​“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all together in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:12-13‬ ‭NASB2020

‬‬What is the outside opinion of our churches, gatherings, or meetings? The growing early church had a very high view in the eyes of the people who would see them in Solomon’s portico. But because of the fear of the Jewish leaders, they would not join their gathering. I think many people are in their church and God is calling them out to join another because of policies and teaching that are giving the church a bad view. But because of fear of leaving a void or tradition, they have not left. 

But then what about Jesus' statement that says, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:18‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/jhn.15.18.NASB2020

We typically classify people into two groups; the world and the church. But it should be three; the world, the church, and the in-between. Did the in-between love or hate Jesus? Who was the world that hated Jesus? We see time and time again that the common people fell into the in-between group. They held Jesus in awe and were always looking to Jesus for food, healing, or some kind of miracle. While the synagogue leaders were always looking to get rid of Jesus. 

Right now God is working on ridding, clearing, the world of those who would try to rid the world of His church and He is going to leave a remnant behind to build His church back up again.

“Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23:3‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/jer.23.3.NASB2020

“And I will bring Israel back to his pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan, and his desire will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and at that time,’ declares the Lord, ‘search will be made for the wrongdoing of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I will forgive those whom I leave as a remnant.’”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭50:19-20‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/jer.50.20.NASB2020

God is getting ready to leave a remnant on this earth and forgive their sins! Will you be found as a remnant or will you be at the other extreme and will be taken out as being part of the world. My guess is most of us will fall into either the church or the in-between and not into the category of the world.