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Chapter Index 2 -Is That Door Still Open Today? 4 - Problems Of A Divided Church 7 - A Faithful Minister’s Duties 12 - The Conclusion Of The Matter
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The Work of God in the Laodicean Era | ||
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by Arlen Berkey Chapter One The Work Of God
Members of God’s Church often talk about “The Work of God”. Do we truly understand what it is, and what it involves? Generally speaking, when we mention “The Work”, we think of preaching the gospel to the world. But is this the only work God does through His Church? Does He have more than one work? Also, what about developing His holy, righteous, spiritual character within us? Isn’t this also God’s Work? What does Jesus Christ say about the Work of God? “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). Now here’s a definition of the “Work of God” that is certainly different than what we usually hear in the Church! But it’s in your Bible, isn’t it? What does Christ mean in these verses? Please think about and understand this principle: when you truly believe something, you will be motivated to act, to work. You will take action because of that belief. Action is proof that we believe! According to scripture, belief and action go hand in hand. Faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:14-26). That action may only be a prayer, nonetheless, your belief will be the motivation to do it. On the other hand, a lack of faith may keep us from taking any action. That’s not God’s way. That’s why we read in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, ....shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” True belief, then, will naturally propel us to move forward and do God’s Work. Jesus Christ said He and His Father worked (John 5:17). God is a God of action. He is a working God. We are learning to be like God. We must also learn to work if we are to ever be in His family. One of the ten commandments tells us: “Six days thou shalt work”! Jesus addresses each era of the Church in Revelation 2 and 3 by stating: “I know thy works”. He’s very concerned about the works of the Church. He is our Righteous Judge (II Timothy 4:8). At this time He is judging those in His Church (I Peter 4:17). We are going to be rewarded according to our works (Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6-10). Now, concerning the Work of God, Jesus told His disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). Notice He says to teach others to observe ALL THINGS He commanded. God’s Work includes much more than just preaching the gospel to the world. That particular responsibility is mainly given to apostles, a subject that will be covered a little later. There are some things to consider when one preaches the gospel. New converts wanting to learn more and conform to God’s truth have always been a result. What happens to these people? How do you organize them? To what type of organization and government should they learn to be loyal? Who should be responsible for teaching the truth to them? What are the qualifications for such a teacher? These are just a few of the many questions and factors to be considered when we speak about the “Work of God”. God has multiple facets or operations in His Work (I Corinthians 12:6). There is much more to God’s Work than just preaching the gospel. In this booklet we will not only concentrate somewhat on preaching the gospel to the world, often referred to as “The Work” by most, but also on other important aspects of God’s Work. Since “The Work” includes more than just preaching the gospel, everything will be tied together to give you a more clear understanding of the Work of God. God Wants Unity Today the true Church of God is divided, fragmented and in so much disarray, there is no significant work of preaching the gospel being done. Why is that? We need to understand what the Church must do to solve certain problems and issues before it can effectively do this part of the Work. Just as a house divided against itself cannot stand, neither can the Church. The Church is not preaching the gospel as effectively and extensively as was done in the previous era because it is divided and fractured (Daniel 12:7). It has no real power behind it at this time. The Church is supposed to be united and compacted together (Ephesians 4:11-16). We are of the household (house) of God (Ephesians 2:19). The head of the Church, Jesus Christ, tells us: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). This division in the Church is not of God. He wants unity for us. Now in other scriptures Jesus mentions God’s way of life could very well divide families, even those closest to us (Matthew 10:36). This is also recorded in the book of Luke: “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Luke 12:51-53). On one hand, Jesus says a divided house cannot stand, but then on the other, He says there is going to be division within a house. This sounds like a no-win situation! He is speaking of the physical family in these verses. When one is put into the spiritual family of God, the Church (I Corinthians 12:13), it may well cause division within his or her physical family. It is another one of the multiple burdens Christians may have to endure when they choose to serve God His way. Division within families is not of God for He wants unity, but it commonly happens to those who believe and act upon hearing His Word. Some family members could become enemies of a Church member (Micah 7:5-6, Matthew 10:21, Luke 21:16). How many of us were alienated from close family members, relatives and friends once we began to obey the teachings of God given to us through His Church? This was especially true for some of us when we started to observe God’s Sabbath and Holy Days in lieu of this world’s holidays and Sunday worship. When you and I were initially converted, we made an important decision to come out of this world, spiritual Egypt. We began to live a different lifestyle, one patterned after God’s Way of life. The difference many times has caused alienation from friends and family. We now think and act differently than our relatives and people of this world. We pursue different goals than we did before conversion. We worship differently than the world. Although we continue to live in this world, we are not to be part of it (John 17:14-17). Trying to be at one with God alienates us from the world because it is not at one with Him. We are in a sense aliens and foreigners to this world. Because we have changed direction in our lives, now striving to live God’s way, divided homes have been the natural result for some members. The Bible says two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement (Amos 3:3). God says we are not to mix this world’s ways with His (II Corinthians 6:14-17, James 4:4, I John 2:15). This principle applies to everyone, even those closest to us, our immediate family members. If we are truly striving to live God’s Way, it will separate us from the ways of this world. We are to live by His standard, His Way of life (II Corinthians 6:17). The spiritual family always take precedence over the physical family. That’s why Christ makes it very clear we must be willing to put Him first if we’re to be His disciple, His student (Luke 14:26-33). This should always be explained thoroughly to those seeking baptism. For those called and placed into His Church, God definitely wants them to be united (Ephesians 4:1-6). They are to be speaking the same things (I Corinthians 1:10). Unity is good and a pleasant thing for brethren to enjoy (Psalm 133:1-3). Jesus stated this same desire for unity in His prayer for His disciples. He also included us in that prayer: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:20-23). Jesus said He and His Father are ONE (John 10:30). We in God’s Church should also be united as ONE. We are to have the same mind Jesus Christ had, the same mind of the Father: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:1-2, 5). Is the Church today of the same mind as God the Father and Jesus Christ? No we are not! Being divided and splintered is positive proof we all are not of the same mind as they, else we would be united together as one. SHAME ON US!! The Church needs to repent of being divided among many other things. Now, in order for us to become united once again, we must first learn what caused the Church to be divided and fractured in such a short time after the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. This division is an effect. There is a cause for every effect. This principle was taught to us by Mr. Armstrong. In the next few pages it will be explained why the Church today is so divided and splintered. We Must Make Decisions Most ministers and members of the Church believe we are in the Laodicean era. It is the dominant attitude in the Church today, though most do not recognize it in themselves: “...and knowest not that thou art...” (Revelation 3:17). This Laodicean condition is an effect. But first, what does Laodicea mean? The word Laodicea, as defined in Strong’s concordance, is a combination of two words: #2992 = “Laos” = meaning people, and #1349 = “dike” (pronounced dee-kay) = meaning justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution), judgment, punishment, vengeance. It can be applied in more than one way, depending on usage. One description can be: “the people decide or make a judgment”. Another is: “the people judge”, or “a judgmental people”, depending on usage. Still there is one other description: “the people are being judged, punished, or are to receive vengeance”. Each one of those meanings certainly describes this era of the Church depending on application and usage. We are in an era of the Church when many of the people of God are going to suffer punishment in the tribulation if there is no real repentance from being Laodicean before then (Revelation 3:16-19). He’s giving the Church plenty of warning now ahead of time. God always warns His people before He punishes them. One thing Christ does say to the Church in this era, “either get hot or cold” (Revelation 3:15). He’s telling this era of the Church to make a decision about something, to quit straddling the lukewarm fence lest He spew us out into the tribulation. We need to understand to what Christ is referring when He tells us to get hot or cold. We can find part of the answer to this question in verse 11: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” He is saying we are to hold fast to something given to us in the previous era, Philadelphia. He wants us to make a decision, to DECIDE to get either hot or cold about it. For those who don’t or won’t make a decision now, He says He will punish in the tribulation. At that time He will force them to make a decision or possibly reject them altogether! He won’t tolerate fence-sitters much longer! Again, what was given to us in the previous era of the Church that we are to HOLD FAST? This will be explained a little later, but first, at this juncture, let’s remember something else of importance. The Two Trees We had an end-time apostle who taught us about the two trees in the Garden of Eden. He showed us where Adam had to make a choice, a decision. That choice affected the future of all mankind since that time. Adam’s decision has affected you and me. God gives to us free moral agency to make choices, the prerogative to make our own decisions. But He also encourages man to make right decisions for his own good (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19). Brethren, do we in God’s Church realize what God’s apostle, Mr. Armstrong, was trying to tell us? Do we yet fully understand every decision we make, no matter how big or small, is based on one of those two trees? One tree, the Tree of Life, leads to eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The other tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, ends in eternal death. It is the Tree of Death. Do we understand the significance of our daily choices? God makes this quite clear: “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live... I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life,...” (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20). This is what Mr. Armstrong, God’s apostle, was trying to get us to understand those last few years of his life. He kept saying over and over to us: “Brethren! I don’t think most of you get it, and that includes most of you ministers” (Pentecost sermon, 1985). Time has proven he was right with that statement. The divided and splintered Church today is proof that most of us, including the ministers, truly did not “Get it” at the time he said it. Do we even now fully grasp what he was saying? Do we now “Get it”? Now back to the question, how did the Church become Laodicean? The answer is, it did not fully hold fast to doctrines the apostle taught in the Philadelphia era. This booklet explains this in detail and what we must do to remove the cause for so many problems because of division in the Church today. Hopefully, you will be motivated to make the right decision to turn back and hold fast to all the true doctrines given to us through an apostle of God, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. Do we fully understand the office of an apostle? We offer a new booklet to you, “Just What is an Apostle?”, written by Mr. Jonathan Bowles. It fully explains that office in great detail. Please write or call and request it. Some people try to excuse themselves from obeying doctrines and the way of God taught by Mr. Armstrong because he is dead. Well, so are the apostles Paul, Peter, James and John, etc. If what those apostles spoke is true, then we’d better heed what they said including the one God “sent” to His Church in this end time. Leaders, who use the excuse his words have no bearing on their teachings because he is dead, must get on the same track as he was if they want Christ involved in any “Work” they attempt to do! Responsibility of the Church The responsibility for the Church is clearly explained by Mr. Armstrong in his writings, sermons and Bible studies. On pages 265-266 of Mystery of the Ages, he states; “...God has given his Church a DUAL responsibility: 1) "Go ye into all the world" and proclaim the GOOD NEWS--announcement--of the coming kingdom of God.” 2) “Feed my sheep. It will be explained later how these responsibilities are carried out. But notice one of the main responsibilities for the Church is to “Feed my sheep”. The feeding of God’s sheep is an important part of “The Work of God”. Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep: “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep . He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Ministers have been given the responsibility to feed God’s sheep. Feeding His sheep is a proof of their love toward God and fellow man. That’s why God calls ministers shepherds over His flock in Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. Please study those two chapters thoroughly for they say a lot about this era of God’s Church. They reveal how the ministry today has gone astray. They tell us that God is not pleased with what the ministry has done to His Church today. What kind of food should the sheep receive? A caring minister will feed them proper food for good spiritual health. More will be said about this feeding of God’s sheep a little later. The ministry is commanded to teach and train Church members in God’s Way, His laws and His government. This education is given to teach them, teaching them how to develop God’s holy, righteous, spiritual character. This training helps them to qualify for positions as future kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. God’s Church is His college for training future kings and priests. “...The Church may be called God's teachers' college to prepare rulers and teachers for the kingdom of God when God does offer redemption and eternal life to the world as a whole. The CHURCH was planned to be God's instrumentality for calling predestinated human beings out of this world to be trained for positions of leadership in the world tomorrow, when they shall teach and train others. That is why in the New Testament, the Church is called the firstfruits of God's salvation” (Mystery of the Ages, pg. 228). Mr. Armstrong states through which offices the two earlier described responsibilities are to be implemented: 1) “This first and great commission was given to the apostles. To a lesser extent evangelists were used in carrying forth the message. Other leaders--ordained ministers--were stationary,....” “...the local pastor of a church may hold evangelistic services in his area--not the "soul-saving crusade" type, but lectures ANNOUNCING and PROCLAIMING as a witness the coming KINGDOM OF GOD (the true gospel)!” (Mystery of the Ages, pg. 265). 2) “...God has set his called and chosen ministers in his Church to FEED THE FLOCK--"for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body [CHURCH] of Christ: TILL WE all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13). It is the duty of Christ's TRUE ministers (and how scarce today) to PROTECT the begotten but yet unborn saints from false doctrines, from false ministers” (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 261-262). I have been asked several times where I get the authority to write ads, articles, and this booklet exposing ministers and/or groups that are not holding fast to what the apostle taught. Right there it is before your eyes! I get this authority from the apostle’s directive. His authority came from Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:40). Christ’s authority came from God the Father (Matthew 28:18). Whether you believe in the government of God in the Church or not, this is the truth. Truth is truth! Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was a man “sent” from God. Apostle means one who is “sent”. He was God’s apostle for this end-time. He was sent to preach the true gospel to the world with great power, and to raise up a people for God, called the “Elect”. With such tools as television, radio, advertising, and modern transportation at his disposal, he reached more people with the true gospel message than any man in the history of God’s Church. Yes, God certainly did a mighty work through him. The fruits were there for all of us to behold. He also fulfilled the role of the prophesied end-time “Elijah” to come (Matthew 17:11, Malachi 4:5-6). God used him to restore His vital truths and doctrines in the Church in this end time for our instruction in His way of life. This interesting subject will also be explained later. Mr. Armstrong stated that he had met with more heads of state and people of importance in this world than any man in modern times (Revelation 10:11). He delivered the message of God to them by explaining the give way versus the get way. Many of those same leaders recognized him as an ambassador for world peace and bestowed much honor upon him. They showed respect for and looked upon him as a dignitary, for truly he was representative of a nation, an holy nation (I Peter 2:9). He was an ambassador for the Kingdom of God (II Corinthians 5:20). How did he achieve such a high level of recognition and accomplishment? The Cause and the Effect Why was Mr. Armstrong used to do so great a work? Why aren’t any of these various Church of God splinter groups today having the same success that God gave to him? Also, why isn't the Church growing at the same fast pace as it did under his leadership? There must be an obvious reason. This effect has a cause! The door to preach the gospel to the world was opened wide for this great leader of God’s Church (Revelation 3:7-8). Jesus Christ blessed him in doing a great and powerful Work for God. He saw in Mr. Armstrong some characteristic, some quality he possessed, in order to use him in such a tremendous way. The same tools he used were, and still are, available to us. Today we also have a worldwide internet facility, another great tool, available for reaching all nations with God’s message. You’d think a greater work would be accomplished with all these tools at our fingertips, but it’s not being done anywhere near as extensively today as it was under the apostle’s administration. Why not? Mr. Armstrong himself stated several times, if there was any one reason why God did use him, it was because he would not compromise on doctrine and the truth of God. He always acknowledged that he did not build such a great work along with three colleges. He said Jesus Christ did it through him. He was always telling us that it was God’s WORK! He always gave the credit to Him. Many times he reminded us Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, not any man. He expressed how he was humbled by the fact that God used him as HIS instrument. He said he felt like a burned out hunk of junk, not good for anything. This showed an attitude of humility. That he would not compromise is the plain simple answer he gave why God used him to do His Work. Recent history of the Church has proven it to be the right answer. He put God’s will, His purpose, His Way first in his life. He refused to compromise on doctrine or water down God’s truth. He set an excellent example for us by his faithfulness to God’s Word and the doctrines of His Church. The fruits were there for all to see. Time has shown he did things right. And he had Christ’s approval: “...for thou hast kept my word, and not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee” (verse 9). In Matthew 7:16-20 we read: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. ..... every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; ....a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down....Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” During Mr. Armstrong’s leadership, the Church produced very good fruits. It was very evident for all of us to see. We need to acknowledge and follow the fine example he set for us. Where are such fruits being produced today? Certainly not by any leader of these splinter groups. This world needs God’s true message of hope now more than ever. It is not receiving it in any magnitude or noticeable significance as it did under Mr. Armstrong. Our goal is to help you see why this problem exists in the Church today. We want you to understand why efforts of these splinter groups, in their attempt to reach the world with the gospel, are not doing so with any significant power. These efforts, noble as they may seem, are just not having much impact. There is no significant fruit being produced by them. And what little fruit being produce is partially corrupt. New converts are being taught a mixture of truth and error by men who have compromised on doctrine. I will prove to you where leaders of the larger splinter groups have made the big mistake of not holding fast to the apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42). You will be reading actual statements made by these men that should shock you. More about this later. Put First Things First Now, before we go any further, let me state right here, I believe in preaching the gospel to as many people as possible. Some have stated I do not believe in preaching the gospel to the world. That is not true. I believe we should preach the gospel and a warning message. But I have also made it clear that we cannot preach a message of hope to a sick and dying world if we do not first get our own house (the Church) in order. It must first be put back on God’s track itself. We must get the beam or log out of our own eye before we can help others to see that God’s way is the right way to live. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). This is a vital principle for all of us to understand. We must be living God’s way ourselves before we can properly help others. Otherwise we are being hypocrites. Now listen! The greatest undertaking, or “work” if we word it that way, is God reproducing Himself in each one of us. This is the overall purpose for man. Read what God’s apostle tells us: The Purpose of Man on Earth “WHY did the Creator God put MAN on the earth? For God's ultimate supreme purpose of reproducing himself--of recreating himself, as it were, by the supreme objective of creating the righteous divine character ultimately in millions unnumbered begotten and born children who shall become God beings, members of the God family” (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 102-103). “God then purposed to reproduce himself, through humans, made in his image and likeness, but made first from material flesh and blood, subject to death if there is sin unrepented of--yet with the possibility of being born into the divine family begotten by God the Father. God saw how this could be done through Christ, who gave himself for that purpose. And that is why God put man on the earth! That is what caused God to do this most colossal, tremendous thing ever undertaken by the supreme, almighty God--to reproduce himself!” (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 94-95). This purpose for the creation of man, the work God wants to perform in each one of us, takes precedence over all other work we attempt to do. It must always have top priority over everything in our lives. Let’s get this straight once and for all time in our minds! Did Mr. Armstrong come to a false concept or conclusion in his statements? Or did he say the same thing Jesus Christ said? “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion...” (Genesis 1:26). “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Remember the God of the old testament became Jesus Christ. He was the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). Those who say preaching the gospel is the most important of all God’s work do not fully understand His purpose for man. Everything we do in life must fit within this overall purpose and framework of developing God’s holy, righteous, spiritual character lest it all be done in vain (I Corinthians 9:27). We are God’s workmanship: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The Bible instructs us to yield ourselves to Him. He certainly wants us to produce good works, but we must keep our priorities straight. Let’s read what Jesus Christ said about producing fruit: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ...Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:8, 16). The Church today is divided and in confusion. It is not producing good fruit. We must first deal with this condition before any work of preaching the gospel will ever be approved and accepted by God. Getting back on God’s spiritual track, keeping ourselves right with Him and His purpose, is most important right now. If we won’t produce good fruit, Jesus gives us an alternative, a choice. What will be your choice? “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:19-21). There are two methods by which good fruit may be produced in us. One way it may be developed in us is peaceably with God’s help: “...the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18). Peacemakers are called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). They truly are seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. God’s children yield themselves to Him and are being led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14-16). The other method is learning the hard way, through chastisement from Him. God will punish those of us in His Church if we are not producing good fruit. That’s how important it is to Him. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:6-8, 11). It’s important to God that we produce the good fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Because this era of the Church is not producing good fruit, He says: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). God does not want anyone to fail. He wants them to come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). That’s the purpose for being chastened by Him. The goodness of God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). And if chastening us is the only method to get us to produce good fruits, then He will do it. God, as the vinedresser, will prune us so we will produce better fruit (John 15:1-2). He wants to see growth in us. He does this because He loves us. The Church Is Not Ready Mr. Armstrong said shortly before he died that he had preached the gospel to the world. He laid great emphasis on getting the Church ready for Christ’s return. He stated this many times to the leadership that was to follow after his death. He said in several sermons and Bible studies that it was not ready. This is even more true today! This directive, however, did not mean preaching of the gospel to the world needed to cease or even slow down. In fact, over the next 2 or 3 years following his death, that part of the work continued to grow leaps and bounds. During those years the gospel went to the world with increased power. There was enormous growth in all phases of the Work. But that did not last very long! Although the leadership of the Church had been given additional instructions to get the bride ready, we now know the exact opposite has taken place. The bride at this point in time is far from being ready for the marriage to Christ at His return. After Mr. Armstrong’s death the leadership of the Church failed in this directive from him. Instead it took the Church into great apostasy. Even during the short spurt in growth immediately after his death, the leadership had already began to systematically change doctrines in the Church given through God’s end-time apostle. The following few years, especially after January 1989 when they suspended publishing Mr. Armstrong’s book, Mystery of the Ages, the Church, in general, rapidly slipped into a Laodicean attitude. It became complacent. Most of the Church began to increase it’s compromise on doctrines. The great apostasy spoken of in II Thessalonians 2 happened right before our eyes. It’s almost unbelievable, yet so true! We now see the tragic results. The Church today is scattered and in disarray (Daniel 12:7) with many completely leaving the faith. “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;” (I Timothy 4:1). What is now left of the once venerable Worldwide Church of God organization has become part of the synagogue of Satan. Most members that left the WCG because of this apostasy, but still comprise God’s true Church, have fallen into an attitude of Laodicea. We are in the Laodicean era, the seventh and last era of the Church. Remember this, Laodicea is still God’s true Church. This is the condition we must first confront and overcome before Christ will approve and give His blessing to any “Work” of preaching the gospel to the world. It is obvious the Church is not ready for Christ’s return. We must be getting ourselves ready. He wants us to be unified in His truth. We need to embrace and hold fast to all the doctrines that were being taught in the Church just prior to Mr. Armstrong’s death. There can be no room for compromise. The Church could become united in the faith once again if everyone, especially the ministry, would quit compromising on doctrine. God holds the ministry directly responsible for unity in the Church: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16). In Revelation 19:7 we read where the bride will have made herself ready. If you and I are going to be part of the bride, we must get ourselves ready. We need God’s righteousness in us (verse 8). We must ask God to help us to rid ourselves of the spots, blemishes and wrinkles in our spiritual lives (Ephesians 5:26-27). The bride must put on the fine linen of God's holy, perfect, righteous spiritual character. We are to be practicing it until it becomes habit. When living God’s Way becomes habit, it becomes natural for us to do it. It becomes a normal way of life, the natural way of God, His nature in us. Doing right becomes natural. Hating evil becomes natural. Living God’s law of love toward Him and our neighbor becomes natural. It becomes a WAY of life developed in us. Helping others achieve these same qualities becomes natural for us. It is what Jesus Christ would do if He were here in person. Indeed, it is Christ living in us doing these things. We can take no credit. God’s first and foremost desire is for man to conform to His image, His character (Genesis 1:26, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-10, 12-15, I John 3:1-3, etc.). This is God’s overriding purpose for man’s existence and why he was created. He is creating God-beings from puny humans. This building of His character in man is the most important work on earth. It supersedes all other work. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). Any splinter group trying to preach the gospel to the world, and then not truly living His way of life or changes doctrines, will not be accepted nor approved by Jesus Christ. The Church is Being Judged Now Jesus Christ is judging (evaluating) us in the Church right now. He is testing us, evaluating our actions, checking to see if we will carry out His Father’s will in our individual lives. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17). “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man” (John 5:22, 27). The Church has become scattered today. It has no real power (Daniel 12:7). Jesus Christ is judging us, and He isn’t very pleased with what He sees (Revelation 3:16, 18-19). Do you begin to get a glimpse why the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God is not going to this world with any real power at this time? This will become even more clear as you read the rest of this booklet. We must first come to understand why the Church today is fragmented into so many different groups. We must get to the root cause for this division. Only then can we properly deal with the effect it has had on all aspects of the Work of God today. Presently there is a great need for unity in the body of Christ. That unity should be the primary thrust for the ministry. The world in general is not being called now. The Church is comprised of the “called out ones”. It is where Jesus Christ is focused today. It is where we should have our focus. Remember this: God could raise up stones to become physical men with which He could preach the gospel to the world (Luke 3:8). That is a physical task. That would be easy for God to perform. For God to raise up real spirit-born sons with His character in them, His habits, to remain there forever is the greatest task He has ever undertaken. It is the most focused, challenging, and important work He wants to accomplish in His people so they may qualify to rule with Christ in the soon coming Kingdom of God (Revelation 2:26, 3:21). If it is the most important work for Him, then it certainly should also be for us. We must learn to think and act as He does in every situation. It is the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5). We are in training to become the sons of God, kings and priests in His kingdom. We are to think, act and emulate Him in every way. We need to keep focused on this goal in order to accomplish His will for our lives. We need to more fully submit ourselves to Him. If we do our part properly, when all is said and done, then we will become just like Him. “...but we know that when he (Christ) shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him (Christ) purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure” (I John 3:2-3). This is the tremendous potential God has for us. It will happen only if we remain faithful and endure to the end (Revelation 17:14, Matthew 24:13). How incredible to have the opportunity to be born into God’s family as His very sons. We need to put forth every effort, from the heart, to achieve this great potential. By purifying ourselves with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, Christ in us, we can do this. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Let’s be putting on His Character, developing Godly habits, until it becomes natural to think, love and act just like God our Father and His son Jesus Christ. That’s God’s nature He wants to see in us. That’s the only real hope we in the Church can sink our teeth into and never have to let it go. It’s the hope for all mankind. Hold Fast Brethren! |
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