Presents
The Silence in Heaven
The Marks of Apostasy
(The making of church of God sects)
What is the silence? Entire absence of sound; having no sound; (obscurity); without light or distinctness; dark; not easily understood; to darken or dim; (oblivion); the act of forgetting; forgetfulness; State of being forgotten; make silent; cause to cease firing. The restrain from the exercise of any function, especially preaching.
If you will note under the first seal there was "the noise of thunder", you see thunder is the aftermath of lightning, when you hear the sound of thunder, lightning has struck even if it is miles away. when God enlightens a people in the spiritual realm it is symbolize as lightning, and thunder is the confirmation (voices) that lightning has struck. the fact that it was not lightning (no revelation given) or nothing to be revealed tells us that there were no thunder (voices) in the heavens, the place where God people sits, that is the Church. In the first seal after the noise of thunder, we see a white horse, not horses. Just one horse, that horse is the militant church, the horses of that time denoted warfare. the one who set on that horse was Jesus himself. One may say how do you know. because Jesus is the one who rides the church and controls its reins. Also a bow was given to him. This bow symbolizes the New Covenant (New Testament), and a crown was given unto him. Jesus is the one who received the crown and the victory over death, and he went for forth conquering and to conquer. He was the one in direct leadership of his army the church.
Now nothing happened when the seventh seal was opened, all we were left with under that seal was silence. It was an entire absence of sound, light or distinctness. God's people was left for a period of time without God's enlightment and direction, many went silence of the message of the sixth trumpet. This produced the apostasy the mess we have on hand today.
What is an Apostasy?
The Falling away from a set standard. The departing from the faith, i.e. the doctrine and teaching of Christ. A Turning away from the truth.
Some easy minded people wink at error so long as it is committed by some clever man and good nature brother who has so many fine points about him. Let each believer judge for himself, but for our part we have put a lock on our door, and threw away the key. For under the disguise of Bother Fellowship and Brother Friendship, there are those who aim at robbing the Master. These preachers must not be mistaken friends, but enemies of the cross of Christ. There is no use of sugar coating and buttering up with polite terms of expression – where Christ (or his doctrinal truth) is not received, He is not received at all. Those who know and love the truth of God cannot have fellowship with those who is diametrically opposed thereto, and there can be no reason why we should pretend that we have such fellowship, (if so, we are only fooling ourselves). The bible says “Come out from among them”. I have felt that no protest could be equal to that of distinct separation.
To pursue unity at expense of truth is treason to the Lord Jesus. To tamper with His doctrine would be to drift into compromise which some would not admit, but later be forced to justify, by yielding to be a creature of circumstances, they allow another spirit to lead them wither the would not: But when they wake up and find themselves in the undesirable compromise position, they have not always the power to break away from it.
The New Testament not teaches the necessity of contending for the faith, but it also exhorts us to separate ourselves from those who deny the faith. There is not need for any child of God to be in ignorance as to his stand and his position before God and man. The word of God is clear as to His instructions. See Jude 3, 2 John 9-11.
Now let us notice where we have come. When those who claim to be God’s people turn aside from the word of God, this is far more heinous in the sight of God than the worst case of adultery in marriage, for it destroys the reality of the great central bride and bride groom relationship. Of course we must treat men as human being, while we have discourse with them day by day, we must treat them as made in the image of God, even if they are actively in rebellion against God, and we must let them know that we love them as individuals. But this does not mean that we should forget that apostasy must be named apostasy, there is to be no toning down concerning what it is - spiritual adultery. As I said, in our generation we tend to tone down the word adultery in divorce cases, for we do not much like that word. Far more in the religious realm do we tone down the term spiritual adultery i.e. apostasy, but in doing this we are grievously wrong, because the Bible’s perspective should be our own, and this is the way God speaks of it and looks upon it, and so this is the way God’s people are called to look upon it.
This spirit of apostasy is worse, much worse, than physical adultery. It is also much worse; let me say, than the Jews following their idols! This modern apostasy is far worse than this, for it turns against greater light, against greater blessing. This spirit of apostasy is worse than the Jews following the false god Molech of old.
Do you know the facts concerning Molech? Molech, whose idol was in the valley of Hinnon, was a heathen god whom the Jews were constantly warned against following this idol. What kind of god was Molech? He was the god of the sacrifice of new born babies. This was the central act of his worship: The first born of every woman’s body had to be sacrificed to Molech. According to one tradition, there was an opening at the back of the brazen idol, and after a fire was made within it, each parent had to come and with his own hands place his first born child in the white hot, outstretched hands of Molech. According to this tradition the parent was not allowed to show emotion, and drums were beaten so that the baby’s cries would not be heard as the baby died in the hands of Molech. And there, I would say stand many in our day, many are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. A worse than Molech is men who were supposedly the men of God stood by while the saints were eaten up by the spirit of apostasy. And then we are told not to cry out, show no emotion, keep silence.
As I write at this time some of you bear yourselves the marks of the things from the background from which you come. All of us have been marked by this apostasy, in some way, to some extent, because of compromise and religious traditions. Every scar we have, every tear cried, every saint affected, cannot be separated from the fact that the church so called has turned away and become unfaithful. God’s people are in the hands of Molech and we are supposed to stand silently by and hear their cries and cover up our ears from the loudly beating drums of a profitless discussion? I tell you, NO. We are to weep and to act.
What produces a Apostasy?
The Mystery of Iniquity, sin and carnality
What is the mystery of iniquity?
Iniquity is the elements of rebellion, lawlessness, and corruption working unseen in the midst. The mystery of this iniquity is how this element of rebellion, lawlessness, and corruption could go unseen and detected for long periods of time, and there yet appear a people professing to be the people of God.
Therefore there is a necessity of this message. Heb. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 10:11,12; 1 Tim 4:1-6. The Apostle Paul thought it part of his duty, as he made it a part of his preaching and teaching, to forewarn his new converts of the grand apostasy that would infect the church, even while he was at Thessalonica. From these verses it appears that the man of sin was not yet come, or the season of his manifestation. But the mystery however was indeed working; the seeds of corruption had already been sown, but they were not grown up to maturity.
These seeds of corruption, which later would lead to the general apostasy was a mystery. Why? It was yet hidden, it was covered. It would not dare show or reveal itself. Because of that which (Hindeth or withholdeth), or that which stood in the way. But there would come a time when the levee would break, and the flood would come, .i.e. the wicked one would be revealed. It would manifest itself to the extent of who it was and what it was.
What was in the way? What hindered the mystery of iniquity from being fully revealed in Paul’s day? The fact that the ministry fought and cried out against it. 2 Tim. 4:3-7. See also Acts 20:17-32. In the Church at Ephesus, Timothy was the pastor. In A.D. 66 Paul wrote Timothy a charge and warned him of the apostasy. 1 Tim. 4:1,2 16; 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
In A. D. 96, after the death of Timothy, the apostasy had set in this church at Ephesus. Rev. 2:1-7, says “They left their first love”. How? Because of the mystery of iniquity abounded. Their love an allegiance to Christ they had lost, because of abounding iniquity and corruption. From the outside it could not be seen according to their works, but Jesus saw their hearts. The outward apostasy always follow a inward one first Rev. 2:1-4. Their hearts fell away from God and the doctrine first and then they left the visible standard second.
In Rev. 6:1-6, shows the battle against the spirit of apostasy and how it worked in the midst of the church.
- Controlling the Pulpit
- Taking the standard in their own hands
- Advocating a cheaper brand of religion
Where is this first seen, i.e. “the mystery of iniquity”, Answer, where there is compromise in the least.
Since the local church was designed to exhibit concretely the spiritual body of Christ, none but the saved and those who hold a true standard could be properly recognized as the church. It was not God’s will that there should be sinner as (recognize members) in the congregation of the righteous. Psalms 1:5
The churches of God of that age were filled with multitude of nominal professors, while error and heresies were gradually creeping in. Nor was this condition limited to one locality; it was universal. The church of that day plunged into darkness and gloom of spiritual night.
A Clean, pure local church was the divine standard. It is evident that such could never be obtained and maintained except by the power of the Holy Spirit, who discerned evil and prompted its elimination.
Peter discerned the condition of the two false members in the church at Jerusalem and removed that blemish. He also exposed the hypocrisy of Simon at Samaria, and Paul pointed out the evil affection in the church at Corinth and directed its removal.
A practical question is, How far could such a congregation lapse into an abnormal state and still be a church of God?
As long as the Spirit of God is in the ascendancy, so that the people of God as a body manifest the power of God, and are the truth of God are filled with the Spirit of God, and are actually used by the Spirit in performing the works of God. They are the Church of God. But whenever another spirit gains the ascendancy and these spiritual characteristic are lost to view, then is brought to pass the saying “I will spue thee out of my mouth”. Beyond that time they may continue their formal services, singing hymns, saying prayers, making speeches, but the real message of God describing their conditions is, “Thou hast a name the liveth”, and are dead” Rev. 3:1. such dead congregations are no longer a part of the true church and are unworthy of the recognition of a spiritual congregation and the fellowship of the saint standing for the truth.
The Means of Apostasy
The means of apostasy is by false teachers from without. These teachers are called wolves. They enter in slyly and deceive. They are found also within 2 Pet. 2:1-22. These false teachers are more dangerous and usually work greater havoc.
By Heresies or false doctrines, (teaching and beliefs). These heresies are pernicious doctrines, perverse things, used to draw away disciples, lead people off into error.
But note: “The truth never divides God’s People”.
When heresies are taught the resulting fact is the flock is scattered and divided by false teachers who teach false doctrine.
The Nature of Apostasy
The very nature of this spirit of apostasy brings about the loss of entire holiness. This is predicted in 2 Tim. 3:1-9. this experience is seen very much today by worldliness, vanity, covetousness, and many other sins prevalent among professed Christians today, because of this there is a loss of true holy living and consecration. Next follows the departure from the doctrine.
Locating the Apostasy
The chief object of every prediction concerning the apostasy is to locate it. And the apostasy is not only confined to Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and other forms of backslidden Christianity. We can see the marks where ever sin is allowed, where ever false doctrine is taught, wherever man rule is dominant and wherever human systems of church government is in force, there is apostasy. Also wherever the spirit of worldliness is prevailing, there you will find also the spirit of apostasy working.
The Need of Restoration
The term reformation signifies “the act of reforming or the state of being reformed, change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manner or of anything vicious or corrupt.
The term restoration signifies “An act of restoring or the condition of being restored, a bringing back to a former position or condition; REINSTATEMENT, <the restoration of peace>, RESTITUTION, a restoring to an unimpaired or improved condition. <The restoration of a painting> or <the replacing of missing teeth or crowns>.
In its application to the religion of Christ, restoration means the act of restoring, the bringing back to a former state, and the correction of all abuses and corrupt practices that have become associated with His church. The elimination of all unworthy, foreign elements. In other words, it implies restoration, a return to the practices and ideals of the Apostolic Church of God.
The very need of restoration is based in the apostasy. The fact of apostasy requires a restoration. We cannot believe that God intends for his work to retrograde and never be recovered. The very redemption of man causes us to believe likewise in redemption for the church. The apostasy is a historical fact. Since it has already occurred it is now time for restoration.
If we inquire concerning the limits of true restoration work we see at once that, if there is to be a true restoration, such a movement must restore in its fundamental aspects Apostolic Christianity – its doctrines, its principles, its ordinances, its regenerating and sanctifying powers. Its spiritual life, its holiness, its purity, the gifts of the Spirit, and the unity of believers. So looking at existing conditions we assume of course, that during the past ages there has been a departure from this standard.
The need of restoration is found in present conditions. Present conditions in the church are not ideal. The earnest efforts of leaders in the church are not ideal. The earnest efforts of leaders to find a basis of union proves the dissatisfaction felt in present conditions. Present conditions do not properly represent the original pattern. A restoration is needed to restore the purity; power and unity that properly belong to the church.
A definite return is needed. Not one of progression for the continual development of present conditions can ever bring restoration. There must be a discovery of fundamental errors and a forsaking of them. There must be a return to primitive truth, a trip “back to the blessed old bible” and the very return of truth will effect restoration.
The lines of Restoration
The rejection of erroneous doctrines, and any doctrine failing the scriptural test, however venerated, must be rejected and discarded. There must be a rejection of human creeds and traditions; these contain a mixture of truth and error that circumscribes one’s belief, thus hindering a progress in truth. They likewise effectively separate God’s people.
What are the declining manifestations of a once spirit filled congregation or group or movement? No congregation or group backslides overnight. There is a starting point, and the final fall may be a long way off. But the eyes anointed by the Spirit of God will be able to discern and see the condition even though it may not fully be seen outwardly, for apostasy is a spirit that works unseen at first.
The declining effects and fall are as follows;
The Rejection of the New Testament standard of Biblical Eldership and Priesthood of the believers.
Pastoral Pre-eminence (One Pastor Rule)
· All decision making belongs to the Pastor along. (Dictatorship)
· The Minimization of the other ministerial gifts and office
· Fancy Titles
· Separation of Clergy and Laity
· Theatre Style Seating and Elevated Platform with special seating.
Man Rule Spirit (The lost of Holy Ghost Government and Leadership)
· Institutional, organize worship
· Quenching the Spirit
· Programmed Services
- Micro-manage saints
- Sectarian base programs that are not scriptural
- The Institutional Style Meeting House of the sectarian group
- The institution of the Old Testament Tithing System.
- The institution of the Old Testament style of temple worship
Divisions and Schisms
The Rise of Church of God Sects, Group, and Movements that each is claiming to be the true body of Christ.
· If you don’t except their brand of teaching you are not saved
- If you are not associated with their group you are considered in error or not saved.
- Each group feels that they are the only one’s right.
- Each group feels that they have the only interpretation of the scriptures.
Other Various Issues
· Compromise of the ministry (Letting down bible standards)
· Pastoral Succession (Voting in and out spiritual leadership)
· Outward Standards maximize instead of the inner heart
· Fanaticism (The Spirit of Bondage and extremities regarding dress issues and other standards of dress and personal convictions)
· Charges of Sin against each other (inward fighting)
· The lack of proper judgment against worldliness and other things.
· A loose standard regarding our practical Christian living.
· The spirit of liberation (the people begin to do as they please)
· Christian doctrine and principles become mixed, or changed or pushed to the background.
o Praying for the sick
o The Lord’s Supper
o Feet Washing
o Baptism
· The spirit of formalism takes hold and the Holy Spirit is ruled out. Now programmed, cut and dry services, lack of rejoicing in the camp. Lack of praise, lack of testimonies, (God’s Service should be interactive), also the lost of the anointing on the preached word, which lead to spiritual hunger, famine and death.
· Fellowshipping Apostates, and compromise groups by participating in their revivals and special services, musicals (Sing-spirations) s, and other worldly programs, by giving them recognition and the right hand of fellowship and having them in our pulpits and other spiritual functions.
Please Note: He who begins in the least way to compromise is in danger of final apostasy. As one murderer in the house is more to be dreaded then ten outside. So it is “a little leaven, leavened the whole lump”.
The Rise of Church of God Sects
Is this Bible Unity?
1880 marks a great epoch in time when God would fulfill his prophecy by gathering His sheep from the sects of man, come to one fold under one shepherd. But shortly after this great move of God we also see the spiritual decline and eventual apostasy of a great movement that spun off many church of God sects. They are the no sect, sects groups and little kingdom movements. The call is now for the "come outers to come out".
These man rule pre-eminence spirits began to break off from the Main body and you and I have inherited this mess to day. The Main Body is The Church of God according to the New Testament which the Apostles and Jesus Christ our Lord built and shed his own blood for. See Acts20:28-32
Now I will state right from the outset, that I'm not for union, uniformity, ecumenicalism, and any other unity that is not biblical and I do understand that some have gone beyond the hope of recovery. Here in this teaching I have attempted to bring to the front, the need of restoration and the issues that divide God's people.
In connection with his prayer for oneness, the Savior prayed the Father to sanctify the disciples and all that would believe on him through their word, "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one". (John 17: 22, 23) Sanctification, perfection, or the glory of Christ, each relates to the same experience, and this makes God's children one. "For both he that sanctified and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren"(Heb.2:11).
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4: 11-13).
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1: 18, 19).
The bible says he gave the ministry for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ. We are baptized into one body, not two bodies, or three bodies. There is only one body. All of these faction is not, and cannot be the body of Christ. There is only one body. This is the first realization that one must come to in order to begin to see restoration. Restoration is not union. The chart below will illustrate the point.
Read: 1Corinthian 1:9-13 Now this I say, that everyone of you saith, I am of (church of God, Reformation Movement; church of God Pastor's Fellowship; church of God Evening Light; church of God West Middlesex; German Church of God; church of God Universal; church of God Incorporated; church of God One Work; church of God two works; church of God 7th Seal; and etc. This is pretty much the summation of the spiritual mess of today.
The ultimate question: Is Christ divided? Were these movement or groups or sects; crucified for you? 1Corinthian 3:1-14, verse 3 of the above scripture says we are yet carnal if we practice division, and walk as men. Read also the rest of these verses to our own condemnation. Where is the message against carnality? How can we preach a message against carnality if we are practicing division? The very seat of carnality is division. In most cases people can't preach or teach the fruits of the Spirit because they are sitting in the same seat of carnality and division, along side of the other catalog works of the flesh. Just in case you forgot, let me remind you of what the works of the flesh is.
In Galatians 5:12-21 the bible says, now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Just a few things to point out and take note of; fornication: because you have joined yourself to these movement, groups and sects. idolatry: because they were set up by man and not God, strife; because they assassinate the character of each other, seditions; because you urge people to rebel against the leadership of Christ and the Holy Ghost to join your man made movements heresies; because in many cases they are teaching lies and not the word of God, and murder; because the lack of love towards your brother.
If you are dividing God's People you have a sectarian spirit, and that is carnality. Is not that what we tell Babylonian ministers and lay peoples? Are you doing the same thing? It is one thing in how we see Jesus, but another thing in how He sees us. Ask yourself am I really the Church of God of the New Testament, or am I just a Church of God sect. The quotes above from D.S. Warner own writings are a message within itself. Some of you may feel that according to today's thinking that he is a Apostate. Is not this the man that God used mightily to launch the Evening Light Reformation, which we all say that we are a product of? That quote worked then, what is wrong with it now. I'm sure if it were possible He would be spinning in his grave at these conditions that exist among us.
The circles above denote a terrible condition of division among church of God people so called. I had to think about it for a while before I put that divisional chart on the web site and printed page. You may say, why? I'm embarrassed before the sectarian people who are mocking the glorious name “Church of God”. But the conditions us are so bad that it merit this kind of response.
But I must say it also shows us the one body (church) bride of Christ, and the church of God sects. After plainly seeing this, my friend, there is only one message for you, “Come out of her my People”.
Jesus Warning to the Ministry
Matthew 24:42-51
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the Goodman (The Ministry) of the house (Church of God) had known in what watch the thief (The Devil) would come, he (the Ministry) would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up (divided) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh, Who then is a faithful and wise servant, (Minister) whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, (The Church of God) to give them meat (the word of God) in due season?
Blessed is that servant, (Minister) whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. But and if that evil servant (Minister)shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servant, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (Act the same way the sectarian do) The Lord of that servant (Minister) shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, (divide you, or cut you off) and appoint him (that minister) his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I write these things in love and to provoke you to love and good works. "I had to come out of my confusion too"
Does your test of fellowship match the bible test of fellowship? See 1john 1:1-9
See 1John 2:1-11
The Challenge of the Hour is to Come out of your groups and movements, Come out your comfort zone, Come out of your clicks, Come out of your sect, Come out of religious confusion. God is not the author of it. 1 Corinthian 14:33. Seek the real Church of God experience. If you add up all the people in those boxes and compare them with the percentage of the 6 billion in the world, your common sense would tell you that if these only make up the church of God then we are in great trouble. But in Revelation 7th chapter it is said in the 9th verse there was a number that no man could number clothed in white robes with palms in their hands, these are they that came out of great tribulation (apostate conditions)
The Evening Light Apostasy Chart
