If"the Church in the Wilderness"does indeed exist according to Holy Scripture (Acts 7:38), it is erroneous to believe that"the Church in the Civilization"is nonexistent. Right? Don'tyou think this is important (1 Cor. 10:11)?
Have you considered"the Church in the Wilderness"as a profitable subject of study If so, I commend you. Also, have you considered the Church as it existed beyond the Exodus Generation? Or, do you think the Church ceased to exist after it transitioned from the Wilderness into a Civilization through the occupation of the Promised Land by the Israelites?
If"the Church in the Wilderness"does indeed exist according to Holy Scripture it is erroneous to believe that"the Church in the Civilization"is nonexistent. Right? Don'tyou think this is important Sadly, many people have been trained to totally neglect the Church History of the Bible while boasting themselves to be educated students of Church History.
Well, what about the Prophets? You know... the Books of the Bible that go by the name Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, & Malachi. These Prophets were compelled to rise up and speak on the same subject matter! They were inspired interpreters on how the Church was faring in those days. Samuel and David could be added to the number as well. They were Prophets who arose on behalf of the backslidden Church of their day. For, since the times of theJudges, the Church has been overwhelmingly backslidden and only intermittently restored through the instrumentality of redeemed men like Samuel, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, & Josiah. These events are recorded in Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, & 2 Chronicles.
Accordingly, God had a backup plan for the backslidden Church if it wasn't steadfastly recovered by the formerly mentioned men of God. This plan involved God's judgment of the Church in a redemptive purpose that was highly offensive to adulterous generations. Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Judgment must begin at the House of God".
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
— 1 Pet. 4:17-18
The foremost burden of the Prophets pertained to the recovery of the Church through God's judgment, and the two primary means of divine judgment were Assyria & Babylon.
The Major & Minor Prophets:
Isaiah – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Israel & Judah) through Assyria and Babylon.
Jeremiah – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Lamentations – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Ezekiel – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Daniel – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (the Jews) through Babylon.
Hosea – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Israel & Judah) through Assyria.
Joel – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Amos – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Israel & Judah) through Assyria.
Obadiah – God’s judgment of Edom for helping Babylon injure the Church (Judah).
Jonah – God’s judgment of Assyria (Nineveh), which relates to God’s judgment of Israel & Judah through Assyria.
Micah - God's judgment of the backslidden Church (Israel & Judah) through Assyria.
Nahum – God’s judgment of Assyria for destroying Israel & nearly destroying Judah.
Habakkuk – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Zephaniah – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Judah) through Babylon.
Haggai – God’s restoration of the Church (Israel & Judah) upon it being purified through the Babylonian Captivity.
Zechariah – God’s restoration of the Church (Israel & Judah) upon it being purified through the Babylonian Captivity.
Malachi – God’s judgment of the backslidden Church (Israel & Judah) through Greece & Rome.
From our vantage point in the 21st Century, the teaching of theProphets lead into and shed light upon both the past and the future. In other words, God's judgment by this means hasn't expired. God uses history as a"divine prop"to declare futurity. Indicating this, the apostle John foretold the coming of"Mystery Babylon the Great"in the Book of Revelation. Truly, one can hardly call himself a student of Church History if he or she is generally oblivious to the teachings of the Prophets. We're talking about well over 1/3 of the Bible! Furthermore, it's not like the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the Epistles of the New Testament are somehow irrelevant to these things.
The same problem exists among the people of"Christendom"concerning the subject of biblical Eschatology. People have been trained to think that the subject of Eschatology is a side issue. Yet, fearfully, if the Jews of former times regarded the ministries of the Prophets as a mere side issue or a secondary matter, then they would have perished in the divine judgment that was underway through Assyria & Babylon. Furthermore, the prophecies concerning God's use of Assyria and Babylon as a judgment upon the Church were typological representations of a greater work that the LORD would accomplish in the future according to the Book of Revelation. Even so, my reader, what can be said about those who regard the message of the Book of Revelation as a mere side issue? What saith the Scriptures
Soberly consider it, my reader! From the Assyrian Captivity of Israel until now (nearly 3,000 years), Church History has consisted of one continuous cyclical pattern of reappearing Beasts. Since Assyria wiped-out Israel, and thereafter Babylon wiped-out Judah, all of Church History has been one continuous cycle of God judging the backslidden Church through the reappearing manifestation of Beast Empires as a divine instrument Bearing witness of this, consider the prophecies of Daniel in Daniel 2, Daniel 7, Daniel 8, Daniel 9, & Daniel 10-12. According to Daniel, diverse and generational identities bear witness of one inter-generational identity when it comes to the End-Time Beast that God is going to use to punish the backslidden Church in the Last Century. Does that sound important to you?
A true understanding of Church History will underscore the vital importance of Church Futurity as it pertains to the Book of Revelation. That's the truth! For, without understanding Church History, we cannot even hope to understand Church Futurity. Sadly, for all such people, the Book of Revelation will continue to be an unintelligible mystery that's practically irrelevant to the Christian Life. If we don't understand the Former Days, we'll never come to understand the Last Days, and for this cause the present generation is dangerously unprepared for the Great Tribulation!
My earnest appeal to all avid learners of extra-biblical Church History ( who are fearfully negligent of Biblical Church History), is that you would reconsider your choice of study, disregard the tribalistic boast of your companions, and regard NOTHING above the inspired teachings of Holy Scripture!
Genesis 10–11 sets Babel’s judgment between genealogies to trace nations, lands, and languages, then to recover the spiritual patriarchs who founded God’s kingdom in Salem and Hebron. In Shem’s blessing and Melchizedek’s priesthood, Scripture unveils Jerusalem’s ancient righteousness and covenantal purpose.
Oldtimers used to preach against sabbath-breakers with holy indignation as if they were speaking to adulterers and murderers. Afterall, it is the violation of the 4th Commandment, which states: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”
The things revealed to Paul are impressive. Somehow, even Peter was compelled to publicly acknowledge the staggering “wisdom” of Paul’s Epistles (2 Pet. 3:15-16). How were all these things revealed to the Apostle Paul?
"You can't explain it, you can't predict it, you can't direct it... God becomes sovereign!"
"When did you last tip-toe out of the sanctuary and say, 'Surely God is in this place, and that to bless us!'"
The Church isn’t a building. You can’t go to Church. It’s only possible to become the Church through a miraculous conversion to Jesus Christ by the power of the Gospel.
Sparks of excitement fly at the touch, texture, and smell of a book from heroic old-timers. A quiet read of one's own personalized copy only increases the fervor of religious sentimentality.
