OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #25
| - Church The Way To Heaven - |
INTRODUCTION. From Ephesians 5:23 it says, “…even as Christ is the head of the
church: and He is the Savior of the body.” Christ is Savior of the body, which is His
church, of which there is one, EPHESIANS 1:22-23; And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved." The Lord God adds to the church those who are saved, not
the unsaved. He adds the saved to the church, not to a denomination.
church: and He is the Savior of the body.” Christ is Savior of the body, which is His
church, of which there is one, EPHESIANS 1:22-23; And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved." The Lord God adds to the church those who are saved, not
the unsaved. He adds the saved to the church, not to a denomination.
I. Judgment and Hell - read MATTHEW 25:30-33,41,46. The “Son of Man” who is
“the King” says there will be: “…outer darkness … weeping and gnashing … cursed …
everlasting fire … prepared for the devil …everlasting punishment.” Souls outside of
Christ and His church are destined for hell. To escape hell, “The King” has provided one
kingdom / church (COL. 1:13,18); “The Son of Man” has one “whole family” (EPHESIANS
3:14-15). The Christ has but one church. EPHESIANS 3:21. Unto Him be glory in the
church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. No imaginations of
men or nations of any generation will ever change this fact. This one church is identified in
the Bible as the church of Christ which was: Promised by Christ (MATT. 16:18; see DAN.
2:44; ISA 2:2-3); Purchased by Christ (ACTS 20:28; EPH. 1:7; 5:25); & Perfected by
Christ (EPH. 4:12; 5:26-27).
“the King” says there will be: “…outer darkness … weeping and gnashing … cursed …
everlasting fire … prepared for the devil …everlasting punishment.” Souls outside of
Christ and His church are destined for hell. To escape hell, “The King” has provided one
kingdom / church (COL. 1:13,18); “The Son of Man” has one “whole family” (EPHESIANS
3:14-15). The Christ has but one church. EPHESIANS 3:21. Unto Him be glory in the
church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. No imaginations of
men or nations of any generation will ever change this fact. This one church is identified in
the Bible as the church of Christ which was: Promised by Christ (MATT. 16:18; see DAN.
2:44; ISA 2:2-3); Purchased by Christ (ACTS 20:28; EPH. 1:7; 5:25); & Perfected by
Christ (EPH. 4:12; 5:26-27).
II. Salvation and Heaven - read HEBREWS 12:18-21,22-25. According to EXO. 19:12-
19, the giving of the Old Testament law to Israel at earthly Mount Sinai, was manifested
with thunder, fire, exceeding loud trumpet sound, and the voice of God. It filled Israel with
such awe that they entreated that God no more speak directly to them (EXO.20:19). The
command and the death penalty of EXO. 19:12 added to their terror. So now in the New
Testament, the gospel goes forth from Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem, and also a symbol of
heaven. The “heavenly Jerusalem” (v.22) is where our Lord dwells, and also eternal home
of the faithful. Only obedience to the New Testament gospel of Christ can give one the right
to a place in that city. The “innumerable company” (v.22) are the angels of heaven. The
"general assembly and church of the firstborn" (v.23) is the general church of Christ
(COL. 1:18, cf. lesson #13 on church). Back in Israel the firstborn son inherited the
birthright (GEN 27:1,36), but now in Christ all the saints have the firstborn birthright,
because they have been “born again” (JOHN 3:3,5; cf.1 COR 15:23). Their names are
“written in heaven”, LUKE 10:20; REVEL. 20:15. God the Judge of all, will make
judgment in behalf of the one persecuted church. While the blood of Abel cried for
vengeance, the blood of Christ pleads for mercy, on your behalf - - - IF “ye refuse not…
Him that speaketh from heaven”, HEB 12:25.
19, the giving of the Old Testament law to Israel at earthly Mount Sinai, was manifested
with thunder, fire, exceeding loud trumpet sound, and the voice of God. It filled Israel with
such awe that they entreated that God no more speak directly to them (EXO.20:19). The
command and the death penalty of EXO. 19:12 added to their terror. So now in the New
Testament, the gospel goes forth from Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem, and also a symbol of
heaven. The “heavenly Jerusalem” (v.22) is where our Lord dwells, and also eternal home
of the faithful. Only obedience to the New Testament gospel of Christ can give one the right
to a place in that city. The “innumerable company” (v.22) are the angels of heaven. The
"general assembly and church of the firstborn" (v.23) is the general church of Christ
(COL. 1:18, cf. lesson #13 on church). Back in Israel the firstborn son inherited the
birthright (GEN 27:1,36), but now in Christ all the saints have the firstborn birthright,
because they have been “born again” (JOHN 3:3,5; cf.1 COR 15:23). Their names are
“written in heaven”, LUKE 10:20; REVEL. 20:15. God the Judge of all, will make
judgment in behalf of the one persecuted church. While the blood of Abel cried for
vengeance, the blood of Christ pleads for mercy, on your behalf - - - IF “ye refuse not…
Him that speaketh from heaven”, HEB 12:25.
There is only one church, and it is the only company of the saved. The church being "the
bride, the Lamb's wife," Jesus shall appear for His bride, the church (REVELATION 21:9;
cp EPHESIANS 5:23; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2).
INVITATION. Are you refusing God’s offer? Or will you trust and obey Christ, to be in
His one Church. If you obey Him, the reward is written in 1 PETER 1:3-5. "Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven
for you." To obey Christ one must: Hear God’s Word (Romans 10:14-17); Believe that
gospel (Hebrews 11:6); Repent of sins (Acts 2:38); Confess that Jesus is Son of God
(Matthew 10:32-33); Be baptized by immersion for remission of sins (Roman 6:1-6); Be
faithful (Rev.2:10).
bride, the Lamb's wife," Jesus shall appear for His bride, the church (REVELATION 21:9;
cp EPHESIANS 5:23; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2).
INVITATION. Are you refusing God’s offer? Or will you trust and obey Christ, to be in
His one Church. If you obey Him, the reward is written in 1 PETER 1:3-5. "Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven
for you." To obey Christ one must: Hear God’s Word (Romans 10:14-17); Believe that
gospel (Hebrews 11:6); Repent of sins (Acts 2:38); Confess that Jesus is Son of God
(Matthew 10:32-33); Be baptized by immersion for remission of sins (Roman 6:1-6); Be
faithful (Rev.2:10).