Session - 7: The True Church And Babylon
Dates: 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th Oct, 2016
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true understanding of God's will, or 'mystery,' comes not merely from study or intelligence, but through divine Revelation, which is likened to light. He contrasts the old covenant's glory of forgiveness with the new covenant's glory of being able to overcome sin. The core message is that knowing the Bible is different from knowing God, and this deeper knowledge comes through the Holy Spirit's revelation.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the difference between information and revelation?Intellectual study of the Bible only provides information, whereas true revelation comes through the Holy Spirit to transform a person's life.
The mystery of Christ and the body of ChristGod's eternal purpose was to bring Jews and Gentiles together into one body called the church, which serves as a testimony to evil rulers and authorities in heavenly places.Ephesians 3:4–11
Job as a witness to SatanJust as Job was tested to prove to Satan that a human could remain truly faithful to God amid suffering, the church is called to be a genuine testimony against spiritual darkness.
Building the church versus saving soulsGod's eternal purpose is to build people together into a unified local church like a cemented building, rather than merely gathering loose individual converts.Ephesians 2:20–21
The picture of New JerusalemNew Jerusalem represents the bride of Christ composed of diverse people shining with the singular light and life of Jesus.Revelation 21:2
What is Babylon?Babylon pictures a harlot church that claims devotion to Christ while actually loving and pursuing political power, worldly pleasure, and money.Revelation 17:5
Babylon's alliance with political powerThe harlot riding the beast symbolizes religious leaders and systems partnering with corrupt political authorities for mutual benefit and influence.
Babylon's alliance with business and wealthRevelation 18 depicts Babylon as a commercial system that profits heavily by commercializing religion and exploiting the name of Jesus.
You cannot serve God and MammonJesus taught that wealth is a master competing for human devotion, making it impossible to truly serve God while loving money.
The financial practices of a true churchFollowing New Testament examples, a genuine church does not solicit funds, pressure people for money, or pay its elders from general collections.
Conditions for giving to God's workScripture and sound practice dictate that offerings must come from born-again believers who are free from debt, have settled personal quarrels, and have provided for their own families first.
