Jesus was asked by his disciples, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"(Matt.18:1). And he replied, "Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
That reply means that 98.5% of all the people on earth will not be in God's kingdom. For in another text, Jesus was asked, "Lord, are there few that be saved?"(Luke 13:23). And he never said yes, or no. He replied, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate."(Luke 13:24). And we know, incidentally, the "we" refers to true Christians, that from the sermon on the mount, only a few will find the "strait gate."
This tragic reality was made manifest in the history of Israel and The Worldwide Church of God. Just over 1650 years after the creation of Adam, God destroyed humanity with a flood, and only 8 people were saved. Later God destroyed the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and only 3 people were saved. And 430 years after God confirmed the promised to Abraham, he led over 600,000 Israelis out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses, and only 2 people, Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land. So there is a pattern of only a few being saved.
Sadly, the modern tragedy is, WCG at its zenith boasted to have had 96,000 baptised members, an annual income of around $220 million dollars and around 2,500 ministers, including local elders. Yet, if my former local congregation is a reflection of what has occurred in other congregations, then the number of people that were truly converted, with a child like attitude, is in a ratio of 3:250. For, apart from myself, there were only 2 people in that congregation that were truly converted: Mrs Quinn and Miss Thorpe. All the others were just attending services, and the most wicked of them were those who were ordained ministers of Christ, without the faintest idea of what it truly means to be a faithful minister Jesus Christ.
These hirelings, for that is what they were, will be the first to be thrown into the lake of fire. While the few, who are truly converted, with a child like attitude, will be ushered in the the kingdom of heaven to enjoy God's eternal glory.
Isn't that wonderful!
9 comments:
Wonderful for you Tom!
which is your church I want to be converted
You can't be converted while being anonymous. You have to come in out of the shadows.
Tom, what is the meaning of 'I shall be at Mizpeh until desolation overspreads the land!'?
Regards, Winston Smith.
Mizpeh is first mentioned in Genesis 31:49, but to get the context you should also read from verse 44. It calls upon God to watch over his people in any covenant they make; and place of that covenant is called Mizpeh.
Christ has made a covenant with those that have been called to repentance and baptism, and on the day, and place, of their baptism, God is called upon to watch that they keep his covenant. That covenant is made with the blood of Christ.
Therefore, true Christians are to remain at Mizpeh, watching that they are keeping the covenant of God, until desolation overspreads the land, and the kingdom of God is established.
Thanks for the explanation although I am not sure I understand. Are you alone in Mizpeh or is Mrs Quinn and Miss Thorpe with you? Regards, Winston Smith.
Well, I knew that you won't fully understand the analogy of Mizpeh. But it symbolises a place from where one watches to make sure that one is keeping God's covenant. Today, it is not a specific location, but anyone who is watching that he or she keeps the covenant of God is at Mizpeh.
Both Miss Thorpe and Mrs Quinn died several years ago. So they have gone to that rest where no waters beat upon the shore.
Hello Tom, Many thanks for answering my questions. I have one more if you don't mind. Who do you think has the Key of David at the moment? Regards, Winston Smith.
Firstly, what I think doesn't matter, it is what the bible teaches that counts. So, according to the bible Jesus has the key of David(Rev.3:7).
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