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The Selfless Entity of God’s Church

John Thiel, Beholding Christ Series, Part 13, mp3

Scripture Reading: John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Do you know where Gods church is? Are we not in the fold of the flock? Are we not being fed? Why do we need to ask this question? The question we are asking is to deal with the idea of whether we believe and say we are the church to others. What is the true entity of Gods church? How can Gods church be identified as such a terrible time as this where every generation that has passed there is a church that has been left out of that generation where it’s not Gods church anymore whereas it was once upon a time? How do we identify the true condition of Gods true church? The church on earth is identified. The church is identified as the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

As the true people of God are members of the body of Christ they are admonished;

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Read the rest of this entry

7. Prophetic Sketches of the Remnant Church – Conclusion

By John Thiel, Prophetic Sketches of the Remnant Church Seminar, Study 7

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Read the rest of this entry

Christ’s Love for His Remnant Church

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

This picture that is drawn is a picture of aggressive warfare.  This picture is shortly to be reality, the coming of Christ to judge the nations of this world and to rule them with a rod of iron.  The energy which is exerted, is exerted in righteousness.  As we consider this text, it will pay for us to note that these remarks of the end of the world are here shown just as the long awaited marriage of the lamb is taking place. Read the rest of this entry

The Nature of the Remnant Church

By John Thiel

We are considering among the many different aspects the nature of the remnant church, the nature of the people, the type of personalities and qualities they are to have. This nature is beautifully expressed;

Zephaniah 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid. 

Here is the kind of character that the remnant church is to have. The remnant of Israel, the remnant church will do no iniquity, there will be no sin. Do you measure up? They are not affected by the fallen churches;

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

This is the 144,000, the remnant who are to stand before God in the last days. As you read these words and you realise you want to be among that number, it is daunting.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Read the rest of this entry

The Closing Scenes of the Remnant Church

By John Thiel

Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Do you sense within yourself that this is the end?  That we are living on the final stages of this world?  Do you sense this because true children of God rely not on their senses but on every word that proceeds from God?  It is my purpose to search Gods word, his revelation regarding his remnant people.

Zephaniah 3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.  13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid. 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, [even] the LORD, [is] in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.  16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.  17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.  18 I will gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, [who] are of thee, [to whom] the reproach of it [was] a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 20 At that time will I bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Consider the remnant.  How they come into prominence, how they rise.  As we read, you notice what transpires as these remnant people rise.

Zephaniah 3:18 I will gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, [who] are of thee, [to whom] the reproach of it [was] a burden. Read the rest of this entry

5. Summary of Old and New Testament Prophecies

By John Thiel, Prophetic Sketches of the Remnant Church Seminar, Study 5, mp3

Our purpose is to scan the Old Testament and New Testament prophecies and interface them. Also to look at the important points of Gods remnant people in history. We have observed the over arching prophetic sketch of Genesis 3:15 which Apostle Paul spoke of in Romans.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

We have established the above is the work of Christ and his soldiers, his remnant people.

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

What is he referring to? Malachi. When Satan and the wicked will be ashes under the feet of the saints. We want to understand the wide ranging principle of this for the final remnant. Examine the method when Christ bruised Satan’s head and how this bruising by Christ of Satan’s head is to flow on to the remnant. Remember the faithful remnant of Revelation.  This is the New Testament sketch. Read the rest of this entry

How Many Shall Be Saved?

A question was posed to Jesus.

Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out. 

The question we want to study is how many shall be saved? We shall address this question but also consider whether we are among the truly gracious in this world. We shall make these truths as clear as possible and straight to the point.  The scripture reading calls for a straight to the point approach and so do the times in which we live.

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:

There is a broad path and many of this world go down that path because straight is the way that leadeth unto life and few there be that find it. The scripture is saying there is a broad road that leads to destruction, to hell. The majority, the large populace go down that road. There is a gate and few people actually find the gate. Out of those few that find it, there are fewer still that enter in as we compare with the scripture we just read. Read the rest of this entry

Is the Church Infallible?

Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. {1SM 57.2}

Seventh-day Adventists say it does not matter how far they go in apostasy, they are still the church of God. Sr White said the SDA church is not Babylon. At the time when Sr White said that, the Adventist church was still teaching correct messages. She made it clear that it was the commandment-keeping people that made the church the church of God.

Again I say, The Lord hath not spoken by any messenger who calls the church that keeps the commandments of God, Babylon. {2SM 68.3}

God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His Commandments. TM page 61. Read the rest of this entry

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