The True Church?

Study of REVELATION12

 Is there a true church out there, and you know there’s got to be, one that follows every precept and promise God has given to his people, a body of people of whom He is calling into His fold right now? If in fact there is “a true church”, among now the thousands which make the claim, I believe we can determine it from the bible and the bible only don’t you? and friends listen, this is our challenge, setting everything aside until we do, that is, if we desire to live forever, so lets go…

We all know that the book of Revelation is an end time book, right? given to the Apostle John “by Jesus”, not from Johns mind but Gods, so that we might know the things that (were) are going to happen, and in fact (are) and have happened between the time that Jesus went back to Heaven to when He comes back to this earth [3] .

A lot of people think that we can’t understand the book of Revelation, because it’s filled with hidden “symbols”, sayings and strange beings (beasts) etc., but that’s not true; however there is a danger, and one that is prevalent today, and that is, the misinterpretation of the symbols, beasts and especially the dates that are given.  There’s a text that helps us not fall for all these misconceptions and falsehoods that have come from people (churches) who claim to know what these things mean.

Notice what Peter says about “all scripture”, and it specifically applies to the books of Daniel and Revelation;

II Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts [4] :

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

 

Now that we have determined from the bible that we are to use “the bible to interpret itself”, and since this must be  true; we then, must be able to know and understand “from the word of God only” what these symbols mean, who the beasts represent, and when these things are to be etc. don’t you suppose?

Such as; in biblical prophecy (from the bible) we can determine that “a woman” represents a church!  So every time you see a woman pictured prophetically you can know it represents a church, a good or bad one.  Look how its used throughout all prophetic scripture; (Gen.3:15,Jer.6:2,Math.9:15,Rev.21:2,9,Eph.5:22-23,Rev.17:6-7 [5] )

We must also know something else; a principal of a sort; and that is “the understanding of the mysteries of Revelation”, is like “understanding any other part of the scripture”, if we cannot test it with the bible, and the bible only, then how can we be sure that the interpretation came form God? Or more relative, that the answer to our bible question is true or not? 

Do you realize that some churches teach that the scriptures were for the Jews only, and now, in this new age it is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, therefore this is the way we interpret or learn what the bible means, by “the spirit” and the Spirit only, and they miss quote Paul [6] every time;

Here are some texts they use to support this dangerous doctrine:

Romans 8:14,16

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God………

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law [7] .

II Corinthians 3:6  

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life [8] .

These are just a few texts of many that seem to uphold this doctrine of the spirit and the spirit only, but friends, as I said, this can be most dangerous; for as the scriptures plainly and frequently tell us; there are many spirits, saying many contradictory things, and we are to test the spirits “from the word”, if not there where? We must, must test the spirits  just as we would test anything else, even the false prophets (that are listening to the false spirits!).

Doesn’t that just make common sense?  

I John 4:1,6

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world…..

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

I Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

II Peter 2:1-2  

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Mark 13:22-23

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.  <![endif]>  <![endif]>

I Corinthians 14:32,37

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets…..

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

You wonder why there are so many different types of religions out there, there it is, and what is so paradoxical is all of them are using the same scriptures, now that doesn’t make sense? and the reason why there are so many is simple to me; they are not testing the spirits by the word, or even the word by the word [9] , much less anything else;  “The test of everything spiritual that comes in front of our eyes, or sounds in our ears, or touches our soul, our feelings, must be tested by the word of God”;  Why? so that we be not deceived by the many false prophets, and impressions given by what is thought to be the Holy Spirit, and these spirits that are coming my friends, “by the scores” here in these last days, this is why this study is so important and finding the true church is as vital as finding the true Spirit.

Speaking of which, notice specifically what Jesus said the Holy Spirit was to do for us, who would follow after Him, that is, those who “Love Him”;

He says;

John 14:15-17,26

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you……..

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you*.

Yes, we are led by the Holy Spirit, but notice “not outside of truth”!  <![endif]>

Notice, here is one of the things Jesus had already said (as in “whatsoever I have said unto you”*) early in His ministry;

John 4:23-24

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  

The next text we are going to read, I think, shows “the Godly hierarchy” and how it relates to us and what it means to follow the spirit, and notice especially the gage of truth (righteousness);

You got to think about this one, but notice how righteousness is fulfilled in us, and through “what process” (for lack of a better way of putting it);  <![endif]>

Romans 8:3-4

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God (1^st) sending his own Son (2^nd) in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (3^rd).  <![endif]>

Hopefully you can see now the importance of using the bible and “the bible only as the test”; for the bible student, as well as the child [10] of God called by Him unto eternal life.  Some people do not even believe its God who calls us unto Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and by way of the scriptures (truth), but its true as our last text reveals.  No, it wasn’t preacher so and so, or our parents, or Joe blow down the street that led us to God, however it is also possible, God can use people as directors towards Him.  But you must know by now, man doesn’t do that very well.  why? because he is carnal (sinful [11] ) and we can’t change that fact, so then, all man can do is to point us to the truth as it is in the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit!   <![endif]>

Our only Job friends is to point others to the Word [12] , the Spirit, the Savior, the Creator.  That’s all the part we play, but  a very important point is in order here; these agencies who are directing, or attempting to guide people unto God, some times, because of deception, are actually leading them away instead.  Even when, get this now, even when they are honestly and sincerely thinking they are doing Gods work, but in fact they are doing Satan’s bidding [13] .  <![endif]>

The global church leaders, up to the Pope, all think they are the instrument of God speaking for Him, but ask yourself; if this is so, then how come they all have different opinions and doctrines that contradict each other [14] ?  In this it becomes obvious, it is simply because they have deviated from what the bible teaches and have gone off their own way [15] teaching for doctrines the commandments of man just as they did in Jesus’ day;  <![endif]>

Mark 7:6-10

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God [16] , ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: <![endif]>

This is why then we must let the bible teach us and not man no matter how influential, charismatic and miraculous they may appear;  Friends, life and death is at stake here.  I don’t know how else to put it without making myself seem like a bigot.  Oh, sure you say; you think you are right and everyone else is wrong!  But listen friend, if I really felt this way, why would I try to make every belief “a matter of scripture”?  that leaves no room for personal opinions, or religious doctrines out side biblical ones.  I pray you can see that.  <![endif]>

There is a text I always think about when I put each and every article up on my site and it leaves no room for error, and I use it a lot, let me reiterate it and we will go on;  <![endif]>

II Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  <![endif]>

It hurts me, when I get supposed men of the cloth, saying they know it all, and then publish that my site is full of error and filled with myths (i.e. Yahoo Debate), because I prayerfully and purposely; do in depth research to make sure that what I am publishing is creditable, from the word of God, and can be backed up with it.  If there is anything you can determine I have written or referenced that is in error [17] it is your obligation to point it out or you will be responsible too for perpetuating error.  Its sad, when people who obviously have a following, say my site has errors, yet use the false doctrines that are contradictory to the bible to point out my error? the above referenced debate is a prime example;  if you read and think it through you can see the many texts used are not left to interpret themselves, but are interoperated by the person giving them, this makes my whole point, and why I put that particular debate on my site it’s a prime example of not letting the scriptures speak for themselves.  I try, but am not necessarily always successful in all cases, to make my point and then back it up with the word; not give the text and then my personal opinion, unless the text I am using is the foundation upon which I am studying, and listen, if I do use a text wrongfully, as I said, its your obligation to point it out!

With that, Lets go to our study now that I have set the prerequisites;  <![endif]>

Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1-17

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:

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 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.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The importance of this chapter in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is that it gives us a picture of “the true Christian church” that “Jesus founded”.  What was the church before Christ?  Well of course it was the church of Israel brought up and into being by the Lord too, but it wasn’t until after Christ that the church began to be called “Christ”ians, followers of Jesus “the Christ”.

The former church looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, the first time, and the present church looks back at that reality and has hope in His second coming.  But as we have analyzed above, its hard to find the true church in all the various doctrines and religions we have to choose from, especially among the so called Christian churches.  There are just about as many different thinking and believing protestant churches as there are other religions of the world.  It is almost unbelievable that the many different opinions about what the bible says has breed so many different and  diverse doctrines, and it is “because of these opinions” that we have this dilemma, and have a need for the 12^th chapter of Revelation to help us locate the true church out of all of them. 

This may very well be the most important chapter of the bible for the end time bible student, so that he can not only find the other people who believe as God believes, but be able to distinguish from those who follow the dragon and the beast and who will eventually led the world to the great deception, and according to the bible, the whole world into following the beast power and receiving his mark and consequences.

Now let me ask you a question;  for something to be a deception, will one know that it is a deception?  Of course not, that’s why it’s a deception, one honestly does not know they have been deceived, and unless the Holy Spirit calls our attention to the truth, “as it is found in the bible”, one will never know the truth and it could mean life or death- eternally.

Thus Jesus, out of His love for us, and His desire to be with us, leads us to His truth by way of His Revelations, and this is one of those chapters (Rev. 12) we must follow up on because of the importance of knowing the truth of “the true church”, and listen, if it weren’t important Jesus wouldn’t have given it to us would he?  But friends, in light of the fact that the Beast of Revelation, who will deceive the whole world, wants to mark us by virtue of “our worship”, and it is in “the church”, the very place “where we worship [18] ”, that marks us as either “worshiping God in truth” or in error based on “the church” we worship in.  Do you follow that?

Hollywood and the media has done a lot to deceive or confuse us in what the mark of the beast is; 666, a tattoo, a big computer that’s going to mark or get us, Osama ben Laden or the current terrorist, a social security number under the skin, a money-less system, communism, some Jew kid in Arabia, Nicolae Carpathia so and so, etc, etc. but friends, this is all guesswork, and I can say this because, “the mark has to do with “worship”, it’s a religious issue.  Sure, many of these things can influence or enhance the deception, but it is primarily a mark having to do with our worship, we must, must, must get this picture, because it takes a long time for us to make changes in our lives, and time is very, very short.  We must find this true church Jesus goes out of His way to expose for us, “for us”, here in Revelation Chapter 12, so we won’t be deceived with the rest of the world.

 

        

                  A PURE WOMAN IS A PURE CHURCH

 

In prophecy a woman represents a church, a true church a pure woman, and a false church a whore [19] .

Notice how the prophecy begins, and where it begins;  <![endif]>

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:

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

The true church naturally began in heaven and its founder; the controller of the heavens, who as a child was born unto this world and eventually appointed twelve offspring’s to herald the message of heaven to the world (the twelve apostles).

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

In heaven of course, was where Satan originated who was cast unto this earth and eventually founded his earthly kingdoms, under his worship, and power over those who did his bidding.  Naturally he sent his agencies after the Jesus babe to get him in his infancy.  You remember Herod (the head of the church in those days-in a position like the Pope today) sent out a decree to kill all the first born!

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The church was naturally established (or re-established [20] ) by Jesus before he went back to heaven.  Now we jump to the next events that involved the church, as the women of prophecy, where we find her being sought by Satan but we also see God protecting her and a time frame is even given.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

(And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 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.)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time [21] , from the face of the serpent.

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Notice how the people who made up the true church during the ages (dark ages) after Jesus went back to heaven, through the 1260 days (or days of years) how they were sought after by Satan through his agencies to kill them by persecution, but God protected His true church (which was holding the true doctrine) until the time frame given had ended.  The next text describes the true church “as it emerges after the 1260 years” (time, times and ½ time) being the “remnant” of the seed Jesus planted in Heaven and brought down to the earthly church!  This is the last day “remnant” church pictured here, Gods true church.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Notice in closing that the dragon will be wroth with the true church, the end time church, and will gain the power to persecute it eventually, and which church is that?  The church that keeps “the commandments of God” (very unpopular doctrine today not only from a non Christian people, but even the Christian following as well? Very strange why is it this subject brings such animosity? see “Yahoo debate” if you don’t believe me), and what else do they have? “the testimony of Jesus” which is what?  An understanding of the very things we are studying “prophecy”.  But friends it should be more than obvious now to you that Satan doesn’t want us to understand prophecy, so that he is exposed, as well as all of his agencies that he hopes to use to deceive the whole world with. 

You see Prophecy, and knowing prophecy, works against Satan, and he is especially upset when we keep the commandments of God.  So these are the very “two things”, “two points”, he is especially deceiving the churches with, by perverting and doing away with them as necessary for salvation, or as being important to the church in the last days [22] .  Anyway he can subdue these two messages he will do, even if it means killing a fellow Christian! as his agencies did during the dark ages when the woman was in hiding.  You see, even in those days it was these two messages he intentionally tried to destroy, for they pointed directly, and obviously to him and his agencies, as well as exposed “Gods true church” who herald the gospel with truth and justice and prophetic accuracy, giving God the glory in so doing; for the testimony of Jesus “is” the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Those who have the testimony of Jesus and also keep the commandments of God are “the remnant church”, “the saints of the end times”. Not by my definition but Gods.   Find this church and you have found “the true church” of which we are all looking?  Or are we?Remember “it is what” distinguishes the true church (women) from the false which are worshiping the beast, or God the creator in the end.  Read this last text and see if it doesn’t make complete sense to you now?

Revelation 14:6-16

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.And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.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.And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

                       

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man

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