Revelation 18:4 and 2 Corinthians 6:16-17

by Dr. Ken Matto

I was reading 2 Corinthians 6 and this verse jumped off the page at me.  If you notice in verse 16, the passage states that "ye are THE temple of God."  It is a definite article and from this verse we are seeing that God is calling out His Elect from the world.  The definite article makes no room for alternate meanings.  The Temple of God in the New Testament is the believer and not a corporate church. The latter meaning must be forced in.  He is telling them to "come out from among them."  There is no reference to a local church here.  The same command is found in Revelation 18:4 which has become a pivotal verse in the Campingite movement claiming that it is referring to the corporate church.  Both verses are specifically dealing with God calling and saving His Elect out of the world.    The word "separate" in verse 17 means "set apart or separate from."  What does God do with His children?  He separates them from the world.  He sets them apart thus sanctifying them.  Does He separate corporate churches or His Elect? 

 

 

(2 Cor 6:16-17 KJV) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

 

(Rev 18:4 KJV) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

 

Campingites are always claiming compare Scripture with Scripture, I guess someone missed this connection.

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