Church and Christianity
To virtually all the world the words "Church" and "Christianity" are synonymous with the people that profess to believe in and follow Christ. Amazingly, the word "church" does not occur in the Greek of the New Testament but is a mistranslation.
At the end of this age, in the book of Revelation, we find God calling to His people to come out of a place he calls Babylon and the Great Whore to avoid the plagues she will receive for her sins. Where is this place that God's people find themselves that is a "habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Rev. 18:2).
The apostle Paul told us that "such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2Cor 11:13-15). Where are these false, deceitful ministers who claim to be sent by Christ? Where is Satan's influence to be found posing to be a source of light to those seeking God?
They can only be in places that claim to be of Christ! Christian denominations! As you read these articles prepare to be surprised and shocked. Satan deceives the whole world. He is hiding in a place that seems to be above suspicion but Paul also wrote that the one who "as God sitteth in the temple of God" will "be revealed in his time" (1Thess 2:4,6). As we draw nearer to the events that will herald the return of Christ the truth about the antichrist spirit and where it is hiding will be revealed.
New Birth Teaching Series
"You must be born again"
Three hours of audio teaching (transcript available) from Pastor John Clark, Sr. on the subject of the "New Birth".
When is a person born again and how do you know? The Bible contains clear revelation from God about when a person is born again. Learn what had to occur before the new birth was available to man. Listen as Pastor John covers these topics and more:This is perhaps the most important issue for a person to understand.
Have you been born again?
Thought for the Evening
1-19
So Dependent On God
From a sermon by Preacher Clark at Grandma's house, November 3, 1968
Those who heed God's call to "Come out of her my people" are often seen as self-willed rebels by the Christians they leave behind, but just the opposite is true. We came out of Christianity because we finally stopped rebelling (against God). To become a part of Christianity is of the will of man; to obey the voice of the Spirit and come out is of the will of God. We remained behind the white-washed walls of Christianity as long as we did because we were self-willed and rebellious (against the call of God, even though we did not realize it). I am so grateful that Jesus had mercy on us and helped us understand God's will so that we could stop rebelling against the One who loved us, and whom we loved.
In Preacher Clark's Sunday afternoon sermon, now many years hence, he said, "The reason I feel independent is because I'm so dependent on God." This is how it always is with those who truly desire the will of God. They become so hungry that they forget to eat (the manna prepared by men). They long so much for fellowship in the light that they walk away from fellowship, with carnally-minded people, and are regularly criticized for it.
One time Uncle Joe described true fasting this way. He said that "true fasting is when you get so hungry, you don't eat." He was right. True fasting is the result of being so hungry (for righteousness) that natural food becomes irrelevant. We who have come out of Christianity, did not forsake that religion in order to avoid the company of Christians but to pursue the company of the saints of God. We were pulled away from that religion by a strong desire to be a part of God's family. We came out because we want so much to be in (the light of God). We were not rebels; we were, at last, "obedient to the heavenly call".
When we become so dependent on God for our spiritual sustenance that we cease to feed our souls on the doctrines of men, we will be misunderstood. That is how it has always been. The humble Savior was condemned as a rebel (by those who were still rebelling against the Father). Jeremiah was called a false prophet and imprisoned (by those who were speaking falsely to God's people and were imprisoned by their own will). Paul was beaten within an inch of his life (by those who were dead to the things of God) and was cursed (by those who were cursed by God).
Dare to become dependent on God. You may be badly misunderstood, but you yourself will "understand all things". And the love of God that will begin to fill your soul for those who misunderstand you will not only surprise you, it will also keep you from behaving the way you once behaved when things didn't go your way. The following words of Jesus will finally apply to you, and you will be happy:
"Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for thus they persecuted the prophets who lived before you."