"Come out from among her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues." Rev. 18:4 I find these to be some of the most stunning, yet neglected words of Scripture. John pleads with souls to separate themselves from the whoring, apostate church that they might have salvation. Their continuation in that communion puts them in a double danger: They will be entangled in the gross sins associated with the false church and they will experience the temporal, and perhaps eternal, judgments that God inflicts upon her. The point is easy to recognize: If you side with those who set themselves against Christ, gravity will have its way. You will be pulled in the direction of darkness. Then, when the damns of God's anger break, you will find yourself being given over to the miseries that it brings. As the mainline denominations of today continue to tank and churches openly affirm their disregard for the principles of Christ, there is need for this call to be heeded. Christian people must leave churches that do not recognized the headship of Christ. If a church condones homosexuality or abortion, waffles on the exclusivity of Christ for salvation, or continually neglects to preach the pure gospel, then that church no longer is Christian. It has capitulated to the world and committed fornication with it. It is incumbent upon you to leave it and have no more fellowship with that institution. This is true for individual churches which are a part of wayward denominations. The fight you put up is admirable. Your love for those people and the heritage associated with it is honorable. However, you must cut those ties for the sake of purity and peace. To fail to sever the relationship is to make a god out of your denomination and put yourself and the righteous souls with you in great peril. I know you think that it is pious to continue and try to win souls, but this is a false premise. True piety is following Christ's behest. Disobedience to these words is not heroism. It is rebellion. Remember, bad company corrupts good morals. You are not immune to their ways. Can a man remain free from the stench of dung if he lives in a barn? No matter what he does. No matter how hard he tries to steer clear of the stalls, he will eventually wreak of the mess. Dear friend, you would never join yourself to a fellowship which affirms the legitimacy of rape. You would be aghast at the thing. But you now ascribe to a fellowship that approves of a man's lust for another man! By your affiliation you give approval to the act! Your complacency in removing yourself shows how you have already been sucked in to the ways of darkness. Evil has already begun to charm you. If you do not flee, you will find that the coals of brimestone will be heaped upon your head. Some will say, "I am safe. For I am in an independent church. We have no denominational ties!" But oh, how easily you can fool yourself. Do you think that a church without any Christian accountability is free from Satan's grip? There are many an independent church that like this freedom. They are all the more free to tickle men's ears. It behooves you to listen well. Listen to what is not said in the pulpit. Do you hear the silence? There is no gospel there. No one is told to repent. Instead there is fun. Silliness and frivolity abound. Where is the thunder of the law? Where is the consolation of Christ in the gospel? It is absent! For Christ is not there! Run then from this whore! Come out from her and be separate. Do not be mesmerized by her enchantments. The Song of the Siren will lead only to your destruction. Christ says plainly, "My sheep hear my voice and follow me." If you are one of his sheep, then may your ears be open. Turn away from the brothel of unbelief and enter a true fold of Christ.
1 Comment
Jacque
5/27/2012 03:59:27 am
Rev. Timmons, Do you have a list of approved denominations? For example, I know conservative Baptist pastors who say we do not need to spend time with God every day. The Grace Brethren church is not a denomination, they say, but rather independent churches which have a fellowship with others. As with all denominations, some pastors in this "fellowship" are okay, while others are not. Certainly Methodist, Lutheran, and mainline Presbyterian churches would be out. Many Baptist churches would be out. Have you a list of Timmons--approved churches and denominations? I know one half-non-denominational church that calls itself reformed. Do you know their official views on baptism? They say that some believe in infant baptism and some do not, so they accept either! Should we not also flee from such a church, Reverend?
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