We were in North Carolina, the City of Lincolnton. Our Revival did not being until the following morning. I had driven into Hickory to get some ink for our printer. On the way back to the motel, I saw this sunset! I pulled into a Church parking area, used my cellphone camera, and this is what I got. Well, I edited it just a bit.

Today’s Bible Lesson …

The sun setting in the Church’s back yard, or so it looks! It’s a parable, this picture. Books have been written in the last few years that predict this very thing. That for old fashioned Bible believing Churches … it’s day’s end!

They’ve run their course, are dwindling in size, in a slow state of dying!

I specifically know the name of one book, one atheistic author, who believes he will live to see “the end of faith” in the United States of America!

Others have said that within 50 years … Churches (for the most part) will no longer exist! Darkness is coming … for Christianity, actually for all religions in their estimation.

But Jesus said that He would build the real Church, His Church!

And that nothing would prevail against it!

The Text for such a belief is Matthew 16:15-18.

“Then He (Jesus) saith unto them (the Disciples), But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock … I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.

What rock?

Surely not Peter!

But … upon the ROCK of the statement Peter had just made to our Lord: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Oh, yes … that’s Who Jesus was! Still is! Always will be!

JESUS IS GOD!

And that’s the Cornerstone (the Rock) on which Salvation is based. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I love those words!

Upon that absolute Truth Christ has built His Church, still is doing so!

And NO … Church life is not languishing.

She is not dying, the Church, that body of Blood-washed believers.

Then … what does her future appear to be?

Sounds secure! “And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The verb “prevail” is “katischuo,” a blend of “kata” and “ischuo.” HELL WILL NEVER BE STRONGER THAN THE CHURCH!

SATAN WILL NEVER OUT-POWER, OVERCOME, OR CONQUER THE REDEEMED!

Folks, it isn’t sunset for the people of God, for the local (genuine, truly saved) Churches of earth … not by any stretch of the imagination.

Fact is, FAITH in Jesus will prevail … for all eternity!

Did I tell you yet?

One of the New Testament’s lovely terms for the redeemed (the Church) is “the Bride of Christ!” And (instead of fading into the sunset) we find the Church (the Bride) quite active in the very last chapter of the Bible! Revelation chapter 22 … where she’s still in existence and still inviting men and women to be “saved!”

“And the Spirit and the BRIDE say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:20

Sunset?

Hardly!

Are you saved?

If not, do you want to be?

Is there any interest in your heart?

If so, there are multiple Churches whose vey reason for existence is helping you meet Jesus, through faith in the Death, the Blood, He shed on Calvary!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Text me occasionally if the Lesson is a blessing to you.

My number … 770-844-7628.