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| Volume 25 Number 4 April 2023 |
Page 7 |
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| Volume 25 Number 4 April 2023 |
Page 7 |
Charles E. Burch
The church that Jesus built was the subject of prophecy. The prophet Isaiah stated, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3 NKJV). We can learn several things from this prophecy.
First, it was to be in “the latter days” (NKJV) or “the last days” (KJV). The apostle Peter said the events of Acts 2, when the church was established, were “the last days” (v. 17). Second, Isaiah was speaking of the Lord’s house. From 1 Timothy 3:15, we find that the Lord’s house is the church. Third, “the Lord’s house” (Isaiah 2:2) or “the house of God, which is the church” (1 Timothy 3:15) was to begin in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Luke 24:47). In Acts 2, we find that the church had its beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47). Therefore, we can say that Isaiah foretold the coming of the Lord’s church.
Before our Lord was crucified, He made a promise after Peter confessed that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said, “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Here, our Lord promised to build His church. Notice what He said, “I will build my church.” When he said “My,” we know the church belongs to Him. The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders that Jesus purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, we know that the Lord’s church belongs to the Lord, not to man. Again notice, Jesus said, “I will build My church.” He did not say, “I will build My churches.” He used a singular noun, which stands for one!
Jesus never intended for there to be more than one religion upon the earth! This is why He could pray for unity among all believers. “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).
After Christ came forth from the grave He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, if Christ received all authority, no one else has any authority to start a religion different from the Lord’s church.
The multitude of different religions today conflict with the plan God had for all to be united. Jesus will deliver up His church to the Father at the end of time. “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24). Will you be in the delivered-up church?
The Joy of Salvation
Jimmie Dunlap
Scripture: Psalm 51:1-6