44-Why So Many Denominations - NAS

1. The Apostle Paul Defines God's Church As the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the _household_ of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and _support_ of the truth.

2. Jesus Reveals That His People Will Be Sanctified by His Truth in Every Age.
John 17:17 "_Sanctify_ them in the truth; Your _word_ is truth.

3. John the Revelator, in the Symbolism of the Four Horsemen, Describes the Advance of God's Truth and Satan's Attempt to Destroy It.
Revelation 6:1-8 Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of _thunder_, "Come." [2] I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. [3] When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come." [4] And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was _granted_ to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. [5] When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of _scales_ in his hand. [6] And I heard _something_ like a voice in the _center_ of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three _quarts_ of _barley_ for a denarius; and do not _damage_ the oil and the wine." [7] When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come." [8] I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name _Death_; and _Hades_ was _following_ with him. _Authority_ was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with _famine_ and with _pestilence_ and by the wild _beasts_ of the earth.

4. White Horse - Apostolic Purity (A. D. 31 - A. D. 100).
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or _dominions_ or rulers or _authorities_ -all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Revelation 12:1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman _clothed_ with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of _twelve_ stars;

Revelation 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the _marriage_ of the Lamb has come and His bride has made _herself_ ready."

5. Red Horse - Persecution (A. D. 100 - A. D. 313).
Black Horse - Compromise (A. D. 313 - A. D. 538).
Pale Horse - Spiritual Death (A. D. 538 - A. D. 1500).
Each color represents what was taking place in the church.

 6. Daniel Predicts God's Truth Being "Cast to the Ground. ".".
Daniel 8:12 And on account of _transgression_ the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular _sacrifice_; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.

7. Paul Predicts That There Would Be a Falling Away Or Departure From the Truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the _apostasy_ comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of _destruction_, [4] who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, _displaying_ himself as being God. [5] Do you not _remember_ that while I was still with you, I was _telling_ you these things? [6] And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. [7] For the _mystery_ of lawlessness is _already_ at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

8. We Are Urged to Earnestly Contend for the Faith Delivered to the Saints.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you _appealing_ that you contend _earnestly_ for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

9. We Have the Assurance That the Good News of the Original and Everlasting Gospel Will Be Proclaimed to the Ends of the Earth.
Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel flying in _midheaven_, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; [7] and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His _judgment_ has come; _worship_ Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and _springs_ of waters."

10. This Text Describes a People Who Will Keep God's Commandments and Be Filled with the Faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the _perseverance_ of the saints who keep the _commandments_ of God and their faith in Jesus.

11. We Are Warned to Not Accept Any Teaching That Leads Us Away From Obedience to God's Word Or His Law.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the _testimony_! If they do not speak _according_ to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Next Bible Study: 45-The United States in Prophecy

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