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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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Chapter Five Some Will Be Called Now Will God call any new converts into His Church today when doctrinal errors are so prevalent? If He does, how could a convert determine if there are doctrinal errors in the first place? Under the present condition of the Church a new convert would have great difficulty qualifying for a position in His Kingdom. With God, however, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The Bible does indicate some members will be added to the Church during this Laodicean era. Some members have, and still may, give up completely. Others are allowing the cares of this world to choke the word in them. They are becoming unfruitful or may not bring fruit to perfection (Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14, 21:34). They will lose their crowns, and possibly salvation, if they do not repent. In Luke 14, speaking of the wedding supper, Jesus tells us about some who will not be attending because of the above reasoning. “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper” (Luke 14:16-24). This is a very strong warning to us in the Church. The firstfruits are those who have been called to the wedding supper of Christ. Jesus further emphasizes this warning in verses 26-33 by saying His disciples must be willing to give up everything physical for Him. We must not let anything come between God and us. Saving our own physical lives is not nearly as important as our spiritual lives. That was our commitment at baptism. Do we still honor that promise? Bidden to the Wedding The wedding supper will happen! Those filling the void left by the ones that make excuses will gain a crown if they remain faithful. In Revelation 17:14 we read where Jesus Christ is going to return with those that have been “called, chosen, AND faithful”. Some Church members have placed more value on physical things than they have on spiritual things. Having already been invited to be in the Kingdom at Christ’s return, they have let down and allowed the cares of this present human life to choke the word. They have become unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). Also, speaking of this time period, Jesus gives us a warning in the following verses: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34). “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). In Luke it says they brought no fruit to perfection. But in Matthew this same parable says: “THEY BECAME UNFRUITFUL”! Now listen! You can’t become unfruitful unless at some point you already had been producing fruit. This is speaking of the fruit of God’s Spirit. Some already have let the cares of this world and things of this physical life overpower them. They no longer are producing fruit. A tree that is corrupt or produces no fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:10). “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). These scriptures serve as a stern and sobering warning to all of us! Some have gone back into the world and now worship in the churches of this world. Others may have acquired the same attitude as Esau. He did not place proper value on his birthright. Instead of valuing and keeping it, he gave it up. He traded it for a bowl of soup which had no lasting value. Physical things are temporary and have no real value when compared to spiritual things. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:18). “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:16-18). Value of Our Inheritance Do we truly grasp the value of our inheritance? Do we treasure it so much that we're willing to give up everything physical for it (verses 35-39)? This doesn’t necessarily mean we will need to but that we must be Willing to give up any and everything in this physical life for God. Nothing should come between us, God, and His plan for us. That was our covenant with Him at baptism (Luke 14:26-35, Romans 12:1-2). Do we still honor that commitment every day? How much value do you and I place on God's calling us into His truth and way of life? Do we treasure it as we should? “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:18, 33). Some have been called and chosen, but they have not remained faithful. They will not make it into God's Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns to this earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords unless they repent. They have not honored their baptismal commitment nor valued the real riches of God's truth. Do we allow the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches to choke God’s Word in us? Are we becoming unfruitful (please read again Matthew 13:22, Luke 21:34)? We must not let anything come between God and us. NOTHING! “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). We must keep our commitment to Him and endure to the very end (Matthew 24:13). Doing so brings tremendous rewards. Not staying faithful will bring weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30). Jesus Christ gives us an instruction in Revelation 3:11 to hold fast to what we have that no man take our crown. But to what are we supposed to hold fast? What is this “that what you have”? It’s the truths and doctrines of God that had been restored and/or given to us during the Philadelphia era of the Church through Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, God’s chosen apostle. This is the only way this verse can make sense. At one time the whole Church believed this, but now many have let it slide by the wayside. Mr. Armstrong fulfilled the role of the “Elijah to Come” who was to restore all things (Matthew17:11). He proved many times over in sermons, Bible studies and writings how he fulfilled this role. He was used by Christ to restore many precious truths to the Church during that era, truths that had been lost over the centuries before. He also had to make certain judgments pertaining to subjects of controversy. Those judgments became doctrines for the Church. They were made according to the spirit of God’s law. That’s why he kept going back to the two trees in the Garden of Eden. It is to these doctrines and restored truths we are to hold fast and not let go. Christ gave this instruction, “hold that fast which thou hast”, to Philadelphia because the next era of the Church, Laodicea, would not be holding fast to them. This has already happened to the majority of the membership over the past few years in this seventh and last era of God’s Church. They have not held fast. Ministry Responsible In the book of Luke, Jesus warns us about the conditions of some in the Church shortly before He returns. He speaks about those who know God’s will and some that don’t. “And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:47-48). When it speaks of those who did not know God’s will, indications are they did not know all of His will. Ask yourself: Why would some not know all or part of God’s will? There must be a reason. These scriptures reveal someone has failed to properly do their job. Who is responsible to teach God’s people His law and way of life? “For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). The priests today are God’s ministers. The ministry today, in general, are failing to teach all of God's truth to His people (chapter 2:8-9). They have either withheld some truth from the members of the Church or they have polluted the truth with false teachings. “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible” (Malachi 1:7). God does not leave His ministers with any excuses for not teaching His full truth given to them through an apostle. These leaders, by their very actions, show they truly no longer care for nor keep all the doctrines given to them through Mr. Armstrong. When he was alive, they talked and acted quite differently. “Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them” (Ezekiel 33:30-33). Yes, most all of us sat before the apostle's feet and heard his words. He gave the truth of God to us. The leaders of these splinter groups are without excuse! We all are without excuse! Now notice again verses 42 through 48 in the 12th chapter of Luke. Jesus Christ repeatedly used the term “servant”. Servant, as used here, means one within the Church. These verses are speaking of God’s Church, but more specifically, the ministry. They know the Father’s will. They are the teachers in the Church. These verses have everything to do with their feeding the flock and taking care of the Church. These verses are not dealing with preaching the gospel to the world. The previous verses speak of watching and preparing for His return (verses 35-40). Warning to the Ministry Jesus Christ is speaking of internal problems within the ministry of the Church. They contain a sobering warning to those serving God’s people. Ministers are to do their job and do it right. We all need to heed this serious warning from our High Priest. He tells us in Matthew 6:33 that we are to FIRST seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. That is first in His order. Is it in ours? He then adds other things such as preaching the gospel to the world. The verses previously mentioned in Luke 12 clearly indicate that the ministry has not lived up to it’s responsibility to faithfully teach all the truth and doctrines to the Church. God is not pleased with those that withhold truth from His people;
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (back or withhold) the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ....so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:18-20). Ministers who know the truth, but hold back part of it or fail to teach it all faithfully, are going to receive many stripes (Luke 12:47). These verses also apply, in principle, to all the membership of the Church. Members are also referred to as servants. We are learning to be the servants of God and our fellowman. Christ wants us to serve: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:13-17). Indications are that some members will not know all the Father’s will. This is because His will probably wasn’t taught to them fully nor faithfully. Notice though, they still will receive some stripes (verse 48). They just don’t receive as many as those who knew better. God is a just God. He knows just what is needful for each one of His people for their own good. He wants all of them to succeed. If a member goes into the tribulation because a minister was not faithful in teaching all the truth and doctrines of God that were given to him, wouldn’t he be partially to blame? Absolutely! The ministry is to help people come out of error, not leave them in it, nor lead them into it as some are doing today. Think for a minute, which minister wants to bear the burden knowing that, because of his own neglect or because he held back some truth, others may suffer stripes? Knowing that he is partially responsible for someone being in the tribulation would be a heavy burden to bear. Sadly enough, your Bible says it is going to happen! We must cry aloud and show the people their sins (Isaiah 58:1)! It has reached the point that someone must cry aloud and show the ministers their sins (Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34)! We read in Isaiah 56:10-11 about ministers being like dumb dogs that cannot bark. They have fallen into slumber and sleep (compare with Matthew 25:1-13). Their main concern is for themselves. They need a paycheck and have compromised to have one. This is so true today. It is vitally important for the ministry to keep and teach all the doctrines, the WAY of God, as delivered to them. Jesus gives us something along this line of thinking to consider in Matthew 23:15: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” This is a serious charge He levels at the ministry, for they are responsible to teach the people. If you were responsible for another person being punished in the tribulation, how would you feel? You certainly wouldn’t feel very good about it if you have a good, spirit-led conscience. Some ministers, however, will discover this after it is too late to do anything for those affected because of their neglect or wrong teachings. Wouldn’t it be better to faithfully teach all the doctrines now? Wouldn’t it be better to prevent this kind of problem from developing in the first place? Nip it in the bud, so to speak. Prevention of a problem is the best way to handle it. Stop the cause for an adverse effect before it comes. Everyone would benefit from it. Many of God's ministers are guilty of doing the opposite. They are leading others into the greatest time of trials to ever come upon the face of this earth (Matthew 24:21-22). They can still repent before the tribulation comes. There is still time to make things right. God is extending His merciful hand to us today. There will come a time in the near future when He will withdraw that hand for a short period of time. It could be too late for us, individually, if we delay that which we must be doing now. Let’s get back to all His truth. Purpose of the Tribulation No true minister of God wants to see anyone go into the tribulation. Yet because the Church, as a whole, is not remaining faithful to all those doctrines which has been given to it, this is prophesied to happen. It will be the most terrible time ever for all mankind, but especially so for the Church (Matthew 24:21-22). The irony is it could all be prevented. There is a reason why the Church ends up in the tribulation. Christ chastens it for rebelling against Him (Revelation 3:16, 18-19). The good news is there will be some that will repent before the tribulation. Those who do will be spared (Revelation 3:10, 12:14-16). Ministers and leaders in God’s Church especially need to take a good long look and examine themselves to see if they truly are remaining faithful to, and teaching, all these things. Many lives are going to be affected in the near future by what they are speaking and doing today with the truth and doctrines given to the Church. You and I, however, still carry the responsibility to prove whether or not the leaders are speaking the full truth, and keeping all the doctrines pure and unpolluted as the following verses tell us. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” (Revelation 2:2). This is a responsibility for all of God’s people, minister or layman. Have you proven your minister? We must use the same standard taught to us during the Philadelphia era of the Church. Are you using this same standard to evaluate him? There Will be Some New Converts Luke 14:15-24 shows some converts will be brought into the Church during this era. When coupled with verses 47-48 in Chapter 12, we see that some will suffer stripes which could be prevented. Part of that suffering can be attributed to an unfaithful ministry for not teaching all the doctrines and truth of God as it was given to them. Some stripes will be given during the tribulation. That is one of the main purposes for allowing it to come upon the earth. This whole passage of scripture in Luke 12, from verse 31 through verse 57, speaks about the end-time for God’s people. These verses are talking about the very near future. They serve as a warning for us today. These are some of the concerns every minister, or group, should now consider when wanting to preach the gospel to the world. A minister should ask himself the following questions: Am I on track spiritually? Do I faithfully keep and teach all the doctrines as given to us through Mr. Armstrong, an apostle of God? Is my conduct proper and the same as Christ’s example? Am I compromising in any area of God’s truth or doctrines? The answers a minister gives for these questions could have a greater consequence than, until now, he may have ever thought about. A minister or leader may have the gospel message about the Kingdom of God right and preach it to the world, while at the same time be off track on doctrines. If this is so, there will be a terrible price to be paid by him and those whom he teaches. These things are happening in the Church right now. That won’t be the case much longer. Though God is very patient, He will allow only so much wrong until He puts a stop to it. In the near future He will intervene to end it all. That is the good news. |
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