All these questions and more deserve an answer. If we are ever to make any sense of things in the church today we must get to the bottom of it all. To this writer the answer is somewhat simple, and yet at the same time profound. The reason the church is scattered today appears to be the same reason it became scattered after the death of Paul, and the other apostles.

 

It seems as though history repeats itself. The New Testament church began on Pentecost 31 AD. The last apostle to die was John, which may have been somewhere at the turn of the century. The scattering of the church began a bit earlier, but about the same time of John's death the church seems hidden from view and doesn't appear until much later. According to many Bible scholars, when the church reappeared, it looked quite different from what the apostles started out with.

 

 

Of course we can't know all the details of what happened in 100 AD, but if present conditions are any hint of the past, we can see many people began separating and splitting off, just like today. But what caused the splits back then? Does the Bible offer any clues? Let's take a look.

 

Paul gives one clue when he says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" (Gal. 1:6) Paul could see this sort of thing beginning to happen to the Galatians. But also, he told the Ephesian church elders (Acts 20:17) what was to befall them after he was gone. "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:29-30)

 

So in Galatians Paul indicated they were beginning to be fed with another gospel. What was the gospel that Paul preached? "And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more." (Acts 20:25) When Paul was nearing the end of his life in Rome he was still preaching the same message… that of the kingdom of God. Notice Acts 28:23. "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified 'the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." (Acts 28:23) "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." (Acts 28:30-31)

 

So from the discussion here in Acts and Galatians the underlying problem had to do with the message. Various individuals, apparently, began deviating from the message first delivered to the church. The message from the beginning was what Jesus brought to this earth. "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God… repent ye and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:14) "And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom" (Mat. 4:23)

 

 

Another clue of what went wrong with the first church era was that they 'left their first love.' Notice what Jesus said of them in Revelation 2:1-5. "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks I know your works and your labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent…"

 

 

Apparently, 'Agape' is the highest form of the word love. It is the same word for 'charity' in 1 Corinthians 13. In short it is the highest, most exalted fruit of God's spirit. (1 Cor. 13:13) It is the first one listed in the nine fruits of God's spirit of Galatians 5:22.

 

So whatever this 'love' was, it was what they left off doing. So again what was this love and why did they cease from doing it? To find out we need to back up to when the church first started.

 

In Acts 4:32-37 it describes how people sold their property and gave freely of their possessions. Think about it. These people were so excited, so stirred to action, so motivated by the witness of the apostles and the resurrection of Jesus that they would go to any length to give out this good news and see that the needs of each other were met. So what was it that drove them, gave them such zeal to do what they did?

 

The church was taking off with great power and causing quite a stir, especially among the leaders at that time. Religious leaders especially began to see their power base slipping. They were, no doubt, quite angry and frustrated, but no matter what the consequences, these new converts were not deterred. Nothing was going to stand in their way… nothing. Many of these same folks, at that time were a 'living sacrifice' (Rom. 12:1) They really did fit the definition of 'agape love'. They would go to any length to attain the well being of it's object.

 

It becomes quite evident these folks had a vision of something that gave them great hope. In addition to the miracles they saw, they also remembered Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God. For example they may have remembered parables of certain ones given the opportunity for rulership. The parable of the 'pounds' showed how many cities certain ones would be given based on their efforts. The word city comes from the Greek word 'polis'. It is used 159 times in the new testament and has no other meaning but that of a city.

 

In the beginning their eyes were focused on that future time and the promises Jesus talked of. Everything else was secondary. Notice Mark 10:29-30... "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

 

This message that Jesus talked about had substance. It was not a 'pie in the sky' thing. It was real. The people, who heard him speak, saw themselves in that kingdom. It's very likely they also thought it would happen in their life times, or very shortly thereafter. So when Jesus didn't return when they expected him, what happened?

 

The word's written to the Galatians, mentioned above, were penned about 55 A.D., which was about 24 years after Christ's resurrection and the beginning of the New Testament church. It was then that they were turning to another gospel. So 24 years later people began to change - why? People began to doubt and lose hope. Most of all though, it was because they lost their focus of the original message of God's kingdom and the world tomorrow.

 

Paul mentions in Galatians 1:7 that "there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ." This was the real crux of the matter. It was the thing that began to undermine their zeal. They began to lose sight of that future, that wonderful world tomorrow when God's kingdom would usher in a time of peace and prosperity for all, including their own reward in that kingdom. They began to talk less and less of that future and focused more on their own time and circumstances. Consequently, their love for this message, and even each other began to wane. They began to say, "what's the use!" They began to give up this hope.

 

As we read carefully through the scriptures, we can begin to see certain dissension concerning who the people would follow. Notice 1 Corinthians 1:11. Paul was exhorting them to stay united with the message… stay focused and not get hung up on who was their favorite leader. Some liked Apollos. Some liked Peter. And, no doubt, there were others who were gaining a following.

 

As time marched on the original message of God's kingdom continued to dim. Paul's life was about to end, and he tells Timothy, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." (2 Tim 4:6) So he gave instruction to him to continue to focus in on the preaching of God's kingdom, and to be ready for the time when Jesus would return. For he says the time was coming when people "shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables:" (2 Tim. 4:4) It's very likely at the close of the 1st century the love they once had, so slipped, so faded, that instead of being a living sacrifice to each other, many would betray one another.

 

In Matthew 24:10 Jesus is painting the picture of the end time events. When persecution really begins in earnest He says, "And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another". It's very likely these words were played out, at least to some degree, in the 1^st century.

 

Paul knew this was going to happen and the longer the time passed from Jesus' resurrection, memories of events faded as eye witnesses continued to die off. Soon no one would be alive to remember. Their love for the message of God's Kingdom continued to slip. It's a matter of record now. We can read about it and wonder why? Why did it happen? What could have prevented it from happening?

 

No doubt persecution also played a part in their zeal to remain faithful. So the church began to compromise on many things to the point where it (the visible church) was unrecognizable from the original. Much more could be written. Much more can be studied about what happened to the church of the 1st century A.D., but let's fast forward to the church age of the 20^th century to see if there are any parallels between the two church ages.

 

 

 

At that time we were in the tumultuous 60's and the Vietnam War was raging. There were conflicts, both at home and abroad. If ever there was a time we needed to hear a message of hope, it was then. We were sick of war and what was happening to our nation. It seemed like we were being torn apart. Many of us began to ponder questions like, why war? Why does man always try to use war to settle matters rather than peaceful negotiations? Why can't nations find a better way? On the home front, why all the broken homes, along with all the other social unrest? Why shouldn't we have peace? If only we could put away our human tendencies for 'anger', for selfish ambition at the expense of our neighbor. If only we could treat our neighbor the same way as we would want to be treated, we could have peace. This world could be utopian. People could be extremely happy. If only… If only…

 

Then, the larger questions began to form. Was there a purpose for man? Was there really a God? If so, why does he permit war… this wretchedness. Why the empty lives? Many people, we could see, seemed to have no answers. What was the meaning of it all?

 

 

So this is what was drawing us, This is what was holding our attention. It was this message. But were they just empty words? Could it really be true? Was it possible for a utopian world? This voice not only said it was possible, but that it was going to happen. Furthermore, the voice of this radio broadcast claimed this was the message that had been hidden from mankind all these years, but why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now there is a way that seems right to a man, the ends thereof are the ways of death. That's the way we've been living. We’re living now in a world of chaos growing up into world revolution. We look out over this world and look at the suffering, the unhappiness and the heartache, the empty lives. There's a cause for it all. And we’re not going to have a world of peace, a world of real happiness and abundant living, and prosperity for all, until we come to find the way into those things. And we are going to be forced to learn that way and in our time and in our generation…"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one thing he said oftentimes was that this new world would culminate in our generation. Now that is something that he would not know, nor can anyone know for sure. Although, if we look at Matthew 24 where Jesus is describing the end time events, He says, "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Mat. 24:33-34)

 

The urgency of these words seemed to say, this is happening now. We must be living in the end time. But didn't Jesus own followers of the 1st Century hear these words and how about every succeeding generation? Maybe each generation has thought, "it can get no worse, we must be living in the time of the end." There seems to be evidence to prove this to be true. But what makes our generation unique is that no other time in history did the possibility exist for all human life to end with a big bang! Not like our time… What with endless array of war machines and the technology to operate them. With the push of a button, whole cities can now be obliterated. The scenarios of chemical and biological warfare are even more frightening.

 

 

But think about these words of Isaiah how he describes this physical world that is coming… Don't they hit at the heart and core of what involves peoples hopes and dreams? And just how good is technology anyway, if you can't live in peace to enjoy all the endless gadgets?

 

 

 

"Now my friends why is it that you havenot heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, but a different gospel about his person? A gospel that teaches exactly the opposite of what Jesus Christ did. Why is it that you have been brought up to believe exactly the opposite of what the Bible says. Exactly the opposite of what Jesus Christ taught. Why is it that you have been brought up from childhood practicing customs that are exactly the antithesis of those that Jesus practiced, setting us an example that we should follow his steps, and do as he did. Exactly opposite that the apostle Paul taught to the Gentiles that had been converted Christians."

 

 

This was a bombshell! Never had we heard any preacher say such things. Could something like this actually be true? It sounded like a far out claim that for 19 centuries we had "not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ." It sounded a bit preposterous, even a bit arrogant, for anyone to make this claim. But could it really be true? This was the challenge he put before us. The more we pondered it the more it began to ring true. Whenever had we heard sermons in the churches of our worldly background about the message Jesus preached? Wasn't it always about his person? We were not ignorant about what Jesus did in giving of His life so that we may live. This was not something we were strange to. But little did we remotely realize or take to heart what He talked about… a God Kingdom, a place in that kingdom, and the physical effects of it on this earth.

 

Think back 20 or 30 years ago. Look at the zeal we all had for this message! Were we any different than the 1st Century church? No, I would say not. We fell in love with this message. We embraced it. We believed it! We began proving it out of our own Bibles.

 

Many people at that time gave generously of their time and substance, just like Acts 4:32-37. Some even sold their farms and moved in to town so they could be nearer to the church and other people of like faith. For those that remained far distant, they drove… and drove…Each week they got up early and headed down the road to church, sometimes 200 miles or more, each way! Once at church, they stayed the rest of the day and then turned right around and headed back home, arriving late, just in time to greet the 1st day of the new work week. Sometimes people stayed over night at church brethren's homes. These folks were happy to help out as well with meals and other accommodations. This they did week after week, month after month, year after year, in all kinds of weather… for many years! Was this not love?

 

Yes, there was zeal alright. There was love alright… not only for the message, but for one another as well. We were in the process of bonding with each other stronger than we ever had with even our own physical families. Never, would we ever expect to drive this far to hear a speaker, or fellowship with other people. How was it possible? Some extended family members, as well as others who knew what was happening, thought we were crazy!

 

 

 

When Jesus came to this earth he brought a message of hope, and the 1st century church started out with a fervent love of that message. We can look back and it seems amazing that the whole world, basically, lost sight of His message and followed after a different message… that of his person. It appears that Satan, who is the god of this world, was quite effective in making it seem right, while at the same time diverting mankind's attention away from the goal… God's Kingdom.

 

But how much more amazing is it when we contemplate our present era. When we can see how quickly the message has changed again. Can Satan actually use the same tactics and deceive folks just as easily this time as he did in the 1st Century?

 

 

 

 

The church appeared to be focusing itself more and more on itself and less and less on giving out the gospel of God's Kingdom, the message we once embraced and committed ourselves to. In short, the church had taken it's eyes off the goal. It had lost it's way. Why? Because it had changed the message.

 

 

 

"I call the changes we have made growth, not to obscure the fact that they are changes, but because I believe they are growth! It grieves me that someone can actually feel that the spiritual health of the Church is threatened because we preach Jesus Christ! Jesus says that if any will deny him before men, he will deny them before his Father in heaven. (Matt. 10:33). Jesus Christ, the Son of God who dwelt among us, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, and sits on the right hand of God as our Intercessor and Ruler, is the focal point of all the Bible. He is the Gospel. He is the kingdom of God. He is the light of the world, the bread of life, and the prince of peace."

 

 

There it was! What started out to be a gradual, almost indiscernible leaning in the message, now was in print. The bold statement was made changing the message from what Christ preached to the person of Christ. Doubts began to enter the minds of some. They began to reason… "maybe we've been led down a blind alley… maybe the message we had heard was not all we believed… “maybe the world's churches were not so wrong after all."

 

 

Why should this appear strange as happening? The Bible is quite explicit about certain things like this, but for some strange reason, we never thought any error could emanate from headquarters. Why that was 'holy ground', or so we thought. But somehow we seemed to forget the words Herbert Armstrong drilled into us that we should not believe him or anyone else simply because they said it… "prove it from your own Bible." Somehow or other we had forgotten the words of Paul as shown before that men would rise up "of your own selves… speaking perverse things.” (Acts 20:30)

 

When we think of the word 'perverse', we generally think of something totally immoral or dirty. It carries with it that type of connotation. We say things like, "he's a pervert…" meaning a total deviate or shameful person.

 

 

So there you have it. The word in the Greek does not necessarily carry with it an evil or immoral connotation, except as maybe in the context of how it is used. It simply means to divert from going in one direction to that of going in another. It does not even mean something totally opposite either. It can mean a very slight change.

 

But what were the words of Paul? What did he tell them to do? He says, "But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Here, even Paul recognizes that it would be possible for an 'apostle' to begin teaching something different. Didn't we know that?

 

Yes, many did. And from that time forward many began to withhold tithes and offerings. The interest, the enthusiasm people once had suddenly began to wane. The change in the message seemed to have a direct connection with the financial health of the church. Notice the August 25, 1994, Pastor General's letter.

 

 

"Income seems stable at about 7 percent below last year… The unpleasant news I bring to you now is that our projections for next year must again anticipate a decline."

 

 

By March 27, 1995, the income had suffered severely. Layoffs were now imminent.

 

 

"Last month I shared with you my sadness about having to terminate hundreds of church employees due to a 30 percent decline in income"…

 

 

How quickly the church had gone from growing, to a steady decline, and splitting up. Could it have been the same as what happened to the 1st church age? Again the words of Revelation 2:5.

 

"Never-the-less I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you art fallen, and repent and do the first works or else I will come unto you quickly and remove your candle stick out of his place, except you repent"…

 

Had the candle stick been removed 'out of his place'? Had God removed his blessing from the church? Did the church of the 20th century rewrite the same history of the 1st century? Did we lose our first love? Did we substitute something else for the love we once had for that message?

 

 

 

As a result of his persistent efforts over those years we've come to really see some things we never knew before. Things which the so called Christian churches never taught us. We've come to see God's plan for mankind in his holy days and by observing them we had come to understand these truths more fully. We've come to see God's plan offers life to all and that he has a timetable to deal with it. These things we came to see by observing the true holy days. In short we've come to understand the truth of the Bible is far more fantastic and exciting than we ever thought before.

 

We began to see the Old Testament and New Testament as one. The message of the Old Testament is basically that of the same Christ and the apostles preached in the new. The Old Testament writers talked about rebuilding the 'old waste places, deserts 'blossoming as a rose', and people living long, abundant and satisfying lives.’ There are hints of a resurrection and eternal life also in the Old Testament when you consider some things written in Job, the Psalms and elsewhere.

 

 

Yes, it's true, the true gospel has not changed, but some have tried to 'pervert' it or change it in some way. The god of this world would have us get our eyes off that future hope and stop growing, stop being excited about it. We must not let that happen. For many of us it was a hard fought battle at first to commit ourselves. It was like Matthew 13:46 finding that 'pearl of great price'. Once we found it we sold all and bought it. Why now do we want our money back. Has the 'pearl' lost it's value? No. Of course not!

 

Again, there are many voices out there who would have you believe all the effort and sacrifice you gave, by believing the gospel message was in vain. But let's clearly understand what the Bible says is vain and what is not.

 

 

 

 

If we begin to have regrets about everything we've ever learned about what's true and what isn't, that is the real tragedy! But if we go on and so continue to fear God in the proper way by observing His Holy Days, striving to keep the commands he tells us, striving to overcome our own human natures, he says it's worth it.

 

He says, "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought on his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels (special treasure)and I will spare them, as a man that spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

 

Furthermore is God forgetful to forget your prior service? Just because the 'church' is presently scattered, doesn't mean he's forgotten you or the commitments and love you displayed toward Him or the other members you fellowshipped with in the past. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour oflove, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Heb 6:10)

 

So take heart, God says there's a time coming when we will know just who's who. He says it's not in vain to observe His Holy Days or that we have tithed and sacrificed in other ways. Quite the contrary… there is great reward…

 

Rather, let's look back on those times in the past when we had joy in fellowship concerning the big questions of our existence and that of the future… our lives and the hope of all mankind… the true gospel message…the kingdom of God. Let’s remember our First Love.