20141106 Thursday, November 6 2014
Job 27: What's The Expiration Date Of The Church?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things"

The true "Church of God" is a sacred Biblical term. It is not merely a man-made corporation, a "church" building, or a cult of some overbearing human "leader" - although millions of people have perverted it into one or all of those idolatrous things (see also Is Your Church A Cult? and Why Call Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not The Things Which I Say?).

While many claim otherwise for themselves and their lust to "lead," or to do as they please, in Christ's Name, at "my church," the "Church of God" did not originate by any pontifical man or woman, Roman Catholic or Protestant. It was created by the LORD (Who was and is Jesus Christ - see Genesis 1: In The Beginning Was The Word and The Kingdom Of The LORD God), from the command of the Father (see By Him Were All Things Created).

"1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:12-20 KJV)

In the actual languages of the Word of God (see The Word Of God In The Tongues Of Man), "church" means those called i.e. called out of the carnal world, to live according to the LORD's terms and conditions of salvation. That's what repentance means (see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners).

The limited-time purpose of the Church of God is to prepare those who choose to become native-born children of God in the Kingdom of God. That's what "born again" really means (see What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?). The Church of God will expire when the Kingdom of God has fully come because at that time there will be nothing to come out of (see The Church: Mission Accomplished).

"21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:1-8 KJV)

Job understood that his mortal existence would end, sooner or later, one way or another. Job understood that the troubles brought upon him by Satan (see How Did The Devil Challenge Job To Commit A Satan? and What Did Satan Do To Job's Soul?) were a test to provoke him into placing more value on a "limited time" existence (see Let Both Grow Together Until The Harvest) than the eternal life that will surely come to those who overcome (see The Harvests Of Salvation).

"27:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

27:2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

27:7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 27:8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 27:9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? 27:10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? 27:11 I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. 27:12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?

27:13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. 27:14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 27:15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep. 27:16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; 27:17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver. 27:18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh. 27:19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. 27:20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. 27:21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. 27:22 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. 27:23 Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place." (Job 27:1-23 KJV)

Fact Finder: Was Job fully aware of the coming resurrection and the Kingdom of God?
See Job's Prophecy Of The Resurrection