How To Become a False Church

Interestingly, when you read about the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation 2-3, there is something bad that stands out.

Seven churches are mentioned. Two of the seven receive from the Lord no condemnation – Smyrna and Philadelphia. The other five are told by Jesus Himself to “repent.”

Here what’s interesting. As you study the five churches that were told to repent, there is a decreasing level of power and spirituality from the first (Ephesus) to the fifth (Laodicea).

Here’s why: There’s a decreasing number of believers as the churches move toward Laodicea. Let me repeat this again: There is a DECREASING number of believers and an INCREASE number of unbelievers as you go from Ephesus to Laodicea.

For example: When you read about Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7), they’re all believers. There is no mention of a small core of unbelievers in that church.

Then you come to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17). Verse 14: “I have a few things against you. There are “some” who hold to the teaching of Balak” (leading people astray by corrupting them with the things of the world). Verse 15 - “Some who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans” (immoral behavior). Now we have gone from a church that had all believers in it (Ephesus), to a church that now has a small group of influential unbelievers in it).

Now we come to the third church – Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). Verse 20: “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel. . .” Then go to verse 24: “But I say to the REST who are in Thyatira. . .who have not known the deep things of Satan.” Notice that the true believers are referred to by Jesus as “the rest.” So we have gone from a church that has all believers in it (Ephesus), to a church that has a pocket of influential non-believers in it (Pergamum), to a church that has an increase number of unbelievers in it so much so that Jesus refers to the believers as “the rest.”

Now we come to Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6). Verse 4: “You have a FEW people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments’ and they walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.” Notice now, true believes are referred to as “a few.” So we have done from all believers (Ephesus), to a small but growing number of unbelievers (Pergamum), to a group of believers referred to as “the rest” (Thyatira), to a church with only a “few” believers in it.

The last church is Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). In this church, there are no believers in it. Jesus tells this church that He wants to vomit them out of His mouth (v. 16). He advises them all to get saved (v. 18), repent (v. 19), and then tragically, Jesus refers to Himself as standing “outside” the church knocking in order to be let in (v. 20).

So we have done from a church of all believers (Ephesus), to a church with a small but growing number of unbelievers (Pergamum), to a church with an even decreasing number of believers – “the rest” (Thyatira), to a church with only a “few” believers (Sardis), to a church that has no believers in it (Laodicea). That’s the flow!

Here it is again:

Ephesus (The believing church)

Pergamum (The compromising Church)

Thyatira (The immoral Church)

Sardis (The dead church)

Laodicea (The false church)

This is what happens to churches that start off going down the wrong road. It will end up in a matter of time becoming like Laodicea. The more unbelievers are in the church, the more Laodicean the church will become.

Now I am not referring to unbelievers attending the services. We want that. I am talking about not prayerfully screening people before you offer them a ministry to do or an office to hold. If unbelievers get a foothold into an office or teaching position in the church, ask God to give you discernment to know who it is and to take care of matters.

Remember, the church exist to edify the saints, not to evangelize the unbelievers. Evangelization occurs during the week, but in the church services, zero in on the believers and build them up in the faith (Eph. 4:11-16).

Know the spiritual conditions of your flock!

What does Jesus think?

For Christians, this is what we are concerned with.  What is God’s perspective?  Or better, “What is the message God is seeking to get across to us?”

Yesterday, when I first heard of the mass shooting in Orlando, I was horrified.  I listened to the response from people who chimed in with their perspectives. Much of it was good and reassuring.

Our president’s response did not surprise me.   In fact, as soon as he started to talk, I turned elsewhere because I know I would get the same old politically correct trash.  

There were two kinds of response people were giving based on their focus: First, from the perspective of the shooter, a response of anger.   An Islamic terrorist strikes again within our borders.

Second, from the perspective of the victims, a heart of compassion.   After all, it was at a gay establishment.  Whether you are gay or straight, no one should be helplessly murdered for their choice of orientation or beliefs. We may differ, but we move on with respect because all mankind is created in the image of God.   God will be the final judge.

After a while, I asked the Lord, “What do you think?” He reminded me of what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5:

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Here Jesus does something we often do not do ourselves. He places the focus on ourselves – the living!

Pilate had committed a horrible act of terror.  While the Galileans were offering their sacrifices to God, Pilate had them slaughtered too and made them into sacrifices as well.  Jesus said, “Are you thinking that perhaps those Galileans were worse offenders than everyone else?  If so, away with that thought.  But here is what you ought to be thinking when you hear of such a crime –‘Unless you repent from your sins, you will likewise perish.’”

Jesus did not place emphasis on the victims (the Galileans) or on the perpetrator (Pilate).  He put the application on those who were still alive: “Repent and get right with God because you do not know when it will be your time!”

Then Jesus gave another story concerning an incident that involved no perpetrator. A tower fell one day and killed eighteen people.  Jesus said, “What are your thoughts about this? Do you think those eighteen people were worse sinners than everyone else and that’s why they faced such a tragedy?  Away with that thought.”   Then Jesus makes the application that we often miss doing ourselves:  “Unless YOU repent, you will likewise perish.”

In other words, the message of Jesus concerning these unfortunate tragedies is this:  “Get right with God while you still are able to. You do not know if or when something similar or far worse may happen to you!”

The message in Orlando is not only about the victims, and not only about the shooter.  It is about you and me – the living.  How is your relationship with God?

Death will usher you into the presence of God one day – saved or unsaved. You have no control over the means of your death.  Orlando is God’s way of saying, “Will you be ready to meet your maker if such a similar outcome happens to you?”