10 - The Reformation and the Modern Day Church

The Thread - traced in The Reformation and The Modern Day Church

Image credit - Immo Wegmann - Unsplash.com

This timeline highlights a thread of truth which runs throughout human history from creation, through every time period illustrated on this timeline, right through to the end times as recorded in the book of Revelation.

That thread is this:

God is Alpha and Omega; as creator, he has revealed himself to mankind as the only true and supreme God for all nations.

He communicates with us and desires to participate in our lives in order to have a relationship with us. His ultimate goal is to prepare us to spend eternity with him in perfect holiness and happiness through salvation.

This thread starts in Genesis chapter one and continues through all of human history as recorded in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

There are two opposing forces which can also be traced from Genesis to Revelation.

First - is the unrelenting sinful nature and stubborn rebellion of mankind refusing to submit to God's laws.

Second - is the constant stalking and harassment of that ancient serpent, the devil. He never gives up in his vain attempts to thwart the will of God in his dealings with mankind.

All through human history, God reigns supreme and in the closing chapters of Revelation, Satan finally meets his eternal doom while the saved of earth enter an eternity of bliss and happiness with God.

The Thread

Period 10: The Reformation & Modern Day Church

Here, in the age of the Reformation & Modern Day Church, we see the perils of human control manifested in two main areas of influence.

First: on a negative note, we witness division created by human stubbornness and pride. We see the erosion of truth as a result of human ignorance and departure from the teachings of the New Testament.

Second: we see the malevolent and destructive work of Satan as he tries to pollute the church and disrupt the work of evangelism and prevent the preaching of the gospel.

On a victorious note, we see the fulfilment of the words of Christ; “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Christ also told the religious leaders of his day that he came to save the lost. On the ‘Fall of Man’ page, we have stressed the point that mankind is fallen, we are born in sin and we are broken people.

The church will never be a perfect place while there are sinful people in it. But we are redeemed, we are forgiven, we have hope. We need to learn to live together in unity by practicing the teachings of the New Testament.

How wonderful it is after all the dispensational ages from the early church to the modern day church, to witness the vibrant church today in every major town and city across the world.

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4 v 1-6

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.