THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Part 2c

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Part 2c Spiritual Practical By Herbert McClellan Riggle, D.D. Author of Beyond the Tomb; The Cream of My Life’s Work; Christ’s Second Coming and What Will Follow; The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day; Christ’s Kingdom and Reign GOSPEL TRUMPET COMPANY Anderson, Indiana CHAPTER 15 THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW THE above title may be defined as the church of the future. By this I do not mean a new church, or a different church from that of today. We have observed in a previous chapter that the essential elements of the new covenant church remain the same through all ages. The church was founded by Christ; it was his ideal; it cannot be improved upon today. Thank God, we have found that beautiful ecclesia as portrayed in the New Testament, and through salvation hold membership in the same. As a body of people we hold membership in no other. The church of tomorrow can do no more. The church of tomorrow then is the same church in process of growth, development, increasing influence, and power. It should realize the dreams and visions of today, not a theoretical, mere picture-book church to look at, but a real, living, practical church, demonstrating before the world the actual truth that we preach—a church where the next generation perpetuates the cardinal truths for which our pioneer brethren sacrificed and suffered to bring forth. To accomplish its purpose in the world, it must be a church that has not lost the message, but that holds in sacred memory the men and women who have blazed the way for us, a church whose motto must be “a clean rather than a big work.” I vision the church of tomorrow as one alive to her mission of soul saving, with a vision of world evangelization, whose influence will be felt and demonstrated all around the earth. She must be fruitful, not barren. One where every talent and faculty possessed by its members can find room for development and use, and where every gift of the Spirit functions freely. A church with plenty of room for its young people, one church composed of both old and young. A church full of zeal and sacrifice, where the grace of liberality is prominent, and each member pays to the Lord his tithe. A church full of miracles and healing, full of the Holy Spirit and power, where human machinery will never supplant the work of the Spirit of God. One that will profit by the mistakes of the past and will show more patience with people who are slow to see the truth as we see it. A church that will give proper recognition and extend warm Christian fellowship to all the Lord’s people. A church that will use more successful methods in evangelizing, and carry the message of saving truth to every part of the earth. Such a church will fulfill her mission, will conquer, will be an honor and praise to God, and will fill the earth with its influence. God grant it so.

CHAPTER 16 THE CHURCH OF GOD A TRIUMPHANT CHURCH NOW thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place” (2nd Corinthians 2:14). In the modern religious world we hear considerable about the church militant, and the church triumphant. The general teaching is that the former expresses the church in the present state and life, and the latter the church future, in her glorified and eternal state. But this teaching, in the light of the above text, is not true. The apostle positively declares that the church is not only militant here, but can always be triumphant, victorious, and conquer in every conflict of life. Life is a battle ground, and Christianity is an aggressive force. Jesus Christ is said to be “the captain of their salvation,” and like a mighty warrior goes forth “conquering and to conquer” The church here is to follow him as an “army with banners.” Every individual Christian must step out on life’s battle-field “a good soldier,” and “fight the good fight of faith.” When Paul came to the end of his earthly career he testified, “I have fought a good fight.” Each member of the church is exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God.” Our foes are the devil, sin, and the world. We also have many things in ourselves to overcome—our human desires, appetites, passions, weaknesses, etc. On this point the apostle testified, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1st Corinthians 9 :27). Not only is the present life of the Christian a battle-field, but the church, in its organic form, both in its local and general phases, has its battles to fight and its victories to win. This is the militant aspect of the church. But right here in this life we can be victorious, conquerors, triumphant. Probably Paul engaged in as bitter and hard conflicts as anyone who has ever graced the Christian church. But listen to his triumphant testimony: “Nay, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him that loved us.” Thank God, the church in her individual members, in her local aspect, or in the general phase, never needs to lose a battle or suffer defeat. She can ever march forward to certain victory. Of course there are certain essentials to a victorious life. All Bible conditions must be fully met. A settled experience predicated on the Bible must be enjoyed. A faith resting upon the immutable promises of the gospel. Eternal decision and a settled determination to go through at any cost. A holy boldness that gives courage, such as David possessed, to go out and meet every Goliath that comes in our pathway. Individuality is essential. Every successful man of God in all ages   has possessed this quality. We must not allow ourselves to be affected by the successes or failures of others. Joshua, Elijah, Daniel, and the three Hebrew children are outstanding examples of individuality. Another essential quality is the power of endurance. Then, too, many church members are constantly on the defensive. They are in constant fear of attacks from the enemy of souls. But the church, to be triumphant, must take the offensive and be aggressive in this great warfare. Paul says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong­ holds.” The good Book informs us that when we are fully saved and sanctified, and “filled with all the fullness of God,” “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” With God on our side, an unlimited supply of his grace, glory, and infinite power at our command, why should we fear the foe? The Lord has adequately pro­vided every essential for a life of constant victory. Every conflict won makes the church stronger. Defeat always weakens and depresses. Let us set before us success, victory, triumph,       and constant achievement, and never entertain the word defeat. The following poetic language by D. S. Warner is very appropriate in this connection: Men speak of a “Church triumphant,” As something on earth unknown, They think us beneath the tyrant, Until we shall reach our home. Oh, cannot the great Redeemer Prevail over Satan here? Or must we remain yet under Confusion, pressed down in fear? He built on a sure foundation, And said that the gates of hell, Against her divine munition, Can never indeed prevail. Then how can you say, dear people, You cannot be kept each day? The infinite arm is able, His Word has not passed away. ‘Tis not in the church of Jesus, That people yet live in sin; But in the dark creeds they’re joining, And vainly are trusting in. God’s church is alone triumphant, In holiness all complete; And all the dark pow’rs of Satan, She tramples beneath her feet. Thank God for a “Church triumphant,” All pure in this world below; For the kingdom that Jesus founded, Does triumph o’er ev’ry foe.

CHAPTER 17 THE PRISTINE GLORY OF THE CHURCH IN THE book of symbols—the Revelation (12:1) we have the primitive church brought to view under the figure of “a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Prior to this John saw a door opened in heaven, and heard a voice, saying, “Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And im­mediately I was in the spirit” (Revelation 4:1-2). This explains such expressions as “there appeared a great wonder in heaven,” and “there was war in heaven,” etc. While in the spirit, John saw in symbol the things recorded. In other words, there passed before       him a panorama of visions, symbols, of great events that were to take place upon   the earth. That is, he saw in a vision of heaven that which would take place on earth in reality. The woman here described represents the true Church of God—the bride of Christ—in her primitive unity, purity, and glory. She was “clothed with the sun” —a striking emblem of Jesus Christ, the “SUN of righteous­ness, “the light and glory of the church. The church was clothed with his righteousness, which is represented in the same apocalypse by “fine linen, clean and white” (Revelation 19:8). She was clothed with his holiness, with the beautiful garments of his salvation. Thus the primitive church was a pure church, a sanctified church, “without spot or wrinkle.” She was also clothed with his infinite power, and was equipped to battle the hosts of hell; and this power was manifest in overcoming the prejudices and superstitions of those times, the rescuing of a great host from the powers of sin and hell, the healing of the sick of all manner of diseases, and the destruction of sin and sinners from her midst. That primitive church was clothed with his authority and judgments. The result was that “with great power gave the       apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all.” “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” “And upon her head a crown.” Ah! she sat a queen. Her husband, the glorious Lord, is the King of heaven— “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” When Christ ascended on high and took his seat upon the throne at the right hand of God, he was “CROWNED with glory and honor.” That was coronation day. From that lofty throne in heaven Christ reigns supreme, the monarch of earth and sky. His wife—the church—shares this royal honor. With the same glory that the Father crowned him, he crowned her. “And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them.” She shares his reign in the kingdom of peace and grace, and thus wears “upon her head a crown.” Peter informs us that in this dis­pensation God’s people are “a ROYAL priesthood” (1st Peter 2:9). Not in a future millennial age, but in this propitious, preeminent dispensation of the Holy Spirit, the Lord has “washed   us from our sins in his own blood, and HATH MADE us kings and priests unto God” (Revelation 1 :5-6). Praise God, it is in this life that God’s people reign through grace. “They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). Thus the church reigns with Christ over Satan, sin, and the world. To his wife, Christ says, “I give unto you power . . .. over all the power of the enemy.” “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” “I have overcome the world,” and, as a result “what so­ever is born of God overcometh the world.”  The twelve stars in her crown represent the twelve apostles of the Lamb. These adorned her fair brow. Thus in symbol we have presented the church in her primitive glory. I will here give a brief summary of the truths already presented in this book, relative to the church as founded by Christ and manifest in the apostolic period. She is the everlasting kingdom set up by the God of heaven and foretold by Daniel the prophet. Isaiah looked forward and saw her in her glory. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 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.   And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the bright­ness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3). “Thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God” (Isaiah 62 :3). As we stand on the summit of present truth and point our telescope back over a period of more than sixteen hundred years, back to the first, second, and third centuries of the Christian era, we behold her on the mountain of God’s own holiness, the Church of God, resplendent with the morning light of his own glory. With admiration we view her; and behold, she is “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” She is “all fair,” the “city of the great king.” That golden city is the primitive church. Her chief characteristics and outstanding attributes were purity and unity. As we have seen, she was presented to the world one divine exclusive and distinct body—church, a visible organic institution, exclusive and yet universal, unchangeable and indestructible.   She broke down the walls of division between Jew and Gentile, and both were reconciled “unto God in ONE BODY by the cross.” Salvation constituted people members of this ecclesia, and all the saved of earth were included in her membership. She recognized no earth-born creed, but her adherents “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.” Her only bond of union was the love of God. Such indeed was the original church.

CHAPTER 18 THE GREAT APOSTASY THE clear morning glory of the church did not last long. In this the prophecy of Isaiah 63 :18 was fulfilled. “The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.” The early ministers went forth with the knowledge that a long, dark period of superstition, error, and counterfeit religion lay before them. They clearly fore­saw that a great apostasy would come. In 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 the apostle foretold this in positive language: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” In this text the words “falling away” are derived from the Greek apostasia, meaning apostasy. In verse 7 of the same chapter Paul tells us that “the mystery of iniquity   doth already work.” And this work­ing was and would be “with all deceivableness of un­righteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in nn­righteousness” (vs. 10-12). From this we learn that the seed that would produce this great crop of apostate religion was already being sown by false teachers before the death of the first apostles. Even before the close of the first century this “mystery of iniquity” that was finally to develop into a false and corrupt Christianity was already working. In this same chapter the apostle makes it clear that apostate religion was to continue right up to the second advent of Jesus Christ. The day of the Lord was expected by those Thessalonian brethren during their lifetime. He exhorted them not to be troubled or shaken in mind on this question “that the day of Christ is at hand.” “That day shall not come,” that is, Christ’s visible second advent to resurrect the dead and judge the world would not take place “except there come a falling away first.” Thus the great apostasy was to be prevalent in the church and world during the Christian era. In verse 8 he tells us, “Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”  Jesus clearly foretold this reign of deception and warned the church: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16). “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:5). “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:11-12). You see this reign of deception was not to be a mere local affair, but universal. The apostles foresaw and gave faithful warning and prediction of this great falling away: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31). Again I quote from Paul. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (1st Timothy 4:1-3). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their       ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2nd   Timothy 4:3-4). “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural       affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers   of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2nd Timothy 3:1-5).  I have here quoted at some length from Paul’s writings to show that he, by divine inspiration, foresaw and foretold minutely the workings of this great drift from primitive conditions. These texts foretell an awful reign of darkness and deception to come upon the church, a time when false teachers would lead people away from the pure primitive faith and practice, from the truth unto fables or false doctrine. It is a fact of history that following the pure apostolic period of the church, there grew up an ecclesiastical hierarchy, claiming to be the true and only church. This was largely pagan Rome with much of its idolatry and image worship clothed in Christian garb. The simplicity of pure Christian religion was supplanted by human forms and ceremonies. During this time, while this ecclesiastical power and religion were dominant, millions who would not forsake true religion and embrace this false system of Christianity were put to death. This is the “wilderness” into which the woman—church——fled (Revelation 12:14). Christ, the supreme head of the church, during this period was supplanted by popes and bishops who have fulfilled the apostle’s prediction in 2nd Thessalonians 2:34 that the man of sin would oppose and exalt “himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” The bishop of Rome unquestionably has fulfilled this prediction, assuming to be the supreme head of the church, and it is said that he claims power even to absolve the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, something that God himself will not do. Some sensational modern preachers identify the Antichrist or man of       sin with Mussolini, Hitler, and some other modern characters. But this is       erroneous. These characters simply bear rule over certain earthly, temporal governments and countries. Their domination is largely local and circumscribed by certain boundaries; but the spirit of Antichrist was to work universally, and cannot justly be identified with mere temporal governments. The rule and influence of the “man of sin,” according to the uniform voice of Scripture, is ecclesiastical and religious.  Page 181 & 182 were missing from original book. ministerial association of that city, one of its leading ministers arose and spoke against the Bible being God’s inspired Word. He made light of such recorded events as the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other visitations of judgment from time to time. Voltaire or Ingersol could not have berated the Scriptures in more severe language than did this preacher. After the address, as he took his seat, the large majority of the ministers present applauded by clapping their hands. Following this, another minister arose in bold defense of the inspiration of the Bible and delivered a very forceful argument. At the close of this address only about ten of us ministers present gave approval. I am not sure but that the preachers of that city, if the facts were known, were quite an accurate criterion of the ministry in general. At another time, while pastor of the Church of God in one of the largest cities of America, a questionnaire was sent to every minister in the city. Among the questions asked were: “Do you believe the virgin birth to be essential to our Christian faith?” “Do you believe the bodily resurrection of Christ to be essential?” Many other like questions were propounded. I answered mine definitely and positively. I also received the results. On the above two questions, around 40 percent expressed themselves as not holding and believing that these things are essential. Surely, in view of these facts, we have in modern Christianity what I term a refined infidelity. What are the true people of God to do in view of these terrible conditions? Paul gives the definite answer, “FROM SUCH TURN AWAY.” Surely the words of Peter are fulfilled, “But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2nd Peter 2:1-3). What an awful picture, and yet how true! The very things predicted have come to pass. Had the church always retained holiness, there would never have been an apostasy. But by descending from this lofty plane she opened the way for every species of false doctrine and error. Going back to the early days of Christianity, through the pure faith of the gospel people received full salvation from sin and found grace to live holy lives. They were made perfect through the glorious work and experience of entire sanctification. Through faith in the name of Jesus the sick were healed of all their diseases, the lame were made to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak; demons were cast out; and great power and grace rested upon the entire church. The reader can readily judge what the result was when men fell away from that faith; they lost all the foregoing blessings of God. It can be easily seen how such a departure and falling away brought darkness, superstition, and all conceivable doctrines of devils into the world. Soon after the apostles’ death the ordinances were corrupted, and many primitive practices of the church were changed. As before observed, the faith of the gospel clearly teaches that there is but one fold, one body—the body of Christ—which is the church; that salvation constitutes us living members of the same; that when it comes to fundamental truth, these members have one mind, one doctrine, all speak the same thing, and are all of one heart and of one soul: but when men fell away from that blessed state of unity, it became necessary for them to be identified with other bodies, to enter other folds, and adhere to contrary doctrines. This is exactly how it has come to pass that apostate religions have been organized in the earth.

CHAPTER 19 A RESTORATION FORETOLD AND WHAT IT COMPREHENDS IN SCRIPTURE the gospel age is frequently spoken of as a day. The prophets in speaking of things that were to occur in the Christian dispensation said, “It shall come to pass in that day.” With prophetic eye these seers of old foresaw a better day—a day of salvation. That which they enjoyed in type and shadow was to reach the substance in Christ, who would usher in the most propitious age of grace the world should ever see. Thus Isaiah foretold it: “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee” (Isaiah 49 :8). Paul, after quoting this language of the prophet, makes the application, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, NOW IS the day of salvation” (2nd Corinthians 6:2). The gospel day naturally has had its morning, noon, and evening.. Some of the Old Testament prophets clearly foretold particular periods in this Christian day of grace and salvation. It had a clear morning. “Watchman, what of the night’? Watchman, what of the night? The watch­man said, The morning cometh, and also the night” (Isaiah 21:11-12). This morning referred to the ushering in of the gospel dispensation. “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. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:2-3). This time of darkness was the night of Judaism. It covers four hundred years, from Malachi to Christ. But the coming of Christ was to be a beautiful sunrise, and the Gentiles were to come to the brightness of his rising. Surely this was a glad morning to the inhabitants of the earth, who for long centuries had sat enshrouded in the night of sin. Brilliant was that “day dawn” (2nd Peter 1:19). Paul refers to it in Romans 13:12: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” I could multiply Scriptures to show the beautiful morn­ing-light age of the church. By referring again to Isaiah 21:11-12, it will be seen that following this morning there was to be a “night.” This refers to the great apostasy, particularly to the Dark Ages that followed the apostolic period. The Reformation period of the Sixteenth Century ushered in a distinct epoch of prophetic time described as “the   cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:11-12). By reference to this Scripture the reader will note that this was to be an era when God’s people would be in a “scattered” state. And this prophecy has been strikingly fulfilled during the last four hundred years, which is properly termed the Protestant period, a time characterized by multiplied denominational bodies—churches—which have arisen, and in which the people of God have been led and scattered.  But during this period there have been great spiriftal seasons of revival, and a number of distinct reformation movements, each one bringing an increased degree of light. Luther, and the other reformers contemporaneous with him, restored to the church the great truth of justification by faith. Later Wesley and his colaborers reestablished in the church the glorious doctrine of entire sanctification as a second, distinct work of divine grace. Still later such men as Alexander Campbell, George Campbell, and John Winebrenner, showed the evils of creedism and boldly preached the doctrine of Bible unity. however, these men did not clearly discern the New Testament church as an exclusive, divine institution, with salvation its only means of membership, and its fold embracing all the saved of earth. The result was, their followers soon drifted into the denominational realm of human       organization. However, each distinct step of increased light has been bringing the church gradually out of the utter night known in history as the Dark Ages of the church. In this particular era the prophecy of Zechariah has been strikingly fulfilled. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall   come to pass, that at EVENING TIME it shall be light” (Zechariah 14:6-7). From the fore-going we see that inspiration has marked out four distinct epochs in the church’s history, covering the entire gospel day: (1) A clear “morning” period. This expresses the primitive, or apostolic time of the church. (2) This was to be followed by a period called “night.” It refers to the dark ages covering more than a thousand years, reach­ing to the Reformation period of the Sixteenth Century. (3) Next comes a period called “cloudy,” “not day nor night,” when the light “shall not be clear, nor dark.” During this time the people of God were to be scattered. This is the era since the Reformation when hundreds of humanly organized churches have come into existence. Pure primitive Christianity and its divine church, during this particular time, has not been fully restored. (4) But thank God,   the prophetic declaration is definite and clear that “at evening time it shall be light.” That is, in the closing, or sunset of this gospel day all the mists and fogs, the clouds, and the dark night of apostasy, which for centuries have hindered the clear light of primitive Christianity, are all to be swept away. In other words, in the closing days of the Christian era, primitive conditions are to be fully restored. Thank God, we believe we have reached that time. The beautiful bride of Christ is now coming “up from the wilderness [apostasy], leaning upon her beloved” (Christ) (Song of Solomon 8 :5). That is, Christ is now leading his church back to the primitive state. In the second chapter of this book it was clearly shown that Israel as a nation was a type of the Christian church. First, she was a theocracy, that is, God was her supreme ruler, head, and king. That was the morning glory of Israel’s history. She enjoyed the land of her inheritance, and God’s richest blessings rested upon her as a nation. Later, the people desired to become like the nations with which they were surrounded. They requested an earthly king. This was granted, and apostasy at once began its dreadful work, Their first king backslid and died without hope. Their third king drifted away from God and introduced rank idolatry   into Israel. Following his reign, Israel became divided into two distinct nations and committed abominations worse than those of the heathen nations with which they were surrounded. Finally their city and temple were destroyed, and they were led away captive into Babylon. During the time of captivity there were men of God as Daniel, Ezekiel, the three Hebrew children, and others who held fast to the true religion of God and the Lord was with them, even though they were far from home in a land of bondage and captivity. After seventy years, the restoration period came. In the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, and Haggai, the children of Israel returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, rebuilt the city and its walls, and re-estab­lished the true worship of God as enjoyed by their fathers centuries before. A full account of all this will be found in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. All this has a striking parallel in the Christian church covering the gospel dispensation. The morning glory of Israel’s history clearly typified the pristine glory of the New Testament church. Israel’s apostasy, and finally their captivity in literal Babylon were typical of the apostate condition and period through which the Christian church has passed. The return of Israel from their captivity in Babylon to Zion and Jerusalem, back to the land of their inheritance, was a precious type of the return of the church from their captivity in spiritual Babylon to   the new Jerusalem, the spiritual Zion, the mount of God’s holiness. Thank God, this blessed gather­ing from all the places where they have been held captive and   have been scattered, coming back to the primitive state of true Bible purity and unity, is today being fulfilled. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35 :8-10). “There shall be there a pure way, and it shall be called a holy way; and there shall not pass by there any unclean person, neither shall there be there an unclean way; but the dispersed shall walk on it, and they shall not go astray. And there shall be no lion there, neither shall any evil beast go up upon it, nor at all be found there; but the redeemed and gathered on the Lord’s behalf shall walk in it, and shall return, and come to Zion with joy, and everlasting joy shall be over their head; for on their heads shall be praise and exultation, and joy shall take possession of them; sorrow and pain, and groaning have fled away” (Isaiah 35:8-10 as rendered in the Septuagint Version). On the pure way of holiness thousands are today returning to Zion, where the early church stood, to the same standard of unity, purity, and power that adorned the apostolic church. The following Scriptures are being fullfiled. “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51 :11). “But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (Obadiah 17). “Multitudes, multitudes in the       valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will       be the hope of his people. . . So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more” (Joel 3:14, 16-17). Here we have a restored church, primitive conditions brought back again. As the full gospel—the eternal judgments of truth—is again being preached, multitudes have been brought into the valley of decision where they must decide either for or against God. Those who decide on the side of truth and walk in all the light God reveals to them come to the mount of holiness, the mount of full and perfect   deliverance. Hallelujah! And in this lofty Mount Zion the Lord has made a feast of fat       things for his people. This is the time when the people of God would “return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Malachi 3 :18). People have been taught for long centuries that a pure sanctified church on earth is impossible. Here is God’s answer: “If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be   as my mouth” (Jeremiah 15:19). “Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalms 1 :5). “So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling   in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more” (Joel 3:17). All these texts refer to the restored church in this evening time. May God raise up many thousands of fire-baptized, sanctified witnesses to go forth with the righteous indignation of Josiah of old and, with the thunderbolts of heaven’s truth take away the high places of pride, idolatry, and sin, and abolish the abomination of division out of the hearts of men. It is by returning to the true standard of Bible holiness, and the manner of church membership as set forth in the Scriptures, discarding all human creeds, dogmas, and doctrines of men, and abiding only in Christ that the people of God will return to the purity and unity of the primitive church and be able to demonstrate the same. More than a half century ago, during the great holiness agitation, a number of outstanding men in that movement, among them D. S. Warner, clearly discerned the truth of the one, pure, divine church as established by Jesus Christ, outside of, and not circumscribed by humanly organized denominational bodies. The Lord, by his Sspirit, revealed to these men that the only true basis of Bible unity for all Christians everywhere is in Christ alone, “ALL ONE in Christ Jesus.” This distinct message made a great stir throughout the denominational realm. But gradually the leaven has been working, and more and more true Christian men and women every­where are seeing the need of this unity among God’s people if we ever succeed in evangelizing the world. The slogan of our forefathers, the founders of our country— the United States of America—was “UNITED WE STAND: DIVIDED WE FALL.” This should be the slogan as well as the spirit of all true men of God today if we are to succeed in our task of saving the world.

CHAPTER 20 SIGNS OF THE TIMES WHILE a large percentage of the professed Christian world, including both ministry and laity, are today drifting away from the true standard of Bible teaching many outstanding ministers are gradually rising above the petty, narrow denominational lines that have held them apart, and are discarding controversial scientific and technical theological questions that have divided Christians for centuries, and are seeking a closer bond of union and a warmer Christian fellowship. It has been my privilege to attend a number of large conferences where this very subject was discussed by some of the most outstanding holiness preachers of our day, and I find that among these Christian men there is a decided awakening along the very lines of truth set forth in this book. As stated in the previous chapter, the leaven of truth is working throughout the entire body of genuine Christian men and women. In one conference Dr. Speer in essence expressed the growing       sentiment: “Too much time has been spent caviling over mere theological questions that are not fundamental nor essential, arguing about scientific analysis of certain texts, instead of dealing in the great fundamental principles of truth that are essential to our Christian experience and success in the work of God. While this has been going on, the world has been drifting down to hell. It is time to direct our attention to things that are vital.” Unquestionably, the spirit of reformation is working everywhere. F. G. Smith, in his excellent book, The Last Reformation, has well said: “Honest Christian men and women will think, and they are now thinking in the terms of a universal Christianity. If I am able to discern the signs of the times, the rising tide of Christian love and fellowship is about to overflow the lines of sect and bring together in one common brotherhood all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” (p. 5). On page nine of the same book Brother Smith further says: “From the particular operation of the Spirit of God. . . its influences are being felt in varying degrees throughout all Christendom.” On page ten the same author clearly defines his meaning: “Since, as we shall show, the present reformation is the work of the Spirit affecting all true Christians, drawing them together for the realization of a grand scriptural ideal, it is evident that no particular band of people enjoy its exclusive monopoly.” You see that Brother Smith here presents in very clear language the same facts that I have brought       out. In the Gospel Trumpet, issue of May 29, 1930, F. G. Smith gives us an editorial under this heading: “A World Reformation Working Today Everywhere.” I quote, “The present reformation identified by the scrip­tural name ‘Church of God,’ does not claim exclusive right to the use of this Universal name, but sincerely seeks to assume and maintain a universal attitude—refusing to set up human creed-barriers, denominational standards of its own, or any other boundaries to separate itself from other real Christians. It is the purpose of this reformation to emphasize only those principles that will be conducive to a scriptural gathering together of all God’s people into one universal fellowship and communion, where all truly regenerated believers in the world are fully recognized as already being members of the Church of God.” The above clearly sets forth our position and place in the religious world. A reformation movement in the church, with a distinct message, to assist in bringing about the unity of all God’s people to the standard of Bible truth. May the omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit hasten this great work.