I wish to begin tonight by asking a question relating to an issue on the hearts and minds of many. Today, people are asking a most profound question. Does God have one true church in the world today? Is there a visible body of believers who follow Christ and His truth explicitly?

With over 300 Protestant denominations in the U.S. today, the Catholics, Jewish faith and the growing number of new religions you begin to wonder how anyone can possibly identify God’s true church.

A look at the Yellow pages is enough to frustrate many sincere seekers. TIME says new religions are exploding.Of all religious questions facing the modern truth-seeker, this is certainly the most demanding and also the most frustrating.  Conflicting voices from every quarter declare that they have the answer.

Denominations, sects, and cults make many claims based upon emotional interpretations of isolated Bible texts.  The average Christian today has been so totally turned off by these exaggerated boasts that many have even discounted the possibility that any "true church" could really exist.

But the question is valid. And more and more people are searching for truth and answers to their spiritual needs. Many are asking this question and searching for the right church. Baby Boomers and other Generation Xers, etc., are searching for user friendly church – meet their needs – but doesn’t ask for too much.

But again, with so many voices saying "This way, we have the truth," is there any way that the average person can tell whether God does have a literal, visible church today?

Sometimes people say, "Oh, I’m a member of this particular church because my parents were members. For as long as I can tell, our family has always been members of that church. I was born into this church.

Is it sufficient reason to be a member of some church simply because you happen to be born into it or because your parents are members. Simply because a person is born into a certain religion is no guarantee that it is true. Think for a moment.

What about heathen in the far out places of the world. Share the gospel of Christ – He says "my Father was a headhunter, and his father…and so on.    Would we say to him, "Well, if it was good enough for your father it is good enough for you. Certainly not, there must be a better reason to join a church than simply because I was brought up in it or my parents were members.

There are some people who say, "I’m a member of a certain church because I like the people who go there. Well, we might like the people we work with, but that doesn’t mean we believe exactly as they do.

Hey listen, It is certainly fuzzy thinking that leads a person to belong to a church just because he likes the people who go there.
Others attend a church because it is convenient. It is close and easy to go esp. in winter.  But I must ask again, "Is that sufficient reason to attend?"

Some think that the distinctive name of an organization will identify it as the right one.  So with over 300 different churches this makes matters difficult.

When we look beneath the surface at some of the reasons, they are rather flimsy indeed. The only reason to belong to any church is outlined very clearly in the word of God. The Bible gives us one of the best definitions of the church in 1 Timothy 3:15The church is to be the foundation of truth. The only valid reason to belong or attend any church is because we know and believe with all our hearts that the church is faithful to all the teachings of scripture.

I would not hesitate to tell you that if the church you are attending is not following the entire Word of God, then He would have you seriously consider whether you are attending the right church.

But with so many churches is it really possible to identify the church which is closet to the Bible standard of truth in these last days? Jesus gives us a precise answer.  John 7:17Now, this is a crucial point. If any man is willing to do the will of God, he will know. Are you willing to do God’s will? If you are not willing to make a change in your life when God reveals truth, you will never be able to understand truth.

If we are content and solid in our position and say, "I’ll never make a change," if our minds are locked to future discovery, it becomes impossible to really know the truth of God. This is why the whole Jewish nation rejected Christ as the Savior.

Well, can we be sure that we can be sure? Again, Jesus Himself answers this question.  John 8:32 Jesus says if you really want to know the truth, if in your heart you desire to know it and you’re willing to make a change in your life as God points out the truth, you will know it from the Word.
Now some think that God’s church is invisible. They say, "it is made up of faithful believers within every creed and denomination."

It is true that there are faithful men and women of God in every church.  Certainly, there are Baptist Christians, Reformed Christians, Catholic Christians and Pentecostal Christians. There are those who truly know and love Jesus in every congregation.  This is what we might call the "invisible Church". But in addition to this invisible body of believers, the Bible plainly teaches that there is a visible Church.

This was made very clear in the early New Testament period. Acts 2:41, 47 Those who accepted the truth were baptized and became a part of the Christian Church.  God had a literal group who honored Him by living in harmony with His will.  He leads people who are honest and faithful, to become a part of His visible body of believers.

Also in 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colosians 1:18; Ephesians 4: 4, 5 this is clearly shown.

Now, it is very important to recognize that no church can be proven right because it’s members are without sin.  For they will certainly be at various levels of personal sanctification.  The wheat and tares grow together also.  So no church is make up of entirely perfect people.

But the question remains, is there some valid way to identify the church, which is closest to the Bible standards of truth? It must be apparent to all, that if God has such a special church then it must be clearly and explicitly revealed in His Holy Word. I make no claims about what you hear tonight.  Although, I know it can revolutionize your life.  Tonight, each night let God’s Word reveal in its own logical language the Truth on this wonderful subject. Tonight’s study deals largely with Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1,2 Here is introduced one most familiar Bible symbol.  In both the Old and New Testament Church – woman represents God’s people – His Church.

2 Corinthians 11:2 – speaking to His church says – " have espoused you as a chaste virgin to Christ" – the Bridegroom.
Jeremiah 6:2 - "likened Zion …Woman"
Isaiah 51:16 - "Zion, thou art my people" – church
Woman – Revelation 12 – apostolic church – 12 stars – apostles
Moon – fading glory of Old Covenant in contrast to glory of new.

Now trace history of true church from beginning to present. 
Revelation 12:3, 4 Revelation 12: 5  – Man child caught up to heaven – Christ
Rule all nations – Revelation 19:15 – Revelation 2:27; Psalms 2:9
Dragon – Rome – Herod order to kill babies - Joseph – dream – fled to Egypt - Devil has especially worked through Roman Empire.
Dragon failed to kill Jesus and now turns attention to church – Revelation 12:13 Nearly all early disciples – leaders martyred.  Cruel pagan sporting arenas – theaters of death for those who followed gospel.
Pagan Rome became Papal Rome – persecutions even greater.  50 million – Dark Ages – Protestants – Waldenses, Hugenots, Albegenses – streams red with blood of faithful.

Revelation 12:15,16 shows desperate attempt to wipe out people of God. "The Earth helped the Woman" - True church - go hide Wilderness –how long?Revelation 12:14  – "Times, times, half a time." What is meant – when end?  Answer in Revelation 12:6 

Prophetic rule – Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34 – A day for a year.
True church must not appear until end of 1260 years.  Reaches from 538 to 1798.  Most important observation – could not be Catholic. TRUE CHURCH NOT APPEAR - until after 1798 based on sound Biblical prophecy.

Now – description of church as it would appear.  Revelation 12:17 Most crucial text in entire Bible on this subject.  No more concise description – so important – analize every word.
 
"Dragon" – who is this?  Revelation 12:9 gives the answer – we already know this.    "Was enraged" – means angry.  "With the woman" – dragon angry with pure church.   "Went to make war with the rest of her offspring."  KJV says with remnant of her seed.  What is remnant?  Last piece on a bolt of cloth.  Exactly like first – but comes at the end – always small.  "Rest of" – "Remaining ones" This tells us it holds the same doctrines as early apostolic church. Revelation Reveals God’s Remnant Notice this distinct feature - "Keep Commandments of God" – should expect this – Ten Commandments form basis for all morality – true worship. "Have testimony of Jesus"  - 3rd mark – what is this?

Bible must explain –  Revelation 19:10 - "Testimony of Jesus is Spirit of Prophecy" Do you get – Spirit of excitement – zero in on the answer to most sought after secret.

Allowing the Bible to do the identifying – Remnant possesses 3 Bible marks:
1.      Arise after 1798
2.      Keeps all Ten Commandments  
3.      Have Spirit of Prophecy
4.      Church last end piece – remnant of historic truth – proclaiming God’s last day special message.

Does God have a special message for true church to proclaim? Matthew 24:14 - "This gospel of the kingdom" - Last sign of Christ Coming – world wide preaching of "gospel of kingdom" Found in –  Revelation 14:6,7
 
Revelation 19:10 - Notice only John’s brethren have it. Let’s find out who John’s brethren are – Revelation 22:8,9Most urgent in Bible – Revelation 14:9,10 -  end comes soon as preached to all the world.  Revelation 14:14-16

Message of Judgement – Worship of Creator – Sound familiar?  - 4th Commandment – Ex. 20:11 – Sabbath part of true gospel.
In time of universal skepticism – evolution – atheism and humanism being espoused so profusely - Call – remember Sabbath – true Creator God Warns against receiving Mark of Beast.Fourth mark - Proclaims last warning messageThat message includes: 1.      Judgement has come
2.      True Sabbath worship 
3.      Fall of Babylon
4.      Mark of Beast

This message must go to all of the world – only one church doing this today – The Remnant Church - Seventh-day AdventistsYou have seen prophecy fulfilled night by night.  Any thinking person – realizes most fantastic spiritual secret.

Have in hand four amazing facts – 1. Arises after 1798; 2. All commandments; 3. Spirit of Prophecy; 4. Preaches 3 Angels message worldwide
First - must arise after 1798 – eliminates most Protestant Churches
Second – must keep all Commandments of God – most admit do not keep 4th – true Sabbath.  Brush aside – strange God wrote Remember So the majority who past first, fail second test.
Third – must have Spirit of Prophecy manifested.  What does this mean? Lets examine-      Revelation 19:10 Revelation 22:8, 9Brethren were the prophets.  Only prophets qualify as having the Spirit of prophecy which is the  "testimony of Jesus." Early church had this –   I Corinthians 1: 6, 7Here it is called a gift. Especially important for last days as we wait for coming of Christ – verse 7.  That’s why the gift is manifested in the remnant church of Bible prophecy.
New Test. Church had gifts – Ephesians 4:11Where are gifts today? – Pastors, etc.  But what about the Prophetic gift?  Most believe this was done away after New Testament.  Well no question the Early church had this gift Acts 13:1- See this revealed all through New Testament concerning the early church."Four daughters" – of Philip are another example –   Acts 1:9 Well, the question is what has happened - Why did the prophetic gift disappear from church during dark ages after early church?  This is not the first time it was absence of the gift.
In Old Testament – God led by 2 divine agencies – Jeremiah 26:4-6Do you notice how the law and prophets go together?  Lamentations 2:9In times of disobedience (ignore the law) – no counsel, only rebuke. Ezekiel 20:3 Why not answer? – Ezekiel 20:11-13  Surely see – forsaken law – especially Sabbath. Same thing happened in early church.

Shown in pictures (4 horses) – church history – represented by seals in Revelation 6 Let’s look at this in Revelation 6:1, 2
First - White – Conquering Faith - pure – based on Word of God  
Second – Red – Revelation 6:4 - martyrdom      
Third – Black – Revelation 6:5, 6 - Compromised Faith Paul warned about - Acts 20:28-30  Time of Constantine – Sunday keeping
Fourth – Grey – Spiritual Death – Union of Church and StateChurch and State – Persecution of true believers – God raised up Reformers to uncover truths lost.   Prophets disappeared – easy to see why.

Last days – back together in church - Revelation 12:17 - Remnant - same as first. Is there a church that meets all the tests? If so it no doubt would be comparatively small in comparison to great churches of today. Matthew 7:14 Remnant – small piece

Truth never was popular – age of materialism – even religion being distorted to cater to materialistic society.  Not found among popular, worldly, indulgent lifestyles of worlds masses, traditions.

Says God’s people, His church – deny worldliness as they prepare for 2nd Coming of JesusBible says God would have church – pictured in – Revelation 14:12

Revelation 14:1 – 4  – not have corrupt doctrine. Not defiled with women – those harlots in Revelation 17:5 – those daughters of the Roman church apostasy

Respond to message – come out – Revelation 18:4

Today one church – Seventh-day Adventist - Around world –preaching messages in 98%.  Arose out of movement in 1844 – preaching Judgement message and 2nd coming. God.  Began keeping the Law – learned about Sabbath – other vital truths – lost under rubbish pile of error and tradition

Gift of Prophecy restored to the church - manifested in Ellen G. White – received special visions to guide and encourage – point people to truths of the word. Only 3rd grade education yet more than 60 books - Desire of Ages – greatest ever on life of Christ. Not to take place of Bible as with some others today.  Isaiah 8:20 - Everything she said or wrote was simply to lead us to study the word of God.

Tonight, greatest proof Jesus soon to come – "This gospel shall be preached to all the world then end shall come"

Miracle how a church with only a hand full in 1860 with an unpopular message – evangelized the world. But exactly what is being done today?
Tonight, would you like to join the great prophetic movement of God?  May the Lord give you courage to lay hold of the truth and rejoice with its triumph.

Acts 2:41, 47  – The Lord added to His Church those who were baptized and saved.  Those saved are part of His Church which keep the 10 Commandments.
Jesus is coming for His Bride – His Church.  He wants to give you a chance to make a decision now. John 10:27 – His sheep hear His voice! He wants us to become part of one fold – the Church that obeys His word and follows His truth.

Do you hear His voice calling you tonight to obey Him – join with others who love and serve Him.

Two neighbor boys were herding sheep close together on the side of a mountain when a fierce storm forced them to take refuge under an overhanging rock. Their sheep crowded in close to them. After the storm the boys found it impossible to separate the two flocks.Finally, as it grew late they started for home with the mixed flock of sheep following them. Halfway down the mountain the mountain the boys parted, each taking the path to his own home.

As the sheep came to the fork in the trail they, too, separated, each one following his own shepherd. God does not need a computer printout to know who are His? He knows which shepherd each person follows. The proof that we are His sheep is that we follow Him, that we join the right flock!

There is coming a great separation day when the sheep will be placed on the right and the goats on the left. By standing firmly for truth today we will gain the necessary strength to be true to God and the principles of truth when the crises over God’s law comes to a head.
May God help us to choose to be on His side today.