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!