Where Is The True Church

Where Is The True Church?

WHICH WAY SHOULD WE CHOOSE?

Proverbs 16:25 ¶There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Man’s way is a way unto eternal damnation, which is the second death and many are his ways. There is also a “way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The way, “which leadeth unto life”, is God’s way through Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

There is only one way and that way is through Jesus:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

WILL A MAN CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS ON HIS OWN?

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

WILL EVERYONE WHO SEEKS SALVATION BE SAVED?

Luke 13:23 ¶Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

If most everyone is going to “church” and, as I understand, eighty five percent of people in general when asked if they are going to heaven say they are, are they the “few” or “the many”?

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This verse would indicate the difference between the “few” and “the many” of them that are seeking salvation, but not necessarily talking about all of the people in this world, who are not seeking at all. In other words, of all of them that seek salvation, “the many” shall perish into eternal damnation and there will only be a select “few” that find salvation.

Merriam-Webster’s strait:

1 archaic a : giving little room : not broad : NARROW <strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it Mt 7:14 (Authorized Version)> b : limited in space or time : RESTRICTED c : closely fitting : tightly drawn : CONSTRICTED, TIGHT, CLOSE

Why is it that “the many” shall seek and not be able to enter in, which is to obtain salvation? Is one of the reasons because, through subtly, Satan has again stolen away the very words of God and left in their place distortions of truth, which have little or no power and have called these perversions Bibles, so as to deceive all those who would, half-heartedly, seek after salvation? Could another reason be that they stand on their instant salvation gospels and other corruptions they proclaim as their doctrines in taking scriptures out of context, but refuse to seek Jesus and become one with Him as in “knowing” Him.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

HOW IS IT THAT WE ARE TO KNOW THE TRUTH?

John 8:31 ¶Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

If Satan has stolen the words of God away through modern Bible Perversions, then many more, in our day and time, would be deceived and suffer eternal damnation. This is why we must stand on the pure word of God, in obedience to every word of God. Every word of God is our life and sustains each of us.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED KEY OF SALVATION IS HERE:

Matthew 7:21 ¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Yes, the MANY who perish “never knew” Jesus, experientially nor became one flesh with Him as Adam knew Eve and they became one flesh. The key is in “knowing” Jesus.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 4:1 ¶And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

WHO IS THE HEAD AND FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH?

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

FOUNDATION

There are some who believe Peter is the rock/foundation, on which the church is built, but Peter was given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” and Jesus is referring to the rock as Himself.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2 Samuel 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 95:1 ¶O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

If the true believers are “the church”, how then can the church go to the church, but the church simply be gathered together?

Are we to gather together the church buildings or the body of Christ?

Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

The true believers are the elect/election (ekhlesia), the “called-out ones”, ones set apart and called by God. Called out from what? The elect are called to be separate from this world, its institutions, and its traditions by being not unequally yoked together with them or partaking with them in their evil deeds.

Colossians 3:12 ¶Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Merriam-Webster’s elect:

: one chosen or set apart: a : one chosen by God as the object of mercy or favor <the emperor was the elect of God R.M.French> <they were of the elect, those chosen by God J.C.Brauer> b : a select or exclusive group of people <her status changed from that of “outsider” to one of the elect when her classmates discovered that she could sing F above high C Current Biography>

Merriam-Webster’s separate:

2 archaic : to set aside for a special purpose : CHOOSE, DEDICATE <came into existence with the sense of being a “separated” nation, which God was using to make a new beginning for mankind Reinhold Niebuhr>

The church is to become without “having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish”:

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Merriam-Webster’s holy:

1 a : set apart and dedicated to the service or worship of God or a god : HALLOWED, SACRED <holy vessels> <the holy priesthood>

WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

The true church gathers in homes.

The true church can gather anywhere, where two or more are gathered in His name.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:19 ¶The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

CAN A TRUE BELIEVER RIGHTFULLY CHOOSE ANY CHURCH?

Can a believer go out into the world and choose any religion or any church and join themselves to that group? The answer is NO. This is also for the same reason that no one can put together and start a church, which is of God. If a man were to put a church together, who’s is it? His. Jesus put together one church and one church only, which is His church. Sometimes it was referred to as the church in a certain area, but it was only one church in this whole, wide, world. There are many counterfeits out there to choose from, which by their very nature is to be a look-alike church with the very intent to deceive “the many” who seek salvation.

2 Corinthians 11:1 ¶Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Merriam-Webster’s bear:

4 : THRUST, DRIVE, PRESS : impel with force <the defenders being borne backward> <a canoe borne down the rapids>

intransitive verb

1 a : to force one's way : make way against resistance : PRESS <bear back that the prince may pass>

So, if anyone preaches another Jesus, gives you another spirit, or another gospel then you are to bear up against them with the truth and not to endure what they say as in a more common meaning for the word bear.

They are subtle, these religious institutions and the scholars of today, and use a look-alike gospel, with a look-alike spirit and having a look-alike Jesus, in a look-alike church. If what they taught was so obviously wrong that any one could see their ways lead down into eternal damnation, then the many would not be deceived and there would be many saved, but the Bible says few are saved:

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Galatians 1:6 ¶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:6-9 shows the perversion of the true gospel into other gospels or look-alike gospels, the gospels and doctrines of today. Again, Satan has tried to take the only truth away that we may know and rightly divide the one and only way unto salvation and this is through the many perverted Bibles out there. Satan has truly stolen the truth away so that “the many” cannot see that he offers another way, another gospel, another spirit, another Jesus, and another church. You see these people truly believe they are saved or they would not be standing before the Lord saying: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Is this not the same type of “churches” or religious institutions we have today?

Matthew 15:1 ¶Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Do we not make the gospel of none effect through our traditions such as Christmas, which is the Mass of Christ and is Catholic or how about Easter, which used to be spelled Ishtar and has always been pronounced Ester and is in fact goddess worship from the days of Nimrod & Semiramis (Semiramis is known by MANY other names, as is Nimrod, and who’s symbol is the crescent moon. Nimrod & Semiramis together, are symbolized by the crescent moon with the five pointed star representing the: god & goddess.) who first started the mystery religions?

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

There is only one church and it is not a denomination or a religion, as we commonly understand them to be. If we, the true believers, are to wear a classification of what we are, in parallel to denominations, we are called saints.

Jesus tells us what pure religion is and it is this:

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Merriam-Webster’s saint:

3 a : one of God's chosen people

THE WHORE ON EVERY CORNER:

What is all this spiritual fornication and adultery talked about in the Bible?

How is it, that in America, the “so-called church” that can be found, so to speak, on just about “every corner”, is in fact the harlot talked about in the Bible by committing spiritual adultery and who’s way leads down into Hell?

How are these religious institutions of today practicing whoredoms against God?

The answer is simple. If they do not obey God they will fall into whoredom.

First in showing this we must understand that true believers are to separate themselves from error.

Romans 16:17 ¶Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ¶Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Second, there is no such thing as a building, being a church. The people are the church.

Many religious institutions of today have a membership for their specific group, institution, or congregation. The true believer attains membership into the body of Christ by Him and not by some contract in being “yoked together” with an institution or group, whether written or verbal. In most-all cases the religious institutions of today are no longer under the headship of Jesus, but have given their headship over to “the state”, as in the form of a corporation. In holding a corporate status, they are now creatures of the state instead of Christ, because the two became one flesh and the church has left their first love. In other words the state is the creator of the corporation and the church, by their actions rejected Jesus as their head, for the state. Now how can a true church of God have its head as the state instead of Jesus? It can’t. It is no longer a true church of God; it went a whoring and they left their first love.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Now, of the few institutions left to choose from, if they in any way allow error or corruption to continue within themselves without rebuke or correction, these also are eliminated from being the true church, as they have compromised with this evil world against the true doctrines of Christ. For they abide not in the doctrine of Christ and therefore they have not God.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Also if a pastor admittedly says there are unbelievers in the congregation of his church who are members, this is also not a true church, as he also abideth not in the true doctrines of Christ.

The true church is that body of believers who when they find themselves in transgression, repent and return to abiding in the doctrine of Christ.

Now if we are to separate ourselves from any brother or one that calls themselves a brother that continues to walk contrary to the word of God after the first and second admonition, how much more so are we to also withdraw from a group of people who refuse to obey the word of God, even in part?

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

If after admonition, they refuse to obey the scriptures in any part as to pick and choose which parts they will follow, they are not of God and the truth is not in them.

1 John 2:3 ¶And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

FORNICATION, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL:

Physical fornication:

1 Corinthians 5:1 ¶It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [Biblical separation] 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

It appears to be obvious here, that physical fornication is definitely frowned upon in that, them that continue in this way and repent not and whom may be Christians should have this fate: “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

Now moving on into areas of spiritual fornication:

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 ¶Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 ¶I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: [This is talking about the spiritual and physical fornicators among the brethren.] 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. [We would not need to be in this world if we had to separate from all fornication.] 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [We are not to partake of the same spiritual things in fellowship with the disobedient that call themselves brethren and abide not in the doctrine of Christ nor be partakers with them in their evil deeds.] 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

A fornicator is not just a person who physically practices whoredoms but he who commits spiritual fornication/adultery as well and according to this verse, all that is not born of God is born of fornication:

John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

So we see here that all are not born of God and them that are not born of God are of fornication. In the beginning we are all born into fornication until we are reborn by the Spirit of God:

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [rebirth by the Holy Spirit], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Worshiping other gods is idolatry, adultery, fornication and are spiritual whoredoms:

Jeremiah 3:1 ¶They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 3:6 ¶The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot [played the harlot by worshiping other gods]. 7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. 9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD. 11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Merriam-Webster’s stocks:

1 a : a stump of a tree b archaic : a log or block of wood c : something held to resemble a log or stump of wood in having no life or consciousness; specifically : IDOL usually used in the phrase stocks and stones <all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones John Milton>

2 Chronicles 21:10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. 11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

Ezekiel 16:20 Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,

Ezekiel 23:37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.

God commands us to abstain from fornication and this is both physical and spiritual:

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Ephesians 5:3 ¶But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

THE WHORE ON EVERY CORNER:

This passage applies to both physical and spiritual fornication and we will be focusing more on the spiritual aspects.

Proverbs 7:1 ¶My son [the Father speaking to us, His children], keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live [eternal salvation]; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. 4 Say unto wisdom [the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom], Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman [corrupt religious institutions / pastor], from the stranger which flattereth with her words [members of the corrupt institutions]. 6 ¶For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way [broad way unto destruction] to her house, [a church building/religious institution or organization.] 9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. [church buildings and false pastors with intent to deceive] 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner. [the church on every corner that has departed from Jesus, which is the whore on every corner and can also be a member of the harlot church that may be found on every corner]) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. [“my bed” represents their false doctrines that have been sweetly altered with all good, fine, and warm-hearted things as shown by: “coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen” “myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon”, which tickle their ears and these things are pleasant and very appealing.] 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace [to give themselves to each other, comfort, entertain, make cheerful while fornicating] ourselves with loves. 19 For the Goodman [Jesus] is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. [the second coming of Christ] 21 With her much fair speech [perhaps a sermon to tickle their ears and make them FEEL good] she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 ¶Hearken unto me[the Lord] now therefore, O ye children [Christians], and attend to the words of my mouth [the Bible]. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her [this church and there people have led many to eternal damnation]. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Her house is what we commonly call today a church and they can be found on a just about every street corner as this is the “broad way that leadeth unto destruction” there are many that go in thereat and end up in eternal damnation “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Sure these religious institutions of today, which are abominations and harlots unto God are comfortable and desirable by the world’s standards. They may make us feel good and pleasantly at peace. We may like what they have to offer in fellowship, activities, or in any other ways, so then whom will we serve, ourselves and our evil desires or Christ in obedience to His word?

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words[The Bible]: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. This is a personal God.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Now as for as the true believers, God commands them to not be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” and not only this but to “come out from among them, and be ye separate.”

If you being a member of Christ join yourself unto a Harlot (corrupt religious institution, church, fellowship, or group), you will become one with that whore and you will suffer the same fate as she if you do not repent and turn from your evil ways. If you join yourself unto a harlot, you also become a harlot a whoring after other things, which are not of God.

1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

If you, who are godly, join yourselves unto a harlot, the two of you become one flesh and partakers of the same fate.

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

A little leaven is the same thing as the littlest, tiniest compromise with this evil world. We are not to compromise with sin in any way, let alone join with it. If we continue in our sins, we do not believe Jesus and we will die in our sins and trespasses.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

If you believe in a thing your actions follow according to your belief.

For instance: I believe that a car is going to run me over so I get out of the way because I believe this.

Belief requires action.

If you believe, you will obey Christ and the disobedient shall stumble and fall.

1 Peter 2:1 ¶Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 ¶To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

What are Christians to do when they find themselves entangled in the affairs of this world?

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We are also to obey and seek after God.

What of those professing Christians who have known the love of the Lord and have known the true way, which leads unto salvation, but choose not to continue in that narrow way which leads unto life and choose to go their own way and follow their own evil desires unto destruction?

2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

These Christians once knew the way of salvation and may have experienced some of the “narrow way”, but never came to the “knowing” of the Savior that they might have life, because they refused to continue or endure unto the end, to overcome the world.

Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

If you are not willing to obey Christ are you a true Christian?

Are we willing to die to ourselves and our evil desires in order that we may attain the true “knowing” we are supposed to have in Jesus Christ and not that this comes immediately upon confessing our sins and making Him Lord and savoir of our lives (remember there is a way)?

Are we willing to be obedient to His words and come out and be ye separate, which also includes the many ingrained traditions that we may have loved and cherished, which are possibly passed down from generation to generation?

Do we love the world and the things in the world more than we love Christ?

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

If we continue in the Word of God, which is the Bible, in obedience, we are promised to know the truth and be set free.

John 8:31 ¶Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

There will be tribulation in our lives along the narrow way, which leads unto life.

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

This tribulation and persecution comes from our own families:

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 ¶If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2 Peter 3:9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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