THE OTHER CHURCH
By W. G. Guy
There are two churches in the world today: the one that Christ is building; the true church, and then there is the “other” church, the one that man is building.
Matthew 16:18 –, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
(Note that the “rock” that the church is built on is the statement Peter made of who Jesus is; Peter is not the “rock” as one sect of the “other” church teaches.)
Then there is the false church that man is building, referred to in this article as the “other” church. It is still a false church regardless of what name it goes by or what denomination or organization of man it is part of.
Matthew 7:21-22 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice iniquity!’
This “other” church has all the form and function representing itself as a church but Christ is left outside desiring to get in. This is the church that sickens the Lord enough to make him vomit.
Revelation 3:14-20 – And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined (faith) in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments (righteousness), that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve (knowledge of God’s Word), that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
The true church began with Christ, contains Christ, reflects Christ, is led by Christ as its head, and will end up being with Christ. The “other” church, which was birthed out of the true church, came about when man took control of it and became the head of it. Man then organized it, incorporated it, established his own rules in it, (including who is qualified to be a pastor/minister/priest), the various requirements for membership, specific (non-biblical doctrines, traditions and rituals, and how men function as lord over it – and all this in the name of Christ. This “other” church of man thus became very sectarian, meaning it has divided into many different sects as a result of different men putting their specific “spin” on doctrines, rituals and traditions.
Most Christians fail to discern what is true and what is false; or, what is of God and what is not of God. This is due to ignorance of the scripture (Bible) and placing all their trust (faith) in the pastor/minister/priest – whatever he says is what they believe and go by.
Jesus warned us about these false preachers (prophets).
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets (preachers/teachers), who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
The apostle Paul was even more specific about these false preachers taking over leadership in churches. They, like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time, want the power over the people and the pious recognition of leadership so they can have a following and control over them.
Acts 20:28-30 – Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Since the “other” church is man-made, it reflects man’s personalities and nature along with incorporating man’s programs, doctrines, beliefs, practices, policies and dogmas – and usually in the name of Jesus. The “other” church operates in “the flesh” which is the old carnal nature that has not been “put off”. The works of the flesh are alive and well in the “other” church.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul also documented that the “other” church would be easily recognized in the last days that we are now in and it would be known by its carnal behavior.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
We know that this carnal behavior is in this end-time “other” church because where do you find a “form of godliness”; certainly not in the world, but in the “other” church. Note that the “other” church has a “form of godliness” but they deny the power that changes lives, thus they continue or revert to the ways of the old sinful nature. We are not to have anything to do with such and are told to “turn away”. We get similar instructions in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 about those who preach a false Christ or false doctrine.
The church Christ is building reflects Him, His character and nature because it has died to self and put off the carnal nature of the flesh, crucifying it as instructed.
Luke 9:23 – Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross (symbol of death) daily, and follow Me.
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 5:24-26 – And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Additional references are in Romans 8:6-8 &13-14; Romans 13:14; Ephesians 4:13-16 and 20-23, & 4:13-16 on the need to put off the old carnal nature which is something we all need to do after accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord - being born-again. Dying to self is part of repentance, a doctrine not found in the “other” church.
As a result of obedience to Christ, His church becomes evident by the Fruit of the Spirit (which is His character and nature) seen in His people.
John 15:1-5 – am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (regarding bearing fruit).
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
His true church is also led by His Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-18 – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Unfortunately, some of the true church of Christ is occupying within the false church of man. This is due to much of the church falling away from the truth, holiness and righteousness by compromise with the world. When the message or preaching is changed from truth to a lie by adding wrong doctrine, it becomes “another gospel” and changes it into a false church. Another reason is that churches and whole denominations become the “other” church is that they have been infiltrated by the enemy with false ministers.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 &13-15 – But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Galatians 1:6-7 – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Colossians 2:8 – Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
The true church of Christ will preach and live according to the Word and the Kingdom of God beginning with repentance from sin and all unrighteousness. It will be full of grace, mercy, and loving care for its own and acceptance of all who come into it.
The preaching and messages in the true church will be full of “spirit and life” building up people to spiritual maturity.
John 6:63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
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;
The “other” church will preach a gospel but is a social gospel that advances the current social agenda of the government; or it will preach a soulish gospel that promotes the desires of the flesh like success, prosperity and how you can get material things. Such preaching may sound good to the hearers but will be devoid of “spirit and life”. It will also focus greatly on building its numerical membership so it can become larger, more prosperous, influential, popular and powerful.
Revelation 3:17 – Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
It ignores preaching on sin and repentance which it considers to be a negative doctrine that belittles man and offends self-esteem. Instead they will preach messages to build up self-esteem and make people feel good – just the opposite of preaching the cross, denying selfish desires of the flesh.
When the “other” church preaches from the Bible, they add to it man’s own interpretations and ideas of what they want it to say or think it should say in order to satisfy their own goals. Thus they pervert the message and turn the truth into a lie.
Ephesians 4:14 – that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
The “other” church is a man-made religious system that this writer refers to as the I.R.S. – the Institutionalized Religious System. It is more like a fraternal organization with each sect having its own man-made membership requirements and rules and resembling the ways of the ancient scribes and Pharisees.
True Christianity in the church Christ is building is based on RELATIONSHIP! The other church is based on RELIGION and is lacking in a true personal and intimate relationship with Christ! This relationship of true believers is very intimate with Christ.
Ephesians 5:26-27 – That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
The true church will be without “spot or wrinkle”! Spots, or blemishes, represent faults, sins, anything that defiles. Wrinkles represent age old pagan traditions that have been adopted in the “other” church. These spots and wrinkles, or any such thing, speak of what is not acceptable in Christ’s church.
The “washing of the water by the word” shows that Christ’s church adheres to what is recorded and commanded the Bible. The “other” church does not adhere to the Bible!
His church is holy, (as He is Holy), it is glorious – having the dignity and character He is worthy of and without any faults or blemishes. Note that this verse speaks of the church as it is to be recognized prior to joining Him in glory. His church is holy and glorious upon being presented Him at the time of its arrival in glory, not afterward! Selah – think on this! Clearly the “other” church does not qualify to be presented to Him; it will be denied access as were the five foolish virgins described in Matthew 25, because their light went out.
The false church of man is not actually headed by man even though he thinks it is, but it is headed subtly by Satan. Man, if not truly born-again, has been duped by Satan’s lies; such deceived people cannot build the true church, they can only build the “other” church. The result of Satan’s deception leads to people building the “OTHER” church – the false church.
As the future unfolds the “other” church will be a troubling problem for the true church of Christ and will actually become a source of persecution. The reason for this is that the “other” church is aligned with the government and its leftist, liberal laws that are aimed at nullifying the efforts and effects of the true church. This is alluded to in the parable of the “tares and the wheat” found in Matthew 13:36-43.
The “other” church has within it other forms of religion such as Eastern Mysticism, Humanism, (man as god), and various forms of the occult. Such doctrines move the “other” church further away from Christ and the truth, thus moving it closer to the Humanistic global government. As more of this is accepted by the “other” church, those within it that are true Christian will be leaving it desiring the true church with true worship.
John 4:22-24 – You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
As the “other” church becomes more and more aligned with the government and its ungodly laws, it will become more accepted by the government and will be recognized as the government sanctioned and accepted church. This will make it a persecutor of the true church of Christ along with the government. This harassment of the true church has already begun in the form of the so-called Hate Crimes Laws which make it a crime to preach against homosexuality, abortion and Islam, etc.
The “other” church will lobby for and encourage additional laws to be passed by the government that will oppose and eventually outlaw the true church. The government will determine what constitutes a legal church favoring the basis of the “other” church. Some of this has already been accomplished by the Internal Revenue Service – that other and infamous I.R.S.
These efforts of the “other” church will fall right in line with the objectives of our leftist/globalist government and will also set the stage for the relationship with the False Prophet and Antichrist. Thus great persecution will result for the true church –it will be war on the saints
Daniel 7:21-22 – I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
The following is a side by side comparison of the “other” church built by man and the true church built by Christ:
COMPARE THE TWO CHURCHES
MAN’S CHURCH CHRIST’S CHURCH
Man leads and is the head Christ leads and is head
Requires membership list with No membership list other than being
conditions to be met in the Book of Life
Two classes of people - ministers One class of people – Sons of God
(clergy) and lay people who are all ministers of Christ
Has a corporate charter making No corporate charter – it is only
it accountable to the state accountable to Jesus
Has Federal 501.C3 status which No Federal 501.C3 status – no
regulates & controls what can regulations other than God’s Word
be preached and done
Requires a building creating debt No building required thus no debt
Significant finances needed to Finances collected to aid the poor,
operate and maintain building fatherless and widows
Recognizes only one gift ministry: Recognizes all gift ministries: apostle,
the pastor prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor
Man prepares and ordains those who Jesus chooses and equips those who
become leaders in the church serve in His church
Pastors/ministers hold elevated Ministers in Christ’s church have
Positions/titles in this church functions, not positions.
Hold to doctrines & traditions of Hold the Bible as ultimate and
men and demons (pagans) final authority for doctrine
Ignores God’s Holy Days (holidays) Observes God’s divine Holy Days –
substitutes man’s holidays which represent Jesus Christ
Is of the world and seeks the things Identifies with Christ and seeks the
of the world things of the Kingdom
Has a “form of godliness” but lacks Lives and functions as the light and
being the light and salt salt the earth – life changing
Justifies sins like sodomy & abortion Identifies all sin and the need for
as being an acceptable lifestyle – repentance
a legalized social issue
The last days prior to Christ’s return will be a time of turmoil in the church, especially in America. Everything will seem to fall apart – much like has already happened in Great Britain.
Hebrews 12:26-28 – whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
The fact remains that persecution is promised for the true church.
2 Timothy 3:12 – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
The “other” church is not likely to be persecuted because it has compromised with the world and flesh. As a result, it will join in to persecute the true church of Christ.
John 15:18-19 – If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
In times past God has used whatever form of church that existed; but He could only use them to the extent that they declared His Word in truth. God always works through and confirms His Word regardless of who preaches it or why. God is not a respecter of persons but He is a respecter of His Word which He holds in honor, even above His name. His Word is Truth and it accomplishes what He intended it to.
Psalm 138:2 – I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your loving kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
There are two levels of believers in the world: those who are “in” Christ as being born-again, yet still immature in knowledge; and there are those who Christ is in, those who are truly sanctified and have been conformed to the image of Christ – having spiritually matured.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
There is a matriculation from one level to the other which is the maturing process listed in Ephesians 4:11-13 and 2 Peter 1:4-10. The “other” church does not work to bring about this maturing process, that is, if they even bring people to knowledge of Jesus Christ at all.
These last days are a time for the separation of the true church from the false church. The difference between to two could be likened to the parable of the ten virgins, (Matthew 25:1-12); five were wise and five were foolish. The wise, like the true church of Christ, got to go into the kingdom, the foolish did not – why? ….because their light went out. They knew about Christ but He was not evident in their lives. As a result they heard the words, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not”. They represent the false church that man is building.
In 1988 the Lord gave this writer a vision of the two churches as follows:
December 1988 - Vision of Jesus Christ: This was a progressive vision that was added to for several days each time I meditated on what was previously revealed. It began as I was feeling depressed as Christmas approached, I had very little income and was not able to celebrate the season as normal and I didn't feel very "Christmassy". So I began to pray and ask the Lord to help me get that Christmas feeling and I began to focus on the birth of Jesus as I was driving to my work as a tour bus driver. As I focused my attention on the babe in the manger, I heard the Lord say, "Don't look down on a babe in the manger, look up at the King of Glory". Then, in my spirit I looked up and saw Him. It was Jesus, dressed in battle array with His Sword in His hand held up. His eyes were like flames of fire and his appearance was extremely fierce; so fierce that you did not want to be His enemy. What I saw was similar to His description as recorded in Revelation 19; the warrior Commander of a mighty army.
A few days later, while reflecting on the fierceness of Jesus, the vision resumed and it was as if a telephoto view was zooming out to take in a wider picture. I saw His saints, as a spiritual army, standing at attention before Him, and just as I saw Him before holding His sword up in the air. Then I heard the command to, "Fall in - in rank". Jesus was asking for all his saints to get in their assigned places. Years later I came to understand that these people were not only His spiritual army but were actually His Kings and Priests that would rule with Him in His Kingdom - they were His government being set up - in rank, position and authority, based on rewards they earned for their obedience in this life.
Again, a couple days later, while doing more reflecting on the vision received thus far, the vision continued as the view zoomed back even more. Now I saw that Jesus and His spiritual army were standing on top of a mountain whose top was a flat plateau. I also observed people climbing up the side of this mountain trying to get to the top to join into His elite group. Then as the scene zoomed out even more, I saw that this mountain came up out of a sea; a sea of humanity. The mountain itself was actually composed of great gathering of people. Suddenly I observed the mountain come under a barrage of fire as rockets and bombs were striking the sides of it and knocking the climbers back down into the sea of humanity. The warfare was so great that eventually the entire mountain was completely blown away, falling back down into the sea of humanity from which it came.
What was very noticeable was that Jesus and His army of saints were still standing in the same place high above all the sea of humanity. They had been untouched by the warfare coming against that mountain. It was obvious that Jesus and His saints didn't need the mountain for they were not really standing on it in the first place; they were above it. The mountain actually obscured the view of Christ and His true church which could not be seen from the sea of humanity until the mountain was removed. The mountain was the false church built by man. The false church was so large that it prevented the world from seeing Christ and the true church until it was removed. (It seemed sort of apocalyptic – Matthew 24:36-41).
So I understood that the mountain arising from the sea of humanity was representative of the church that man has been building, the harlot church, which may be the mystery (mystical) Babylon of Revelation Chapter 17. This false church that man built actually obscured the world's view of Jesus and His true church. The vision also represents the time of the separation of the wheat from the tares - the true church from the false church - Matthew 13:24-30. The church that man has built was no longer distinguishable from all the rest of the world so it disappeared back into the sea of humanity where it originated. The true church, the saints and followers of Christ stood with Him and were now easily identifiable. The “other” church was no longer visible as a church since it looked just like the rest of the world and became part of its corrupt system.
Romans 13:11-14 – And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 – Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
If you are in the “other” church IT’S TIME TO COME OUT and get in right standing with Jesus and His Word and become part of His church – which is His Body on earth!
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 – But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!
This next verse applies to the religious form of Babylon, the mystery or mystical Babylon which appears to identify the “other” church:
Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
This topic is now in book form published by Author House available as an ebook and at book stores beginning January 2024: THE OTHER CHURCH; it will soon be available on this website as BOOK - THE OTHER CHURCH in pre-published form.
