May 27 - Week 21 - The Book of Revelation, Part 31 - Rick Joyner

      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.   READ MORE