The Holy Spirit can help saints digest this message. Just read the NC and cling to John 4:24. This can help filter through professed churches, including some house fellowships. Keep in mind there are many more signs. This is baby stuff all pastors should know, so there’s no excuse.
These are left-hand gatherings. Jesus will put the sheep on his right, goats on his left.
The gathering is a 666 (govt) entity.
Any professed flock of Christ in the U.S. that is a “recognized 501(c)(3)” (filed form 1023) is the devil’s whore. We are not to be unequally yoked. Many saints in unfriendly Christian countries are fighting church secularization with their lives. Early saints did so as well. This search tool will help you find these whore gatherings so you can avoid them.
https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos
man-made unbiblical structure
Watch out for antichrist church structure! In the NT, we consistently see that all believers in a village/city/hamlet are one local body. You are automatically a part of the local city ecclesia where you reside or where your home base is. Of course, people may split up into separate gatherings so that everyone can participate in collective worship.
Apostles (or their helpers) chose a body of elders for each town. (Big cities would have a large one if there are many saints there.) This presbytery works together and oversees things; they don’t operate independently of others in the same city. Deacons assist them with service needs.
However, there may be ‘lone’ Christians in a city ecclesia. They may be kicked out because of unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 5:2-5). Others refuse to follow the crowd of evil doers (Exodus 23:2), like the Levites, as we see in Rev 2 & 3. Lot was alone and so was Noah. If they can find others, they may gather with each other as they hope for healing of their local church and the universal Body of Christ. We pray without ceasing regardless. These people wouldn’t give themselves a “vanity church name” to divide themselves from their local church, no matter how wicked they are. There are tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). We see descriptions in the Scriptures. For example, the title of this site describes what it’s about; it’s not a name.
Of course, like Noah (2 Peter 2:5), we still warn fake and wicked Christians (Daniel 12:3)(Jude 1:22-23)(James 5:19-20). Certain mass messages should be confirmed by others (1 Corinth 14:29). Though, that’s not always the case (Acts 11:28).
Participation is prohibited.
When we gather for Christ’s resurrection party, NT instruction shows that no bums are allowed. There’s also no main headliner with opening acts. Everyone is a star and has something to contribute, though men lead the gathering (1 Peter 2:5-9).
Women can’t teach or participate in biblical discussions, which matches ancient synagogue worship. NT worship has some differences. When we study the related passages carefully, we see that women can pray, prophesy, or lead a congregational song during meetings (1 Corinthians 11:4-5). 1 Corinthians 14:23-24 refers to everyone, male and female. So, we know that the word ἀδελφός in verse 26 is used generally in this instance, like in (Matt 7:3)(Acts 13)(Acts 15:1,3), etc. The Word often speaks directly to men because they lead and do authoritative teaching (Eph 5:24-25). Adam was created first.
The group quinches the Spirit.
These groups practice artificial worship instead of spirit & truth worship that Jesus commands. Gd controls the whole celebration, so it concludes when the Lord decides = Acts 20:7. True collective worship follows NT instructions + operating in your spirit, so there’s no room for personal opinions. People have control of their spirits so that things don’t get out of hand (1 Corinthians 14:32-33). Everything said is tested and judged.
Allowing the Holy Spirit & Word to lead is absolutely necessary so people can see that the true Christ is among them. It also helps confirm your worship and teachings are a pleasant fragrance to the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2)(Malachi 2:3), not a stench.
The group resists correction
In 3 John 1:9-10, we see that John tried to send teachers to a gathering, but Diotrephes, who loved to control things, kicked them out. In Revelation, we learn that Jesus can send personal messages to believers in cities to encourage them or tell them to repent. He could also send messengers to false Christian gatherings or events to warn people about artificial Christianity. Jesus, the apostles, teachers, etc, went to the religious people of the day.
If people are visited by or stumble upon a ‘possible messenger,’ they should be like the ecclesia in Ephesus. You may entertain angels (person or spirit) unaware. Try people to see if they are indeed true or false. You must investigate and do the work!
I’ve seen countless “professed” Christ assemblies visited by ‘possible messengers.’ The majority of the groups in the U.S. don’t display the fruit of the Spirit. They don’t test the people. They aren’t humble truth seekers. They act like know-it-alls and roll their eyes at people who question what they do or their doctrine. It appears the leaders don’t know the Scriptures well and neither do their cult followers. The gatherings I observed fell into all the popular sects: Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Greek Orthodox.
Believers that LOVE Jesus and walk in truth can defend their beliefs and actions in the Scriptures. They would also LOVE correction and rebuke, not resist it.
Other references to confirm this message: Matthew 23, John 13:20, John 18:36, Acts 5:29, Acts 14:23, 1 Corinthians 11,12, 14, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Is this message too much for you? Time to walk away = John 6:66