Many Christians go to Church as a way to learn about the Son of God, Christ Jesus, and to worship God. And now more than ever we want to ensure we’re following Scripture of how a Church should conduct themselves. Because the Lord Jesus warned there would be false Prophets who would deceive many. So it’s extremely important to follow God’s Truth.
But did you know that in the Book of Revelation there were 7 Churches Christ had an important message for? So, as a Christian who attends Church you need to be able to evaluate your Church against those listed. What we’ll be looking at is simply the admonitions Christ gave to the Church and His answer on how to fix it. As a comparison, see where your Church appears in the list.
Church of Ephesus
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; REPENT and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place – unless you REPENT. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
Church in Smyrna
Persecuted with no admonition. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
Church in Pergamos
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. This you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. REPENT, or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the Sword of My Mouth.
To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Church in Thyatira
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a Prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. And I will give him the morning star.
Church in Sardis
I know your works, that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 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. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His Angels.
Church in Philadelphia
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the Hour of Trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God. And I will write on him My New Name.
Church of Laodicea
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and REPENT. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.
There seems to be a common theme;
Follow Christ and the Apostles teachings.
Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
Do the works of the Lord Jesus
Repent of Sexual immorality
No false idols and eat nothing sacrificed to idols.
Stay away from False Prophets and their teachings.
And of course the need to REPENT if you’re not following according to Scripture. And remember, denominations are not Biblical and if your Church Doctrine doesn’t align with Scriptures or they don’t preach the Good News, I suggest reading your Bible so you can learn the Truth.
But there is something else I noticed, the ONLY CHURCH kept from the Hour of Trial which comes upon the whole world, is the Church in Philadelphia. Which means ONLY those who follow the template of this Church will be protected from the Hour of Trial coming on the world.
Why? Because they’re not being obedient to the Lord. They’re falling false Prophets who twist and pervert God’s Truth. There Churches are filled with Sexual Scandals, false doctrines, and some may do the works but they’ve left their first love.
Many pastors, preachers, ministers an such preach that the Church is taken out and will not endure the Hour of Trial. But according to Scripture, Jesus Christ says this;
I, Jesus, have sent My Angel to testify to you these things in the Churches, I Am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.
The Lord Jesus is giving the Churches a warning, the Book of Revelation was given to prepare these Churches of where they stand with Him and what they would endure if they failed to REPENT and be obedient and follow Christ as the Scriptures warn.
Do NOT be fooled, unless you are falling the Philadelphia Church, you WILL go through the Hour of Trial!