And the LORD said:

"...I will build MY church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 

There is the Roman Catholic Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Jehovah' Witness. There are Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,  Lutheran and Church of Christ. There are mega churches and mini churches, churches from Texas to Taiwan from Michigan to Mexico ---

some pray to Mary as mediator, looking to her as an object of trust for answered prayer, still others forbid the use of musical instruments in their worship while others embrace drums, key boards and full orchestras. There are churches which have ordained homosexual clergy while others offer 'christian' yoga, soaking prayer and teach we are all gods. There are pastors in prison for their faith while others live in mansions and drive Rolls Royce automobiles...

- all claiming membership in His church.

Have we, the body, the church, failed to understand what our LORD meant when He said: "MY church?"

Zechariah 3:7 says:

"Thus said the LORD of hosts; If you will walk in MY ways, and if you will keep MY charge, then you shall also judge MY house, and shall also keep MY courts, then I will give you..."

Do man-made theologies and ecumenicalism reflect the biblical foundations set forth by our LORD for His church? Has the vision of the Emergent Church, emphasizing tolerance and social justice more than  repentance and belief in the Gospel of Christ brought the church closer or driven it further from what the LORD called -- "MY church?"

"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:14

Are flashy automobiles, ivory towers and Lear jets what first century Christians envisioned when they gave their lives for the gospel rather than compromise their faith or deny their Saviour and LORD? Are posh palaces and thousand dollar suits what pastors and church leaders in Iran, Pakistan, China... dream of as they sit in prison cells awaiting trial for their witness to the saving power of their LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ?  

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see." Revelation 3:15-18

The organized church has replaced pure Biblical truth with man made doctrines - the way of the cross and the power of the blood is foolishness to those that are perishing.

Today, these essential beliefs, which constitute the power of Christianity, are being subjected to an unparalleled assault from within the Church itself. The Bible says that in the end times people will mock the promises of the Lord.  What is so shocking is that most of the mockery is coming from within the Church!  Dr. David Reagan, Living for Christ in the End Times

God always has a few stalks of wheat among the tares.

John MacArthur says:  'Not everybody bows their knee to Baal. There will always be a few spiritual among the nonspiritual, a few sincere among the hypocrites, a few humble among the proud, a few separated among the worldly and a few regenerate among the unregenerated'

and indeed

~~ the gates of hell shall not prevail against this, HIS church.~~