WILL TRUE CHRISTIANITY SURVIVE ON EARTH?
As we consider the direction of humankind toward secularism, hedonism, and continued war among nations plus division between races we may be quick to say: “no”! Yet; the majority of the world’s population is less-interested in true religion as any other people since time began. {i.e. the religion that Jesus Christ initiated when He arose from the grave according to the teaching found in the Bible}.
In recent months I have noticed a number of articles and short dissertations that openly suggest that the survival of the religion of Jesus Christ will disappear from the earth soon. These same authors also suggest that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth soon because man has so deeply corrupted himself and all religious institutions.
These serious questions and doubts that are appearing in printed and electronic media are contributing to despair and confusion in the minds of many people. The insistence of disastrous conclusions predicted by many of the authors about the false and evil actions of men and religious institutions are influencing many good people in their personal conclusions toward true religion {i.e. the religion of Jesus Christ – cf. see Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 2:1-47 in the New Testament. From these readings in the Bible {i.e. see the KJV for accurate translation of these verses}. These predictors of the death of true religion have not considered the “true predictions” found in God’s Book that specify man’s inability to destroy God’s Word or God’s plans for humankind. Please note the following Biblical facts …
Matthew 13:25-30 – 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 but when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 but he said, nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. {KJV}
The text explained … The parable in verses 24-30 above. By a comparison we may learn:
1. the kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field.
2. the Sower is the Son of man, who sows by means of his kingdom
3. the good seed is the word of God as seen in its fruits, Christ’s followers.
4. The field is the world. It is Christ’s field. All power is given to him in heaven and in earth. His kingdom is rightfully the whole earth, but much of it is held still by the enemy, who has to be conquered. He will prevail finally, and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ.
5. The wheat raised from the good seed is the “children of the kingdom,” the Disciples of Christ converted by his word.
6. the tares are not bad church members, but bad men; those who have been under the influence of the wicked one
7. The righteous and wicked are to remain in the earth together. The righteous are not to exterminate the wicked. The evil and the good will be mixed until judgment day. 8. Then all shall be gathered at the throne of judgment. The righteous shall “inherit the kingdom.” All that are wicked shall be cast out of the kingdom. An eternal separation shall take place. —People’s New Testament.
Yes; true Christianity {i.e. that which Jesus Christ established approximately CE 33} will remain on the earth as long as honest and sincere men and women seek heaven for their eternal home –
cf. 1 Corinthians 15:19-28 – 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end , when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him; it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Indeed; the Devil will continue to corrupt mankind as long as the world exists; but the Devil’s end is predicted just as the second coming of Jesus Christ is promised to the faithful of every age of earth’s existence –
Revelation 20:10-15 – 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. {KJV}
GOD IS ETERNAL:
Since God is eternal the possibility of some failure to God’s promises and intentions is impossible. It was God who created all things and set all world operations into motion. To suggest that man will destroy the works of Almighty God is shear madness. God will continue from eternity to eternity without beginning or without end. This is mankind’s assurance that whatever God has revealed to mankind via His Book {i.e. the Bible – Jeremiah 10:23 – O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. {KJV}; that is exactly what will happen.
Genesis 21:33 – And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. {KJV}
Psalms 100:5 – For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. {KJV}
John 12:44-50 – 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 for I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. {KJV}
THE KINGDOM OF GOD {i.e. the church} IS ETERNAL:
2 Peter 1:10-12 – 10 wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. {KJV}
DO NOT BE DECEIVED:
Romans 16:16-18 – 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (KJV)
Consider this …
Therefore; since these things divinely revealed are true; man may confidently place his/her hope for the continued future of religion on the earth. I suggest that the projectors of the death of religion will be surprised come resurrection day when the following will occur …
2 Peter 3:10-14 – 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
BECOME A CHRISTIAN BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE …
1 Peter 4:17-18 – 17 for the time (is come) for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if (it begin) first at us, what (shall be) the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 – 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things (done) in the body, according to what he hath done, whether (it be) good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. {ASV}
Romans 14:8-12 – 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived (again), that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 but thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? Or thou again, why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 for it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. {ASV}
IT IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION TO FAIL TO BECOME … A Christian and live a faithful life in God’s service. Far too many people are missing the great privilege of being a part of the Lord’s Family on earth!