"Church"

Whenever someone mentions the word, "church," the majority of people will immediately think of a building with a cross on the roof. I think that is one of the biggest deceptions we have in the world today... that a church is a building. It might even lead to a false sense of security that when we go to this building, that we are IN a church, and a member of a church.

The ironic things we may find are..

That someone may attend a church their entire lives, but have never actually been a part of the true church.

That many will judge others for not attending a "church" regularly, but are only judging them for being outside of a building made of bricks and stone. Perhaps the people they are judging are a part of the true church, and that those who attend a "church" are not even in the real one.

I know some places that teach that Christ died for the church.. but that the building is a capital "C" and that the people are a lowercase "c." If you're in a place that teaches that.. run.

But for whoever is reading this, please first make sure that you are IN the real church before you start worrying about which building you're a part of. Going to a church building does not mean that you are in a church.

What does church mean though? In it's Greek translation, the word is ekklesia which means a calling out.

God calls out his elect (eklektos) which are the chosen ones, and He calls them OUT of the world to be gathered IN HIM. This is a church, and it is a very Spiritual thing. It has nothing to do with the commercialism we see today.

To say this in the most utmost frankness.. if you are not IN HIM, then you are not in a church. I don't care what building you go to every Saturday or Sunday, or that you're a notable member. You need to be IN HIM. That is all that matters.


Remember when Jesus announced that He was going to destroy the temple and raise it in three days? He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." John 2:19

Have any of you ever wondered what happened to that? Didn't Jesus ever follow through with this? Seems like it was overlooked. Well, actually this was a fulfilled prophecy. Look closely..

When Jesus said that, it was absolutely absurd to everyone else. They said, "Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? " v20 

But....


"But he spake of the temple of his body."v21

 This actually came true. Three days was Jesus in the tomb, and on the third day, He rose and established a new, Spiritual temple within the believers. This is a fulfilled prophecy, and His Words were true.

(also a side note: why do we seek after the physical things when has been made Spiritual? Millions of eyes are on the rebuilding of Israel's temple, and on physical buildings of churches.. but don't you know that the temple of God is not made with hands?)


"We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. " Mark 14:58


David: "Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." Acts 7:46-51




"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands" Acts 17:24 

Are you in the temple that is not made with hands? It is an important question that we should all ask ourselves.. But let's look at more verses explaining what the Spiritual temple is.

The Spiritual temple is not a what, but a WHO.


"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. " 1 Peter 2:4,5


"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. " 1 Peter 2:9,10



Well.. if I am a Spiritual temple for God, then how does it work?

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. " John 14:23


"At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. " John 14:20


"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. " 1 Cor 3:16,17


"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. " 1 Cor 6:19,20

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. " 2 Cor 6:16-18


So.. if Christ is in the Father, and you are in Christ, then you all are joined together and they will make their abode and dwelling place in you! That is how it works.

And this is a continual thing. God's Spirit lives in you, and is guiding you. He is in you always now. You don't have to wait until Sunday to be in the church. He is in you right now and you can take this anywhere you go.

There is no building for God, and like the Bible says, where can He reside? The earth is his footstool! But God can live in you and be present with you every step of the way.. always and forever.

And if you are the temple of God and He lives in you, then who is in charge of this temple? Who is the head? Don't fall for the new age lie that you are your own god, can make your own rules of right and wrong, and lead your life your way. The temple of God is in you.. but Christ Jesus alone is the head of it. He has the preeminence.

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. " Psalm 118:22


"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. " Acts 4:10-12


"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " Eph 2:19-22

Now you know what the Bible tells us.. do not be deceived by what the world tells you. Do not be afraid of judgment made by other men if they judge you for not being in a physical temple, because they cannot see when you are in the Spiritual temple. That is the only one that matters.

Do not worry about church memberships. When you are IN Christ, you are a member of the body of Christ. That is the only membership that counts.

I pray that our readers will find Christ and be in Him, and that they will experience church in a way that they never have before.

The Jehovah's Witness and the 144,000

I met a young lady that was a Jehovah's Witness at McDonald's recently. We introduced ourselves, exchanged our email addresses and had long discussions via email back and forth. Surprisingly, the JW believe in a lot of the same things that we do concerning heaven, hell, the immortality of the soul, and about not partaking in Pagan holidays.

However, we were not able to agree with them on every point. It was not a disagreement as a matter of personal opinion, but something we were able to prove scripturally. If you are a JW reading this, then please let us share our findings with you. And let the Bible be the final authority.

Here is what we found about the 144,000.

It is spoken of only two times in the Bible: Revelation 7 and 14.

JW believe that 144,000 is a literal number and not a symbolic number. We have found so far that a lot of numbers in the Bible, especially in Revelation are in code.

The number 12 is a special and significant number in the Bible. We see in the Bible that there were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples of Christ, 24 elders, that the New Jerusalem has 12 foundations, 12 gates, 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 different kinds of fruit, blooming 12 times a year, and so forth.

The 144,000 is a multiple of 12 which signifies a completeness.

Here is its basic Hebrew numerology:

12 = God's chosen people, part of His covenant, societal perfection

1,000 = Big number, gigantic scale, ultimate

Any number squared = The meaning of that number, but perfected

12 X 12 = 144 = The perfection of God's covenant with man

144 X 1,000 = 144,000 = The perfection of God's covenant with man on a gigantic scale

Immediately after John sees the 144,000, he now sees a great multitude that is innumerable from many tribes, nations, tongues, and so forth. In Revelation, there is a pattern we can find. It usually begins a chapter with symbolic things, then those symbolic things are clarified immediately after. For example, in Revelation 17, John sees a vision of a woman riding a beast with seven heads, ten crowns, rising out of the water. Immediately after this symbolic vision, there is a clarification of what it means in the same chapter. There is a very strong possibility that the innumerable crowd is the result of the symbolic 144,000.

If that statement above is not enough, let us look into more and dig deeper:

The 144,000 were redeemed from the earth. When Christ appears, we shall be caught up in the air to be with the Lord forever. This act of being caught up separates us from the earth below which will face the wrath of the Lord. We have been redeemed from the earth when this occurs.

The 144,000 are said to be resurrected immediately in heaven. In the Bible, it says that no man has ascended to heaven, except the one who descended from heaven (Christ) in John 3:13.

The Bible also only speaks of two resurrections: One for the just to go into life, and the wicked unto damnation.

"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" John 5:29

When Christ appears, it is the dead in Christ that shall rise. The Bible also says:

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Rev 20:6

And then it says that the rest of the dead lives not again until the thousand years are expired in verse 5 above.

The JW says that it is the 144,000 that reign as kings and priests with Christ, but the Bible speaks of those who partake of the first resurrection. The second resurrection is after the millennial reign.

I cannot find anywhere that there is a heavenly resurrection for the 144,000. I only have found that no man can enter heaven as of yet until the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 explains this in more detail:

Christ was the first to have a glorified resurrection. He was the firstfruit of the resurrection, and verse 23 says:

"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (v23)

We will receive this glorification at His coming. 1 John 3:2, and Phil 3:21 both confirm that we shall see Christ appear, and receive His image. We shall too be like Him at His coming.

This next verse is key:

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." 1 Cor 15:50.

So, this basically says that no one can enter heaven as of yet. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption.

And there's a "BUT"..

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (v53)

So when Christ appears, we will be changed from mortal into immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible. Now this becomes possible. It is never said anywhere in the Bible that this spiritual resurrection ever occurs before His coming.

Here are the qualities of the 144,000. They are: 

SEALED- We see that they are sealed which separates them from the rest divinely. Yet, the Bible tells us that saved believers will be sealed by the Spirit also in (2 Cor 1:21,22, Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30). This sealing is available to us who are saved, and never made apparent to be exclusive to a specific number of people only.

WITHOUT GUILE- We are without guile because God has imputed upon us His righteousness (Psalm 32:2, Rom 4:8)

 WITHOUT FAULT-  We are without fault because Christ has perfected us forever with His one sacrifice (Heb 10:10, 14, 17)

 SERVANTS OF GOD- The 144,000 are called the servants of God, as we are. (Rom 6:22, Eph 6:6, 1 Peter 2:16)

 JEWS FROM THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL- 

The 144,000 are Jews, but the Bible says that we are no longer Jews by birthright, but of the heart-

"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Rom 2:28,29

PRIESTS-  We have been made priests of God if we partake of the body of Christ.  (1 Peter 2:5, 9)

 ABLE TO SEE CHRIST AND REIGN WITH HIM- The great multitude mentioned in Rev 7 are surrounding the throne of God and of the lamb, and are seen worshiping them. This multitude came out of the great tribulation, washed their robes in the blood of the lamb, and are now before the throne serving God day and night. The Lamb will be in the midst of them also.


My JW friend asked me how I had proof that Christ would be with us. I gave her these verses:

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess 4:17

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3


Also, the Bible tells us that we will all see Jesus. It is not going to be an invisible event. Here is proof:


Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

A great crowd of 500 saw Jesus ascend to heaven. The angels told them that in this like manner, we shall also see Him descend down.

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." Rev 1:7

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30

There is also another possibility about us seeing God the Almighty Himself-

Isaiah (in Isaiah 6) saw God, but first he had to be purified. When we are changed and transformed, we will be purified also into incorruptible, glorified beings, free from the flesh of sin.

"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." Rev 21:3

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." Revelation 22:4


Now I address the verse that is very popular with the JW to support their beliefs of the 144,000:

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

The JW believe that the "little flock" is specifically the 144,000. Firstly, there is nowhere in that passage that mentions the 144,000. Peter even asks Christ in this same passage in verse 41 if He is speaking to them, or to all? Jesus replies about the good and faithful servant, and this is who this passage is directed to.

The Lord is our Shepherd and we are His flock. This is spoken of countless of times throughout the Bible. (some examples: Ezekiel 34:15, 31, Psalm 79:13, 95:7, 100:3, Matt 10:6, 25:33, John 10:4, 11, Acts 20:28,29, 1 Peter 2:25, 5:2,3)

Unfortunately, the Lord's flock is small because the road is straight and narrow and there is a few that find it. There is no special group of 144,000 sheep separated from the rest of the other sheep but that God said He will bring us all together to be one fold, and to have one Shepherd (John 10:16).

Also, God is not a respecter of persons. He does not distinguish one above the other (Rom 3:22, Col 3:11, Gal 2:6). All have fallen short of the glory of God, and it is by His grace that we are saved and found without fault before the throne of God. We receive the sealing of the Spirit, and the Father claims us as His own through adoption of sons (Gal 4:5,6 and Rom 8:15). That is why His name is written on our foreheads.


He that overcomes is given all these things:  Power over the nations, to sit on a throne, and he will inherit all things.


"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" Rev 2:26

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev 3:21


"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Rev 21:7


And who is he that overcomes?


"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:5

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4


"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev 12:11

The Bible included you and me in this plan. Christ is our head, our mediator, and we are partakers of His grace and glory. It is not limited to specific 144,000 but that it was given to those who overcome. We shall live with Him and reign with Him. This is all made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord according to the Father's good pleasure.

Concerning Home Churches: Part III

This is our last part of the series about the Spiritual Temple that Christ Jesus established for us, and introducing home churches. Click to read PART 1 or click to read PART 2 of our series.

We also strongly recommend two books that are very informative and interesting concerning churches and organized religion. One is called Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church, by Frank Viola and the other one is called Beyond Radical by Gene Edwards. It shows a historical depth of how each organized section of church originated and it's very roots. Those books are eye opening experiences.




Here, we begin and conclude with this:


Who is the Body of Christ?

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Key Points:

-There is one body, many members, different purposes.
-Jew, Gentile, Bond, Free, ALL in one Spirit.
-Each member needs to contribute, all are necessary.
(have churches become a one man show?)
-Members are to care for one another and suffer with one another.
-Each member has a gift from God to contribute.

*Question: Did God reveal his Word to one man to write one book, or many men into 66 books for the Bible?


"Now ye are the Body of Christ and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:27

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?"1 Corinthians 3:16


The Body of Christ needs to be a living sacrifice, holy and unconfirmed to this world. Read Romans 12:1-2.

There is ONE body, not varied by denomination or building. Read Ephesians 4:4-6.


"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers."Acts 2:42.


Please take the time to read Hebrews chapter 9! Hebrews shows the before and after parts of the creation of the church. We will read in Hebrews 9:1-10 that it describes the "worldly sanctuary" and how the old way of having church were physical things of the flesh. When we continue to Hebrews 9:11-end which shows how Christ has established a "perfect tabernacle" within us, not in a building made of hands. He made a Spiritual one within us and established a new covenant. We no longer need to observe these things in the flesh or in the physical way, but now we can have church wherever we go because he dwells within us.


We see the believers after Jesus' death meeting in homes, assembling together and even Paul went and had "church" with some women by the river as he was passing by (Acts 16:13). We are free, for Christ has made us free indeed!


"For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." 1 Corinthians 7:22

Concerning Home Churches: Part II

This is the second part of a three part series on the Spiritual Church and introduction to home/organic churches. Click HERE to read the first part.

A Voice in the Wilderness wants to use this as a reference guide for us to read this information from our own Bibles directly. We will list some key points as well. It is important for us to read from the Word in it's full context for ourselves. Never just take any man's word for it.

We are the body of Christ and there is only one head. The head belongs solely to Christ Jesus. The body has many parts and members with different purposes yet all contribute. Every member is different but none is above another (1 Peter 5:3).

The Lord told us to be Godly examples. He appoints Godly men to be Elders and for older women to be examples & mentors. Those are roles in the body explained in Titus 2.


The Head of the Church

The head of the Church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23)

Key Points:
-Jesus is the Head of all things in the Church.
-We are His body.


We are His body. We are His flesh and bones (Ephesians 5:30)

Christ is the Preeminence (Colossians 1:18)

*Heed the warning of leaders who want to claim the preeminence for themselves (3 John 1:9, 10)

Christ is the High Priest for us (Hebrews 4:14, 15)
* The veil was rent, so there no longer needed to be a man to stand before us to God, but Christ alone. (Hebrews 7:26)

Christ is the Chief Shepherd and Bishop (1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4)

Jesus Christ is the head of our church, and he dwells in our bodies. Every man in Christ is a priest, and we are to go to the Father directly through his son, Jesus Christ. We do not need any other authority or "shepherd" but Christ alone. We are to be accountable to one another, exhorting one another and suffering with one another. The Bible says we are to especially do that as we see the day approaching. Beware of any man or spiritual leader who seeks to place himself higher than the body, high as if he was a high priest or a man with authority, and has no accountability but "unto God alone."