The Virtual Church Isn't Church

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 

Heb 10:24  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 

Heb 10:25  not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 

Heb 10:26  For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 

Heb 10:27  but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 

Scripture is clear about the necessity "all the more" of assembling together for fellowship with believers in the local church in order to courage one another as we see the day drawing near and keeps us accountable (disobedience calls for warning). This is the function of the local church which by Scripture, is defined as called out ones assembling together, under the leadership of elders and deacons, for the public reading of Scripture, teaching, preaching, use of spiritual gifts, prayer, doctrine, encouragement, laying on of hands of leaders, church discipline (which itself necessitates observing life as well as doctrine of both leaders and non-leaders), partaking of the Lord's Table, and baptisms. Virtual "church" necessitates no accountability at all either for the "pastor" or for the "member". In fact, it allows for great sin and disobedience (by refusing to obey the commands and by sin never seen by others). It also chokes the life out of the believers because by nature we are social beings and need true fellowship (which is based on sound doctrine).
Because of the Wuhan Virus (COVID 19) more Evangelicals are redefining "love", "church", "essential" "non-essential", and pitting Bible versus against each other as they shut down their churches for an indeterminable time as they rely solely upon the government for its commands.  Those "sound" churches who previously decried using livestreaming as "church"  and reserved its use only for those who are home-bound due to illness or the fragile elderly, are now are justifying this--"temporarily" as they qualify it. But now that they've justified it, they can't unjustify it. Their redefinition of "church" and "worship" is now in line with all the other churches whom they have looked down on as not as sound nor spiritual as they. Some even denounced multi-campus churches. Yet here they are, following the exact model out of pragmatism (same reason as those "lesser" churches). This is a spiritual battle, not a physical one. 

So now those who take the Word seriously and not as an option to be obeyed, are described as having a "melt down" by Evangelicals. Actually the biblical Christian is to fully & dogmatically obey the Lord's commands.

In a virtual church there’s no accountability between the people and the elders, testing them by observation of life and doctrine:

1Tim 4:11-16 “show yourselves an example” in “speech, conduct, love, faith, purity”
1Tim 4:13 public reading of Scripture, exhortation, teaching

1Tim 4:15 in all these things your progress needs to be evident to all

1Tim 4:16 pay close attention to yourself & doctrine, persevere in them, ensures salvation of your hearers (implies, observers)

You can’t provide for widows on the church list if you aren’t joined to a church, but rather your family is “church”and Scripture makes the difference between one's own widows and those in the church who have no family.  Also the requirements to be on the list demands observation of good works, show hospitality to strangers, washed the saints' feet, assisted those in distress, devoted herself to every good work (1Tim. 5:9-16) 

Elders can’t rule virtually therefore they can’t have double honor IF they rule well. It must be seen, and that happens in real life, not sitting behind a computer screen in from of a book case. Moreover, “ruling well” includes observerable behavior of whole life (marriage, family etc).1 Tim 5:17

You can’t deal publicly with a sinning elder if you can’t see the elder sin. The congregation can’t be in fear of sin if this does not happen. It also means that the congregation can’t be held accountable for their sin either, sin there aren’t witnesses. This is church discipline. 1Tim 5:19-21

Can’t lay hands upon leaders to lead because this demands observation of private life (1Tim3), and a physical act of the hands.1Ti 4:14,5:22

Interestingly, this quarantine has aided elders who dislike leading the sheep of God. For years it's been evident they hate it by way of refusing to deal with their own sin (brought to them by the sheep) or that of their church members (unless their hand is forced, or if it's a "trouble maker" who has pointed out their sin and compromise either doctrinally or practically; ie, they discipline the ones in line with Scripture and shield those who are definitely in sin). The sin of favoritism is one of the biggest unrepentant sins of church leaders EVER (James 2; 1Tim 5:21).

Self preservation is disguised in "protecting" ("love") others while disobeying the clear command to assemble together: 2Ti 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Derision of Christians seeking to obey the command of Christ while generous belief & obedience to a wicked government that denies church gatherings, demonstrates how truly close we are to the End.

Spiritual food is more important than physical food. Spiritual poison is worse than physical poison. Yet many Evangelicals are willing to "risk" their lives to get food from the market, but not "risk" their lives to get spiritual food. 

Spiritual health includes the Scriptures and fellowship (going back to Heb. 10 in the above passage, as well as other Scriptures like 1 Peter 1-2, Acts, etc). Persecution never stopped the believers from assembling together. In fact the Dispersion from Jerusalem (persecution) caused the creation of new believers and new churches. 

Col 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Col 3:3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.