THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE CALLING THE CHURCH TO VICTORY, RELEVANCE, AND WHOLEHEARTEDNESS GARY WIENS The Church of Jesus Christ at the end of the age is called to be victorious, relevant, and wholehearted. Much of eschatology in the church today undermines one or more of these three goals, and there needs to be a restoration of these three realities. We are not trying to be unique, but to have a full-orbed view of the biblical material concerning the end-times. Why is this important? In his book, “The Meaning of the Millennium,” Robert Clouse makes the following statement: “. . . many attitudes that a Christian has about society, the church and its purpose, education and culture, and even current events are conditioned by the sort of eschatology he holds.” Robert G. Clouse. The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views (Spectrum Multiview Book) (p. 209). Kindle Edition. I.

APOSTOLIC CHRISTIANITY – VISION, DOCTRINE, LIFESTYLE, POWER A.

“Apostolic Christianity” speaks of the vision, values, lifestyle, perseverance (in suffering), doctrine (including eschatology) and power seen in the NT Church. We are not primarily concerned with the identification and designation of apostles; rather, what kind of Christianity would the NT apostles recognize if they saw it? This is an earnest goal for us, even though we are not walking it out in any measure at all in the present moment.

B.

“Apostolic eschatology” speaks of a view of the End-Times that reflects the vision and lifestyle of the New Testament apostolic Church. Apostolic eschatology will help equip believers for apostolic New Testament lifestyles and perspectives in the midst of great revival and persecution. There is a view of eschatology that will produce an urgency and a lifestyle that will reflect NT apostolic communities. Specifically, I refer to this apostolic eschatology as “Apostolic Pre-Millennialism.” (The focus of this paper is on raising up New Testament lifestyles and not on modern day apostolic ministries).

C.

Many of those contending for the fullness of God's purpose agree that the most common eschatology currently being preached hinders the effectiveness of the gospel. This most popular eschatology today is Dispensational Pre-Millennalism. I believe it to be a significant hindrance to God’s Kingdom. With the doctrine of imminence (Jesus returning any moment), many do not have a long-term plan for their life or ministry nor a commitment to impact society or to provoke Israel to salvation during the Great Tribulation, etc. The response often is escapism (why bother since we will soon be raptured) and fatalism (defeat – why try to make an impact since the world is going to be trashed anyway?) that leads to lazy disengagement instead of urgency in prayer and fasting and radical Kingdom action. Not all eschatology hinders the gospel, therefore, we must clarify which End-Time teachings are helpful or harmful.

D.

Apostolic Christianity – a victorious Church with unity, intimacy and maturity. He gave…apostles, some prophets…12…equipping of the saints…13 till we ALL come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge (intimacy) of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the…stature of the fullness (maturity) of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13)

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THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE GARY WIENS 1.

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Unity – the Church will be unified in context to the revival and persecution. That they ALL may be one, AS You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME. 22 The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one JUST AS We are one: (Jn. 17:21-22)

II.

2.

Intimacy – experiencing the deep things of His heart as God’s sons and daughters and as the Bride of Christ. Intimate friendship with Jesus also reveals His heart so that we are captured by His beauty and tender as we bring the Word of the Lord to this generation.

3.

Maturity – the fullness of God includes the full release of His gifts, fruit, and wisdom with impact (harvest/society) to the degree that Jesus operated with in His humanity. The entire Church will either grow up into apostolic Christianity (full maturity in Christ), or backslide into apostasy. There will be no middle ground, and the Church in the Western world will be the primary apostate group.

WHAT IS APOSTOLIC CHRISTIANITY? PRACTICAL EXPRESSIONS A.

It is Church centered – God is establishing a His people with a deep community spirit (love and unity). Jesus is building a Church that will not be defeated by the gates of hell (Mt. 16:18) as it fulfills its function and identity as described in Rev. 22:17. The NT does not present salvation that results in individualistic isolationism; rather, it results in a community that walks out love characterized by unity, restored marriages and families, and overflowing into gender, generational, ethnic, geographic (City Church) and ministry partnerships.

B.

It results in wholeheartedness or holiness (discipleship) that embraces a fasted lifestyle. This is normal Christianity, and must be represented as such. It resists the “pleasure seeking western Church culture” by lifestyles described in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) resulting in happy holiness empowered by intimacy with Jesus as Bridegroom, King and Judge. Apostolic Christianity receives God’s blessing, power and prosperity to increase the Kingdom of God. The “lazy-friendly churches” result in Church life with minimal commitment refusing discipleship that necessitates self-denial abdicating our inheritance to go deep in God. True “seeker-sensitive” strategies are very important and truly relevant, bringing skill to the communication of knowledge to those who are ignorant of understanding. This “lazy-friendly” philosophy will not stand in the great pressure that is coming upon the earth.

C.

It possesses a missionary spirit that is effective in the harvest and impacts society (Cultural Mandate) with righteousness and justice in social institutions (government, economics, education, technology, media, etc.).

D.

Its ministries flow from fasting and prayer (intercession, worship, intimacy) and contend (fights for) for the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit (Jude 3).

E.

It embraces persecution as a necessary part of spiritual warfare and as a necessary part of the preparation of the Bride (Col. 1:24).

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THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE GARY WIENS

III.

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F.

It understands God’s purpose with Israel (One New Man). Romans 11:25 – Paul would not have us ignorant of God’s mysterious plan. God’s plan includes Jewish and Gentile believers with a deep functional unity that matures in the unique dynamics of the End-Times. Israel will be provoked to jealousy (Rom. 11:11, 14) by an apostolic Church standing with them in context to anti-Semitism as the Church operates in the power of God.

G.

It prepares the people by “Day of the Lord prophetic preaching” (forerunner ministry, Joel 2:1). Paul did not draw back in fear from declaring the whole council of God (Acts 20:20, 27; 5:20). We proclaim truth and partner with God in judgment. “Day of the Lord preaching” will never be politically correct, so there must be tender, compassionate, yet fearless preachers who will bring these realities.

H.

Overview of the Apostolic victorious Church – (Eph. 4:13; 5:27; Matt. 16:18; 22:37; Jn. 17:2126; Rev. 19:7; 12:11; 15:2; Rom. 11:25). Bridal paradigm (Rev. 22:17; Mt. 25:8). Prayer (Lk. 18:7-8; Mt. 21:13; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-5; 22:17, 20; Isa. 62:6-7; 42:10-13). Spirit of power and prophecy (Acts 2:17; Jer. 31:9; 23:20; 30:24; 5:4-5; Dan. 11:33-35; 12:3, 10). Harvest (Matt. 24:14; 28:19; Rev. 7:9; 5:9; 14:6; 15:4).

THE DAY OF THE LORD DRAMA – UNPRECEDENTED TIME OF FULLNESS For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? (Joel 2:11) People in the Spirit of God with grace on their hearts and a prophetic spirit will live in this. A.

Great Day of the Lord - Fullness of revival (Rom. 11:25; Eph. 4:13; Rev. 7:9).

B.

Very Terrible Day of the Lord - greatest crisis in history called the Great Tribulation. Daniel prophesied that it would be "a TIME OF TROUBLE, such as never was” (Dan. 12:1). Jesus quoted this saying, that there will be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world (Matt. 24:21). Key negative elements described in Rev. 6 i.e., worldwide leader raised up (Rev. 6:2), worldwide military crisis (Rev. 6:3-4), economic crisis and famine (Rev. 6:5-6), death, earthquakes, famines, pestilence (Rev. 6:8) and martyrdom among God's people (Rev. 6:9-11). Other elements causing pressure include the fullness of Satan’s rage (Rev. 12:12; 9:21; Dan. 7:21, 25), the fullness of God’s judgment (Rev. 15:7; 14:10) and the fullness of man’s sin (Rev. 14:18; 17:5; 18:5; Dan. 8:23; 12:10). John described the unbelievers filled with murder, sorcery, sexual immorality and theft.” (Rev. 9:21).

C.

Pockets of mercy (we can make a difference) Zeph. 2:3; Joel 2:13-14; Ps. 91. Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth…Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger. (Zeph. 2:3)

IV.

END-TIMES (ESCHATOLOGY) – WHAT DOES IT MATTER? A.

God gave information about the End-Times to describe what the Church attains to before Jesus' Coming. Our view of the End-Times affects our ministry focus, prayer life and lifestyle. Everyone has a view of the End-Times. Most have not taken the effort to clarify their view. Ideas have serious consequences concerning how we spend time, energy, and money.

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THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE GARY WIENS

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Scriptural eschatology greatly aids the effectiveness of our ministries. However, wrong eschatology hinders the effectiveness of the gospel. Therefore, it is essential to discern and clarify which eschatology hinders the gospel. The dilemma is that the most popular eschatology is the most harmful (Dispensational Pre-millennalism). B.

V.

Three wrong approaches to the End-Times – discerning what undermines our ministry. 1.

Too negative (pessimistic) – pre-trib Rapture or defeatist view of the Tribulation.

2.

Too positive (too optimistic in a non-biblical way) – 100% social impact before the Second Coming.

3.

Too vague – (incomplete) – some elements in place but significant truths missing i.e., intimacy, victory, apostolic lifestyles of fasting and prayer, etc.

C.

The Apostolic view of the End-Times calls the Church to victory, wholeheartedness and relevance. Victory includes the Church operating in great power, unity and purity (Eph. 4:13) as we bring in the Great Harvest. Wholehearted lifestyles of self-denial as seen in the NT Church. Relevance in understanding the continuity of our labors. Some of our impact in society has profound continuity in the Millennial earth. For example, righteousness and justice in legislation, education, technology or scientific advancements, etc. continues after the Lord returns. The relevance of our labors consists also in receiving eternal rewards, as well as benefiting people now in releasing greater quality of life. Most eschatology has a discontinuity with the future.

D.

It is essential to have the right view in measuring the amount of victory we can expect before the Second Coming is essential. All society will be Christianized after the Second Coming with relationship to our current labors. Measuring the impact we have on society is difficult because it will be different from one city to the next (Zeph. 2:3).

E.

Many accept one of two extremes. The minimal impact view leads us to draw back. They reason, why put effort into bringing change since the impact will not last? The total impact view ignores what Scripture says about the coming pressures and the necessity of the Lord’s personal return to establish the Father's full purposes. Hope-filled desire is important; however, it must be tempered by Scripture, not humanistic optimism. We must be loyal to God’s wisdom in Scripture. Rosecolored glasses of exaggerated optimism often ignores or seeks to explain away End-Time prophecy.

F.

Ignoring eschatology hinders the gospel significantly in leaving us unprepared. A vision of victory with the need for intimacy and perseverance is essential in our preparation.

WHY WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE END-TIMES A.

Direction – having a compass in a storm at sea is an issue of life and death.

B.

Braced – create right expectations for the future to walk in victory in hardship

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THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE AGE GARY WIENS

VI.

C.

Urgency – to cultivate spiritual depth with Mt. 5-7 lifestyles.

D.

Breakthrough – to see geographic pockets of mercy (Zeph. 2:3; Joel 2:13-14).

E.

Encouraged – in seeing biblical prophecy fulfilled right in front of our eyes.

F.

Conference in sovereignty – that God is in control without being surprised.

G.

Fascinated with majesty – witnessing God’s plan for End-Times.

H.

Courage to impart to others – without fear of consequences.

I.

Confidence to study – with foundational truths in place

J.

Warned – what seductions to avoid. What not to do.

K.

Three strongholds that have serious consequences.

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The “lazy-friendly” Church culture of Western Christianity (primary geographic area of the apostasy) must be transformed to apostolic Christianity with lifestyles of the prayer and fasting etc.

•

Replacement theology that denies Israel place in God’s purpose.

•

The Pre-tribulation rapture deception. In the End-Times, the Church will be purified in the context of the great revival and pressure resulting in a significant separation of true believers from false ones. All currently in the Church will become wholehearted or will deny Jesus (2 Thes. 2:3). The options are “apostate Christianity” or “Apostolic Christianity.”

WHY PEOPLE DRAW BACK FROM THE SCRIPTURES ON THE END-TIMES A.

I cannot understand anyway because no really understands it.

B.

The fear of man is seeking to be politically correct. End-Time prophecy is not politically correct. A man pleasing spirit does not go with End-Time prophecy.

C.

Wrong ideas about how it will minimize the work of the kingdom.

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