Wolves Pt. II

"For you were once darkness, but now youare light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruiltess deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible" (Ephesians 5:8-14). These words stated by the Apostle Paul gives Christians a certain task: that task is to expose the deeds of the darkness. If you live in the light, and you were once part of the darkness, shine on the darkness to expose it and to possibly change it and bring the darkness to light.

One of these darknesses is the Restoration movement. To re-establish the original Christian Church during Christ's time. What calls for this Restoration?

Many end-time legalist churches believe that there was a great apostasy after the apostles died and the first century church had to be restored. But what is the truth found in the Bible?

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18). NOT EVEN THE GATES OF HELL CAN OVERCOME CHRIST'S CHURCH. Once it was built, it was built to last. And it did.

Further evidence resides in Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." The key part is "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever." The church is still in existence and will be in existence throughout all time.

Is there a lone messenger out there after Jesus Christ that established a church in which membership within that church is a key to salvation? In Matthew 11:2 John the Baptist sends his disciples to see if Jesus is the Christ, or if they should wait for someone else: "'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'" The message throughout the New Testament is that YES! Jesus is the one to save all of mankind. Jesus wasn't sent to start a mission to save the world. He WAS the mission. There is no one else to "finish the job." He is THE messenger. There are none after that have the power to save mankind.

It is tempting to fall into a church because we feel like we are "special." Many churches will be very kind a caring to you to make you feel special. But BEWARE and be on guard and test every spirit that comes to you! Not all are from Christ. One of the first warning signs should be that a church says they are the ONLY way to salvation. We know that we are saved by God's grace and we are justified by FAITH. Membership in a man-made church is meaningless in terms of salvation.

There is no messenger after Christ; for he is first and last: "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Christ is the first and last. None come between you and him. Remember this and be strong in your faith and share it!