The Revelation of Jesus Christ was written to the seven churches that are in Asia. While these are very specific churches, I would like to hypothesize that there are elements of these churches in operation throughout the world today.
I would like to further hypothesize that the deeds exhibited by the Laodicean church and the church at Sardis are relevant to the Church in the United States today. That may seem harsh, but I believe it is true.
I need to point out that there are many denominations in the church in America that encompass believers as well as non-believers. The body of Christ does not reside in one denomination. It stretches across many. The body of Christ consists of people who can be designated as Christ followers. They study and adhere to the Word of God which has been inscribed in the Bible. There is a false church that stretches across all denominations consisting of non-followers of Christ. They may read the word of God but only use it as it suits them. “2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a]great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 New American Standard Bible 1995
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and [a]communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and [b]heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995
"‘3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, [a]but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember [b]what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” Revelation 3:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995
“14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the [a]Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will [b]spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
Christians in the United States have dual citizenship. In the natural world we are citizens of the United States. In the spiritual world we are citizens of Heaven. God the Father (Yahweh) and Jesus Christ his son have ultimate authority over the natural and spiritual worlds. In the natural world God has delegated authority to leaders:
“13 Every [a]person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [b]from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Romans 13:1 New American Standard Bible 1995
In the United States the people vote to determine who will represent them at the federal, state, and local levels. Therefore, if the governed are not pleased with the ones they elected to govern them they can replace them in the next election.
Since Roe v. Wade the people of the United States have frequently voted against Biblical standards. It appears that many Americans no longer choose to follow biblical standards and mock those that do. Followers of Christ are viewed as having an antiquated outlook on life. Many citizens don’t believe in God.
The church has been quiet during this season. But look at what has happened to the country:
It is time for the people in America’s churches to realize that many are lukewarm. They will be spit out of Christ’s mouth. Are you lukewarm?
Many because of their wealth don’t look to God for guidance and provision.
In contrast we see the church at Smyrna:
“8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
The first and the last, who [a]was dead, and has come to life, says this:
9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. [b]Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’” Revelation 2:8-11 New American Standard Bible 1995
We have many beloved brothers and sisters throughout the world that I would hypothesize, are members of the church that exhibit the attributes of the church at Smyrna. People who don’t know where their next meal is coming from and trust the Lord to “give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11 NASB People who must trust the Lord for clothing, healing, medicine, water. Some have become martyrs. Yet these beloved brothers and sisters cling to Jesus and God the Father. They are truly blessed. They don’t have worldly things vying for their attention. I believe they have a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Christ than many in America.
The church in America has just begun to experience discrimination. I believe it is going to get much worse. This is based on what the Bible states about end times.
Are we prepared to be the light we are expected to be? Are we prepared to be the army God intended us to be? Are we going to be lukewarm and spit out of the mouth of Christ?
Picture by Jack Sharp/Unsplash