FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE TRUE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS, SAME AS THE ORIGINAL
We take a parenthetical break from the progressive detailed history of the prophesied “falling away” of the early church to refresh our minds on what the Bible says and describes the true and faithful church after its shaking and sifting:
Eph. 5:27: “Having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish” as the purified “bride of Christ.”
1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 3:12: They are “the pillar and ground of truth” of the spiritual “temple.”
Rom. 8: 8, 14: “They walk [live, move, and have their being] not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”
1 Pet. 2:9: They are “a chosen generation, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar [separate from the world and unhinge of the world] people, a royal priesthood.”
Rev. 14:12; 19:10; 12:17: The true “remnant who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” and have the “spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus.”
Luke 17:21: The “kingdom” and kingship of God is within them.”
John 14:12: James 1:22: They are “doers,”!doing the works of Jesus, not “works of the flesh.”
Rev. 14: 1-12: They live and give the three angels’ messages (to the world aground them).
Matt. 16:18; 1 Pet. 2:6-8: Their faith, hope and character are based, developed, and founded upon the Rock, both Christ Himself by the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit and the written Word abiding in their minds and hearts.
Hereunder are quotes from the inspired pen:
“From the beginning, FAiTHFUL souls have constituted the CHURCH on earth.” E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 11.
“The church on earth, composed of those who are FAITHFUL and LOYAL TO GOD, is the TRUE TABERNACLE whereof the Redeemer is the MINISTER. God, and not man, pitched this tabernacle on a high and elevated platform.” Ibid, 7 BC 931.
“Consider, my brethren and sisters, that the Lord has A PEOPLE, A CHOSEN people, HIS CHURCH, to be His own, His own fortress, which He holds in a sin-stricken, revolted world; and He intended that NO AUTHORITY should be known to it; no laws acknowledged by it, but HIS OWN.” Ibid, TM 16.
“There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the WORD of God, and are PURIFIED by it.” Ibid, 4 SOP 237.
“Those who KEEP God’s commandments, those who live NOT by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, COMPOSE THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.” Ibid, 7 BC 949.
More follows tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF