God's End-Time Church
The Bible says that there is only one church, or body, that Jesus calls his people to (Colossians 3:15). Some might find it quite difficult to discover that true remnant church. There are over 1,000 different churches and organizations in the world. Almost every one of them claims to be God's church, but they all have differing beliefs. It seems impossible to find the right one, doesn't it? Fortunately, Jesus has described His end-time church so specifically that it's easy to identify. Read Revelation 12: 1-17 for more insight on this subject matter. First off, let's begin by learning what symbol Jesus used to represent His true church.
Jeremiah 6:2--"I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman."
Isaiah 51:16--"And say unto Zion, Thou art my people."
So Jesus describes His church as a delicate woman. In Revelation 12:1, Jesus
describes His church as a woman "clothed with the sun," with "the moon under her feet,"
and wearing "a crown of twelve stars." What do these represent?
Psalm 84:11 says, "The Lord God is a sun." The sun represents Jesus and His
righteousness. Without Jesus there is no salvation, so He wants His church to have
His presence and glory.
The "moon under her feet" represents the old sacrificial system of the Jews (Old
Testament). Before Jesus came to earth, the sacrificial system reflected the light of
Jesus, but after His crucifixion, the old ways were void.
Finally, the "crown of twelve stars" represents the 12 disciples of Jesus, which
formed the early church (New Testament).
Next, the prophecy says that the woman is in labor and gives birth to a male child, who is "snatched up to God and to His throne." This child is Jesus. One day He will rule all nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15; Psalm 2:7-9). Jesus was crucified, then was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. Revelation 12: 3, 4 says that "a great red dragon" tried to kill the child. This dragon symbolizes Satan, working through Herod and pagan Rome. Herod killed all the male babies of Bethlehem, hoping one of them would be Jesus (Matthew 2:16). In verses 3 and 4, it says that the dragon has seven heads and ten horns. It also says that the dragon "swept a third of the stars out of the sky." What does all this mean? First off, the seven heads represent the seven hills (mountains) that Rome was built on. If you remember, this same symbolism is encountered other places in Revelation (12:3; 13:1; 17:3). The ten horns represent the nations that support the oppression of God's people. During Roman power, the horns represented the 10 barbarian tribes that supported the papacy. Later, these tribes became modern Europe. Lastly, "the third part of the stars of heaven," represent the angels that supported Lucifer (Satan) in his rebellion. They were cast out of heaven with him (Revelation 12:9).
When Satan failed in his plan to kill Jesus, what did he do?
Revelation 12:13--"He persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."
When he failed, he attacked God's church. To protect herself, the woman hid
in the desert or wilderness (Revelation 12:6). What does this represent? Both
Revelation 12: 6 and 12: 14 say that the woman will be in the wilderness and be
protected for "a time, and times, and half a time" (1,260 literal years).
This time of protection is the 1,260 years of papal power, when the Catholic
Church persecuted God's people (A.D. 538 to 1798). Remember, one prophetic
day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4: 6).
"Wilderness" refers to the solitary places that the old Reformers hid in to be
protected from the papacy (mountains, caves, forests, etc.) If they hadn't hid, God's
people would have been destroyed. At least 50 million people died for their faith during
the 1,260-year period. God's church was not actually an organization during this period,
but after 1798, God's church still had the same doctrine as the original church did.
So, what are the first two identifying marks of God's true church?
1. It would not exist as an organization between A.D. 538 to 1798.
2. It would arise and do its end-time work after 1798.
So, God's church could not exist before 1798. This would exclude most of
today's popular Protestant churches and the Catholic Church.
Revelation 12: 17 next talks about God's church as
the remnant. This means that His end-time church will
have the same doctrine as the apostolic church. Two
more identifying marks are given in verse 17. First,
it would keep all of the Lord's commandments, including
the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment. It
would also have the "testimony of Jesus." This means the
spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19: 10).
3. It will keep God's commandments, including the Seventh-day Sabbath.
4. It will have the gift of prophecy.
The last two points are found in Revelation 14: 6-14. Revelation 14: 6 shows that Jesus' remnant church would be a worldwide missionary church. It would also spread the teaching of the Three Angel's Message of Revelation 14: 6-14. 5. It will be a worldwide missionary church. 6. It will preach the Three Angel's Message of Revelation 14.
So, how many churches fit these six points of identity?
Amazingly, only one church fits these descriptions. It is
none other than the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Let's
double-check each point.
1. It did not exist as an organization between 538 and 1798.
2. It arose after 1798, actually forming in the 1840s.
3. It keeps all of the Ten Commandments, including the fourth--the
Seventh-day Sabbath.
4. It has the gift of prophecy (Ellen White).
5. It is a worldwide missionary church (works in 208 of the 236 countries
of the world).
6. It preaches Jesus' three-point message in Revelation 14: 6-14.
Think about these points and discover the truth for yourself. Let Jesus guide
you. If you find yourself in Babylon (Revelation 18: 2, 4), take the words to heart in
Colossians 3: 15. "Ye are called in one body." Jesus wants us to be joined into one
church. To enter the church, you must be baptized (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Remember that God has people in every faith and church. We must only be
sure that we are not caught unaware at His coming, because the end comes right after
the three angel's message is given!
