Seven Letters

We now come to part two in this small series regarding the three final churches. Many who study eschatology will argue that there is a timeline that goes from Ephesus to Laodicea. While the text indicates this to be true, it is not in the manner most would prescribe.

Today, I want to examine the first of the three final churches and how they are happening simultaneously. However, before I do, I want to point out that you can find each of these styles of churches anywhere in the world today. This not only reveals the magnitude of the accuracy and application of God’s Word, but also reveals its timelessness for the reader at large. No matter the geographical location or time within the past two thousand years, each of these churches are represented. Nevertheless, we must now analyze these churches within the scope of eschatology.

This post will be calling out specific groups and denominations. Not to sling mud, but in order to allow the reader to be aware of such groups so as to take the necessary steps to see if where they go to church falls in line with that identified characteristic.

Sardis is the church that looks to be alive but is dead. This does not mean all of them, but rather the majority. There are some who have not defiled their garments and they will walk with the Lord in white, for they are worthy. This Church appears to be vibrant and on fire, but in the eyes of God they are dead. These are the Calvinist of the world and the reformed groups who deny the holistic study of God’s Word. These pulpits use the catchy terms that reflect fundamentalist and the strict study of God’s Word, but the closer you dig the more nefarious their false gospel is. I call it a false gospel because they have changed the character of God for their own liking. They claim limited atonement and yet, God’s Word clearly says otherwise. A very famous Calvinist was heard recently saying, “I’ll leave the Bible scholars to study this…I don’t need another New Testoment class, I need my emotions pulled with life and death on the face of the preacher at the pulpit.” This same pastor mocks those who are eager for the Lord’s return in the clouds for the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. To the eyes of the world, they appear to be alive, but God sees their works and that they are dead. In fact, this group is first mentioned in Sardis, but also later as part of the Synogoge of Satan. Jesus warns this group of the rapture and that it will come upon them as a thief in the night.

Paul identifies the day of the Lord and helps bring a greater understanding. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

The day of the Lord is identified as the “night” and will not “overtake” the Greek here is better translated as “seize”, thus Paul is saying that the Christian will not be seized in this time of darkness on the world. What does this mean? It means that Jacob’s trouble, the time of “night” is not for us who are of the “day.” So when Jesus says, to the church of Sardis, Revelation 3:2-3 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” Jesus is saying that this group is not saved and if they do not repent they will have Jacob’s trouble come upon them. We need only read chapters 6 through 19 of Revelation to see what the Tribulation Saints will go through. When reviewing a denomination or a specific church, examine them to these seven churches and see what Jesus says. You will quickly see that God is to the point because the subject has an eternal magnitude.

Next week we will go over the church of Philadelphia and see what God says to those who have a love and laser focus on His return. This church not only studies all of God’s Word, but takes seriously the times we live in. This church recognizes the importance of Israel and the Church as two separate groups, with both saved by the power of the cross. We will see how those who are in the Sardis church who refused to listen to Jesus’, warning can easily slip into the definition of being part of the replacement theology. Christ labels this group as the “Synagogue of Satan” that will be left behind.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL