A VISION OF THE CHURCH OF GOD

 Within the maze of denominationalism there exists a variety of answers to the question: "What constitutes The Church of God?" However, we must concern ourselves only with what the word of God says about the subject. The vision of The Church of God is not an extra-biblical revelation or a product of mythologizing. The vision of The Church of God is simply a scriptural revelation by and through the Holy Ghost concerning the identity of The Church of God in these last days. Do you have a clear vision of the church?

A. Do you see...Jesus established a visible church?

Mat 16:18 -- And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Luke 6:12 -- And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:13 -- And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Luke 6:14 -- Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Luke 6:15 -- Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, Luke 6:16 -- And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Luke 6:17 -- And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

B. Do you see...This was according to Bible prophecy?

Micah 4:1 -- But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. Isa 2:2 -- And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Psa 72:16 -- There shall be a handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

C. Do you see...This church functioned as a visible body before the day of Pentecost?

Mark 13:34 -- For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Acts 1:15 -- And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) John 13:29 -- For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

D. Do you see...Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Hebrew marriage custom in choosing the bride...His church?

1. Chose the church: John 15:16 -- Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

2. Discussed purchase price before two witnesses: Luke 9:28 -- And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. Luke 9:29 -- And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. Luke 9:30 -- And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Luke 9:31 -- Who appeared in glory, and space of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

3. Entered into a verbal word covenant: John 17:8 -- For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

4. Sealed the covenant with a cup of wine: Mat 26:27 -- And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Mat 26:28 -- For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mat 26:29 -- But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

5. Purchased the church: John 19:30 -- When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:34 -- But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

6. Bodily left the church, and will return bodily again: Acts 1:10 -- And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Acts 1:11 -- Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

E. Do you see...The Church of God is different from the kingdom of God?

KINGDOM CHURCH Invisible Visible Luke 17:20,21 -- And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Matthew 5:14 -- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. No Flesh Flesh I Corinthians 15:50 -- Now this I say, brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. I Corinthians 12:27 -- Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular No Wolves Wolves John 10:12-14 -- But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattered the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Galatians 2:4 -- And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

F. Do you see...Entrance to the church is through a verbal word covenant administered by the proper authority?

Isa 62:5 -- For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Acts 2:47 -- Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Rom 7:3 -- So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Rom 7:4 -- Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Eph 5:31 -- For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Eph 5:32 -- This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Gal 3:15 -- Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it were confirmed, no man disannulled, or addeth thereto.

G. Do you see...The Bible name of the church?

1 Cor 1:2 -- Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1 Cor 10:32 -- Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 2 Cor 1:1 -- Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Acts 20:28 -- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Gal 1:13 -- For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

H. Do you see...The church is a government of Theocracy in unanimity?

Mat 18:15 -- Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Mat 18:16 -- But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Mat 18:17 -- And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Mat 18:18 -- Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

1 Cor 1:10 -- Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor 5:4 -- In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 5:5 -- To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor 5:6 -- Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 1 Cor 5:7 -- Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: 1 Cor 5:8 -- Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor 5:9 -- I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 1 Cor 5:10 -- Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 1 Cor 5:11 -- But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one, no, not to eat. 1 Cor 5:12 -- For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? 1 Cor 5:13 -- But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. Acts 15:25 -- It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Acts 15:28 -- For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; Isa 52:8 -- Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Phil 3:16 -- Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, and let us mind the same thing.

I. Do you see ...The church began to drift into apostasy?

Acts 20:28 -- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:29 -- For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:30 -- Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 2 Th 2:1 -- Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Th 2:2 -- That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Jude 1:3 -- Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:4 -- For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jer 12:7 -- I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. Jer 12:8 -- Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it. Jer 12:9 -- Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. Jer 12:10 -- Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, and they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Jer 12:11 -- They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. Ezek 13:10 -- Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: Ezek 13:11 -- Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Ezek 13:12 -- Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Ezek 13:13 -- Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. Ezek 13:14 -- So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Ezek 13:15 -- Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; Isa 56:10 -- His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Isa 56:11 -- Yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Isa 56:12 -- Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

J. Do you see...The church fell into apostasy in 325 A.D. with the adoption of the Nicene Creed?

Isa 50:1 -- Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. Isa 54:6 -- For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. Ezek 16:44 -- Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

K. Do you see...The church was prophesied to arise?

Song of Solomon 6:13 -- Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it was the company of two armies. Isa 54:7 -- For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. Isa 54:8 -- In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. Isa 54:9 -- For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. Isa 54:10 -- For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. Micah 7:7 -- Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:8 -- Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:9 -- I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Acts 15:16 -- After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: Acts 15:17 -- That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

L. Do you see...The Bible declares the "who" of the arise?

Jer 30:17 -- For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. Jer 30:18 -- Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. Jer 30:19 -- And out of them shall precede thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Jer 30:20 -- Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. Jer 30:21 -- And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD. Jer 30:22 -- And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

M. Do you see...The Bible shows the "where" of the Arise and Shine?

Ezek 17:1 -- And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Ezek 17:2 -- Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; Ezek 17:3 -- And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, long-winged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: Ezek 17:4 -- He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants. Ezek 17:5 -- He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree. Ezek 17:6 -- And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs. Psa 132:4 -- I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Psa 132:5 -- Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Psa 132:6 -- Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. Psa 132:13 -- For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. Psa 132:14 -- This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

N. Do you see...The Bible shows the "when" of the Arise?

Psa 102:13 -- Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Isa 60:1 -- Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isa 60:8 -- Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?

John 6:39 -- And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Song of Solomon 2:10 -- My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:11 -- For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; Song of Solomon 2:12 -- The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; Song of Solomon 2:13 -- The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

O. Do you see...The church again left Theocracy in 1921 and was subsequently delivered July 24, 1923?

Ezek 17:7 -- There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation. Isa 49:19 -- For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, sall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. Isa 49:20 -- The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. Zec 13:7 -- Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Zec 13:8 -- And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. Zec 13:9 -- And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

P. Do you see...The church was given a banner in order to distinguish her as the keeper of the truth?

Psa 60:4 -- Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. Song of Solomon 6:10 -- Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Isa 5:26 -- And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: Isa 59:19 -- So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Q. Do you see...The church is to teach the whole truth uncompromisingly?

Isa 26:2 -- Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

Mat 28:19 -- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20 -- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Eph 4:5 -- One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:13 -- Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:14 -- That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15 -- But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

R. Do you see...The Auxiliaries are "helps" given for the fulfillment of the great commission?

1 Cor 12:27 -- Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Cor 12:28 -- And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

S. Do you see...The church again deviated from the government of Theocracy in 1991 according to Bible prophecy?

Isa 49:21 -- Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? 2 Tim 3:8 -- Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 2 Tim 3:9 -- But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

T. Do you see...Divine intervention placed the church back on the path of Theocracy July 24, 1993; thus making it 70 years to the day that God intervened for His church in the 1920’s?

Isa 1:8 -- And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Isa 1:9 -- Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Isa 66:5 -- Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Zep 3:17 -- The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zep 3:18 -- I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Zep 3:19 -- Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. Zep 3:20 -- At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. Ezek 14:13 -- Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Ezek 14:14 -- Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. Ezek 14:15 -- If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: Ezek 14:16 -- Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Ezek 14:17 -- Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Ezek 14:18 -- Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Ezek 14:19 -- Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Ezek 14:20 -- Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. Zec 13:7 -- Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Zec 13:8 -- And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. Zec 13:9 -- And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

U. Do you see...You must forsake error and align yourself to the nation that keeps the truth?

Rom 16:17 -- Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Rom 16:18 -- For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 1 Tim 4:16 -- Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Titus 3:10 -- A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Titus 3:11 -- Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 2 John 1:10 -- If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:11 -- For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Isa 26:2 -- Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

V. Do you see...Jesus is coming back for only ONE church? Eph

5:27 -- That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

John 14:1 -- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:2 -- In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:3 -- And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:4 -- And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Rev 19:7 -- Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. W. Do you see...All born again believers will be gathered into the church before the coming of the Lord? Isa 5:26 -- And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: Isa 49:18 -- Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

John 10:16 -- And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 11:51 -- And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; John 11:52 -- And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Psa 50:2 -- Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Psa 50:3 -- Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Psa 50:4 -- He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Psa 50:5 -- Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

X. Do you see...This event precedes the rapture?

2 Th 2:1 -- Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Th 2:2 -- That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Mat 25:1 -- Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mat 25:2 -- And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Mat 25:3 -- They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Mat 25:4 -- But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Mat 25:5 -- While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Mat 25:6 -- And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Mat 25:7 -- Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Mat 25:8 -- And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Mat 25:9 -- But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Mat 25:10 -- And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Y. Do you see...It is God’s perfect will for you to become a part of His church?

Rev 22:17 -- And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Z. Do you see...Any Biblical reason NOT to join yourself to The Church of God??????????

The Bible Church which Jesus established has come to light again and is now functioning in reality, just as it did in the days of the Holy Apostles. It is clinging to the same form of government as the early church did, which is Theocracy in unanimity. The purpose of The Church of God is to evangelize the world with the full gospel, to gather all the children of God into one body, and to be subject to full Bible government. This is the church which the Scripture declares will reach the intended goal of presenting every man perfect in Christ Jesus, and subsequently will be raptured by the Lord.