Is The Church Over

whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:3 Q. Are you saying that Satan is going to come against the church as the man of sin? A. Yes. The Bible says that at the beginning of the great tribulation, Satan will be loosed to assault the churches and congregations with false gospels near the end of the time: And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. Revelation 20:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ariseth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation 13:7 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2 Q. All I am hearing from you is that Satan overcomes, that he is victorious. But where is God in all of this? Where is His Spirit? A. Things are not out of control. Sadly, it is true that God’s Spirit has left the churches; but the Spirit of God is still operating in the world: as a matter of fact, God’s plan is to save a great multitude of people outside of the churches during the great tribulation period: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way. 2Thessalonians 2:7 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number… These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:9a,14b Q. How is it possible that God’s Spirit has left the church? A. It is truly shocking for us to hear this; but the Word of God says there is no longer any blessing of God upon those attending churches anywhere in the world. We have to understand this is why the great tribulation is so awful. The Bible declares that Satan is now the one receiving the worship in the churches: For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. Lamentations 1:16 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 Q. So, if I go to church this Sunday, who am I worshipping – God or Satan? A. You must find the answer to all of these questions in the Bible: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Matthew 24:15

…that man of sin…the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3b,4 Q. If Satan is ruling in the churches today - how does this affect my friends and family that still go to church each week? A. The fact is, since God’s wrath is upon the churches of our day, anyone associated with the church is in an extremely dangerous spiritual situation: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the LORD. Amos 8:11 And the carcasses of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Jeremiah 7:33 Parents who desire the best for their children must also consider the awful language of the Bible regarding children being brought up in the churches during the dark days of the great tribulation period (recognizing that in Scripture Christ is called the Bread of Life): Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! Matthew 24:19 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. Lamentations 4:4 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. Ezekiel 14:20 Q. What should I do then? A. God instructs His people on what to do once Satan overcomes the churches: Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Luke 21:21,22 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. Genesis 19:17 Q. I am not sure that I understand what fleeing to the “mountains” means? A. In other words, fleeing Judea for the mountains is language that God uses to signify coming out of the churches and congregations that have been overcome by Satan; and entering into God’s care and protection outside of the organized church: As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about His people from henceforth even for ever. Psalm 125:2 Q. Leave the church? That sounds drastic. A. There really is no other option. God is not suggesting this as a possible recourse, but He is commanding His people, for their own good, to come out of the churches:

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4 Q. But what about fellowship? Doesn’t the Bible say something about gathering together in churches till Christ returns? A. The Bible tells us not to forsake gathering “ourselves” together, but it does not tell us that we must gather in churches. Believers can experience wonderful fellowship outside of the churches. Meeting in homes or through the electronic medium of radio or internet: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 Q. Why is this the first time I have heard this? A. God has concealed these truths in the Scriptures until our generation. The Bible says that God closed up the Scriptures relating to end time events until the actual time of the end arrives: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4 Q. Do you think we are near the end of the world? A. Yes. The Bible says that the judgment now upon the church will transition shortly into the final day of judgment for all (unsaved) mankind: For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by My Name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. Jeremiah 25:29 Thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12 Q. What will happen once man “meets” God? A. Any person who stands before the judgment seat of Christ will be found guilty of breaking God’s law and will be cast into Hell eternally: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:… which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 Q. I haven’t heard much taught about Hell from the churches I have attended. Do you think God will really throw people into Hell forever? A. Sadly, the churches are not bringing the whole counsel of God in our day. There is much talk about being saved, but very little talk regarding what we are saved from. Indeed, the Bible does teach that Hell is eternal: … it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:43,44 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46

Q. I thought that since I went to church regularly, I was safe from Hell; but now I am not so sure? A. The church has never been able to save anyone. Jesus indicated many churchgoers would end up in Hell: Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21,23

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy upon me. Mark 10:47,48 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not? Jonah 3:8,9

Q. How can I escape eternal damnation? A. This is really the all important question for each one of us because we are all sinners and have offended God and therefore are subject to spend an eternity in Hell. But the Bible does speak of the possibility of salvation: …behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2b

Q. I feel very uneasy. Salvation seems out of my reach now. A. Perhaps the reason you “feel” this way is because the Bible does declare that salvation is not in man’s hands, but salvation is of the Lord. This is where trusting and waiting upon God comes in. We approach God very humbly for His salvation; and then we wait for Him to answer. Always remembering that God is a very merciful God: But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12,13 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. Psalm 62:1 …He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. Micah 7:18

Q. So, I have to accept Christ? And then will I be saved? A. Unfortunately, many churches teach this, but the Bible says that no man can “accept” Christ because all men are spiritually dead: And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ephesians 2:1 Q. Are you sure? I thought all I had to do was accept Christ. Isn’t this true? A. No. The problem is that the Bible declares that man is spiritually dead in sin and totally incapable of mustering up faith in himself to salvation: And there is none that calleth upon Thy Name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee:… Isaiah 64:7a There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Romans 3:11 No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him:… John 6:44a

Q. How long do I wait for God to save me? A. We cannot set any time limit. God will save an individual (if it is His good pleasure to do so) in His own time: I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope. Psalm 130:5 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26 If we finally mean business with God, then we will be reading the Bible as much as possible. If God saves anyone, it will always be through His Word: My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken Thou me according to Thy Word. Psalm 119:25 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 --.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.--.

Q. I am subject to Hell, but I can’t believe and become saved – it seems hopeless. A. God has written the Bible in order to bring us to a knowledge of our wretched condition; and also to show us that salvation is absolutely not within man’s ability to achieve. God Himself must do all the work in the matter of saving the sinner: When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:25,26 For He saith unto Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Romans 9:15

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Q. Will crying for mercy save me? A. No. Crying out for mercy is no guarantee that God will save you. There is no formula for salvation. But crying to God for mercy is something God allows us to do. We have to remember we are the rebels. We are the ones in the spiritual dungeon of sin, and as we are permitted to cry to the glorious King of Heaven, it is quite a privilege:

The church age is over; but fellowship continues:

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IS THE

CHURCH AGE OVER? Q. What kind of question is that? Many people still attend church each week. A. Yes, it is true that there are still many churches with many people in attendance, but a church’s spiritual life is not based upon numbers in attendance, it is based solely upon its faithfulness towards the Bible. God has warned the New Testament congregations that the light of truth will be removed if they do not keep His commandments: …repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5 Q. I know the church is not perfect, but why would you say that the church age is over? A. You are correct that the church has never been perfect, and God tolerated the disobedience of the corporate church for quite some time. But the time has come that God’s longsuffering patience with the church is over and His judgment has begun upon the churches: And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:21,22 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God… 1 Peter 4:17 Q. The “great tribulation”? Isn’t that supposed to be a horrible time of blood letting? Are we in the great tribulation? A. Yes. However, the character of the great tribulation is not one of physical violence; but rather of spiritual unfaithfulness in the churches and congregations of the world towards the Word of God. It is characterized by a widespread emphasis on signs and wonders. The churches of our day (all denomi-nations: whether Catholic or Protestant) have fallen away tremendously from the truths of the Bible: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:21,24 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Q. Who is the “man of sin”? I have heard that he will be a great political ruler. A. Whenever some particularly evil leader arises, people immediately think he is the man of sin or antichrist; but the man of sin spoken of in the Bible is not a man at all, but rather, he is Satan himself. Satan alone qualifies since he is the only one who could have been present nearly 2000 years ago; and yet, come against the people of God near the end of the world: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,