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Corporate Repentance - Robert J. Wieland

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There is a third view possible:<br />

3. We can view our history with a confidence<br />

born of contrition. This is the realistic<br />

approach. This church is the true "remnant"<br />

of prophecy which God has raised up. The<br />

world has not yet truly heard the message,<br />

and His people have not as yet been prepared<br />

for the return of Christ. This view "rejoices in<br />

the truth." It does not seek to evade or<br />

suppress the obvious facts of denominational<br />

history that call for repentance and<br />

reformation. Our failure to honor our Lord<br />

requires simply that we fall to our knees.<br />

Nevertheless, realism highlights the future<br />

with hope. The joy of the Lord always<br />

accompanies repentance.<br />

Attempts to Explain the Long Delay<br />

Truth always gives ground for hope. Denying<br />

or suppressing the truth produces frustrated<br />

despair. The reason is that the human conscience<br />

recognizes the reality of the passage of time, the<br />

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