Here are more problems occurring within local churches prior to the Rapture:
5. The Dying Church (Sardis)
-Their best days as a ministry were all in the past. G. Campbell Morgan called it "reputation without reality."
Rev. 3:1b-2 “These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”
6. The Faithful Church (Philadelphia)
-They were a wonderful example for other churches to follow by patiently, obediently fulfilling the Great Commission. Their warning was to not lose sight of the Lord’s eminent return and lose rewards as a result.
V8, 10-11 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
7. The Lukewarm Church (Laodicea)
-They “cooled off” spiritually and had ignored their fellowship with God. The world had lulled them into complacency and now were unable to even see their true spiritual condition.
V16-17 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”
LESSON - AGAIN, we must first examine ourselves. If our fellowship with the Lord has “cooled off”, now is the time to repent. The same can be said for our churches. Jesus stands at the door longing for renewed fellowship with His people. We must be the catalyst to open the door and invite Him back in.
V19-20 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
This is God’s FINAL WORD to the churches before the Rapture.
V22 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
~Mike
Comments