The Remaining Churches: Types (Revelation 3)
If the first four of these letters explored the idea of compromise, these last three present us with a spectrum along that line:
Sardis (3:1-6) The Dead Church
Sardis had once been a capital city, but had been conquered twice in its history because it failed to be prepared. Christ's warning to the church to be watchful is especially pertinent to this city. The church their existed still, and so it appeared to be alive. However, in reality, they were a dead church. The few remaining faithful members must remain watchful so that they don't disappear altogether.
Christ’s promise not to erase them from the book of life is a provocative one. Scripture teaches that those who believe in Christ are secure in their salvation. And we tend to think of salvation as being represented by having our names written in the book of life. Perhaps the metaphor here is more a case of everyone is bought and thus written in, but those who reject Christ are blotted out.
Philadelphia (3:7-13) The Faithful Church
They have kept His Word, they have persevered, and they have not compromised. Christ will keep them from the coming persecution.
Laodicea (3:14-22) The Compromised Church
A rich city in John's day, it was a banking center, produced a famous black wool, and an ointment for the eye. The water in Laodicea was piped in from another town where hot springs abounded. In route, it cooled to a lukewarm temperature and was high in salts. Christ alludes to these facts in His letter.
The church here is neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They have become self-assured and think they don't need anything. God warns them to turn once again to Him.
The three types today.
Christ has characterized the majority of the seven churches in these letters as being similar to Laodicea, compromised churches. Many churches today would also fall into this category. A minority of the church is committed and doing ministry, the majority simply fills the pews on Sunday, and forgets God the rest of the week.
Sadly, some churches today would have to be seen as Sardis was: dead. They are mere human institutions that have forgotten the time when they were doing God's work. They work simply to maintain their existence, without remembering why they exist in the first place.
The goal of today's churches should be to resemble Philadelphia, and remain faithful to God's purpose. That church was promised an exemption from the hour of testing. We must remember, however, that Smyrna was not spared persecution, and it too was a faithful church. Our goal in being faithful should be to please our father in heaven, not to get out of hard times.
Sardis (3:1-6) The Dead Church
Sardis had once been a capital city, but had been conquered twice in its history because it failed to be prepared. Christ's warning to the church to be watchful is especially pertinent to this city. The church their existed still, and so it appeared to be alive. However, in reality, they were a dead church. The few remaining faithful members must remain watchful so that they don't disappear altogether.
Christ’s promise not to erase them from the book of life is a provocative one. Scripture teaches that those who believe in Christ are secure in their salvation. And we tend to think of salvation as being represented by having our names written in the book of life. Perhaps the metaphor here is more a case of everyone is bought and thus written in, but those who reject Christ are blotted out.
Philadelphia (3:7-13) The Faithful Church
They have kept His Word, they have persevered, and they have not compromised. Christ will keep them from the coming persecution.
Laodicea (3:14-22) The Compromised Church
A rich city in John's day, it was a banking center, produced a famous black wool, and an ointment for the eye. The water in Laodicea was piped in from another town where hot springs abounded. In route, it cooled to a lukewarm temperature and was high in salts. Christ alludes to these facts in His letter.
The church here is neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They have become self-assured and think they don't need anything. God warns them to turn once again to Him.
The three types today.
Christ has characterized the majority of the seven churches in these letters as being similar to Laodicea, compromised churches. Many churches today would also fall into this category. A minority of the church is committed and doing ministry, the majority simply fills the pews on Sunday, and forgets God the rest of the week.
Sadly, some churches today would have to be seen as Sardis was: dead. They are mere human institutions that have forgotten the time when they were doing God's work. They work simply to maintain their existence, without remembering why they exist in the first place.
The goal of today's churches should be to resemble Philadelphia, and remain faithful to God's purpose. That church was promised an exemption from the hour of testing. We must remember, however, that Smyrna was not spared persecution, and it too was a faithful church. Our goal in being faithful should be to please our father in heaven, not to get out of hard times.
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