05/28/26 THE PICTURE IS GETTING CLEARER
This is a short post to point out that the modern Bible-believing Church is the result of a thousand-year series of various Christians rediscovering Biblical truths that had been abandoned for 1,200 years by the Roman religion, claiming to be The Church. Since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the true message and mission of Christ followers, and sadly, for the many false Christs and false doctrines in these days of confusion.
As I said, this is a limited overview, but it shows us that the rediscovery, recovery, and restoration of Biblical Christianity took a long time, for many different believers to correct the corruption of the Roman religion.
Before the "Protestant Reformation" of the 1500s, there had been smaller and scattered attempts to return to Biblical faith. Part of the problem was that the Roman religion persecuted and murdered those who were turning from the false head of the Church to the Real Head of the Church, and turning from the corrupted word of men to the inspired word of God. During that time, some believers sought a truly holy life, and others risked their lives to make the Holy Bible available to the masses.
In the 1500s, Martin Luther and others rediscovered and taught the basics of God's plan for Salvation by Faith and the Priesthood of the Believer as the Biblical foundation of salvation. Sadly, the Reformation was centered around a few men who were not that far removed from some of the Romanist errors. Many of the errors of Rome continued into the Reformed movement. It was a significant start, but sadly it became a final destination for millions of Luther's and Calvin's followers.
Other Biblical truths were recovered as the Protestant movement continued. Basic doctrines concerning the nature and work of God, the Trinity, the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son, along with restoration of doctrines concerning salvation, the nature and ministry of the Church, and Missions, among other rediscovered doctrines.
In the 1700s, John Wesley and others rediscovered and taught God's plan for the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, Entire Sanctification, and the life of Holiness and victorious living as the Biblical model of Christian living.
In the 1800s, John Darby and others rediscovered and taught God's plan for End Times and Last Things from a Dispensational model.
Martin Luther did not invent the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, and Wesley did not invent the doctrine of heart purity, and Darby did not invent dispensationalism. These were great truths of the Scriptures which had been denied and hidden by the Roman religion for centuries. The light of the gospel was hidden with the rise of Romanism and it was kept hidden for over a thousand years. In the1500s a movement began which would lead to hundreds of years rediscovering God's Biblical truths.
The light of truth has grown brighter and there is a new attack on the word of God. This was foretold by Jesus and the New Testament Apostles and Prophets. In the last days there would be an explosion of deception, with many false Christs arising and many people being led astray. The End Times will usher in the Tribulation, the Anti-Christ, the One World Government and Economy and Religion.
The signs of the times indicate that the Last Days might be upon us. The Rapture can take place at any time. But until then, the Body of Christ must be strong, and holy. Make sure that you are totally committed and that you are part of a faithful body of believers. I need it, you need it, your family needs it, your community needs it.
