laodicean church today

It’s better to be spiritually wealthy than worldly wealthy. The Berean Call is also available in a large-print edition at a nominal cost. That was a wonderful church. In all the seven letters, the cities to which the messages were addressed give remarkable clues as to the trials and difficulties besetting the Christians residing there. He writes: One of the remarkable sidelights in the staggering political changes in Eastern Europe is the fact of a vibrant Christianity that has emerged in the midst of the suffering, persecution, and athei… The Berean Call is available by postal mail each month for free. They’re no longer there. Especially considering how the WCG turned from “keeping the commandments of God,” became “apostate,” and hundreds of splits ensued, many claiming to be the “true Church of God” or the “churches of God.” I think He’s saying if you’re a real Christian, you’re an overcomer. You know, we want to be thoughtful Christians, and we want to encourage others to be thoughtful, because so much of what’s going on out there in the church, you could pull it back to just thoughtlessness, not thinking these things through. And majority of them hate being told the truth – corrected – rebuked. To the Church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. Some have printed a new Bible which puts God in the feminine, and now we see the “overspreading of abominations” (Daniel 9:27) in the holy place. I think that you probably could look around the world today and say I think we’ve got all of them on this earth. See Righteousness is a robe with Jesus Christ. Most of today’s churches are storytelling, fun- filled, prosperity-seeking institutions that hear of God’s love, but despise and get angry when biblical correction comes forth. This harsh pronouncement suggests that the Christians at Laodicea—located in modern Turkey—wavered in their commitments to the Christian faith. Laodicea. Temple A at Laodicea, Turkey. So how could the Laodicean church be in existence today if WCG was at one time the true Philadelphia church? Dave: Yeah, shining out to the world through this church. Click here to get the app! Tom: It’s not the church in the Sudan today. For example, how do they overcome? She is confident of her own strength and wisdom, while mingling anti-Christ falsehoods with the truth of the gospel. Click here for copyright permissions. Therefore the Church, instead of giving way to the Bible, has been trying to bend the Bible to the Church. Which is what we should do. Although many of the members may have been materially rich, the “wealth” it claimed for itself would be spiritual. She has become the greatest teacher of lies in the universe. We are willing to send the newsletter to you by regular mail but encourage you to read it online to save printing and mailing costs. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. There is no commendation. The period of Church history before Jesus Christ comes again. On 23rd February 2020, God, Copyright©2012-2019 www.christiantruthcenter.com, Church of Laodicea – the Lukewarm Church, Righteousness is a robe with Jesus Christ, seek first the kingdom of heaven and all will be added unto you, In Jesus Equals Peace With Wild Animals and Stones, Warfare – Physical Fight Result of Spiritual Defeat, Peace – A Measure of Your Relationship with Jesus Christ, Beggars are Unrighteous – Including Pulpit Beggars, Godly Definition of Poverty and Riches (What it Means to Be Rich or Poor), Poverty is Not Godliness – God is Not Poor, 10 Reasons the Church will not be in the Great Tribulation. It’s rather representative of stages that churches may go through, from faithfulness in first love, losing their first love, and so forth. By 1991, many of the churches had changed their hymnals to suit the trends of the time. And indeed it happened. This age is the Age of Laodicea, the last of the “church” ages described in Revelation. When Jesus addresses the Laodicean church, He doesn’t have much good to say about it. Summary. Church of Laodicea endorses Trump for President in 2020 by David Leach • May 16, 2019 With the 2020 campaign season about to heat up, the Fellowship of the Pharisees and so-called evangelicals are desperate to find an excuse to support Donald Trump after his unethical and immoral behavior exposed them as the charlatans they are. You turn to chapter 12, and it says, “They overcame him through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”. Church of Laodicea represents many people in this generation. Let us consider the city of Laodicea itself to gain helpful insights. In my opinion, I think you could have them all at any time in history. Christ calls Laodicea "lukewarm." Now, the seven churches, they were of course literal churches. The historical and archaeological context of this situation is worth investigating. If you are outside the U.S. God speaks of this lack of judgment in terms of their courtship, their relationship, with Him. In the current church age, the Laodicean age, most Christians do not realize Christ is outside, knocking on the door trying desperately to get into the church. You could certainly—and I’ve seen some even in former Soviet Republics that are that way, as well, with money from the West. This final letter to the church at Laodicea was the most severe of the seven letters. Laodicea is the final church age before Jesus comes for His Church. Where does this condition originate and to whom does it apply? In Philadelphia Christ opened a door that the whole church as a single entity walked through in support of Mr. Armstrong. Tom: And that’s what we want, Dave. In this regular feature, Dave and Tom respond to questions from listeners and readers of The Berean Call. That would be my understanding of it, Tom. HISTORY Laodicea was founded in 3rd C BC as a Hellenistic town after the death of Alexander the great. While each church received a unique message, Christ told John that all of the … So I think they’re all represented today. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.”, He says that, “You remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one of you night and day with tears.” So Paul knew what was going to happen. … But this church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. When you rebuke them they tell you ‘stop judging’. The Laodicean lacks this ability and it shows in the decisions he makes. He says, “After my departing grievous wolves will enter in, not sparing the flock. Laodicea is situated on the long spur of a hill between the narrow valleys of the small rivers Asopus and Caprus, which discharge their waters into the Lycus.The town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhodas. Many people believe so. Leading humanity to Christ Jesus is my joy and happiness. There is nothing positive ever said to this church in this letter, only criticism, only condemnation. It’s gone from an Apostolic experience to a … Good News, August 1959, p.12). The state of “religion”. So it’s very clear that the overcoming is on a part of all those who have received Christ as their Savior. : In the book of Revelation where Jesus is addressing the seven churches, how are we to regard them? It was the only church Christ did not commend for anything. Likewise, the church in the Arabia Peninsula is presently under severe persecution. This church does describe an attitude that we see so prevalent in our world today. The Laodicean period of the church is where we are today. If you fail—I mean, if you compromise, you go back, you deny your faith, and so forth—you never were a Christian to begin with. How To Know You Have a Spiritual Husband or Wife? https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBereanCall/videos, https://livestream.com/bereancallconference. Dave: Certainly not, or in China, or in Iraq, or Iran, or Afghanistan, but it certainly is the church in America, and in much of the Western world—although if you went to Europe, there are more Muslims that meet in mosques every weekend than Christians in churches. Tom: Basically have their lamp stand—as Jesus says here in Revelation 2, their lamp stand will be taken away: that is, the church, the light. It is described as a time when m en shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unholy, … Send us a message to add or change your paper mail address. Dave: Well, [Revelation] 2:7: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” That’s not salvation, but that’s saying that that person will be there in eternity in the future. That’s why so many erroneous teachings come in, or fads, or trends, and so on. These "eras" represent attitudes that are always present in God's Church, and they also indicate the progression of "dominant" attitudes in the Church at large. The Letter To Laodicea Is A Warning To The TRUE Church Today by Sandy Simpson, 4/30/07 Rev. In [Revelation] 2:7, He says that ‘he that overcomes shall be given the tree of life from which to eat.’ And in v. 11, ‘he will not be hurt by the second death.’ What else could these be referring to other than salvation?”. Tragic, indeed! Tom: And wouldn’t it also be an exhortation and encouragement to believers to live up to what Christ has already accomplished in their lives? All rights Reserved. The Berean Call is available by paid subscription . Dave: Absolutely. Dave: Well, some of them look like a shopping center—they’re as big as a shopping center. Similar to the situation today in the church, Christians need discernment, the ability to distinguish right from wrong, to make true judgments. The Laodicean Church of Today I believe that we are now living in the time of the Laodicean Church. The most confronting message I’ve heard so far was a sermon taught from the last of the seven churches written to in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the Lukewarm Church of Laodicea. These were actual churches at Ephesus. Question: "What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation?" Laodicea was but one of seven churches in western Asia Minor at the time that Christ gave the message of the book of Revelation to John on the island of Patmos. I’ve been through that country. The Laodicean Church. The Revelation churches represent me and you – which church are you among the 7? It was one of seven cities mentioned in the prophecy of Revelation 2 and 3; there was a congregation of the Church … None of them exist today. You look at the property, look at the churches that there are today, some of the megachurches, you have all the…some of them look like…. They do not know the difference between judging and rebuking. It can’t . The church landscape is very fragmented because churches or denominations have broken off in one direction or another which is perfectly indicative of a Laodicean nature where the ‘people decide’ for themselves what church should be. Well, this church is symbolic of the period of Church history that we are in today, the last age. Church of Laodicea is the last church in the 7 churches of Revelation. I wouldn’t say that this is a progression. We read of that in chapter 22. The lukewarm, Laodicean church is the one that will be spit out. But in Laodicea He must work with individuals; The Laodicean church has self-elected itself, without any guidance of the Holy Ghost, not to light the world, but to subdue it. The name Laodicea means "judging the people" which matches the Seventh Day Adventist teaching, since 1844, that we are in the time of judgment now, with Christ cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. If Laodicea typifies the modern 501c3 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists church members of today, then we have tons of major work to do on our own INDIVIDUAL “lukewarmness.” Sister White says, “The coin with which you purchase the white raiment and … But remember in Acts 20, Paul calls the elders from Ephesus and he warns them. They need to seek Jesus for Him to open their eyes to see – heal their spiritual blindness. This is the Lukewarm Church. Today is the Laodicean Church age, out of which the anti-christ will appear. It represents the “church” of our own time. The church of Laodicea is the last of seven churches addressed in Revelation. John’s Revelation takes the reader through 7 cities of Asia Minor. Not to set aside the fact that these were actual churches, and that this was the actual condition at the time Christ arose. It’s Jesus who cloths us with His robe of righteousness. They are seeking worldly riches in the name of blessings showing-off how blessed they are but in reality they are poor, miserable and naked. Raila Odinga Kenya President Prophecy (Second Revelation), Difference Between Being Called and Send To Preach the Gospel. Here’s this week’s question: “Dear Dave and T.A. They value worldly wealth more than spiritual wealth. President Uhuru Kenyatta Totally Doing Away With Deputy William Ruto (WORD... CoronaVirus in Kenya Statehouse (WORD Fulfilled), Former Kenya President Moi is Dead (Prophecy Fulfilled). The City of Laodicea. It is the Church of Laodicea who had no vital part in the work of God today even though they live today and are part of the generation which will see Christ return (What is the Laodicean Church? In fact, I believe the church of Smyrna or Philadelphia fits the description of most of the Church around the world today. But I think we’ve got other churches—Philadelphia, they’re faithful; Sardis, and so forth. Think about this, if we believe we are in a “Laodicean” church period, then we must accept the status quo as normal. By what we see taking place in Christianity today there should be no question that Laodicea is now the predominant church type of our age (for those of us who believe that there are seven church ages). “You say you’re rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…” That certainly wasn’t the church of the catacombs; it wasn’t the church of the Waldensians and the Albigensians who were killed by Rome by the thousands, you know. Today the ancient Laodicea is being excavated by the archeological team of Denizli University in the name of Turkish government. I mean, talk about wealth—they have almost everything they want. Now, as to whether these churches… Is this laying out a progression of the church, the history of the church? Lukewarm people are spiritually blind. The Laodicean church, you know, it’s pretty hard to escape the comparison to the church today: “Thou sayeth, We are rich, increased with goods, have need of nothing…” Wow! The Laodicean Church age reflects the condition of the modern day Church in which we now live. Regarding this condition, MacArthur has given us an accurate picture. There are quite a few options for keeping in touch with us: Subscribe to our email updates here, and choose if you want daily, weekly, or monthly updates. The Muslims have been buying up the churches and using them, converting them to mosques, but you could certainly find many churches today that represent Laodicea, at least in America. I wish you were either one or the other! Church of Laodicea represents many people in this generation. So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Are they symbolic of church history, and would that make the church today a correlation or an example of the Laodicean church? He knew these churches were going to deny the Lord, were going to go down, but…. I assume it’s symbolic for the light of the Word among these people. We now have an institutionalized Church. Lukewarm people are not baptized with the Holy Spirit by Jesus – Jesus is not in them, Jesus promises to those who overcome lukewarmness, Rev 3:21: To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne, Rev 3:22: He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches, It is easier for a cold person to be hot than for a lukewarm person, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, A servant of Jesus Christ strictly following Master's instructions. This church was out of alignment with God's Word and Paul, in the epistle to this church wrote in (Colossians 2:1), of his great and troubled concern about their condition. Open your heart and Jesus will come into you – baptize you with the Holy Spirit. You look at the property, look at the churches that there are today, some of the megachurches, you have all the…some of them look like… Copyright © The Berean Call 2016. See seek first the kingdom of heaven and all will be added unto you, Lukewarm people are spiritually blind with a form of Christianity but in reality it is religion. They seem blessed, wealthy but in reality they are miserable, poor and blind, Rev 3:17: Because you say, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, They value worldly blessings and wealth more than spiritual blessings and wealth, Prosperity gospel is leading millions to hell, Their worldly material wealth has no eternal benefit and Jesus says unto them, Rev 3:18: I counsel you to buy Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see, All our works will be refined through fire like gold thus buying gold tried in the fire for Jesus means works worthy of heavenly reward thus being rich. Dave: Right. White garment represent Jesus Christ righteousness. Look at the condition of the church today. 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