44-Why So Many Denominations - NIV

1. The Apostle Paul Defines God's Church As the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's _household_, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and _foundation_ of the truth.

2. Jesus Reveals That His People Will Be Sanctified by His Truth in Every Age.
John 17:17 _Sanctify_ them by 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 I _watched_ as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like _thunder_, "Come!" [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a _conqueror_ bent on _conquest_. [3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. [5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was _holding_ a pair of scales in his hand. [6] Then I heard what _sounded_ like a voice among the four living creatures, _saying_, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three _quarts_ of _barley_ for a day's wages, and do not _damage_ the oil and the wine!" [7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" [8] I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was _following_ close _behind_ him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, _famine_ and _plague_, 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: things in heaven and on earth, visible and _invisible_, whether thrones or powers or rulers or _authorities_; all things were created by him and for him.

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

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the _wedding_ 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 Because of rebellion, the host [of the saints] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It _prospered_ in _everything_ it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.

7. Paul Predicts That There Would Be a Falling Away Or Departure From the Truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for [that day will not come] until the _rebellion_ occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to _destruction_. [4] He will oppose and will exalt himself over _everything_ that is called God or is _worshiped_, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, _proclaiming_ himself to be God. [5] Don't you _remember_ that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? [6] And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. [7] For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will _continue_ to do so till he is taken out of the way.

8. We Are Urged to Earnestly Contend for the Faith Delivered to the Saints.
Jude 1:3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the _salvation_ we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all _entrusted_ 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 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to _proclaim_ to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, _language_ and people. [7] He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his _judgment_ has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the _springs_ of water."

10. This Text Describes a People Who Will Keep God's Commandments and Be Filled with the Faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 This calls for patient _endurance_ on the part of the saints who obey God's _commandments_ and remain faithful to 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, they have no light of dawn.

Next Bible Study: 45-The United States in Prophecy

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