 | Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704. |
Religion
2004-10-01 11:05:00
What is meant... “there will be just one Church” at the end of time?
: I have heard different scholars say that at the end of time, there will be just one Church. What does this mean?
ANSWER: I don't know what teachers you are quoting or on what "end time prophecies" they base their teachings. But maybe you have been reading predictions about The Tribulation. In this case, the prophecy is that the only church permitted will be the False Church! Or if the "end of time" refers to Heaven, then the True Church will be the only one. This consists of all persons who have trusted the true God, thrown themselves on His mercy, accepted forgiveness based on Christ's sacrificial death, and taken Him as Lord of their lives. The Greek word translated "church" in the New Testament, meaning "a recognizable group" or "a congregation." It was used in the New Testament for the early Christians, once in reference to the people of Israel at an earlier time, and even once used for a pagan mob. Today we use "church" in reference to a church organization or even to the building in which people worship. One denomination makes it a practice to use the word correctly by labeling their buildings: "The - - Street Church of Christ meets Here". There may be changes as the "End" draws near. But even then, the visible church will be as described by Jesus in His parable about the Tares and the Wheat. The genuine wheat and the fake wheat grow together and become discernable only at harvest time. (Matt. 13:24-30)
