CHURCH GROWTH: FOR IT OR AGAINST IT

In scripture, the word “falling” is usually described as “falling down” or “falling into.” You can read about it in the following verses.

·         Numbers 24:4 & 16

·         Proverbs 25:26

·         Isaiah 34:4

·         Luke 8:47

·         Luke 22:24

·         Acts 27:41

·         I Corinthians 14:25

Then there is, “falling headlong,” in Acts 1:18. This is concerning Judas and his act of betrayal against Jesus.

Which brings me to the most important description of “falling” in scripture. The “Falling Away.”

                Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the “falling away” comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ~ II Thessalonians 2:1-7

I hope you understand that the underlined passage, “He is taken out of the way,” is the Holy Spirit, God at work on this earth through His Holy Spirit.

This has been on my heart for a very long time. It is with love and urgency that I write this to you today. It upsets me terribly to hear some speak about the falling away of the church in a negative way. It is the church that falls away, but not in the way that you are thinking. I beseech you brethren, read and wage whether this be true.

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat of its fruit. ~ Proverbs 18:20-21

The One who is restraining the son of perdition can only be the Holy Spirit. And we know that the Holy Spirit dwells within us as believers. When believers are gathered together to Christ before the son of perdition is revealed, can be the description of “falling away” in II Thessalonians 2:3, a falling away from this earth.

The earth is controlled by gravity. If we were to actually fall, it would be downward. However, if we fall away, we are gathered to Christ who is away.

Think on these things, the latter rain comes, for it is written:

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ~ James 5:7

Please talk positively about the growth of the church for death and life are in the power of the tongue. I pray that this debate is accepted with a heart for the church and Jesus Christ.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please email me or leave a comment.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Laveda D. Rockford

© 2018 Laveda D. Rockford