious. Who will serve God on their own sinful terms and conditions, without any change. These are not Gods children but children of the lawless one, the antichrist and of the devil. And secondly what did the Holy Spirit warn us:

Hebrews 6:4-6 for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened. And have tasted the heavenly gifts, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

The Workings of satan

It’s no wonder why this church age in America is the way it is, as our Lord Jesus describes according to the Book of Revelation 2-3. We are unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Light is fellowshipping with darkness. We have a lot of people who are not a child of God, does not have a relationship with God nor has the Holy Spirit which is evident in their walk and talk, and are having fellowship with one another. The church is not a place for the child of the devil and the child of God to gather under Jesus Christ’s roof and sit at His table cohabitating and coexisting. It is a place for children of God to fellowship with one another.

The Book of Acts shows us the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ went into the streets and evangelized through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit all throughout the known world then. They ministered the simple Gospel message of Salvation, and then the signs, wonders and miracles of the Holy Spirit followed or visa-versa. And then sinners believed Jesus is the Son of God, who died for the remissions of sins, so we might have eternal Life in Him. Raised from the dead and ascended back into heaven in bodily form and sits at the right of God, as Messiah, Judge and King. Repented from sinning And then “God added to His church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47).” And then they came into the church which back in those days were in homes.

Today we have it all back wards. We are inviting heathens in for a Pastor or a guest speaker to evangelize, when it’s Christ’s disciples responsibility to evangelize in order for Jesus Christ to save.

Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on Him (the Lord Jesus the Messiah) in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel for Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” So then Faith Come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Church is not for the impenitent heathens and sinners who is spiritually dead in theirs sins. But for the believers and followers of Jesus Christ who are dead to sin but alive in Christ to have fellowship with one other and to encourage and strengthen one another in the Lord and to be refreshed by the renewing anointing of the Holy Spirit until we meet again. That’s why the Word of God tells us over and over again in:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?

The answer is NONE! In fact you cannot talk about spiritual things of God to the spiritually dead, because it is all unfruitful to them. The Word of God is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:13-14). And no one can fully understand nor comprehend the Holy Bible without being born-again by the Holy Spirit. And the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless they have truly repented from their sins and full heartedly turned to the living God (John 1415-18), because the Holy Spirit can only dwell in those who are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. So this is the real reason why a child of God and a child of the devil cannot have fellowship or co-habitat with one another.

And what communion has light with darkness? (the answer is NONE! John 1:1-5) And what accord has Christ with Belial? (the answer is NONE!) Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (the answer again is NONE!) And what agreement has the temple of God with Idols? (NONE! 1 Samuel 5:1-12). For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:” I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God. And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them

Come out from among the impenitent sinners and heathens. Come out from the ways and patterns of this dark fallen world, and their antichrist ways

and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

The church age in America today is in an apostate condition, because we are straying away ever-so-increasingly from the faith in Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus said it this way, Matthew 24:10-12 (The JNT: Jewish New Testament) “At that time many will be trapped into betraying and hating each other, many false prophets will appear and fool many people; and many peoples love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah.”

The Torah consists of The 5 Books Of The Law:” Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It also contains some of the Psalms and some of the Prophets. Which in essence is the Old Testament in a nut shell. So what He is really saying here is, that the love of many will grow cold because of the increased straying from God’s Holy Bible. (refer back to these studies on apostate conditions: “Signs Of The End-Time part 6; Apostasy part 2; Apostasy part 2 (continued)”

Continual and deliberate sinning not only as individuals but also as the corporate church body, this includes the leadership where the Holy Spirit has departed. Because we are not honoring God nor His Word. Complacency and compromise has cause the Glory of God to departed because we have become tolerant of the ways of the world against the things of God. God’s Word warns us in:

James 4:4 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

And the evidence of the Glory of the Lord who has departed in such apostate churches is: He is not active like in the days of the Book of Acts, not just in church only, but also out in the streets. I have not seen or heard of healings and miraculous signs and wonders being done by God through His disciples in the streets in America like in the days of the Book of Acts. But this does not mean He has departed forever ever yet. He can return if we repent and denounce all our sins, wickedness, transgressions, all unrighteousness and abominations in the sight of God such as, back biting, slandering, gossiping about one another and robbing God of our time and finances.

These are the definite ways we can quench the Holy Spirit, “did you see so and so go up there on the alter (whisper, whisper). God will not strive with man (meaning humanity: men, women and children) forever! And being on that subject, it’s no wonder why people are not going up to the alters anymore when we need to. Because people don’t want to be the but-end of gossip or jokes. The Holy Spirit judges in convictions all of us constantly those who are His children and yet we add to judgment that are not scriptural, holy nor of God, but of the flesh. It’s no wonder why the church age in America today is the way it is!

We’re settling for the cheap and easy broad way which is leading to our spiritual destruction and ineffectiveness that we are so blind to see it! Why do you think this is all happening, the apostate church? The devil hates the church of Jesus Christ! Hates God our Father! Hates all who believes and follows after the Lord Jesus! Hates the power of the Holy Spirit! And he hates unity of the saints of God because He knows how powerful unity is, under Heaven in and through God’s Holy Spirit, and he is afraid. The devil is afraid!

He knows the power of God and fights constantly through the body of Christ to keep us down and ineffective against his kingdom. Tries to bring us down to shame for following and serving Jesus Christ, through his antichrist system of thinking and workings of this world and society; such as Roe v Wade. Taking the 10 Commandment out of courtrooms. Trying to take the symbol of the cross out of cemeteries and other public places. Or can’t pray in the name of Jesus publicly, or trying to bring us to shame for speaking and living the holy truth from God’s Holy Bible.

WAKE UP CHURCH to this truth! PAY ATTENTION to this! TAKE HEED! The devil knows that when the body of Christ is truly united, he is rendered powerless on this earth against the power of God. In this he’s been attacking the holy love of the brethren. That’s why we desperately have to set all divisions aside that are unscriptural. Repent, reject and denounce all unclean things of this world. The sins and the abominations that hinders the power of God, and be truly united as this Holy Bible defines unity as, and be it!

It’s not about denomination. It’s not about what church building is it, as the devil been side-tracking us for so long with. It’s not even close to being about how successful a preacher or a denomination are, by the measure of membership and how much money is coming in by these members. For that’s all carnality, built on the foundations of pride, arrogance and greed which is not of God

1 Timothy 6:6-16 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

This life is certainly not about us, but is all about our Lord Jesus Christ the King, Shepherd, Messiah and Savior. It is also about God our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom and what He will’s, plans and purposes, as well as where we will spend eternity: Heaven or the Lake of Fire? And unity plays a huge role in this; being fellow workers of the harvest, working together for the common goal of Jesus Christ and for His Kingdom. Because no one and no one church or ministry is greater than another. And no one person, church or ministry is greater than our Lord Jesus Christ.

When all this is going on, how can we be the salt and light of the world? We must live holy and completely different from the ways and patterns of this fallen world in order to be effective to reach the lost and to be used by God, and of His Holy Spirit. To be part of the solution and not the problem.

We must have holy fellowship in order to strengthen and encourage our fellow brethren in Jesus Christ. To worship God freely without hindrance and to be refreshed every time we gather in His presence. This is the point of church,

Revelation 2:1-7 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says (meaning, God is still saying) He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Meaning the Lord Jesus will give salvation to those who heed this warning and overcome. But if not, the hopes for salvation will be taken away by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Therefore, We Are More Than Conquerors 

This is a warning for us today as it were for the church of Ephesus then. I hear the Holy Spirit saying, “we need to get back to the basics and forsake those things which divides, in order to have the true workings of God in our personal walk in Christ, in the church age and to be effective in our communities. We need to have the love of Jesus Christ our Lord manifest in the fellowship of the brethren. It starts with Jesus Christ first.” For all things starts in Christ and then at home. And then overflows in church and then into the World. This is what strengthens us individually and corporately in these last days. Now we can see clearly why it has been written in:

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new a living way which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He (Jesus Christ) who promised is Faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching.

Referring to going to church much more faithfully in true holy love and fellowship as we see the day, the appearance of the Lord Jesus in the clouds approaching; the rapture of the church age.

Because these days are evil and we not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with faith; hope and love. With goodness, with righteousness, with unwavering holy morality, as well as having the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to win the lost at all cost. Truly being in one mind and in one accord in Jesus Christ Biblically just like in the days of the Book of Acts. For we have got to get this right. We have one life, therefore one chance.

The Summation of Christianity

In closing, we read and study God’s Word. We Pray. And go to church faithfully not because that’s the least we can do for all that Christ has given us. If we do these things for that reason, than we have changed the Sacred Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot pay back the Lord for all He has done and He doesn’t require us to do so, accept to live holy unto Him (He expects that). And you certainly cannot earn grace, which is: “unmerited favor,” nor can you earn the right to His Salvation. It was all paid for in full by His own blood, and is given to us freely by His mercy.

We do these things because we truly love the Lord Jesus first and foremost (John 14:15). And then we do these things to be strengthened, to grow and mature in God. To be established, effective and permanent in Jesus Christ our Lord. And to be used powerfully as God wills through His Holy Spirit and that’s that. The church has dwindled in power and effectiveness in these last days as of right now. Is this what the glorious church looks like? Lazy, complacent, comprising, loveless and hypocritical??? In all this, are we truly and accurately representing our Lord this way? The Holy Spirit showed me this:

“If there is more talking in the pews than praying on the alters, there is something spiritually wrong and amiss. If there is silence in the pews when there should be the ‘yes’ and amen,’ then the church is dying from within. And if the pulpit refrains in shame and fear from preaching the absolute, unadulterated truth from God’s Holy Bible accurately, then the church is dead!”

As we can look back on the past studies, we can see clearly 3 reasons why we read and study Gods Word. Why we Pray. And why we go to church.:

1). To have fellowship and a real relationship with God. To know Him on this earth.
2). To be strengthened
3). To be ready for spiritual battles that will manifest in the physical realm. To be ready for the troubles, the trials, testing’s and the tribulations of life spiritually in order to live this life holy without compromise of Gods Word. (Remember from out past studies: “The Importance of The Holy Bible:” ‘What we read from Gods Holy Word today, prepares us for ministry, and for trials, tribulations and testing of life tomorrow.’) To be effective on earth against the kingdom of darkness and to recognize and discern satanic influences of all types, and attack it head on by exposing the truth coupled with prayer and fastings. We are to have influence in society and have authority over the devil, not the other way around.

This is why we read the Word of God on a consistent daily basis. This is why we get into prayer unto the Lord, and why we go to church faithfully. It is to be strengthened, to be encourage and to be effective, especially in these last days in this last generation. The Holy Word of God strengthens us with confidence, knowing who God is and how He operates, and what He can do which raises our faith to trust Him completely. Prayer strengthens us by empowering us with His presence and answered prayer. Giving us opportunities to share with others the things of God in order to strengthen and encourage others in Christ.

Stirring up the fire of the Holy Spirit within the children of God and going to a Holy Spirit filled, full Bible believing, holiness church strengthens us because we get some further instructions from God’s Holy Word. We receive more of His presence corporately with praise and worship. Prayer of all supplication strengthens, empowers and encourages us to move forward in God through fellowship with one another or at least it should. Because fellowship helps us to see the bigger picture of who God is and what He is doing through the testimonies of the saints as it is written:

Revelation 12:11 And they (the saints of God Most High) overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

This Scripture is not just limited to the testimony through word only, but also the testimony of our holy walk in the LORD. The way the world can tell whether the Lord Jesus is the resurrected, living Son God and Lord above all, who dwells in our hearts as we proclaim Him to be, is by our testimony of our walk in Him. And that will determine whether they will listen to you about the Gospel message of Salvation or not. People are looking for the real thing. And we are called to be Ambassadors of Jesus Christ, His direct representatives.

We need to watch our walk closely and align it to the commands of God’s Word, because people are going to hell over our hypocrisies both small and great. And the world is quick to see hypocrisy and point it out. And because of it, they refuse to believe that Jesus is Lord, due to the simple fact that we didn’t make Jesus Christ Lord of our own lives, and they see that clearly.

Now the Word of God proclaims that the church (the bride of Christ) is supposed to be glorious, and will be glorious. The Lord Jesus expects us to be,

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

The church is the bride of Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him is a committed  marriage covenant, and Christ will come for His glorious church. He’s not coming for a harlot such as the type and shadow of Hosea’s wife (Hosea 1-3/Revelation 2-3) who always goes astray. But He is coming for His bride who is already ready for His appearance (Mark 13/Matthew 24:36-51).

So lets get right church! Getting our priorities straight, living out the fruits of repentance, which is holiness according to God’s Holy Bible. Being effective on this earth, going into all the world and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature under Heaven, winning lost souls who are dying and goings to Hell hour after hour at all cost, and lets go home!

Be sure to check our next study, ‘Just Like In The Days of The Book of Acts.’ Until next time, God bless you, your family and your friends.