The Church Past, Present & Future: Part V
The Church
Past, Present & Future:
Part V
Sunday, January 4th, 2026
Apostle Mike Herzog
A topic that is seldom discussed in church is the end times. Apostle Mike gives us some insight into what that might look like. He opens with a recap of the series we’ve been learning about regarding the Church, its eternal purpose, how the Church has experienced reformations throughout history, and the process of restoration that has progressed.
I Corinthians 12:26-27
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
When one part of your body is hurting, the rest will not be working at full potential. When someone experiences a breakthrough, we should share their joy and celebrate with them. This scripture is about us being one in unity as the body of Christ. The 3rd reformation we are living in today is called the Saint’s Movement. Each individual believer being empowered by the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the fivefold ministry to advance and to demonstrate the kingdom of God is the major change that the Church is currently being blessed with.
Humans are the only living creation that has a body of flesh and a spirit. When we pass away and ascend to heaven, our spiritual body will be recognizable but flawless and free from sickness, decay, and weakness, just like Jesus when He died and rose again. We will be suited for eternal life in God’s presence. Our bodies don’t belong to us; they are a gift from God. This is why it is so important to take care of our bodies.
I Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Every believer is a minister and a kingdom ambassador. Christians have the authority to demonstrate God’s supernatural power because the Holy Spirit lives within them. In this 3rd reformation, the Church is being activated in all the restored truth to demonstrate the kingdom of God. Since emerging from the Dark Ages, truth has been added onto truth in the restoration process of the Church, and there is more to be revealed.
Ephesians 4:11-13
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
As the fivefold ministry prepares its church members, it is going to bring the church into a place of unity. Maturity comes with time. God will bring the revelation and power necessary to accomplish this work. It is unclear how much will be accomplished in our mortal bodies and in our immortal bodies.
Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
The kingdom of God is anywhere that God rules. When you surrender your life to God, you become a part of His kingdom. A king is the ruler of a domain, and whoever moves into that domain becomes part of that kingdom.
There are key end-time events that many have a difference of opinion on. Christians seemingly agree upon three end-time events, but there are many different beliefs about when and how. The Bible is not explicitly clear about how the end-time events will unfold. Scripture says Moses knew what God did, but the children of Israel knew how God acted.
Key End Time Events
Seven-Year Tribulation
Some believe Jesus will return before the seven-year tribulation occurs. This group of believers is classified as “pre-trib”, meaning pre-tribulation. There is a second group of believers classified as “mid-trib” that believe Jesus will return to take His saints with Him in the middle of the tribulation. Scripture describes the first half of the tribulation as bad and the second half as even worse. The third group of believers are identified as “post-trib”, meaning they predict Jesus will return after the tribulation ends.
Millennial Reign
Pre-millennialism is a belief that Jesus will return before the millennium to establish His reign for one thousand years. Post-millennialism is the belief that the Church will first obtain peace and righteousness for one thousand years, and Jesus will return after that’s been established to make the final judgment. And lastly, A-millennialism is a belief that Christ’s reign is figuratively one thousand years, not literally, and that we are living that right now.
Matthew 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
It is very rare that any two people believe the exact same thing about everything. Apostle Mike informs us about two major viewpoints about beliefs regarding the Church, how we are operating, and the end times, along with the history behind these viewpoints.
The Dispensation Viewpoint
This viewpoint was established in the 1600s during the Evangelical movement. The role of the apostle and the prophet laid down the foundation of the Church and wrote the New Testament books. Their belief is that since the Church was established and the Bible was completed, the roles of the apostle and the prophet are no longer needed. They don’t believe in supernatural healings, miracles, demonic deliverance, or speaking in other tongues by gift of the Holy Spirit. The only supernatural experience accepted is the born-again experience. They believe the Church is deteriorating and will continue to do so until the day of Christ’s return for our salvation. Amongst this belief system, most teach a pre-millennial rapture and that the only thing holding back Jesus is His grace so that more people can be saved. Many Evangelicals and Pentecostals agree with this belief system or parts of it. They have the notion that only a select number of people are going to be saved. This causes them to avoid associating with those they fear will not be saved out of fear they may be putting themselves at risk of salvation. The concern that we are all at risk of going to hell has caused many to turn to Christ before it is too late.
The Reformed Restoration Viewpoint
This is the contrasting viewpoint to dispensationalism. This teaches that the first-century Church is the pattern for today. It is believed that the second reformation was the beginning of a series of truths being restored to the Church that were lost during the Dark Ages. They believe that the Church is progressing and will overcome, emerging greater than ever, and that before Christ’s return the Church will fully mature.
Acts 3:21
Whom heaven must keep until the time for the [complete] restoration of all things about which God promised through the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
God uses people on the earth to fulfill His plans.
All Protestant churches are Reformation Churches. The Evangelical movement came from Protestants uncovering more truth. From there, the Baptist Church emerged, revealing more truth. Many denominations have taken the restorative truth God gave them and stopped, refusing to accept any more. Restoration is a continual process. If the restorative work were complete, Jesus would have already returned. We aren’t waiting on Him; He’s waiting on us. He is expected to return when all truth has been restored to the Church, and we are united. It’s up to us to work on that with God’s help. Jesus is coming back for a victorious Church. When Jesus was on the earth, His body was used to provide, overcome, and redeem. Now we are the body of Christ. God’s purpose for the Church is for us to fully reveal Jesus, just as Jesus fully revealed His Father.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
God can do more than we can imagine, and He works through the power He puts within us. The Church has power when we operate according to God’s will. With the Holy Spirit residing within us, there is power in us to be able to change the atmosphere wherever we go.
Past, Present & Future:
Part V
Sunday, January 4th, 2026
Apostle Mike Herzog
A topic that is seldom discussed in church is the end times. Apostle Mike gives us some insight into what that might look like. He opens with a recap of the series we’ve been learning about regarding the Church, its eternal purpose, how the Church has experienced reformations throughout history, and the process of restoration that has progressed.
I Corinthians 12:26-27
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
When one part of your body is hurting, the rest will not be working at full potential. When someone experiences a breakthrough, we should share their joy and celebrate with them. This scripture is about us being one in unity as the body of Christ. The 3rd reformation we are living in today is called the Saint’s Movement. Each individual believer being empowered by the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the fivefold ministry to advance and to demonstrate the kingdom of God is the major change that the Church is currently being blessed with.
Humans are the only living creation that has a body of flesh and a spirit. When we pass away and ascend to heaven, our spiritual body will be recognizable but flawless and free from sickness, decay, and weakness, just like Jesus when He died and rose again. We will be suited for eternal life in God’s presence. Our bodies don’t belong to us; they are a gift from God. This is why it is so important to take care of our bodies.
I Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Every believer is a minister and a kingdom ambassador. Christians have the authority to demonstrate God’s supernatural power because the Holy Spirit lives within them. In this 3rd reformation, the Church is being activated in all the restored truth to demonstrate the kingdom of God. Since emerging from the Dark Ages, truth has been added onto truth in the restoration process of the Church, and there is more to be revealed.
Ephesians 4:11-13
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
As the fivefold ministry prepares its church members, it is going to bring the church into a place of unity. Maturity comes with time. God will bring the revelation and power necessary to accomplish this work. It is unclear how much will be accomplished in our mortal bodies and in our immortal bodies.
Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
The kingdom of God is anywhere that God rules. When you surrender your life to God, you become a part of His kingdom. A king is the ruler of a domain, and whoever moves into that domain becomes part of that kingdom.
There are key end-time events that many have a difference of opinion on. Christians seemingly agree upon three end-time events, but there are many different beliefs about when and how. The Bible is not explicitly clear about how the end-time events will unfold. Scripture says Moses knew what God did, but the children of Israel knew how God acted.
Key End Time Events
- Jesus is coming back.
- There will be a seven-year tribulation period.
- A millennial reign of Jesus and the saints.
Seven-Year Tribulation
Some believe Jesus will return before the seven-year tribulation occurs. This group of believers is classified as “pre-trib”, meaning pre-tribulation. There is a second group of believers classified as “mid-trib” that believe Jesus will return to take His saints with Him in the middle of the tribulation. Scripture describes the first half of the tribulation as bad and the second half as even worse. The third group of believers are identified as “post-trib”, meaning they predict Jesus will return after the tribulation ends.
Millennial Reign
Pre-millennialism is a belief that Jesus will return before the millennium to establish His reign for one thousand years. Post-millennialism is the belief that the Church will first obtain peace and righteousness for one thousand years, and Jesus will return after that’s been established to make the final judgment. And lastly, A-millennialism is a belief that Christ’s reign is figuratively one thousand years, not literally, and that we are living that right now.
Matthew 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
It is very rare that any two people believe the exact same thing about everything. Apostle Mike informs us about two major viewpoints about beliefs regarding the Church, how we are operating, and the end times, along with the history behind these viewpoints.
The Dispensation Viewpoint
This viewpoint was established in the 1600s during the Evangelical movement. The role of the apostle and the prophet laid down the foundation of the Church and wrote the New Testament books. Their belief is that since the Church was established and the Bible was completed, the roles of the apostle and the prophet are no longer needed. They don’t believe in supernatural healings, miracles, demonic deliverance, or speaking in other tongues by gift of the Holy Spirit. The only supernatural experience accepted is the born-again experience. They believe the Church is deteriorating and will continue to do so until the day of Christ’s return for our salvation. Amongst this belief system, most teach a pre-millennial rapture and that the only thing holding back Jesus is His grace so that more people can be saved. Many Evangelicals and Pentecostals agree with this belief system or parts of it. They have the notion that only a select number of people are going to be saved. This causes them to avoid associating with those they fear will not be saved out of fear they may be putting themselves at risk of salvation. The concern that we are all at risk of going to hell has caused many to turn to Christ before it is too late.
The Reformed Restoration Viewpoint
This is the contrasting viewpoint to dispensationalism. This teaches that the first-century Church is the pattern for today. It is believed that the second reformation was the beginning of a series of truths being restored to the Church that were lost during the Dark Ages. They believe that the Church is progressing and will overcome, emerging greater than ever, and that before Christ’s return the Church will fully mature.
Acts 3:21
Whom heaven must keep until the time for the [complete] restoration of all things about which God promised through the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
God uses people on the earth to fulfill His plans.
- Noah to build the ark to save humanity.
- Moses as a deliverer to bring His people out of bondage.
- Joshua to lead the children of Israel to the promised land.
- David to defeat His enemies and establish a godly nation.
- Jesus was sent to purchase our redemption for us.
All Protestant churches are Reformation Churches. The Evangelical movement came from Protestants uncovering more truth. From there, the Baptist Church emerged, revealing more truth. Many denominations have taken the restorative truth God gave them and stopped, refusing to accept any more. Restoration is a continual process. If the restorative work were complete, Jesus would have already returned. We aren’t waiting on Him; He’s waiting on us. He is expected to return when all truth has been restored to the Church, and we are united. It’s up to us to work on that with God’s help. Jesus is coming back for a victorious Church. When Jesus was on the earth, His body was used to provide, overcome, and redeem. Now we are the body of Christ. God’s purpose for the Church is for us to fully reveal Jesus, just as Jesus fully revealed His Father.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
God can do more than we can imagine, and He works through the power He puts within us. The Church has power when we operate according to God’s will. With the Holy Spirit residing within us, there is power in us to be able to change the atmosphere wherever we go.
Recent
Archive
2025
July
November
Categories
no categories
No Comments