The Last ReformationSmith, F. G. (Frederick George)
Religion
The Last Reformation
Smith, F. G. (Frederick George)
Church -- Biblical teaching; Mission of the church
This distinction is also clear in the antitypical relation. We do not
have to go to prophetic symbols to find in the New Testament clear
predictions of the rise of a false Christianity in opposition to the
true. They stand out in marked contrast in the prophecy. On the one
side there is a false religious system described as a beast power
reigning. On the other side is placed in contrast a company that have
gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his
mark, and they stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. The
mother of harlots appears, but in contrast therewith is seen a pure
woman, the bride of Christ. In contrast with Babylon we have Zion.
The sect system, wherein ecclesiasticism reigns and where the full
truth in all its purity can not be taught and practised, does not
represent the true church, but Babylon. The system is foreign. It
contains, however, many _who are not Babylonians_ but children of
the divine family--Israelites indeed. The awful judgments of God
pronounced against Babylon are directed against the false system
itself and the real beast-worshipers it contains, not against the
true people of God, who love their Lord and are willing to walk in the
light of his Word as fast as they are able to understand it. When
we consider that this sect system has been the means of deceiving
millions--millions who will come up in that last day and plead their
religious profession, only to hear the awful words, "Depart from me,
I never knew you"--when we consider, I say, these evil results, we can
not but repeat the words of the prophecy concerning the overthrow of
Babylon, "True and righteous are His judgments." The commandment of
God is, "_Come out of her_, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her
sins, and THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES."
The movement to ignore sect lines and bring the true people of God
into unity is not based upon a mere interpretation of prophecy,
however. The necessity of such a work is being felt by the true
people of God everywhere, even those who make no particular claims
to knowledge of prophetic interpretation. Knowledge that the
ecclesiastical systems of the present day do not represent the
real church outlined in the New Testament is all that is absolutely
necessary in order to stir the heart for reformatory action. Departure
from the truth of God carries with it responsibility on the part of
all those who become awakened to that departure--_responsibility to
return to the Bible standard_. A final reformation there must and
would be even if it had never been predicted by the prophets of old;
for Christ, the great ever-living head of the church, would at the
proper time pour out upon his servants the spirit of judgment
against all unscriptural systems and forms of worship and demand the
restoration of the pure church of the morning time of our era.
[Sidenote: The future prospect]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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