What is the work of God’s Church as a new year (2018) on the Gregorian calendar begins?
Does the Bible define what it is?
How can it be proven beyond doubt, what God wants His Church to be doing in these end-times?
Correction in understanding
The vast majority within God’s Church believe God’s work today is the continuation of Matthew 24:14.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.”
This belief stems from the teaching of God’s late apostle, Herbert W. Armstrong, as recorded in his last book, “Mystery of the Ages.”
“Now most IMPORTANT OF ALL—what is the REAL PURPOSE for the Church? Why did God have it raised up?”
1) “Go ye into all the world” and proclaim the GOOD NEWS—announcement—of the coming kingdom of God.”
2) “Feed my sheep.”
It is important to realize Mr. Armstrong combined Matthew 28:19-20 with Matthew 24:14 in explaining the first purpose of God’s Church.
The second purpose is based on Christ’s instruction to Peter in John 21:15-17.
Neither of these purposes actually have anything to do with the responsibilities of the brethren within God’s Church.
These scriptures point directly to the responsibilities of God’s ministry, which began with the 1st century apostles.
Mr. Armstrong incorrectly combined Matthew 28:19-20 and Matthew 24:14 in trying to explain the first purpose of God’s Church.
Remember, God’s Church is composed of those God the Father has called out of this world.
“No man can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)
God's begotten children are to be taught and trained in God’s Word by His ministry within the Church.
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;” (I Pet. 5:2-3)
Scriptural comparison
A quick comparison of Matthew 28:19-20 and Matthew 24:14 clearly reveals these scriptures have 2 different and distinct purposes than what God’s ministry is teaching today.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ tells His disciples;
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
Christ’s command to the 11 disciples dealt with the baptizing and teaching of those God calls out of this world into His Church. The word “teaching” is a verb and means to teach in the Greek language.
This teaching is to be done within the Church.
God’s ministry has the responsibility of teaching and commanding those in God’s flock to observe (guard) the Truth they have been given. This requires living by God’s Word and not allowing it to be compromised by anyone.
Is this the same approach to teaching Christ gave for taking the gospel to the world in Matthew 24:14?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The word “preached” is better translated proclaimed. It is clear for those who have spiritual eyes to see that the purpose of the gospel going to the world is not to bring people into God’s Church. It was merely an announcement to go out to the world as a “witness” prior to God’s Kingdom being established on the earth.
Comparing the words “teaching” in Matthew 28:20 and “preached” in Matthew 24:14 show 2 distinct and different purposes for God’s Truth being heard by people.
One is for the spiritual education and development of God’s Church.
The other is simply a declaration of facts for the world about the soon coming Kingdom of God. It has nothing to do with bringing people into God's Church.
Mr. Armstrong erred in associating the word “proclaim” with Matthew 28:19-20. Proclamation is not how the teaching of God’s Church is done. Matthew 24:14 pertains to a prophetic time marker set down prior to Christ’s Second Coming.
Ministers within God’s Church who associate Matthew 28:19-20 with Matthew 24:14 don’t understand the meaning and application of these verses. Thus they promote a message about God’s Work today, which is incorrect and misleading.
God’s work today
To understand God’s Work now, one must understand the real purpose of God’s Church. Mr. Armstrong provides the explanation of that purpose in “Mystery of the Ages.”
“But WHAT, then, IS the Church? And WHY is the Church? Why should there be the Church of God?”
“The Church may be called God’s teachers’ college to prepare rulers and teachers for the kingdom of God when God does offer redemption and eternal life to the world as a whole.”
“The Church is being called to be changed, developed in character, and finally born at Christ’s Second Coming as God Beings, to be kings and priests under Christ when he will set his hand to save the world.”
Source “Mystery of the Ages,” pgs. 226, 228, 239-240
During the Philadelphian era, God’s Church provided the financial support for the gospel going to the world. However, God accomplished the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 through Mr. Armstrong, not the Church. This responsibility was not passed on by God for other men to continue after his death in 1986.
Now that Matthew 24:14 is a fulfilled prophecy, the work of God’s Church today is to prepare itself for rulership with Jesus Christ. This work is not selfish, as some ministers would like people to believe.
“And I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their forehead. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb (Rev. 14:1, 4).
This group of 144,000 firstfruits comprises the number of people who have qualified to become members of God’s ruling family (I Cor. 15:20, 23) during the course of 6,000 years of human history. These very first, firstfruits will receive eternal life at the 7th trumpet (Matt. 24:29-31; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thes. 4:16-17).
Mr. Armstrong fulfilled Christ’s prophecy of taking the gospel to the world as a witness upon his death in 1986. Twice on page 291 of “Mystery of the Ages,” Mr. Armstrong is very clear, Matthew 24:14 is a fulfilled prophecy. Yet, ministers within God’s Church today, ignore Mr. Armstrong’s words and promote falsehood by saying this prophecy has not been fulfilled.
God’s Work today is defined as preparing one’s self within the framework of God's Church for the future responsibilities of becoming kings and priests in "The Wonderful World Tomorrow” (Rev. 3:11; Jude 1:3; II Pet. 3:17-18).
Right now, God’s Church is spiritually incapable of taking the gospel to the world (Rev. 3:14-17). Any minister who declares different is a LIAR (Rev. 2:2; II Pet. 2:12, 18; Matt. 24:48-51) and does not understand the times he is living in.
Don’t let these blind guides lead you into the ditch of the "days of vengeance" (Luke 21:22; Rev. 3:18; Jer. 30:6-7)!!!
If one wants to do God’s Work now, it must begin by REPENTING of the lukewarm spirit which dominates in God’s Church today (Rev. 3:19). Upon repentance seek God’s guidance and direction to ministers who understand the times God’s people are living in and focused on preparing the brethren for their future responsibilities in “The World Tomorrow.”
When these ministers are found, it will be evident they understand Matthew 24:14 is a fulfilled prophecy and will be feeding God’s flock (John 21:15-17) “meat in due season" (Matt. 24:45-47) in preparation to help Christ bring salvation to this world.
This is not a selfish focus, it is the fulfillment of God's calling.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:22).
Suggested further reading:
Blog - Become Zealous and Repent
Restored Truth Bible Study - #2 - What and Why is Man?