There are many of us who hold the opinion that the future of humanity as we know it is at risk because our system of values has become corrupt and the world as we know it is suffering from moral bankruptcy. America, a nation that was founded upon the claim that God had shed its grace on it, seems to have lost its way and become adrift in a sea of confusion guided by the clammy hands of political correctness. America, that nation that once chooses to challenge the status quo and had the audacity to proclaim itself one nation under God, has ripped apart the moral fibers of its collective consciousness and now proclaims itself a nation of many gods, cultures and beliefs. The only consensus is the indoctrination of "In God we trust" has failed.
Many organized churches accepted the offer of money and joined hands with this state to create a new form of godliness. Together they performed a subliminal act of substitution and introduced the masses to a new found freedom from an ancient and sometimes tyrannical God. The substitution of one God, for another, was better than having no God at all. If man exists without a God, then he exists without purpose. A deity based upon loving and caring for his creation was much better than the concept of an angry God who demanded service and worship, then punished those who fail to obey him. The children of Israel were desirous of a personal relationship with their God, but they became accustomed to a God who spoke thru a limited number of anointed vessels. The purpose of this arrangement was to protect the purity of the message of God. The organized church would provide the platform for a greater number of people to speak in the name of God.
Many organized churches accepted the offer of money and joined hands with this state to create a new form of godliness. Together they performed a subliminal act of substitution and introduced the masses to a new found freedom from an ancient and sometimes tyrannical God. The substitution of one God, for another, was better than having no God at all. If man exists without a God, then he exists without purpose. A deity based upon loving and caring for his creation was much better than the concept of an angry God who demanded service and worship, then punished those who fail to obey him. The children of Israel were desirous of a personal relationship with their God, but they became accustomed to a God who spoke thru a limited number of anointed vessels. The purpose of this arrangement was to protect the purity of the message of God. The organized church would provide the platform for a greater number of people to speak in the name of God.
The church that was ordained by Jesus Christ has undergone many strange transformations since the day of conception. The church that was never supposed to be a business has evolved into a big business that even imposes taxes upon all of its members. The church’s path leading from a medieval society to a modern society is littered with ideas that were fostered by men who processed the knowledge of good and evil, rather than the knowledge of God. Men whose ideas were to rule over God’s people rather than serve. Many of ideas took on a life of their own and came to fruition as a new denomination or a new concept, while others suffering from a lack of acceptance were replaced or substituted.
In a world whose focus is worldly gain and instant gratification, stars and superstars are created. Star status is awarded based on the ability to provide those services. Many multi-levels marketing organization, promising financial gains has been proven to be nothing but a scheme designed to extract money from the bottom levels, the poor and working class and channel it to the top layers. Many churches follow the same path and there is always a promise that God is about to bless someone. On the internet, prominent men of the Gospel post pictures of money and make dubious promises in the name of our heavenly Father. God's favors are traded for "Likes" and by typing the word "Amen". Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Motivational speakers have learned to enhance their talents by endorsing a type of religion that appeals to the masses. Consider this, a young man lacking an extensive educational background, can make millions of dollars in the sports arena. A motivational speaker can make millions of dollars twisting and shaping the words of Jesus, and minister’s are learning to live comfortably in the churches where they have set themselves up as the authority of the Word of God. There is something inherently wrong with this picture.
The church as an organized body was and is a failure. The seven letters to the church in the book of Revelation began with a letter to a church on the road to failure and ends with a letter to a church that represented the total failure, the total apostasy of the organized church. There is a prevailing belief that these seven churches represent seven church ages from the day of conception to the day Christ return for its true church. Such a belief some say is speculative at best. True, we cannot prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the seven churches represent seven church ages. One could just as well argue that the seven churches are seven organizations or “branches” of the true church at the time of the end. But that, too, would be speculative. A better argument would be to prove that they are dated, irreverent and of no value to the church of today, the same as we do with most of the Bible as we proclaim we are living by every word of God.
Consider this timeline of Revelation 2-3; and the dated events of history.
The Church in Ephesus: Apostolic Church (A.D. 33–100)
The Church in Smyrna: Era of Persecution Under the Ten Caesars (A.D. 100–312)
The Church in Pergamum: Era of Church-State Union (A.D. 312–590)
The Church in Thyatira: Era Spanning the Middle Ages (A.D. 590–1517)
The Church in Sardis: Protestant Reformation (A.D. 1517–1750)
The Church in Philadelphia: Era of Revival and Great Awakening (A.D. 1750–1925)
The Church in Laodicea: Era of “Higher Criticism” (A.D. 1900–Tribulation)
The Church in Ephesus: Apostolic Church (A.D. 33–100)
The Church in Smyrna: Era of Persecution Under the Ten Caesars (A.D. 100–312)
The Church in Pergamum: Era of Church-State Union (A.D. 312–590)
The Church in Thyatira: Era Spanning the Middle Ages (A.D. 590–1517)
The Church in Sardis: Protestant Reformation (A.D. 1517–1750)
The Church in Philadelphia: Era of Revival and Great Awakening (A.D. 1750–1925)
The Church in Laodicea: Era of “Higher Criticism” (A.D. 1900–Tribulation)
In his letter to The Church in Ephesus, Jesus condemns the church for walking away from its first love. It is not hard to imagine what their first love was, it was men and women of different nationalities and different languages coming together to hear the gospel. The Holy Spirit was there to provide the interpretation through the gift of "tongues". When the church became organized as a natural body, it becomes segregated in form. As a spiritual entity that existed within humanity's heart, there was no type of segregation, Peter preached against this. But as a natural body, the church is divided as pertaining to race and denominations. Most prevalent today is the black churches and the white churches. If one were to strive to understand the difference, it would be easy to conclude that there is a black God and the is a white God. The worst sernado would be to try to consider how all of this is going to play out in the Kingdom of God.
Let's go off point for a moment. It is often stated that the church superseded the Jews. Once this claim has been sustained through scripture manipulation, the entire Bible is referenced to reflect the journey of the church. The blessings and promises made to Abraham is now transferred to the church and the church is transformed from a spiritual body into a natural body, the sellable assets of the organized church are blessings and miracles. Members are invited to plant a seed and watch their blessing grow.
If the church were to exist as a spiritual body, then domination of the church would fail. The devil cannot prevail against the church as a spiritual body. In 1 Corinthians 10:32, Paul referenced three separate entities, “Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.” This should put to rest the question of the church replacing the Jews. As often stated the church, a spiritual body, represented as the bride of Christ. The Jews, an earthly body chosen by God as his bride, whom he divorced, but will be given another chance. This will be manifested in the judgment of the Jews.
The judgment of the Jews is as follows. The Jews in their misery will call upon the Lord. Zec 12:10. Then Christ will come back to the Mount of Olives (Zec 14:4) and the Jews will look upon Him whom they "pierced" (Zec 12:10), and a nation, the Jewish Nation, shall be "born (converted) in a day." Isa 66:8. This will complete the judgment of the Jews.
God’s anger peaked when he gave Israel, his bride, his chosen people a bill of divorcement. Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah (western civilization) feared not, but went and played the harlot also. The church is the bride of Christ, a virgin bride, and its purpose is defined in the Holy Scripture. God spoke through his prophets concerning the final consummation of things, then God was silent until the fulfillment of time, then his Son came forth, not to broker a peace treaty or to pave a road to prosperity, but a plan of salvation.
God’s anger peaked when he gave Israel, his bride, his chosen people a bill of divorcement. Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah (western civilization) feared not, but went and played the harlot also. The church is the bride of Christ, a virgin bride, and its purpose is defined in the Holy Scripture. God spoke through his prophets concerning the final consummation of things, then God was silent until the fulfillment of time, then his Son came forth, not to broker a peace treaty or to pave a road to prosperity, but a plan of salvation.
The Grace brought by Jesus through the works of the cross did not turn God into a fun loving God, but a God who is storing up his wrath until the works of Grace is complete. Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Now I have introduced an idea or concept of a god that is not politically correct, nor is it in the best interest of promoting a loving God. The Old Testament depicted a God that was prone to bouts of angry and long periods of silence. The Old Testament introduced us to a God that actively participated in killing sprees. The New Testament introduced us to the Son of God who extolled the virtues of love. To overcome the obstacles presented in the Old Testament and to make God more user-friendly it became necessary to deconstruct and reconstruct God in a fashion that is compatible with today's standards. This is a form of modern day crucifixion.
When I see what is taking place today in the name of the Lord, I am overcome by the words of that old Negro spiritual; Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
