Steven Shek—Edinburgh, UK

INTRODUCTION

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ that we have been born within the century of the True Jesus Church’s establishment in 1917. This is, indeed, God’s grace and mercy. Not only that, it is God’s grace that we can read the Scriptures to see the next phase of God’s plan for His church.[1]

THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH: A RUINED CITY

When the Bible mentions Zion, Jerusalem or the city, it often refers, in a spiritual sense, to the church. God repeatedly prophesied that He would establish His church (His kingdom) on earth through the downpour of the Holy Spirit,[2] which occurred for the first time during Pentecost, as recorded in Acts.

However, before the apostolic church was established, Jesus explained how He, the Savior, had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, which foreshadowed His coming and sacrifice. Thus, He revealed to us His divinity and the direction of the church.[3] Previously, salvation was granted only to the Jews; however, through the grace of Jesus’ death, it is now open to all. After the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, that God would “pour out [His] Spirit on all flesh.…That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:28–32), the gospel converted Jews and Gentiles alike. Despite the early confusion and challenges that this created (e.g., debates over the need for circumcision and the extension of salvation grace to the Gentiles),[4] the Holy Spirit guided the apostolic church to understand fully Amos’ prophecy:

"On that day I will raise up

The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,

And repair its damages;

I will raise up its ruins,

And rebuild it as in the days of old;

That they may possess the remnant of Edom,

And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,”

Says the LORD who does this thing. (Amos 9:11–12)[5]

It is also God’s plan to save the Gentiles. When the entire church believed and accepted God’s inclusion of the Gentiles, the gospel prospered even further: “the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).

Yet, God had already foreseen that the apostolic church would become unfaithful (Isa 1:21). Paul’s numerous warnings to guard against false teachings indicate that the church suffered serious spiritual attacks.[6] Heresies infiltrated believers’ hearts through “persuasive words” based on “philosophy and empty deceit,” causing believers to be hooked by worldly concepts rather than the teachings of Christ (Col 2:4, 8). The church deteriorated further when some began to teach so-called doctrines based on “fables and endless genealogies” (1 Tim 1:3–4). Leaders and ordinary members resisted the truth.[7] The situation became so bad that Jude fought for the truth to save members from godless deceivers, who served only themselves (Jude 12–13). Before Paul died, believers had left the church in droves[8] and, instead of Jesus’ truth being preached and practiced, false humility and corruption reigned.

RESTORING THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH: A FAITHFUL CITY

Despite the decline of the apostolic church, God’s foreknowledge and enduring mercy give us, True Jesus Church members in the end time, hope and strength. The Scriptures prophesied not only the establishment of the apostolic church, but also the true church today:

I will restore your judges as at the first,

And your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. (Isa 1:26)

It shall come to pass in that day

That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time. (Isa 11:11a)

These verses outline the restoration of the apostolic church as a faithful city, and align with the scriptural pattern of prophecies regarding the former and latter rain—the downpour of the Holy Spirit in two time-periods.[9] How would this restoration come about? According to Isaiah, God will reveal the unfaithful, the unrepentant, and those who create divisions in the church (Isa 1:24–31).[10]  He will then send true disciples to strengthen vulnerable and weak members: God’s work is not just in the cleansing but also the strengthening of His church. Micah prophesies that many will hear God’s words, but some will refuse to listen and will continue in their own ways or worship gods of their own making.[11]

However, God’s foreknowledge brings comfort: there will be those whose faith, while initially weak, is genuine and will be strengthened by allowing God to rule in their lives, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4–5). Zechariah prophesies that, in the latter days, the weak will become strong:

[O]ne who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them. (Zech 12:8)

Today, we have the privilege of seeing this wonderful prophecy being fulfilled, as we continue to build up the church.

THE STORY CONTINUES WITH US

From the Scriptures, we have seen the story of God’s church, our own story, unfold. The following passages eloquently sum up what remains for us to do.

First, we must draw closer to God:

[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:22–23)

Second, as we work together to build up the church, we must encourage each other:

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:24–25)

Third, as believers in the end time, we must also prepare ourselves to continue the story of God’s church:

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mk 16:15)

Finally, we must revive the spirit of the apostolic church in our hearts, according to the mercy of Jesus Christ:

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labour, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. (Col 1:27–29)

We ask the Lord to pour His Spirit on us in the time of the latter rain, so that “according to the power that works in us…[God may be glorified] in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:20a–21).