In Mark 3:25, Jesus spoke with clarity and purpose when he stated, "And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand". Religion is a divided entity, even Christianity, the religion that is a representation of Christ teaching is divided. Knowing that these divisions would arise, Paul warned his follower of the wolves, (the actors, the entertainers, the false prophets), coming in among them. Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Being warned of the wolves didn't spare the church because the wolves came disguised as sheep, and what they had to offer was enticing. Jesus issued a proclamation in Matthew 16:18, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". In your study to understand the Word of God, you should ask yourself how all of these divisions are going to play out in the kingdom of God?
As a young man in the early sixties, walking down a major city in a major city, my fragile mind was not prepared for the number of churches I encountered in within each city block. Churches side by side, big churches, little churches, even massive edifices across the street from storefront churches. At the end of my walk, my young mind was filled with confusion and there was not a person prepared to give me an acceptable answer, one that fitted the narrative of the Bible. There were denominations less than two hundred years old proclaiming to be the only way, and specifically stated all others were hell bound. That scenario even today, is not acceptable to some and it pave the road leading many away from the church.
Each denomination has its special form of interpretation or misinterpretation of the scripture, thereby forming the basis of a particular denomination or brand. If the denomination is a brand then the organized church becomes a product, the pastor fulfills the role of the manager and the members become the customers. This relationship is alien in comparison to the model laid out in the Holy scripture. Jesus addressed himself as a servant, and Paul addressed himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. Many pastors have taken on the role as Lord or rulers of the church and the mission of the church has been perverted. A collation of pastors is often used to bully members into compliance with their so-called executive orders. Much of the drama that exist in many organize churches has nothing to do with salvation, it has more to do with I am the ruler and I am in charge.
For the first thousand years of Christianity, there were no "denominations" within the Christian church as there is today. Various offshoot groups certainly did exist, but they were considered "heresies" and not part of the Christian faith. Most were small and, until the 16th century, they were not very influential. From the beginnings of Christianity through the Middle Ages, there was only one the church. Basically, if you did not belong to the Church, you were not considered a Christian. Jesus and Paul addressed the issue very passionately of ungodly men coming in and perverting the church.
For the first thousand years of Christianity, there were no "denominations" within the Christian church as there is today. Various offshoot groups certainly did exist, but they were considered "heresies" and not part of the Christian faith. Most were small and, until the 16th century, they were not very influential. From the beginnings of Christianity through the Middle Ages, there was only one the church. Basically, if you did not belong to the Church, you were not considered a Christian. Jesus and Paul addressed the issue very passionately of ungodly men coming in and perverting the church.
The first division within Christendom came in 1054 with what is called the "Great Schism" between the Western Church and the Eastern Church. From that point forward, there were two large branches of Christianity, which came to be known as the Catholic Church (in the West) and the Orthodox Church (in the East). The root cause of this split was a power play. Once this split was introduced into the body the church became a divided and weak body.
The next major division occurred in the 16th century with the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation was famously sparked when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in 1517, but "Protestantism" as a movement officially began in 1529. That year marked the publication of the Protestation, directed at the imperial government. The authors, German princess who wanted the freedom or the power to choose the faith of their territory. They protested that "in matters which concern God's honor and salvation and the eternal life of our souls, everyone must stand and give an account before God for himself", thus creating a valid argument to support their power play.
The organized church has evolved and it has begun to cater to the natural aspects of humanity. The the ability to entertain is the drawing force in many assemblies. Churches have begun to search out and employ the same techniques used to promote a concert or sporting event. What is the attraction that draws thousands of people to pack the seats of football stadiums, regardless of the weather condition? Whether rain, sleet or snow the crowd will assemble to watch their favorite team play. Even in the age of Television and high tech computer access, why do we pay astronomical fees to see an entertainer perform on stage? It must be more than the desire for entertainment that draws the crowd. Why is drinking a beer in a nightclub and listening to the music more refreshing to some than drinking a beer at home and listening to the same music? To answer these questions requires a study of human nature and an in-depth study of the things it feeds on. Master this knowledge and you have the formula to attract thousands.
Durning those years of my life when I choose to become acclimated with what is call the street life, the question of why one night club prosper and the other fail when both played the same music and offered the same drinks. The search for this answer was at the forefront of my agenda as I searched for a perfect business model for a night club. Understanding human nature is an important aspect to drawing a crowd. A final question, why is a watered down message at Bishop Pious's church is more entertaining that a message from John the upstart preaching on the street corner? The common denominator is entertainment, to be entertained once must be in the presence of a crowd. Sitting at home watching TV alone is a type of relaxation. Therefore, when we wish to be entertained we are willing to pay to be part of the crowd, and when we want to relax we are willing to purchase the things that help us relax.
The field of entertainment is one of the highest paid profession. Sports figures and actors are paid astronomical fees to provide us with entertainment. Successful Preachers are learning to be great entertainers. To be a great entertainer whether on stage or in the pulpit does not require an anointing from God. The organized church consists of many who are unqualified to lead or serve Jesus's church. Stating that we have a calling or message from God never was proof that the message originated from God. The scripture reference a number of false prophets that stood before the people and proclaimed a message from God. These false prophets were accepted by the people because they knew what the people wanted and they tailored their message to promise them what they wanted.
Durning those years of my life when I choose to become acclimated with what is call the street life, the question of why one night club prosper and the other fail when both played the same music and offered the same drinks. The search for this answer was at the forefront of my agenda as I searched for a perfect business model for a night club. Understanding human nature is an important aspect to drawing a crowd. A final question, why is a watered down message at Bishop Pious's church is more entertaining that a message from John the upstart preaching on the street corner? The common denominator is entertainment, to be entertained once must be in the presence of a crowd. Sitting at home watching TV alone is a type of relaxation. Therefore, when we wish to be entertained we are willing to pay to be part of the crowd, and when we want to relax we are willing to purchase the things that help us relax.
The field of entertainment is one of the highest paid profession. Sports figures and actors are paid astronomical fees to provide us with entertainment. Successful Preachers are learning to be great entertainers. To be a great entertainer whether on stage or in the pulpit does not require an anointing from God. The organized church consists of many who are unqualified to lead or serve Jesus's church. Stating that we have a calling or message from God never was proof that the message originated from God. The scripture reference a number of false prophets that stood before the people and proclaimed a message from God. These false prophets were accepted by the people because they knew what the people wanted and they tailored their message to promise them what they wanted.
There is a certain type of reality that has set in that governs my life. In reality, it is the life that govern me. There is a certain type of confusion that surrounds me, and it is this confusion that drives me. Confusion also weakens me, as I struggle to resolve the difference between the knowledge of the tree of good and evil and the knowledge of God. The scripture speaks of false prophets coming among the church and deceiving many. My confusion began when the many profess so many different way, rules or doctrines, and none of these things help me understand the word of God.
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. At what point in the history of the church was this prophecy fulfilled? Surely, the organized churches of today existing as a divided body with men and women lording over the flock cannot be a true representative of the body of Christ. A divided house cannot stand. In the history of the church, there was a time when it exist as one body. There are biblical facts and historical facts that if we were to resolve them, they would present us with a conclusion that many of us are not prepared to accept.
One of my students ask if we are going through the tribulation? My answer to the question based upon the chain of events set forth within the scripture would depend upon whether I believe the events in prophesied in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 has already taken place. If that event took place before the church became a divided body in 1054, then we are living in the midst of the tribulation and the seals are being open. If those events set forth in the above scripture are yet to take place then I have a problem understanding the proliferation of the churches, as pertaining to what organized church is christ coming back for.
If the coming of Christ for believers in this age is imminent, it must occur before the predicted signs in (Matt. 24:15-26, Daniel 9:27), and before the tribulation period. Therefore, many have come to believe that the coming of Christ and calling for his church to meet him in the air, (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2nd Corinthians 5:6-10) is an event which takes place before the tribulation time while the coming of Christ with his holy angels (church) (Matthew 25:31-32, Joel 3:1-2) to establish the kingdom on earth occurs after the tribulation. One coming is in the air and the other is on earth. In confirmation of these conclusions, students of the Bible can find abundant proof to sustain these conclusions. More than twenty-five arguments based upon scripture facts is advanced in our seminars in support of the translation of the church before the tribulation, It is the status of the church that causes many to wonder.
Often the question of salvation during the tribulation period is used to shape one's belief. But, John saw a number that was saved during the tribulation. Revelation 7:13-14 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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