A Tale Of Two Churches
Read: Revelation 3:7-22
“To the church in Philadelphia…To the church in Laodicea…”
(Revelation 3:7 & 14)
Thoughts… Throughout the centuries, Biblical scholars have interpreted the letters to the seven churches in Revelation in a variety of ways. Some have suggested that these letters are written literally to seven contemporary churches throughout Asia Minor during the time of John’s imprisonment, describing real conditions that existed in those churches. Others suggest that these seven churches represent eras of church history, with the last two, Philadelphia and Laodicea, concurrently representing the condition of the church at the end of time.
However you wish to interpret, the message to these last two churches is clear, and quite applicable to the church in our day. At this point, a couple of thoughts come to mind:
One, God assesses the condition of his church way differently than we do. What we consider weak, ineffective and unattractive in a church God considers whole because of that church’s fidelity to his Word. Size, slickness and sizzle do not impress God if his Word is not being honored above all else.
On the other hand, what we might consider attractive, powerful, and impacting in a church because of its bigness, buildings and budget, God may assess as way off the mark because Biblical truth has been neglected or compromised, all in the name of cultural relevance and church growth.
That leads to the second thought: Beware of all the bells and whistles when evaluating the church. If these last two churches do represent the condition of the church in the last days, it is rather obvious that many of our churches are indeed the church at Laodicea. Don’t get caught up in the personality cult and celebrity worship of TV preachers or the hype of the mega-church.
Ask yourself: Does my church honor God’s Word above all else? Is my pastor and are my spiritual leaders truly people of God—full of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, bent on fulfilling the purposes of God for the church without compromise? Is this a church with whom God is well pleased?
If so, then you’ve got a great church. If not, start praying!
Prayer… Father, purify you church, that we might be the Bride of Christ, pure, spotless, and ready for the return of the Bridegroom.
One More Thing… “God doesn’t look for charisma, his looks at character.”