Religion versus Faith?
There is a difference.
Years ago, many of us can recall rising early every Sunday morning to get ready for Church. Proudly dressed in Sunday best, our family would pile into the car and make our way to our place of worship in the small community we grew up in. Upon arrival, we were always greeted by familiar faces, many of which were considered family, friends, and neighbours. Over the next hour, everyone would sing hymns of praise, listen to biblical messages, and follow scripture. It was our weekly dose of spiritual fulfillment in a time when there was no internet, and social media to distract us.
Fast forward thirty or forty years and the landscape is very different. These days, the church is being accused of being outdated in many ways. Once a beacon of moral standards, guidance, and truth, it is now caught up in the world and often blurs biblical scripture to conform to society. Don't get me wrong, there are still some traditional congregations out there that need to be commended for bravely staying true to God's word without compromise. But sadly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a church that has not bent the rules to appease the masses. Having bowed to the pressures of being more modern, politically correct, and inclusive on many levels, some churches have sacrificed God's teaching to gain acceptance. This brings us to the Letters to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. (Rev 2 and 3)
While these were not the only Christian churches existing at the time, they were situated closest to John, scattered across Asia Minor in what is now modern Turkey.
What Are the Seven Churches of Revelation?
The letters written in Revelation Chapters Two and Three were addressed to these specific seven churches:
Ephesus: The church that had abandoned its first love for Christ (Revelation 2:4).
Smyrna: The church that would face severe persecution (Revelation 2:10).
Pergamum: The church that needed to repent of sin. Where Satan's throne sits. (Revelation 2:16).
Thyatira: The church whose false prophetess was leading people astray (Revelation 2:20).
Sardis: The sleeping church that needed to wake up (Revelation 3:2).
Philadelphia: The church that had patiently persevered (Revelation 3:10).
Laodicea: The church with lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:16).
Some biblical scholars have deciphered these churches represent the following periods in history:
These seven church periods are:
1. The Apostolic Church ≈ 30 - 300 A.D.
2. The Martyr Church ≈ 100 - 313 A.D.
3. The Compromising Church ≈ 314 - 590 A.D.
4. The Roman Catholic Church ≈ 590 - 1517 A.D.
5. The Reformation Church ≈ 1517-1700
6. The Revival Church ≈ 1700-1900
7. The Worldly Church ≈ 1900 -> Rapture
In Revelation Chapter 2, this verse is repeated. "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." We are to take heed of what was said in these beginning chapters because it stands true and is very relevant in the LAST DAYS.
Each letter to the churches differs in length depending on what is addressed. It lists their strengths and weaknesses, followed by the fault God finds against them. Through it all, God appeals to the churches (Rev 2:25-26) "To hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nation -."
There are many interpretations of the seven churches, but in reading between the lines and using them as a reference, their strengths and faults are there as a warning to those in the END TIMES. It shows us where RELIGION has failed God and how FAITHFUL BELIEVERS must persevere and rise above it all. Each church/church period, apart from the Church of Philadelphia (which was pleasing to God), has fallen short on many levels and failed him.
In the last days, we as Christians need to be mindful of many things, but one message stands above all the rest.
The Devil is infiltrating the Churches.
Revelation 2:13 - I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
There is a battle of good and evil taking place for the souls of every person on earth. A SPIRITUAL WARFARE hiding in plain sight.
Ephesians. 6:11-13, “11-Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12-For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13-Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand."
Now, this is not to say that every church is bad. As I stated before, there are exceptions. Some churches have remained vigilant all this time and stood strong in their convictions. But as a whole, many are not holding fast as God ordered.
What would God say to the churches outwardly accepting of the LGBTQ+ movement? Do they not know what scripture says?
Leviticus 18:22 states - You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Some will argue that we must be inclusive and kind to one another despite gender and orientation. We partially agree. It is expected that we love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39) But we do not have to accept that person's lifestyle. They, like many others, have FREE WILL and the ability to choose. For us, we have chosen to walk with God. The churches condoning marriage within this community must be prepared. There was a reason why the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. (Genesis 19:24)
What would God say about the "Mega Churches?" Not naming names, but these places of worship claim that God wants us to be prosperous, happy, successful, and wealthy. Filling large stadiums, the preachers are making millions, misconstruing the teachings of God. They teach a fluffy message of God's love and fail to mention God's wrath. These places are very convincing. They are false prophets intent on leading believers astray. But those who read their BIBLE, and are granted the gift of discernment, can see through their incorrect teachings and know the truth.
Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
What would God say about the church (again, not naming names) exhibiting exceptional wealth? So much so, that they could end world hunger if they so wished. How is it that a church of this magnitude hordes its riches and claims to be Godly? Is this truly a church of God?
Throughout his life, Jesus was always very down-to-earth and simple. Healing the sick and connecting with the poor, and those cast aside by society. He earned their trust. He was never surrounded by riches. He never lived in a palace. He did not have money. He was not clothed in fine garments. He did not drink from gold goblets. Earthly possessions meant nothing to him. So why are these churches immersed in riches and flaunting that they are truly of GOD?
Matthew 5:5 states - Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
God promised us our daily bread (Lord's Prayer), and eternal life with him for those who believe his Son, Jesus, was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, suffered death, and was buried. On the third day, he rose again in accordance with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. (Apostle's Creed.)
In the last days, the church has one specific job, and that is to prepare their congregations of faithful believers for the second coming of Jesus, the Rapture, and not to be fearful of death, because death is not the end. Just writing those words, gives one a heavy heart. That is a lot of responsibility for those leading their church. They are tasked with educating every believer in what is to come and the signs of the times. It is more complicated than you know. Sadly, some preachers have become complacent and do not fully understand the gravity of what they need to do. As Christians, we must be in a state of constant readiness because we do not know the day or the hour we will be called home.
Matthew 24:36 - “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."
So, what does this all mean?
When was the last time you heard the Book of Revelation being addressed in church? When has the preacher (pastor or priest) ever related those scriptures to the present day? The headlines in the news?
Many churches are unwilling to decipher the Book of Revelation and prepare their congregation for the END TIMES claiming the book is full of doom and gloom and would leave people shell-shocked. Used to the fluffy "God is Love" paradigm, the wrath of God and the punishment of humanity are usually not well-received by most. A majority of preachers prefer teaching the message of hope and love. By veering away from the SEALS, the TRUMPETS, and the BOWLS (and everything in between) they are ignoring God's FINAL message to the world, and in turn, like the SEVEN CHURCHES, they are failing him.
Hold fast and persevere in your FAITH. Turn to your BIBLE when the churches are not spiritually guiding and feeding you the WORD. God never intended his church to be of brick, stone, and wood. His temple is in every heart of his FAITHFUL BELIEVERS. He is there 24/7 to listen to you. In times of trouble, sadness, strife, pain, and suffering, turn to him and converse the same way you would with a friend. You do not require an intermediary (pastor/priest) to be granted this relationship with God. All you need is to open your heart and mind to him and believe.
Matthew 6: 6-8 states - 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Know that there is a difference between FAITH and RELIGION, and in the END TIMES, sadly, we must break away from the manmade faith and revert back to the simplicity of the BIBLE for its guidance and truth.
We pray that you hold fast until he returns in great Glory to take us home.
*Special Notes:
1 -To see headlines in the news and how they coincide with biblical prophecy, visit www.ffctv.show . Scroll down to the Wednesday broadcast of "GETTING READY." It will be the most enlightening ninety minutes of your week.
2 - Thursday nights at 9:00 pm, visit Pastor Paul Begley on YouTube. He has a very intelligent guest on the show by the name of Mike from Around the World. This man, a faithful Christian /CIA Operative, reveals inside information on what is happening in the world today and relates it back to scripture.
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