“What Luther called “Babylonian Captivity” is a falling for the spirit, style and system of the age, which is also a worldliness and an unfaithfulness that both saps the strength of the Church and brings it under the judgment of God. ” (55-56) (Excerpt From, The Last Christian on Earth, Os Guinness
“The Christian faith contributed decisively to the rise of the modern world, but it has been undermined decisively by the modern world it helped to create. The Christian faith has become its own gravedigger.” (59-60) IBID
(Cf. Colossians 2:8-15)
He will indeed judge the Church. But, which Church will He judge. The one which no longer believes what the Bible says. The one which is too full of people who prefer their interpretation of God rather than His representation of Himself in His Son and His word. That Church needs judgement so as to:
Understand the righteousness of God.
Be confronted with the life and message of Jesus.
Fear His return. They are hearers of the word, but allow the importance and eternal impacts of those words to run like water off of their shoulders.
And maybe, recognize the deception that they have embraced, and repent.
The other Church, the one with true followers of Jesus, needs warning and discipline:
Warning away from the world around them.
Warning about the need to focus on eternity during their time here on earth.
Warning about their necessary first love.
Warning in order that they too might repent and do the works that they did in the beginning.
“Obedience to God’s Word is a mark of true salvation.” 2746 (Excerpt From Be Victorious (Revelation) Warren W. Wiersbe
“Revelation 22:11, therefore, is a solemn warning that decision determines character, and character determines destiny.” 2729 (IBID)
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