It's not something that is talked about very much today in bible discussions but it is very disturbing to Our Lord Jesus Christ..
Jesus Himself rebukes this End Time Church of God, calling it the "Laodicean Church" generation and age --the FINAL prophesied Church era to appear in the world, shortly before His second coming! He declared: "To the angel of the Church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness [because they are not faithful and true], the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are LUKEWARM -- neither hot nor cold -- I am about to SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are WRETCHED, PITIFUL, POOR, BLIND AND NAKED. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,{tribulation} so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So BE IN EARNEST AND REPENT. Here I stand at the door and knock. If ANYONE [He is appealing to individuals, not entire church groups, but one by one to individual persons, one by one] hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Rev.3:14-22).
Notice! This account describes the vast, whole, ENTIRE REMNANT CHURCH OF GOD! It is the LAST GENERATION! It is spiritually blind and naked, but thinks it is rich and very spiritual, proud of its supposed "knowledge," but really pitiful in God's sight It is so far removed from the ways and true paths of God, that Christ is not even INSIDE this "Church" --He is pictured as standing OUTSIDE "looking in" -- KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, hoping that someone, at least a "few," may open the door and let him into their own individual homes!Jeremiah prophesied of the flagrant End-Time rebellion that would occur within the very Church of God at the close of the age, before the coming of the Messiah. He was inspired to write: " A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority [pretending it is "God's Authority"!], and my people LOVE IT THIS WAY. But what will you do in the end?" (Jer.5:30-31).
Thousands today put their trust in "Church authority." They believe smugly that their church is "the ONLY Church of God." They confidently trust their ministry never to mislead them. They think to themselves, "If there is wrong in the Church, God will correct it in due time. I don't have to worry about it God would never let the ministry go astray, or lead us astray. Why, after all, this is God's own Church! "
Jeremiah prophesied that people would make that very boast, during the End Time! He wrote: "This is what the LORD Almighty , the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord! ' If you REALL Y change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods, to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are TRUSTING IN DECEPTIVE WORDS that are worthless" (Jer.7:3-8).
Paul gave us a similar warning. He declared, "Now the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will ABANDON the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through HYPOCRITICAL LIARS, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot irons" (I Tim. 4: 1-2). The Greek word for liars or lies, as used in this verse, is pseudologos -- and this is the only place it is used in the New Testament The usual word for "lies" is pseudos. But this is talking about "lying words," or speech in the context of hypocrisy -- something which conveys the subtlety of very cunning lies and deceptions, something beyond just normal run-of-the-mill "lies."
To assume that you are protected from Satan's deceptions just because you are a physical P ART of the Church, is a dangerous assumption! Adam and Eve may have assumed that they were in no danger, because they were right in Paradise --the Garden of Eden! But the serpent's cunning still caught Eve off her guard, and she was deceived rather easily and quickly! God warns us, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Cor.l0:12).
The 1,000 reign is not in Heaven but it is Jesus' kingdom on earth. It is the Kingdom of Heaven also known as the Millennial Kingdom. It's purpose is not to judge the angels but it is a time in which the earth is properly ruled by Jesus and some Christians, the Overcomers, will reign with him. Yes, there will be those who are the children of the people who took the mark of the beast that can still be evangelized and saved but not those who took the mark. There will be the 144,000 Jewish men that will be evangelizing at that time. Satan will be locked up in a pit where he will stay the entire 1,000 years after which he will be released to go around the Earth to raise an army to attempt to take over the Kingdom of Heaven. He will fail.
As for the The Loadicean Church: I agree with beefcake. Many prophesies have more than one application. This is probably no exception. If you look at the nature of these seven churches and the issues Jesus had with them you can see the pattern of the history of the Church as well.
It is sad to me to know that after 2000 years the Church is not more powerful than ever and has no reputation for bringing the glory of God to the Earth. There is even greater division, heresy and hypocrisy now than ever. It's going to take Jesus' return to get it right!
Regarding what you said about the 144,000 Jewish men evangelizing. The scriptures do not teach us that. That is a common Pre-Trib teaching. Here are the passages dealing with the 144,000. If I missed any please let me know.
Rev 7:3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: NKJV
Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. NKJV
If you can find a verse that clearly states that the 144,000 go around sharing the Gospel I would be very interested in seeing it.
Additionally regarding who will reign with Christ. Not some but all Christians whose faith endures to the end. Otherwise they are no longer Christians. "Overcomers" are merely those who did not commit Apostasy. They endured in their faith till the end, whatever end they reached. Either by natural death or by a persecuted death or staying alive and keeping their faith till the 2nd Coming.
What is the purpose of separating out the 144,000? I am not arguing with you as I agree scripture never says the are going to be Evangelists. That does not mean they will not be, just that scripture doesn't specify.
I have heard several theories on this subject, but would like yours. I don't think I have seen you post it before.
Rev 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
I believe God has picked a faithful remnant from among the 12 Tribes of Israel as a chosen Firstfruit.
Or we can accept the Jehovah's Witnesses at their word and believe that they are the only one saved. The 144K that is.:ROFL:
Well, the JWs believe the 144,000 are the ones who will stay in their spiritual form taking care of God and Heaven (New Jerusalem). They believe that many more are saved, but will be here on earth restoring it to it's earlier majesty. Making it as God intended.
I think they're going to kinda...represent the apostles. I don't think Jesus picked 12 guys for no reason. It probably has some significance that 144,000 is a multiple of twelve.....and I think "virgins" means they have not been defiled with false churches...they were always searching for God's truth. They may even be a special class of Christians, like the ones resurrected at Christs resurrection....'cuz lets face it...while a lot of Christians will be saved...there's always been people that are more zealous for their faith, I don't think God is going to forget people that are able to put in the extra effort. Enoch, Elijah, and Moses are probably in that number. The people God called for a special purpose, and that served Him with their whole being. But I really have no idea what or who they are. We could drown them in supposition and theory all we want and never find the real answer. I do not think they are all that God saves though....not even close.
I don't think we can allegorize the 144000 as those having something to do with churches. The scripture says it was due to them not being defiled with women. Remember the scriptures also talks about men who became Eunichs so as to better serve the Lord? I am not saying they did this but just seeing that there is no reason to suppose something other than what the text states. JMO
