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Conversation #012
Church of Christ
Dear Truth Seeker,
Thanks for all you sent me. I’m sorry that you haven’t seen that beast #1 (Europe) is a passive player in Revelation chapter 13. It is beast #2 (USA) which suggests the linking of the world and forms beast #3 (the worldwide union of religions and states).
So, while you are looking for a European event things will be happening in the good ol' US of A!
I have looked into the bar code idea but didn’t find that it stood up to the scrutiny of the whole Bible end time prophecies. It may have a part to play in the buy and sell decree but I don’t agree that it is the "mark". I am rather surprised that you who queried the physical signs of Christ’s second coming (earthquakes and stars falling) should accept a physical and very worldly system as the "mark" without solid Scriptural proof.
I didn’t deal with the ten horns of the last days because they are part of chapter 17 which we haven’t looked at.
I like your thought that religion is a disease! That’s so true. But I don’t accept that His chosen are "His in spirit and truth ONLY". They are ALSO bonded together into a visible church with the guides as set out below.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way.
Did you notice that in those days there was only one church, one "body", "THE church"?
So we need both the visible and the invisible church. One for us, and one for them (the non-Christians). That way they can see somewhere to go when they are looking for the truth. Maybe we don’t have it all up front, and maybe not all in it are Christians, but we do have it as it is set out in the letter to the Romans.
Romans 3:1-2
What advantage then has the Jew [the visible church of the time]? or what profit is there of circumcision [one of the ceremonies of the time]? Much every way: [but] chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God [the Scriptures]....
The church of God is likened to a tree with many branches, so that’s how the church of these days is too.
Romans 11:16-25
For if the Firstfruit [Christ the head, 1 Corinthians 15:20] be holy, the lump [His body - the church, Colossians 1:18] is also holy: and if the Root [of the tree, Revelation 5:5] be holy, so are the branches [but only because of Him].
And if SOME OF [but not all of] the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and WITH THEM partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the [old] branches [which were cut off].
But if you boast, you bear not the Root, but the Root [bears] you [don’t forget this].
You will say then, "The [old] branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." Well; because of unbelief they were broken off [their choice], and you [the new branches] stand by faith [your choice]. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not you.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, IF YOU CONTINUE in His goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off [your choice]. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in [their choice]: for God is able to graft them in again.
For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be [easily] grafted into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brothers and sisters, that you should be ignorant of this mystery [an uninvestigated truth], lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, [but only] until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in [then they will wake up and see].
So, the main (but not the only) purpose of the visible church is to hold the Scriptures up before the seekers after truth. They, and not the books of commentators, are the source of light. And when the branches of professed Christianity do that, they are fulfilling their role, more or less, as they stick to the word.
A wise man once said, speaking of the Bible,
The Revival of the
Church, by J H M D'Aubigne.
BOOK 18 CHAPTER 1 page 730 paragraph 9, Erasmus
"It is not from human reservoirs, fetid with stagnant waters, that we should draw the doctrine of salvation; but from the pure and abundant streams that flow from the heart of God."
I don’t understand what your P.S. means!
It’s been nice corresponding with you,
Happy hunting,
Ron
oooOooo
To the reader,
If there is anything not clear to you as you read my answer, please feel free to mail me and ask about it. I promise not to send you anything but a direct answer to your question. I won't argue about it, just share with you what I have seen.
I won't ask you to join a new church or offshoot either!
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