John Thiel

In this study we want to pursue the consideration of another sanctuary that is typified by the Hebrew sanctuary apart from the sanctuary in heaven.

The title of this study is “Cut out Without Hands, or “A Sanctuary Not Made with Hands” (two quotes form scripture). As we turn to Hebrews 9:24 we actually read of this sanctuary which was different to the Hebrew sanctuary.

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Christ is not entered into the Holy Place made with hands. There is a sanctuary which is not made with hands, and we know of the sanctuary that God has pitched and not man. But notice the language that is used there. It is a sanctuary not made with hands. In Daniel 2 is that connection of “made without hands” or the terminology “without hands” or “not made with human hands”. Daniel 2 shows how this is all interlocked in this appreciation of the sanctuary comprehension.

Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Here are terminologies which we need to comprehend in harmony with the statement that there is a sanctuary made without hands. This one here is a stone that is cut out without hands. There is another stone referred to in scripture that will become a great mountain, one that falls and grinds to powder those on whom it falls.

Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Jesus is talking about the stone of stumbling, Himself – the chief of the corner. The cornerstone is the same kingdom as we saw in Daniel. Matthew 21:44 says this stone or mountain will fall upon certain people and grind them to powder, whereas others will fall upon it and be broken.

The Gospel

Here lies the wonderful story of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we fall upon the rock Christ Jesus, we will be broken and He will heal us and restore and bind us up in powder. This is a direct reference to Daniel 2:44,45. The stone which all must either break upon or it will crush them, is the chief cornerstone. Let’s return to our scripture reading.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord

The stone grows and develops into a holy temple. Every stone that is to be built upon the cornerstone, causes the temple to grow bigger. Did you know that this temple is actually equated with a mountain in scriptures? That is what these texts are all suggestion. The stone or temple grows bigger and bigger until it becomes a mountain. Notice here as we turn to Isaiah 56:6,7, there is mention of a mountain in connection with the temple.

Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people

Do you notice the blending of the concepts of temple and mountain, “my holy mountain” and “my house of prayer” (temple) are both part of the people that are built upon the cornerstone which build up into a temple? The development of this temple is what we read in Daniel 2:44.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

What will happen in the days of those kings (represented by the feet of the image)? We remember that the fall of the Roman Empire happened with the diffusion of itself. The barbaric tribes developed into the nations of Europe and so spread across the world. The fall of the Roman Empire took place very shortly after Christ came to this earth and developed into its final and present disintegrated condition. In the days of these kings shall the mountain be developed. A lot of people don’t pick this point up. They are expecting this to happen at the coming of Jesus. Let’s just read the actual language there again.

Daniel 2:4 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.

Because God is Lord of heaven and earth, He dwells not in temples made with hands. But there is something very interesting here. When was His holy mountain being established? When Jesus came to this earth, He established the church that would worship him in spirit and in truth. Remember He talked to the woman at the well – “You Samaritans worship you know not what. Salvation is of the Jews but the day will come that neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will people worship Him.” God is a spirit and those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. There was the development of His kingdom. Christ is the chief cornerstone and the people that receive Him would be built upon Him.

The kingdom of God’s grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. MB 108.1

What is this passage suggesting? When Christ’s heavenly kingdom finally reveals itself, it will be a full manifestation but, in the meantime, the kingdom of grace is being established. Since Jesus went into the most holy place, a kingdom is being given to Him and simultaneously His Kingdom is being established here on earth with those that are working in harmony with Him. We can see that we are living in the time when His kingdom is being built up and ultimately it will become a big mountain. Notice in Acts 17 the concept of the rock that was cut out without hands. Where is God worshipped? We just touched on it where Jesus says that anyone who worships Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth, not in Jerusalem, not in Samaria.

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

The apostle Paul is speaking here and declaring that the one who does not dwell in temples made with hands can dwell in the body temple that Christ has created. In Desire of Ages, we notice a powerful little statement as to how Christ’s kingdom is established without hands.

Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. DA 509.4

The temple is not made with hands, it is not of human organisations but of God’s direct intervention. The development of the kingdom, of this sanctuary, is not by hands but through the atonement, by the nature of Christ being implanted into us. The nature of Christ is the centre of this message.

Many think that their legislative halls, their general conferences etc, are establishing the church. But it is the exercise of the Holy Spirit implanting the nature of Christ into those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. That’s what it’s all about and where we must focus. We see the mountain being established by the procedure of the atonement of Christ. Jesus presents that thought:

John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Here is the blending together, of the building without hands. The atonement of Jesus becoming one with us and we becoming one with Him and one another. This is the method which God uses to establish the stone that will crush the whole world.  It’s a stone of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such a different attitude from the establishment of the kings and legislative halls which rule nations and the powers of the world. This is a different kind of authority, and it’s a matter of discovering that authority.

In 1 Peter 2, we see Christ as the chief cornerstone and all the other stones being connected to Him in the unity of the atonement. This beautiful temple is built by the intimacy of Jesus Christ in the establishment of the Holy Spirit and the doctrine of Jesus in the heart.

1 Peter 2:3 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.

Jesus is a lively stone and we are to be built on that lively stone unto a spiritual house. This is exactly what we read in Isaiah 56. We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices in that house. Even strangers are to be part of this. Built up in Christ, built up in the temple, lively stones – Jesus is the lively stone and every other stone is to be melded together in Him, in union of the nature of Christ in humanity. What sort of a building are these stones formed into?

Christ, the true foundation, is a living stone; His life is imparted to all that are built upon Him. “Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house.” “Each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord.” 1 Peter 2:5 , R.V.; Ephesians 2:21 , R.V. The stones became one with the foundation; for a common life dwells in all. That building no tempest can overthrow; for— MB 150.2

“That which shares the life of God, With Him surviveth all.” MB 150.3

Here is a stone that was built together from other stones on the main stone. And to that stone, each other stone melds together because the common lifeblood flows through them all. This means that there is not a single join in the temple.  The temple is a single stone that becomes a mighty mountain, and that mighty mountain is the stone that will crush all nations. This is the picture presented to us in Scripture.

We now want to observe Gods procedure. How do these individuals actually become melded in Christ as individuals, then as a company and finally as that temple?

Psalm 68:15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

What is David saying? God wants to dwell on that hill. He wants to make a habitation in that temple in that hill. God does not abhor us. He will dwell even with the rebellious. He gives us gifts that He may dwell among us. In the Hebrew sanctuary, God’s purpose was to dwell among the children of Israel in order that they be purged and cleansed by the activity of the sanctuary.

In the process of the beautiful gospel, symbolised in the Hebrew sanctuary, the Lord has given gifts unto men in the story of Jesus. When Jesus left this earth, He gave gifts to men. Paul took this statement from Psalms and enlarged it in Ephesians. The giving of gifts is Gods way of establishing this mountain. Follow carefully now the process in which God takes the rocks and stones out of the quarry of humanity and does this work. Who does He use? The stones, these strangers! He gives them gifts. And as He gives them gifts, what is He intending to do with those gifts?

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

What were these gifts for? Verse 11; the very thing that we have been studying through an intimacy with Jesus Christ we might be made perfect in one. Who is the stone that is going to crush the world? Christi! What is this stone going to be built into? A big mountain. We are blended together in the application of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Can you see the building of this mountain, of this temple? It is not made with hands!  As Sr White writes, if any man thinks he can put his hand to the work, he is doing the same as men that were trying to steady the ark. The building of this temple is done without hands, with no human interference. We can see human interference is accursed by God.

Sr White brings out the fact that this church, those gifts that God gives and exercises will produce and build this body, this temple, this mountain. Let’s see now how God uses this church and how the Spirit of Prophecy really makes abundantly clear, that the visible church on earth is that method by which God builds the exercise of that church.

These rough stones we bring if possible into the workshop of God where they will be hewed and squared, and all the rough edges removed, and they be polished under the divine hand until they will make precious stones in the temple of God and shall be living stones emitting light. Thus they may grow up into a holy temple for God.—Letter 44, 1886. Ev 573.2

Where is the workshop of God? The church. What happens in the church on earth? The stones are hewed and polished until they fit and they can be part of that mountain. The church has been given facilities to achieve this and it’s written this way.

To those who worship God in spirit and in truth and in the beauty of holiness it will be as the gate of heaven. The company of believers may be few in number, but in God’s sight they are very precious. By the cleaver of truth they have been taken as rough stones from the quarry of the world and have been brought into the workshop of God to be hewed and shaped. But even in the rough they are precious in the sight of God. The ax, the hammer, and the chisel of trial are in the hands of One who is skillful; they are used, not to destroy, but to work out the perfection of every soul. As precious stones, polished after the similitude of a palace, God designs us to find a place in the heavenly temple. 6T 363.2

When you see rough tones in the church, don’t become tired. They are still precious in the sight of God. They are brought into the workshop of God to be hewed and shaped. Let’s re-emphasis the fact that this chiselling and this workshop is definitely where the organised church’s work falls into place.

The Lord Jesus is making experiments on human hearts through the exhibition of His mercy and abundant grace. He is effecting transformations so amazing that Satan, with all his triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil united against God and the laws of His government, stands viewing them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and delusions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery. TM 18.1

The church, being endowed with the righteousness of Christ, is His depository, in which the wealth of His mercy, His love, His grace, is to appear in full and final display. TM 18.2

Do we want to be a part of that mountain, part of that temple? God is using an organised church to do just that.

Brother B needs the helps that God has placed in the church, for he cannot constitute a church of himself and yet his course shows that he would be satisfied to be a completely church, subject to none. 3T 438.1

We are stones that must be hewed in the workshop of God, we are not a church of our own.

Instead of leading persons to become consecrated to God and to listen to the voice of the church they teach them to be independent and not mind the judgements and opinions of others. 3T 438.1

We need to be part of Gods church where He is doing the chiselling. We need to be part of a company that is standing in the light.

This false sanctification is most dangerous and deceptive in its influence upon all who accept it. A peculiar atmosphere surrounds them, an influence which, when brought in contact with others, if not discerned, is breathed in unconsciously by the receiver. This atmosphere is charged with poison which is death to spirituality. There are no snares of Satan more hard to be discerned and defined, and souls be rescued from, than this delusion. ST October 23, 1879.6

Those who accept this bogus sanctification do not hesitate to draw away from the body and set themselves up as criteria. They claim that the Lord is leading them, and do not seek counsel of the church, but move out independently, deceived in themselves and deceiving others. The poison of this so-called sanctification is inhaled, and the atmosphere, apparently so balmy, is intoxicating and destructive to those who are charmed with it. Each individual will have an independence of his own, claiming to be taught of God; therefore no one must get in their way or interfere with their course of action. This is as Satan would have it. The voice of the church, God’s delegated power upon earth, is set aside and despised. These professedly sanctified ones are filled with vain conceit, and with presumption move on in their own wisdom, exhorting others to come up to the exalted standard of themselves. ST October 23, 1879.7

In the ministry of Christ and his apostles, those who were converted to the truth were brought into church relationship; and every stray, lost sheep that was found, was brought to the fold of the church, that under the direction of the Master, through the undershepherds, they might go in and out and find pasture. God has instituted his church and delegated to it his authority and power. He has given it the inspired oracles, provided it with pastors and teachers to carry forward his work on the earth when he should leave it. ST October 23, 1879.9

We must find Gods church because God says we cannot be in a balmy atmosphere of independence. The organised church which God works through is not to be mistaken for the mountain itself. That is where people make mistakes.

The church upon the earth is not perfect. It is not the church that will be when Zion is triumphant. Earth is not heaven. The church is composed of erring men and women who will need patient, pains-taking effort that they may be educated, trained, and disciplined by precept and example to do their work with acceptance and to be crowned with glory and immortality in the future life. 1888 Materials vol 1.236

While God is establishing His mountain, He is using His instrumentality, His facilities that He has given to the church, He uses the church as a body across the world to direct and do His work, but that church is not the church triumphant – it is the church militant.

The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant. EV 707.1

We are going to meet with terrible things in the church. There are going to be Judas’s and Peters and all the upheavals that happened with the rough stones among the apostolic church, but that doesn’t make it of none effect. God is working the wheels within the wheels and He will chisel and polish away the imperfections that are in the church. God will have His church right through to the end.

I know that the Lord loves His church. It is not to be disorganized or broken up into independent atoms. There is not the least consistency in this; there is not the least evidence that such a thing will be. 2SM 68.3

Christ looks down the line 2000 years to the church which would be in existence in the last days, before the close of this earth’s history. The Lord has had a church from the beginning through all the changing scenes of time to the present period.

The Bible sets before us a model church. They are to be in unity with each other, and with God. When believers are united to Christ the living vine, the result is that they are one with Christ, full of sympathy and tenderness and love. When anyone is drawing apart from the organized body of God’s commandment-keeping people, when he begins to weigh the church in his human scales, and begins to pronounce judgment against them, then you may know that God is not leading him. He is on the wrong track. 1MR 355.2

What criteria are we going to go by to identify God’s church on earth? It’s very powerfully expressed here in Jude:

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

What are we to go by? The faith that has been once been delivered to the saints! The truths that have been held for centuries, the truths which God has revealed in the sanctuary since 1844, and those truths that were laid out before the Seventh-day Adventist people over the first 50-year period.

Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years? Counsels to Writers and Editors 53.

We are to look for a church that carries those doctrines. We are not to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. It is for this reason we need to discern where God’s church is for the last days.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

The Woman of Samaria

John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

An important ingredient of identifying the principle of Gods church is that if we believe our church is the right church and we haven’t got the identify right, then we can believe all we like that it is the right church when it isn’t at all. What is the principle that identifies Gods church on earth?

Jesus handles the question with the woman at Samaria because she asked the question. She was one of many Samaritans who felt that their church was God’s church and that was the right place to worship. Yet the Jews thought it was in Jerusalem. This same argument has been going on for years and years. Where is Gods church? Jesus makes a very important point here.

In today’s church affiliations, we are meeting something more perplexing than the Samaritans and the Jews. Today we have so many denominations and so many derivatives of the denominations, and then numberless independent companies. The dilemma of today is much worse than the woman of Samaria’s dilemma. She only had two churches to make a decision about, or maybe a third. How can we find God’s church in this confusion?

Jesus foretold exactly what our situation is right now in making choices where we are going to worship and where we are going to be exercised by God’s creative operation. In a previous study entitled “The Church, Theatre of Gods Grace”, we saw that Gods church is a place where He is operating on hearts. We saw that we need to be part of the theatre of Gods grace. Jesus lets us know that we are in a terrible dilemma. It may be untried ground for us, but it is not untried ground for Him.

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.  23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.

Jesus is referring to God’s church persecuted by pagan and papal Rome. He says that if the period of persecution would not have been shortened, there would have been no godly person left; they would have all been destroyed. But for the elects sake, those days were shortened. The persecution was stayed by the reformation, decreasing in ferocity until removed in 1798 when the pope was taken prisoner. The verses of Matthew 24:23-25 take place after the days were shortened (verse 22).

A lot of people read these verses to mean the actual visible coming of Jesus. However, by examining the passage carefully we can see that God’s church is always identified by Christ in His church. So every church, every false prophet, every false teacher comes along and says, “Here is Christ; this is the church where you have to worship to be with Christ.”

Jesus warns after this terrible time of persecution, there will come an unleashing of all kinds of false prophets and teachers. For there shall arise false Christs, false churches and false prophets that will show great signs and wonders.

In Revelation one of the false prophets is identified as America. Apostate Protestantism is a false prophet among many other false prophets. These will do miracles and that is exactly what we read in Revelation concerning apostate Protestantism. He does miracles so that the whole world will wonder after the beast. All the other ones are also false prophets doing miracles so that if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. The very elect of God can be in danger of being deceived and confused. This is what Jesus foreshadowed.

Confederacies

Confederacies will increase in number and power as we draw nearer to the end of time. These confederacies will create opposing influences to the truth, forming new parties of professed believers who will act out their own delusive theories. The apostasy will increase. “Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Men and women have confederated to oppose the Lord God of heaven, and the church is only half awake to the situation. The Review and Herald, August 5, 1909. Ev 363.1

We are surrounded by an increase of confederacies. What are they doing? They are creating opposing influences to the truth, forming new parties.

Is this not what we see today? Jesus warned it. As He spoke with authority to the woman at the well regarding true worship and where salvation is found, today He will speak to us with as much authority as to where we should stand.

John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Jesus said the day is coming, to prepare her mind to see that a change was coming. The Jewish church, where true worship had been found, was soon to fold up. He then says, “you worship you know not what: we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.”

If you were to meet Jesus today, He would say to you – “Salvation is of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church”.  That is what people are saying. He said it back in His time salvation is of the Jews but the day cometh or the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. He says that ultimately, “we shall neither worship in this mountain nor at Jerusalem.” At the present time, the true worship is at Jerusalem but there is a change coming.

We know so well when they rejected Jesus Christ, that there had to be a change of place of worship. Some people read this statement and conclude that after the rejection of Christ by the Jews worship, wasn’t in any particular church anymore.  We are not to conclude that, because the Scripture is clear and we will see this as we go on.

Here Jesus is giving an element on which to focus. If you are going to worship the Lord correctly and at the right place – what are you to look for? Those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Why? Because God is a spirit and He wants us to worship Him in this understanding. He is not an ethereal mass of nothing. He is an intelligent being, we are to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Today many people think the Holy Spirit is just a force. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is a person with intelligence, not just some un-associated personal force. He is a person so we should worship Him as someone who is intelligent and we will worship Him in truth.

Christ says not in this mountain nor in the other mountain but in spirit and in truth we will worship Him. He identifies so clearly the change of position of place of worship and manner of worship. He comes down to our time through Old Testament prophecy and identifies our position the same way. In Song of Solomon, the woman is symbol of the church. God’s people in the books of Jeremiah and Isaiah are represented as a comely and delicate woman, then all through prophecy, you see the pure and the impure woman. We see in prophecy, the authority with which Jesus speaks to us today as to right way and place of worship. What an answer to our dilemmas today.

Song of Solomon 6: 8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

There are threescore or sixty, main line churches and fourscore derivatives of them, or concubines – that is eighty and then little companies, virgins without number. Can you find your way through them all?

Song of Solomon 9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. 10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

Here is a summary of Revelation 2 and 3. As you look at the history of the church, you notice it becomes mothers and daughters and it goes on until we come to the very end of time. Now there is a conglomerate of churches that were once in favour with God. As each church fell away, another was raised up and so on until finally there are all these churches. Yet my dove remains undefiled. The dove is defined as the little company of the remnant. Where are they? This is the question. Jesus has authority to say there is a church. He tell the Samaritan woman that it is in Jerusalem but it is just about to change hands and now she must be alert. He identifies the Jews, but as he identifies the Jews, He reveals them phasing out. He now identifies the principle for our consideration. To find his dove, his undefiled, there are two identification principles he gave in John 4:23,24.

Shiloh

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him

The two points for understanding the principle of identify of His undefiled church are spirit and truth. Why did Jesus say salvation is of the Jews? Why did He point to the Jews and say, “we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews.” Jesus was as much dependent upon the Scripture as you and I. He would have read Genesis 49:10.

Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Samaria was leftovers of the ten tribes. Theirs was not the place to worship God because they had become pagans. The lawgiver would not pass from between Judah’s feet and the scepter would not depart until Shiloh came. Who was Shiloh? The prince of peace, Jesus. Why is salvation from the Jews? It is written that the Jews would continue with the lawgiver and with the government that is identified from God. The Jewish church would continue until Shiloh came. So salvation comes from the Jews.

To whom will the people gather? The Jews? What does it say? Unto Shiloh shall the gathering of the people be. That was what Jesus was referring to, not at this place nor in Jerusalem, but the true worshippers gathered around Jesus. Shiloh declared to those around Him and now to us:

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.

You shall worship God in spirit and in truth. Where will you find the truth? He says to the people if you follow me in my Word, and continue in my Word, you will find the truth and the truth will set you free. The truth will give you salvation. That is the way God wants us to worship Him.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Salvation was of the Jews because He was sent to the Jews and it was the reception or rejection of Him that would determine whether they continued to be His church.  What is the identify of God’s church? It is Jesus in the truth.  We see that the Jews rejected Jesus, therefore they were no longer His church. When they rejected Him, what did He say?

Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

The Kingdom of God would be taken away from that nation which was God’s source of salvation and His place of worship and it will be given to another nation. What is His church? A royal priesthood, an holy nation.

Jesus states to whom He gave the kingdom:

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jesus is saying He is taking the kingdom away from the Jews and passing it into the hands of the disciples – His little flock. They were the little remnant of the twelve. How many people say when they look at a little church, “what can they do”? It only took twelve to turn the world upside down because God had given them the kingdom. They had received the kingdom because they followed Jesus Christ as He really was. They recognised Him.

Since the place where God’s kingdom is has been identified, in spirit and in truth, people are now able to discern where and how to worship. At that time, they identified that it was where Jesus (Shiloh) was. God’s kingdom would come out from the Jews and would continue with Shiloh. It is where Shiloh is that constitutes the church. This Jesus, this Shiloh, hailed Peter with joy because he identified that concept mentioned in Matthew. The people saw a man but they never recognised that man was God. Jesus said to the disciples – who do you say I am?

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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.

This verse shows Shiloh passing His church into the hands of those who recognise Jesus the man as being God and He says, “upon this foundation, I build my church.” The Jews were once Gods church because they hailed Jesus in their symbolism of worship. Jesus came unto His own but His own received Him not so He left them and now those who received Him, constituted His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against that church. Are you picking up what is Gods church?

God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. UL 315.5

Gods church was once the Jewish nation, then the early Christian church. When the early Christian church became worldly, it changed hands again, and so on. The little company that love God and keep His commandments is the church that never dies and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. Throughout history one church after another adopts their own creed and they become denominations, they become national establishments they become big denominations. What does Sr White say?

It is not them, it is the people who love God and keep His commandments, among whom Jesus is. there lies the criteria and on that church or on that foundation, Jesus Christ, the church is built. That church will not perish. The right hold on Jesus is the foundation on which His church is built upon. Through centuries, we have seen churches changing hands and consequentially, there are so many today, do we need to be confused? How are you going to find Gods little dove, His undefiled today?

Salvation is not to be baptized, not to have our names upon the church books, not to preach the truth. But it is a living union with Jesus Christ, to be renewed in heart, doing the works of Christ in faith and labor of love, in patience, meekness, and hope. Every soul united to Christ will be a living missionary to all around him. 2SM 381.3

What is the church? A small remnant, a missionary society. The church is the society that houses the missionaries who are in touch with Jesus Christ. That is why He will remain only with those who have not pushed Him out but continue to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

As Jesus was rejected by the Jews so each successive generation of the church have done the same. There is a vivid description of this – God’s church remaining upon the foundation of Jesus Christ while the other ones continue in a form of godliness but deny the power therefore.

As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience. DA 232.2

Jesus said there will come a time when you shall neither worship me o this or that mountain. The question then is, where will we worship? You will have to find His church, His dove, His undefiled who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. The principle Sr White applies directly to the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. UL 131.2

What did the Pharisees say? We are Abraham’s seed. We are Gods church and in the time of Ezekiel, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these. They said we have a high position, but it was of no consequence. This is because however much the word of God says you are the church of God today, tomorrow you may not be. Why?

When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach…. UL 131.2

Is there any room for a church to say, “We are the remnant church? We are going through to the end?” None whatsoever. The proof of identity as God’s church is one’s present relation to the spirit and truth. It is the church that so engages in the spirit and truth that God identifies as His undefiled’. This is a focus test as you face the choice of which church to belong in spirit and in truth.

Examining the Churches in Truth

Isaiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Don’t go along and join in with the people and say come on, you have to join up with us, we’ll confederate. What do you confederate? Don’t listen to peer pressure.

Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel,

To who? To both the houses of Israel. Look down to modern Isarel today, you have got tow houses of Israel. He will be a stumbling block to both houses of Israel.

Isaiah 8:14 …for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

Do you want to find God’s true church? The law is the truth.

Psalms 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

If we are going to worship Him in truth, we are going to be identified by people hwo keep the law and the commandments.

Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

How relevant! Are you looking and searching for Jesus in the true place of worship?

Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

He says here I am with my children. They are for signs an wonders.

Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Many churches are caught up with speaking in tongues and they will say come and join with us, the Lord has given us power. He has given us signs and wonders. Are we to look for signs and miracles? No.

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according ot this word, it is because there is no light in them.

His dove, His undefiled which is but one, proclaims and practises God’s Holy Law that is sealed among them. But that is not the only way in which we can discern where God should be worshipped. They must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  You can have law keeping without the right spirit. How can you find God’s church by the right spirit? It is written:

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

That narrows it right down. How many churches can you identify that really keep the ten commandments including the Sabbath and teach man so?  Now what about the spirit? Combine the knowledge that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, sinful flesh, and in the true understanding of that, you will be able to identify the true spirit of that church. I thank God for the way that He is helping us in today’s atmosphere of so many churches.  Now we can find the church through the miasma and the labyrinth of paths to walk in and we can find the church that is His dove, His undefiled.

His dove, His undefiled, His Body of believers as a church needs to be understood. While we read that, they are undefiled, they still have some problems amongst themselves and we are not to become confused if we see a church that is faulty. The undefiled are not necessarily those who haven’t got sins but have the right attitude to sin. Like David, they confess their sins and keep on upholding the pure message of the law as they humbly bow before Him in true repentance and confessions. May God help us to appreciate what Jesus has laid down before us. His truth and teachings in our past history and identify with His people at this time.