Can I Find God's True Church?

Can I Find God's True Church?

Recent statistics tell us that there are about 240 religious bodies in the United States and more than 500 in the world[cite: 7]. There are 580 million Roman Catholics, 125 million Eastern Orthodox Catholics, 218 million Protestants, 493 million Muslims, 371 million Confucianists, 177 million Buddhists, 436 million Hindus, 54 million Taoists, 70 million Shintoists, and 13 million Jews[cite: 7]. The more than two hundred religious organizations into which Protestantism is fragmented, and the divisions of others of these great world religions, make up the more than five hundred religious groups in the world today[cite: 7].

The confusion caused by such an array of beliefs is appalling[cite: 7]. Small wonder that the Bible refers to the religious world at the end of time as "Babylon," which has come to mean confusion[cite: 7]. (Revelation 18:2.)[cite: 7]

How in all this maze can the searcher after truth discover which is the true religion?[cite: 7]

1. WHICH RELIGION SAVES?

A Calcutta paper recently related that a young man came to the house of a Christian missionary for an interview[cite: 7]. In the course of the conversation, he said, "Many things which Christianity contains I can find in Hinduism, but Christianity has one thing which Hinduism does not have."[cite: 7]

"What is that?" the missionary asked[cite: 7].

His reply was—and it is very striking—"A Saviour!"[cite: 7]

This young man saw that the central truth of Christianity and of the Scriptures is a person—Jesus, the Saviour[cite: 7]. He is the way, the only way, of salvation[cite: 7].

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."—Acts 4:12.[cite: 7]

Let us look at a few facts[cite: 7]. First, there is a God[cite: 7]. He has a kingdom[cite: 7]. That kingdom has a law[cite: 7]. That law is the Ten Commandments[cite: 7]. Breaking that law is sin[cite: 7]. The wages of sin is death[cite: 7]. All have sinned; therefore, death has passed upon all[cite: 7]. All people need to be rescued from the condemnation of sin[cite: 7]. Jesus is the Saviour because He came to save us by taking our place before the broken law of God[cite: 7].

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."—John 3:16.[cite: 7]

"Call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins."—Matthew 1:21.[cite: 7]

We are not saved by a religion[cite: 7]. We are not saved by a church[cite: 7]. We are saved by Jesus Christ[cite: 7]. The apostle Peter confessed to Jesus,[cite: 7]

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."—Matthew 16:16.[cite: 7]

Jesus said of this confession of faith in Him,[cite: 7]

"Upon this rock I will build my church."—Verse 18.[cite: 7]

Belief on Jesus Christ is the foundation of the one true religion[cite: 7]. This is the "rock" on which the one true church is built[cite: 7].

Just as there is only one God and one Saviour, so there is only one true church which belongs to Him[cite: 7].

"But to us there is but ONE GOD, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and ONE LORD Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."—1 Corinthians 8:6.[cite: 7]

"One Lord, ONE FAITH, one baptism."—Ephesians 4:5.[cite: 7]

"There shall be ONE FOLD, and one shepherd."—John 10:16.[cite: 7]

The true church will teach only the Word of God as its rule of faith and practice[cite: 7]. Jesus said,[cite: 7]

"Search THE SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which TESTIFY OF ME."—John 5:39.[cite: 7]

2. THE TRUE CHURCH OF BIBLE PROPHECY (Part 1 of 4)

Although some denominations follow the teachings of Christ more closely than do others, there is good in all of them[cite: 7]. John the revelator gives us a picture of those who will be following the full message of Christ in the last days[cite: 7]. His description of the true church is found in the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible[cite: 7]. This prophecy is especially appropriate for people to study who live in these last days of this world, because it reaches down to the second coming of Christ[cite: 7].

The prophecy opens with a picture of the church in New Testament times[cite: 7].

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."—Revelation 12:1.[cite: 7]

The book of Revelation is a book of symbols[cite: 7]. The woman with the sun, moon, and twelve stars represents God's true church[cite: 7]. In prophetic symbolism a corrupt woman stands for a corrupt church, as we find in Ezekiel 23 and Revelation 17[cite: 7]. A pure woman symbolizes the true church[cite: 7]. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, the apostle Paul uses the symbol of a bride in her freshness and purity to represent the relationship of the Christian church to Christ[cite: 7]. Speaking of the church, the great prophet Jeremiah says,[cite: 7]

"I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman."—Jeremiah 6:2.[cite: 7]

So the woman in this beautiful symbol of the twelfth chapter of Revelation represents the Christian church in its purity[cite: 7]. The sun clothing her evidently stands for the glory of primitive Christianity, the light and glory of the gospel dispensation[cite: 7]. (Compare Malachi 4:2, John 8:12, Luke 16:8.)[cite: 7] The moon under her feet—shining with borrowed light—would represent the types and shadows of the Old Testament[cite: 7]. (See Hebrews 10:1.)[cite: 7] Her crown of twelve stars suggests the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ[cite: 7].

This woman gives birth to a man child who is destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron[cite: 7].

2. THE TRUE CHURCH OF BIBLE PROPHECY (Part 2 of 4)

"And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered... and the DRAGON STOOD BEFORE THE WOMAN which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born[cite: 7]. And SHE BROUGHT FORTH A MAN CHILD, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne."—Revelation 12:2, 4, 5.[cite: 7]

The "man child" must represent Christ Himself[cite: 7]. He is to "rule all nations with a rod of iron."[cite: 7] This is a reference to Psalm 2:7-9, which is a clear prophecy of Jesus[cite: 7].

Notice also that the man child "was caught up to God, and to His throne."[cite: 7] And the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven and sat down on the right hand of the throne as our Saviour[cite: 7]. (Acts 1:9, Hebrews 10:12.)[cite: 7] God "raised him [Christ] from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." Ephesians 1:20.[cite: 7]

Who is the dragon that attempted to destroy Christ as soon as He was born?[cite: 7] We do not have to imagine or guess, for it is made clear in the prophecy[cite: 7].

"And THE GREAT DRAGON was cast out, that old serpent, CALLED THE DEVIL, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world."—Revelation 12:9.[cite: 7]

So, primarily, the dragon represents Satan[cite: 7]. He is the great enemy and persecutor of Christ's church in all ages; he is the tempter of God's people, the deceiver of the wicked[cite: 7]. But he works through human agencies in his efforts to destroy the people of God[cite: 7]. Through a Roman king, Herod, he tried to destroy the Lord Jesus as soon as He was born[cite: 7]. Through wicked men he dogged the footsteps of our Saviour and finally secured His crucifixion on the cruel cross[cite: 7].

2. THE TRUE CHURCH OF BIBLE PROPHECY (Part 3 of 4)

What seemed to be Satan's victory at the cross was really Christ's victory[cite: 7]. Not only humanity, but the intelligences of all the unfallen worlds throughout God's universe, saw what was behind the great conflict between good and evil, between light and darkness[cite: 7]. They saw that God was just and holy, and that His kingdom was based upon love[cite: 7]. The great drama of sin and salvation was being worked out before them on this earth as on a vast stage[cite: 7]. (1 Corinthians 4:9.)[cite: 7] At the cross they saw Satan, the accuser, now unmasked, in his real character[cite: 7]. (John 12:31, 32.)[cite: 7] No wonder that a shout rang loud and clear throughout heaven[cite: 7].

"NOW IS COME SALVATION, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for THE ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN IS CAST DOWN, which accused them before our God day and night."—Revelation 12:10.[cite: 7]

Furious over his defeat by Christ at the cross, Satan turned his wrath against the church[cite: 7]. In the centuries that followed, untold thousands met their death in the Colosseum, the arenas, city squares, dungeons, and desert places of earth[cite: 7]. The victory of Calvary, and the triumph of the resurrection, led the true Christian church to go forth as conquerors:[cite: 7]

"And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."—Verse 11.[cite: 7]

We, too, may overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony[cite: 7].

2. THE TRUE CHURCH OF BIBLE PROPHECY (Part 4 of 4)

Later a great apostasy developed in the Christian church itself[cite: 7]. The state, which had persecuted it, professed Christianity and united with the church[cite: 7]. This was an even greater danger than the out-and-out persecution of pagan times, for professed Christians persecuted other Christians[cite: 7]. But the "earth helped the woman," as the true church "fled into the wilderness" for 1260 years, from A.D. 538 to 1798[cite: 7]. (Verses 6, 14-16.)[cite: 7] During these dark centuries faithful Bible-believing Christians persisted on the eastern edges of the Roman Empire, in the Waldensian valleys of western Italy and eastern France, and in the Celtic church of the British Isles[cite: 7]. Men such as Patrick of Ireland, Columba of Iona, and Aidan of Lindisfarne preached the divine Word and taught in centers of learning where young men were trained to go forth with the pure light of the gospel truth to a darkened world[cite: 7].

There is much about this wilderness church which there is not space to discuss in this brief lesson[cite: 7]. For full details about the wilderness church and its 1260 years of trouble and controversy (outlined twice in Revelation 12 and five other places in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation), be sure to enroll in the Daniel and Revelation course, when you complete this New Life course[cite: 7].

Passing over page after page of historical fulfillment, we come right down to our own day, to the church of Christ since 1798[cite: 7].

3. CAN I FIND GOD'S CHURCH TODAY? (Part 1 of 5)

The great unseen war is still continuing[cite: 7]. The dragon is still the dragon[cite: 7]. The devil hates the woman, the true church[cite: 7]. What is Satan's final attack upon God's people just before the second coming of Christ?[cite: 7] Note the last act in the drama, in the last part of the prophecy, and the last verse of the chapter[cite: 7].

"And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [the true church], and went to make war with THE REMNANT of her seed, which KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST."—Verse 17.[cite: 7]

Satan's final and mightiest attack will be upon the very last of the church, called here "the remnant of her seed."[cite: 7] The last piece on a bolt of cloth is called a "remnant."[cite: 7] So in the end of time God has a remnant church who hold faithfully to the pure doctrines of the Word of God[cite: 7].

Notice, this remnant church is distinguished by these identifying marks: they "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."[cite: 7]

(1) They "have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

This church testifies for Jesus through dynamic Christian living[cite: 7]. Revelation 19:10 defines "the testimony of Jesus" as the "spirit of prophecy."[cite: 7] The remnant church is a church of prophecy[cite: 7]. They search the Scriptures diligently to discover the meaning of God's "more sure word of prophecy," for it leads them to dedicated living, through Christ "the day star" filling their hearts[cite: 7]. (2 Peter 1:19.)[cite: 7] And the gift of prophecy is manifest among them, giving this last church a clear vision of her work and of her final destiny[cite: 7]. The Bible says that "the testimony of Christ" will be confirmed among His people, who are waiting for His coming, and that as a result, they will "come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."[cite: 7] (1 Corinthians 1:5-8.)[cite: 7]

(2) They "keep the commandments of God."

3. CAN I FIND GOD'S CHURCH TODAY? (Part 2 of 5)

Just as the apostolic church was loyal to the commandments of God, so the last church, the remnant body of believers, has taken its stand to obey the commandments of God, following the example of Jesus Christ and the primitive church[cite: 7]. The devil is bitterly angry with this church because they believe that true love to God is demonstrated in careful obedience to His commandments[cite: 7]. In this way they follow the request of Jesus:[cite: 7]

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."—John 14:15.[cite: 7]

Their lives will demonstrate love to God and love to man, which are the basis of God's Ten Commandments[cite: 7]. (Matthew 22:35-40.)[cite: 7] Most Christian people today believe nine of the commandments[cite: 7]. But to obey all ten, including the fourth or Sabbath commandment, certainly distinguishes one group and points them out as different[cite: 7]. So these people, mentioned in the prophecy as the special objects of the ire of the dragon, will be noted for keeping all the commandments of God, including the Sabbath commandment, which is almost universally ignored today[cite: 7].

The issue will become worldwide[cite: 7]. (See Revelation 14:9-12.)[cite: 7] Satan's challenge to God's authority was answered by the Son of God, Himself, on the cross[cite: 7]. His atoning sacrifice has vindicated God's character of love as expressed in His law[cite: 7]. Our relationship to this great issue, Christ's authority and personality, will decide our eternal destiny[cite: 7]. In the final conclusion of this great conflict, where will we stand with Christ, or with His great enemy?[cite: 7]

Men have attempted to change God's law, or to pass by it and look the other way[cite: 7]. But the last days are to see a reform[cite: 7]. The remnant church takes its stand fully for the commandments of God and for the Word of God, unchanged by human custom[cite: 7]. The remnant church does not teach salvation by works, but proclaims the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus not merely faith in Jesus, but "the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.[cite: 7]

(3) They keep "the faith of Jesus."

The commandment-keeping remnant of Revelation 12:17 is also described in Revelation 14:12[cite: 7].

3. CAN I FIND GOD'S CHURCH TODAY? (Part 3 of 5)

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that KEEP the commandments of God, and THE FAITH OF JESUS."[cite: 7]

The remnant church inherits its faith from Jesus[cite: 7]. Its members keep the faith of Jesus[cite: 7]. His holy Word is the foundation of their faith[cite: 7].

The true church of the last days will lift up Jesus as the only means of salvation, for no other name under heaven can bring eternal life[cite: 7]. (Acts 4:12.)[cite: 7] The remnant will teach salvation by grace, through faith in the merits of a crucified Saviour[cite: 7]. (Ephesians 2:8.)[cite: 7] "Christ our righteousness" is their eternal hope[cite: 7]. Sinners saved by grace, obediently walking in the light of the pure gospel of Christ, will be their great emphasis[cite: 7]. (Romans 6:1, 2.)[cite: 7]

Obedience to the commandments of God, faith, grace—these things Satan hates and fights, and will attempt to extirpate from the earth[cite: 7]. But in the final conflict with evil, every child of God can claim Christ's wonderful promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20.[cite: 7]

(4) They have a message for the world.

The remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus proclaim God's judgment-hour message to the world[cite: 7].

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL TO PREACH unto them that dwell on the earth, and TO EVERY NATION, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME: and WORSHIP HIM THAT MADE HEAVEN, AND EARTH, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."—Revelation 14:6, 7.[cite: 7]

3. CAN I FIND GOD'S CHURCH TODAY? (Part 4 of 5)

"The faith of Jesus," the message of "the everlasting gospel," is to be proclaimed throughout the world[cite: 7]. This gospel calls men to worship the Creator who made the world in six days and rested on the seventh day as a memorial of His creative power[cite: 7]. (Genesis 2:1-3.)[cite: 7] It announces that the judgment hour is in progress[cite: 7]. (In Guide 22 we discovered that while the investigative judgment is going on in heaven between 1844 and the second coming of Christ, this judgment-hour message of Revelation 14:6-15 is to be proclaimed throughout the world[cite: 7]. You may wish to review Guide 22.)[cite: 7]

This message of Revelation 14, given under the symbol of three angels, or messengers, will gather a people who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."[cite: 7] (Verse 12.)[cite: 7]

Christ foresaw that as the end drew near, His pure teachings would be thoroughly mingled with error, resulting in confusion—Babylon[cite: 7]. Because of this, God selects a people to warn the world against final apostasy[cite: 7]. The second of the three angels' messages is found in Verse 8:[cite: 7]

"BABYLON IS FALLEN, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."[cite: 7]

The "wine" of her "fornication," which symbolizes false doctrine, has had its effect throughout Christianity[cite: 7]. (See James 4:4.)[cite: 7] And the remnant church is given the responsibility of calling every sincere person to come out of the confusion of the religious world and stand on the plain, simple truths of God's Word[cite: 7].

"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."—Revelation 18:2, 4.[cite: 7]

The true church goes into all the world and preaches the gospel[cite: 7]. It bears a message of faith in Jesus, a message of prophecy, and a message of loyalty to God[cite: 7]. With apostolic zeal, the remnant goes to the entire world in the power of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the commission of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of their faith[cite: 7].

3. CAN I FIND GOD'S CHURCH TODAY? (Part 5 of 5)

Like John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, they will bear a special message just before Jesus comes again[cite: 7]. They are the forerunners who herald His second coming in the clouds of heaven[cite: 7]. (Luke 1:17.)[cite: 7]

And so in our modern, fast-moving world we are traveling swiftly to the church's greatest conflict and her greatest victory, as she looks for the Lord from heaven[cite: 7]. Her message is the "everlasting gospel."[cite: 7] The proclamation of this message to the world by God's remnant climaxes with the second coming of Jesus Christ:[cite: 7]

"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle[cite: 7]. The harvest of the earth is ripe[cite: 7]. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped."—Revelation 14:14-16.[cite: 7]

These four identifying marks which God has outlined in the book of Revelation, picture the true remnant people of God[cite: 7].

4. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE TRUE CHURCH?

1. Find a people living dynamic lives of testimony for Jesus, because they possess "the testimony of Jesus," the gift of prophecy[cite: 7].
2. Find a people who demonstrate love to God and love to man by keeping "the commandments of God," including the Sabbath commandment[cite: 7].
3. Find a people who lift up Jesus as the only means of salvation, who "keep the faith of Jesus"—the pure teachings of Christ as revealed in His Word[cite: 7].
4. Find a people who since 1844 have been proclaiming God's judgment-hour message throughout the world, and by proclaiming "the everlasting gospel" have been calling people everywhere to come out of religious confusion and follow the Bible only as their rule of faith[cite: 7].

Do you want the faith of Jesus to become the power of God in your life?[cite: 7] Then confess your faith in the everlasting gospel by uniting with God's remnant[cite: 7]. Allow Jesus to live His life of obedience in you to guarantee you a home in the New Jerusalem[cite: 7].

"Blessed are THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the tree of life, and MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY."—Revelation 22:14.[cite: 7]

Through His Spirit and through His church, Jesus invites you to come and surrender everything to Him[cite: 7].

"And the Spirit and the bride [the church] say, COME[cite: 7]. And let him that heareth say, COME[cite: 7]. And let him that is athirst COME[cite: 7]. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."—Verse 17.[cite: 7]

We are praying for you as you study this lesson and will gladly correspond with you regarding your problems of faith if you wish[cite: 7]. Or you may request a call from a Voice of Prophecy representative[cite: 7].

Dear Father in heaven: How thankful I am for the clear testimony of Scripture concerning the remnant people in these last hours of time[cite: 7]. Help me to surrender my life to the everlasting gospel, to keep the commandments and the faith of Jesus, and to live a Christian life of absolute surrender, trusting in the sufficiency of His abounding grace[cite: 7]. In Jesus' name I pray[cite: 7]. Amen.[cite: 7]