44-Why So Many Denominations - NKJ

1. The Apostle Paul Defines God's Church As the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to _conduct_ _yourself_ in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

2. Jesus Reveals That His People Will Be Sanctified by His Truth in Every Age.
John 17:17 _Sanctify_ them by Your 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 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like _thunder_, "Come and see." [2] And I looked, and behold, a white horse. 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 opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." [4] Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was _granted_ to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that _people_ _should_ kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. [5] When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So 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 a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A _quart_ of _wheat_ for a denarius, and _three_ _quart_s of _barley_ for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." [7] When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." [8] So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and _Hades_ _followed_ with him. And _power_ was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with _hunger_, with death, and by the _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 that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or _dominions_ or _principalities_ or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

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

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the _marriage_ of the Lamb has come, and His wife 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 _transgression_, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily _sacrifices_; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.

7. Paul Predicts That There Would Be a Falling Away Or Departure From the Truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of _perdition_, [4] who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is _worshiped_, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. [5] Do you not _remember_ that when I was still with you I told you these things? [6] And now you know what is _restraining_, that he may be revealed in his own time. [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 very diligent to write to you _concerning_ our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all _delivered_ 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 the midst of heaven, having the _everlasting_ gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- [7] saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His _judgment_ has come; and _worship_ Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and _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 Here is the _patience_ of the saints; here are those who keep the _commandments_ of God and the faith of 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 there is no light in them.

Next Bible Study: 45-The United States in Prophecy

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