Fellow laborers in christ

Fellow Laborers in Christ: Lift up Your Head his Return is Near! “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.� (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Millions of believers for almost 2 thousand years have drawn comfort, strength and hope from these scriptures above. Think of the many dear ones from the true Church that were tortured, castigated and burnt in the flames of the many purges by the Romans and the inquisitions (an ecclesiastical tribunal established by Pope Gregory IX circa 1232 for the suppression of heresy. It was active chiefly in northern Italy and southern France, becoming notorious for the use of torture. In 1542 the papal Inquisition was re-established to combat Protestantism, eventually becoming an organ of papal government).

Persecuted Persecuted for their faith, some bearing unimaginable suffering then burned at the stake, others separated from families and taken into slavery or as Hebrews 11.3637 when God states, “They had trials of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and

imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskin and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented.”

On the Move Today in most of the world, the negative experience as a Christian is the exception and not the rule. In truth the facts state that Christianity is on the move, growing faster than any other belief on earth, according to recent religious research studies. Christianity has been accepted as a peace loving religion throughout the world.

We Hear from the Far East China: “Official statistics show that the number of Protestants has increased to the tens of millions (from 700,000 in 1949) since the Communist Revolution. According to a religious survey in 2010, there are today 52 million Christians in China today, 40 million Protestants and 12 million Catholics” according to Wikipedia. This does not include the gigantic network of “house churches,” which make up the silent majority of Chinese Christians.

Christianity in the United States In the good old U.S. of A. Christianity is blowing the doors off churches nationwide, a literal revival is taking place.

Wikipedia states, “Christianity is the most popular religion in the United States, with around 73% of polled Americans identifying themselves as Christians in 2012.

America has the largest Christian population in the world calculated at 247 million.” It is interesting to note that since the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed only 10% of Americans attended church on a regular basis back in the day.

The Body of Christ How does this all relate to the true church, the body of Christ? Well it is both positive and negative. Positive, because Christianity is the dominating religion with an amazing network of missionary ministries and multiple denominations on all five continents. According to the Premier Tourism Marketing website, there are over 450,000 churches throughout the Unites States.

The negative aspect is a very dangerous development: the erasing the border of the true church of Christ and Churchianity. The Bible describes that danger with one word – DECEPTION! The Great Deception Here we are reminded of the words Jesus gave his disciples after they had asked about the end times.

“When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). To which Jesus answered, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (verse 4).

The apostle Paul warns of the great deception and writes in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” Thus, according to Christ himself, the greatest danger is a fake Christianity, a false gospel, promoting a counterfeit Jesus, a counterfeit spirit if you will.

Jesus’s Example Jesus gives us an excellent example in Matthew 7:22-23, where we read these words, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, we have prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These

are not Muslims, atheists, communists, Buddhists, Hindus, etc.; these are people who call Jesus Lord!

Need to Confirm our Faith We, each individual one, need to confirm our faith in Him. It does not hurt to ask the question, “Am I really a believer in Christ, or have I been deceived?” Ask yourself does your heart really beat faster when his name is mentioned, does everything else become a second priority to the reality of what God has prepared for those that love Him? Defend the Faith These are four important points we should look on to fulfill our faith: 1.

2.

3.

We must proclaim the Gospel that salvation is only available through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

The proclamation of the prophetic word, including the second coming of Christ – the Rapture.

Encourage readiness for the coming of Jesus, “Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).

4.

Defend the Gospel, which requires warnings of false doctrines and deceptions.

This exclusive authority is documented in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.� May God bless you and hold you in these days of unrest.