44-Why So Many Denominations - RSV

1. The Apostle Paul Defines God's Church As the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 If I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the _household_ of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and _bulwark_ 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; thy _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 seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of _thunder_, "Come!" [2] And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider 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 say, "Come!" [4] And out came another horse, _bright_ red; its rider was _permitted_ to take peace from the earth, so that men _should_ slay one another; and he was given a great sword. [5] When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a _balance_ in his hand; [6] and I heard what _seemed_ to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures _saying_, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three _quarts_ of _barley_ for a denarius; but do not harm oil and wine!" [7] When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" [8] And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its _rider's_ name was Death, and Hades _followed_ him; and they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with _famine_ and with _pestilence_ and by wild _beasts_ of the earth.

4. White Horse - Apostolic Purity (A. D. 31 - A. D. 100).
Colossians 1:16 For in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or _dominions_ or _principalities_ or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.

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

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, 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 the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through _transgression_; and truth was cast down to the ground, and the horn acted 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 in any way; for that day will not come, unless the _rebellion_ comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of _perdition_, [4] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, _proclaiming_ himself to be God. [5] Do you not _remember_ that when I was still with you I told you this? [6] And you know what is _restraining_ him now so that he may be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of lawlessness is _already_ at work; only he who now _restrains_ it will do so until he is out of the way.

8. We Are Urged to Earnestly Contend for the Faith Delivered to the Saints.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write _appealing_ to you to contend 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 _midheaven_, with an eternal gospel to _proclaim_ to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; [7] and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his _judgment_ has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the _fountains_ 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 a call for the _endurance_ of the saints, 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 _teaching_ and to the _testimony_! Surely for this word which they speak there is no dawn.

Next Bible Study: 45-The United States in Prophecy

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