Before we continue with Habakkuk’s prophecy and the coming of the “BEAST THAT WAS” we should like to briefly interject here a few questions which were asked in regards to what we were talking about in our last post concerning membership in one of the various branches or denominations of Babylon.
Question: Would you say that one is to be faulted for being a member of such denominations?
No my friend we would not, the Lord only holds us responsible for what we know, (i.e. what we understand) in regards to this matter not what we do not. Presently many of the Lord’s true sheep can be found both within and without of Babylon, for not all have heard the Lord’s call,
‘Come out of her MY people!” (Rev 18:4)
Alas many of the Lord’s true people are completely obvious of the true nature and condition of Babylon (Christendom) and of the dire circumstances in which they place themselves by remaining there. However no one is called out of Babylon until first he sees (understands) her true condition for himself.
We ourselves would never urge anyone to come out of Babylon. If they have “ears to hear” God’s voice (his word) alone will tell them plainly to take this step, and give the reason why they should do so.
As it is written, “…he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for THEY know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:3-5)
Since it is the Lord who calls his people out of Babylon, we cannot doubt that, whatever may be his agencies for giving the call; all truly his people will hear it one way or another.
Question: Would you say that one is to be faulted for being a member of such denominations? That if one is a Southern Baptist for example, that labeling themselves under this title, that they are against the will of God?
To label one self by any other term but Christian is an evidence of carnality (fleshly mindedness), and consequently in opposition to the Spirit of Christ. It is an evidence of a lack of spiritual perception that there is but ONE Bridegroom; calling ourselves by any other name would be to that extent renouncing our betrothal, i.e. misunderstanding the divine arrangement as worldly people might be expected to do.
The Apostle in 1 Cor 3:3, 4 pointed out to the Corinthians that such divisions among them, a party spirit, dividing themselves under various human leaderships (one saying “I am of Paul”, and another, “I am of Apollos”) rather than uniting themselves under Christ, the true and only head were evidences of their low spiritual development.
Sectarianism is wholly out of accord with the teachings of the Scriptures.
However I personally believe that if through ignorance one should refer to him or herself as Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist or etc. then the Lord would forgive them this fault, however if one should be made aware of this mistake, i.e. be made to understand that this is a sign of a carnal mind, then one would be obligated, if one considers oneself a true Christian to thence forth no longer refer to themselves as or by any denominational name, but rather merely as a Christian.
In this case you would say when asked by someone,
‘What denomination are you?’
‘Well I attend a Baptist Church, but I am not a Baptist, I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, and I meet wherever the Lord’s people can be found.’
We will return to our study of Habakkuk’s prophecy in our next post.
