Again, many are deluded by the emphasis upon the mere outward forms of the visible Church.  When these forms are analyzed, they appear to represent a church ministered to by a recognized ordained minister who depends upon his own personality for his power; and who preaches ethics and morality drawn from Scripture texts and other ethical writings.  Prayers are offered, imploring the Almighty to aid humanity in its attempts to commend itself to Him by a more or less faithful practice of religion.  The pleasures of music as an art are provided at fabulous cost, in place of the praise that is inspired by the Spirit of God.  Social gatherings are held, to take the place of the unity of the Spirit and the love of the brethren.  Humanitarian appeals for the betterment of the world are made, in place of the evangelical regeneration by the Cross; and not one reference to the real Gospel is made from one year to the next, unless it be in a covered denial.  The sleeping congregations are seemingly satisfied with a mockery of the truth, and are content with a doctrine that proposes to educate souls into hell, and which encourages them to make a few efforts toward self-development while on their certain road to perdition.  It is no longer good form in society to be without some church relations, yet the one and only true basis for salvation may never have been comprehended or accepted by a multitude of these members.  Truly the god of this world is accomplishing his end, and his blinded followers are coming to be numbered with the faithful.  The evil birds are flocking to the mustard tree, and the corrupting leaven is permeating the measures of meal.

The last development of the earth history of the visible Church is predicted to be a condition in which the Church is saying, “I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.”  The passage continues, “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:17-20).  If Scripture language and figure mean anything, this is a description of an unregenerate Church over which the Lord is pleading.  It is from this Church that He has withdrawn; and is seen outside, standing and knocking.  His hope is not centered upon reforming the whole mass of professing members; for his offer is to the individual “any man” with whom He will then have personal communion and fellowship.