We are preparing to examine some very challenging facts about church history. If we do not see them through the Lord’s eyes, they can lead to cynicism and critical judgments of the church—and of people—which can darken our hearts. Let us keep in mind that not every church that has claimed to be the church of Jesus Christ was built by Him. His church has always been “a little flock,” a remnant that has resisted trying to build for this age. Rather, it seeks the city God is building, a heavenly city.

      The church the Lord is building is “not of this world” and is in contrast to the spirit of the world and the church man is building, which is of this world and, in many ways, is contrary to the Spirit of God. Distinguishing between these is one of the primary messages of the entire book of Revelation. The distinction between what man is building and what God is building addresses some of the most fundamental differences between walking with God and just adhering to religious practices. These are two different paths, and they are coming to an ultimate clash at the end of the age. This is a basic message of Revelation, and it is critical for us to understand now.

      These two ways are as different as the attempt by men to build a tower to heaven and Abraham’s pursuit of the city God is building. The men of Shinar sought to build a city for themselves and to make a name for themselves—not God—so they would not be scattered over the earth (see Genesis 11:4). In contrast, in the next chapter, God gave Abraham everything the men of Shinar had vainly sought. Abraham was shown the city that God was building, and he was given a name and a family that will last forever.

      There is much more we will cover about this vain tower men sought to build for themselves and what God is building. “Mystery Babylon,” which is addressed later in Revelation, is in conflict with what God is building, and this conflict is even now coming to a conclusion. The key to not being caught up in the false is to know the real. Like Abraham, we must be willing to leave the comfortable, worldly things we know to see God’s city, what He is building. His city will come down from heaven, in contrast to the beast the “Great Harlot” rides upon, which comes up out of the earth, representing its earthly nature (see Revelation 17).

      The contrast between what man is building and what God is building is illuminated in Hebrews 13:12: “Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” Jesus never became a part of “the camp,” the institutions men built for religion. Why?

      It is for the same reason that, when the people came to make Jesus king, He fled to the mountains. This seemingly noble desire to make Jesus king was actually very presumptuous. The people could not make Jesus king; He was born king! If the people make you king, who is going to rule? This desire also distinguishes the difference between what God is building and what man is building. The authority behind one is coming up out of the earth, from men. The other is coming down from above, from God, as Jesus did.

      Consider this: virtually any truth that becomes institutionalized becomes corrupted. It will not be long before people are defending the institution more than the truth for which it was built. As we’re exhorted in Hebrews 13, we must follow Jesus and go to Him outside the camp. Most look to institutional Christianity as the church, but it is man’s church. Its true nature will be revealed soon.

      We may protest that the institutional church has done many good things, and it has. The Lord will bless the things done in His name as much as He can, but He will only inhabit what He builds. Ultimately, as He said in Matthew 15:13, every plant that He did not plant will be uprooted. This will include many things that were built with good intentions, even for Him, and have done many good works—but were not built by Him. The book of Revelation reveals these distinctions, which will become increasingly clear as we proceed in our study.