What is the one-world religion described in Revelation?

 

Does a person have to attend church to be saved?

Salvation is found in Christ.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God gave His Son so that we may have eternal life, thus destroying our need to perform good works, including going to church, to go to heaven.

Eternal life is attained by faith alone in Christ alone.

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

Those who believe in Christ, who have accepted His sacrifice in payment of their sins, will spend eternity in heaven. Those who reject Him will not.

The church is of great importance, yet the Bible is clear that the way to heaven is by faith in Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9 notes there are no works involved in earning our way to heaven: "For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Going to church is a good thing, but it is not meritorious—it does not merit eternal life.

A person's church involvement does not determine entrance into heaven. Going to church doesn't make a person saved.

However, the Bible does emphasize the importance of Christian fellowship in a local church. The word translated "church" is the Greek word ekklesia, a reference to an assembly meaning "called out."

The church is not a building, but rather the "called out" ones of God, the gathering of people with faith in Jesus Christ.

In addition, Christians are specifically told not to neglect "meet[ing] together, as is the habit of some." Rather, we should encourage "one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25).

Church involvement is both an encouragement to us and an opportunity to encourage others.

The local church is a family, not a facility.

A strong family will be there for each another during good times and bad.

We are united by our faith in Jesus Christ, and we seek to help one another grow closer to Him and to share Him with others.

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers" (1 John 3:14), and if we love them, we will desire to spend time with them.

The church is so important that the Bible calls it the bride of Christ.

Ephesians 5:25 teaches that the model for a husband's love for his wife is Christ's love for the church.

Wrapping up the topic of marriage, Paul says, "I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church" (verse 32).

If God thinks so highly of the church as to call it His "bride," we must consider our fellowship with one another extremely important.

While no amount of church attendance will get a person to heaven, a person who is saved should be a regular church attender and active participant within his or her church.

Church involvement is the expected norm for someone who follows Jesus Christ.

Our salvation is found in Jesus, and only Him (Acts 4:12), and the church is the context in which we encourage one another to grow and actively serve others.

The benefit of church is to encourage believers in their lives as followers of Christ.

The church also gives us an opportunity to love one another, encourage one another, support one another, and carry out the many “one-another” commands of Scripture.

It also provides an opportunity for a community of believers to join together in praising God.

And a good church helps shield us from bad teachings. However, many places we call church simply do not do this. And no church is perfect.

My encouragement to believers in Christ is to find a sound, Bible proclaiming, loving church, attend the church, and encourage others at church to love Jesus and mirror His love to the world around us.

Surprising to some, not everyone who goes to church loves Jesus.

If a person cannot find a sound, Bible proclaiming, loving church, then I would seek out some individuals who love Jesus and seek to follow His word and try to meet with them regularly.

Of course, one must be aware that there are many false prophets who will try to lead one astray.

Jesus warned us about these ones.

It is wise to watch out for these, such who deny that Jesus is the One God; Mormons who believe in many gods; or other such groups.

But with good Christian company, one can be encouraged in the new life of Christ given to all who believe in Him.

Christians have been made “new creations” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and have a desire to attend church because they recognize that doing so is crucial to their spiritual development and maturity.

Reluctance toward church attendance may indicate a lack of spiritual growth or a disillusionment with “organized religion.” There are indeed false churches today, and there’s no perfect church, but there are local bodies of believers in most communities.

The true, universal Church is modeled in congregations whose doctrines are Scripture-based, who honor Christ in all things, who worship God together, and who minister to each other.

Although church attendance will not guarantee eternal life, finding a good local church is crucial for Christians.

And always, make seeking God a life-long passion. By praying for His guidance in everything, reading and studying the Bible, and seeking to honor and love Jesus, your life will be enriched by the very presence of God.