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Church in the Last Days by Rev. Daniel Blair, Feb 12, 2013

Jesus_amidst.jpgAs we fast approach the end of days my heart aches for the church. It deeply grieves me to see her stumble and fall prey to the world. Spiritual eyes reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly. Yet, in all of her various forms she is still the church of the living God established by His Son, nurtured by the Spirit, and ministered to by each of her members. It’s instructive to see that Jesus Christ first addresses the seven historical churches in the book of Revelation prior to the unveiling of the great struggle between the powers of evil and the risen Lord. These timeless messages are for all the churches in every age from the first century to the coming of Christ in glory to defeat Satan and his host of wickedness. As Christ walks among the churches He is holding her messengers in His right hand (See Revelation 1:20) and with all seeing eyes He is continually giving her comfort, commendation, exhortation, and rebuke. It was Christ who established His church and indicated that the gates of hell would not prevail against her. (See Matthew 16:18) Simply put, all the false doctrine, all the schisms, and all the host of wickedness will not destroy the church. Jesus Christ loves the church referred to often as - His own Body.

Many in these days have abandoned the church writing her off as the apostate church. In their arrogance and pride they no longer feel a need for the church and her ministry, but simply go it alone or with a select group of friends that they can sway to their own way of thinking. Yet, Christ must remain the Head of His church giving it direction and gifting its members to minister one to another in love and encouragement exercising their individual gifts for mutual edification. (See Romans 12:3-8) Furthermore, Christ has gifted certain individuals in every local church to pastor the flock put in their charge as shepherds not lording it over them but allowing each to use their individual gifts for building up the body of Christ. (See I Peter 5:2-4) Admittedly, if more churches understood and used their spiritual gifts for mutual edification then our churches would be much stronger and not so easily led astray. (See Ephesians 4:11-16) If they understood all the “one another statements” in the New Testament and exercised them then more would find it easier to grow from one degree of glory to another becoming all that Christ intends. Moreover, every person Christ gives a gift and puts in the church is sorely needed and indispensable to the growth of His church. (See I Corinthians 12:14-30).

As I stated before not all churches are the same; some will be good and it will be a great joy to witness the strength of Christ working through these churches to the glory of God, while others will surely be classified by Christ as being the ugly allowing false doctrine to infiltrate their ranks causing them to have very little spiritual strength as they face a world of encroaching evil. Then there are the churches that are clearly classified by our Lord as being bad and in danger of losing their status as a church. (See Revelation 2:5) In either case the Bible tells us “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Even in this latter church there is no doubt a faithful remnant, perhaps unwilling to speak up and use their spiritual gifts to help their local church return to receiving a better classification to the Glory of God. I cannot over emphasize the importance of individual prayer to determine God’s perfect will in using you to help these churches.

No matter which church God places you, be confident that He will give you the necessary gifts to help your brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is absolutely essential that in your ministry to others that you too are being mutually encouraged to continue your growth in Christ realizing that you are not perfect and will be often times humbled by those of lesser stature. The word encourage means to come along side, to make eye contact, if necessary give a holy hug, to communicate with for the purposes of building up. Simply put this cannot happen to its fullest extent over the internet, email, or social media. Dear friends, we need the church to help us stand firm. Satan himself is doing everything possible to destroy the church of God to keep you as a mere infant tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Let me encourage you to find a local church to discover the beauty and power of corporate worship; to experience God’s love flowing through you to others; to join others in their works of service for your mutual edification. Finally, let me implore you to separate yourself from those who would join Satan in tearing down Christ’s church, by seeking to divide and destroy its members – pitting one against another. Come out from those who in their prideful arrogance say that they have no need for the church. Stand firm in the truth my dear friends.

Copyright © 2013 Rev. Daniel W. Blair

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