The Church

The Church

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters . . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

It is obvious that these words are not directed at an ungodly world. The ungodly do not have an appearance of godliness, but religious people do. When it mentions perilous times, it does not refer to a lack of money or food. Not at all! But it will be difficult to find true godliness that is not just a sham.

We read further in Chapter 4:4: “And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” These kinds of people are being prepared to receive Antichrist, the lawless one. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:8-13.

From what were they supposed to be saved? The answer is: from all the sins we read about in 2 Timothy 3, and more besides. You have to love the truth to be saved from such sins. But who among those who call themselves Christian will admit that they are lovers of themselves and lovers of money, etc.? In which Christian assembly or church can you hear the truth about how you are—about your sin—so you can be saved? You will hear much about how good God is and that we are under the blood, and that grace covers everything; but why is there division and strife among them? Why are those who believe in Jesus not one? The reason is all the sins that Paul lists and which they don’t want to hear about; they just cover them with an appearance of godliness and continue to argue about doctrines.

All of them speak about Jesus’ soon return, and that these are the last days, but why don’t they also speak about these people who have an appearance of godliness? Isn’t Paul’s prophecy true? They speak about meeting Jesus in the clouds, but why do they not speak about purifying yourself just as He is pure? 1 John 3:3. Why do they not speak about disciplining your body and bringing it into subjection so you will not be unworthy of meeting Him? 1 Cor. 9:27. If they had loved the truth, they would also have spoken about it. They could have been saved and become one.

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth . . . .” 2 Thess. 2:13.

They certainly were precious people. They loved the truth; therefore the Spirit could do a work in them. They were chosen for salvation; they did not want all their wretchedness to be covered by an appearance of godliness. On the contrary, they acknowledged the truth and partook of sanctification. They were preparing themselves to meet Jesus. The church consists of such people. 1 John 2:28.

“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?” 1 Pet. 4:17.

These hypocrites do not want to accept the judgment, and so they turn to fables, heaping up for themselves teachers because they have itching ears. Then it shouldn’t surprise us that there are many groups. They are so well organized that no true prophet has an opportunity to get in there with light and judgment. These groups also recognize each other, having ecumenical meetings and prayer weeks. There is no lack of activities. Where shall they turn who truly desire to seek God to be set free from sin? They know nothing else besides these churches and recognized denominational names. Many seeking souls have gone there and were disappointed—they have lost faith in true Christianity.

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:4-5.

The church—the body of Christ—is this house. However, Jesus who is the cornerstone was rejected by men. All the other stones which are to be built up together with Him are therefore also rejected by men. Today’s church is also rejected by men—by those who have only an appearance of godliness. It is difficult to find the church because it is not in the ranks of these recognized denominations. But if someone does hear about the church, they get to hear about it as the worst heresy of our times. This does not help them to find it, and if there is someone who asks, they get to hear, “Go wherever you want, but don’t go there.”

When Peter answered Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 16:16-17.

“And the Lord added to the church daily those who allowed themselves to be saved.” Acts 2:47.

This is also valid today. If anyone is to find the church, the Lord has to add him to it. People have to have it revealed to them by the Father if they are to leave this imitation of godliness behind and find the church. This gate is narrow, but we are all blessed who have found it and are being saved so that fellowship becomes increasingly more glorious.

No one doubts that we are living in the last days and that lawlessness is on the increase. However, at the same time, God is gathering the upright in one country after another and is building the church, just as He is gathering the Jews to the land of Israel. The Spirit is working powerfully to sanctify those who love the truth. Happy are all those who are not deceived by the greatness of this world, but who are being built together with Jesus outside the camp. Heb. 13:13-14.