Christian maturity is growing up into the Lord. When we become disciples, by seeking Him and His kingdom above all else, day and night, in all we do, we are building our life on the Rock which cannot be shaken when storms come. Those who have been so trained will not fear the increasing shakings of our times but see them as opportunities for the greatest hope the world has ever heard preached—the gospel of the kingdom.
The Lord said the times will be especially troubling for those who “nurse babes” or keep those they are responsible for in immaturity. Obviously, the times will also be especially troubling for those kept in immaturity. However, we must keep in mind “with the Lord a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day” (II Peter 3:8). This means He can do in one day what we think will take a thousand years.
Regardless of how much time we have wasted, or not matured as we should, He can help us make up for our lost time and immaturity. However, we do not have any more time to waste. We must resolve to become the disciples we have been called to be and to lead others into this highest, greatest, and most serious of all callings—the most wonderful and glorious life we could possibly live.
We know from biblical prophecy there will be a church at the end of this age that will be the pure and spotless bride of Christ. This church will also be like a city set on a hill that has such light and unity that it shows the world what society is called to be. The world saw the seed of this in the first century, but at the end of the age, it will see that seed grown into a mature plant with mature fruit. It will have such miraculous unity in the time of the world’s greatest divisions and chaos, it will convince the world Jesus was indeed sent by the Father (See John 17:21).
We may look at the church now and think this is far from reality. It is and seems to be moving in the opposite direction. For men, this unity and purity is impossible, but with God all things are possible. True faith does not put limits on what God can do or how fast He can do it (though He usually takes more time than we may want Him to). Yet as we come to the end of this age, everything is speeding up!
To see what the Lord is doing in His church, we must begin by distinguishing the church He is building from the church men have built. The Lord can bless many things, but there’s a difference between what He can bless and what He can inhabit. He may bless and visit what we have built for Him, but He will only dwell in what He has built.
Since the first century, many including John in Revelation, have foreseen a harlot church called “Mystery Babylon.” This church will be so large it will rule the nations for a time, but this is not the true church. It’s a harlot that has joined herself to the spirit of this world. The church Jesus is building is those who have not married the spirit of this world. It is those who remain faithful as a pure, chaste virgin, waiting for Him. The church the world recognizes, and His church are not the same. However, there are many in the world’s church who will be called out in due time to become part of His bride.
To be part of what He is building, we must first be part of what allows Him to choose leaders. He still chooses leaders the way He did when He walked the earth. When He looked for His church leaders, He did not look within the religious establishment of His time. He went “outside the camp.” In fact, He went so far outside the camp He chose possibly the twelve least likely to have been chosen by anyone else. As we are told in Hebrews 13:12-14:
Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
History teaches us how truth can lose its power and become corrupt when institutionalized. Since its beginning, all the messengers who brought needed change to the church either came from outside the camp of institutionalized religion or were forced to go outside the camp to remain true to their calling. So, why do we seek conformity and acceptance from the institutions of our time?
Scripture tells us. It begins when we care more about the approval of men than the approval of God. This leads churches and organizations to become part of the harlot church that gives herself to the spirit of this world instead of remaining faithful to Christ. But we also know a church will emerge at the end of this age that will be a perfect reflection of the work of the Lord and what He is about to do to redeem and restore the entire earth. Our most important duty at this time is to be part of this temple of the Lord that will be a light to the nations.
© 2022 Rick Joyner. All rights reserved.
