Estimates suggest there are likely millions of churches worldwide. That is a vast number to choose from, but do not despair. In this lesson, I will show you the Bible’s secret to finding God’s true church.
Ex 25:9
9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. NIV
In this passage, God instructs Moses to build him a temple according to the heavenly pattern. The main reason for this was so that God could dwell amongst Israel. The second is so that the worship service done on earth matches the one happening in heaven as we pray, ‘thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.
Ps 77:13
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? KJV
A study of the sanctuary message will give a clearer understanding of how a true church administers itself. Anything that departs from that is not of God. Here are six points drawn from the sanctuary message you can use to consider the true church of God.
- Alter and sin offering (Ex 27:1-8, Heb 9:22)
John 1:29-30
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! NIV
At the gate of the sanctuary was erected an altar for sin offering representing Christ who came to die for the sins of the world. This should be your first clue that any church that does not recognize Christ in its beliefs is not from God. You should eliminate such from your bucket list.
1 John 2:22-23
22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist — he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. NIV
- Laver (Ex 30:17-21, 38:8)
The laver basin was for feet and hand washing by the priest before carrying out any temple service lest they die instantly. What representation of the washing that Jesus performed do we have? It is baptism by the water and the Holy Spirit to signify a new birth and cleansing from sin. This is your second clue that any church that does not practise the correct baptism is not of God. Jesus was baptised by immersion once and he desires his followers to do likewise. Also, take note that the hand and foot washing was so that before handling God’s business one is consecrated.
Titus 3:5-6
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, NIV
John 3:5-6
5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. NIV
- Table of showbread (Ex 25:23-30, Lev 24:5-8)
Inside the Holy part of the sanctuary was a table where twelve portions of bread were placed and replaced weekly. This bread was also food for the priests. What other representation of bread do we have in the bible? We have that of Jesus being the bread and water of life. His children are to eat of this bread which suggests a deep spiritual connection and commitment to Jesus through faith and study of his living testament which gives life. This is your third clue that any church that does not believe in man’s dependence upon God for both temporal and spiritual food, and that it is received only through the mediation of Christ is not of God.
John 6:53-55
53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him at the last day…58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” NIV
- Seven branched Candlestick (Ex 25:31-40)
John 1:6-9
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe. 8 He was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. NIV
The candlestick represented God’s presence in the Tabernacle, his provision of spiritual light and guidance, the call to be a source of light in the world, and the church’s role in carrying the light of God’s revelation. This is your fourth clue that any church that does not reflect the life of Christ is not from God. The true church of God is on a mission of spreading the good news of the bible to all the ends of the world as Jesus commissioned it.
Luke 8:16-17
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. NIV
- Altar of incense (Ex 30:1-8)
Rev 5:8
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and held golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. NIV
The altar of incense was located in front of the mercy seat of the ark. Priests offered incense representing their role as mediators between the people and God. Who else is presented in the bible as a priest and mediator? Christ’s intercession on behalf of humanity is represented by the altar of incense. This is your fifth clue that any church that does not teach that our prayers ascend to God through Christ who enables atonement of our sins through the merits of his blood is not from God. Jesus also promised that whatever we shall ask the Father in his name we shall receive.
Heb 4:14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV
- The ark of the covenant (Ex 25:16-22)
Rev 11:19
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant… NIV
Ex 25:21-22
21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. NIV
According to the bible, the ark held the Ten Commandments and it was considered so holy that only the priest could touch it. Its presence was believed to bring protection and divine power to the Israelites in exchange for them keeping his commandments. This is your sixth and final clue that any church that teaches that God has removed or made changes to his law is not from him. Some churches believe that God established his laws on Mount Sinai and that Jesus abolished some afterwards on the cross. That is not true, God gave Moses his commandments according to the heavenly pattern which suggests giving out something already existing. Also, watch out for some who are notorious for bending or substituting some for their own. All ten of God’s laws should be kept as they are.
Rev 14:12
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. KJV
I pray and hope that this short lesson will help you identify God’s last day or remnant church and may you find peace and joy going forward. God bless you and see you in the next lesson.
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