The Church, Part 9, Conclusion

The church has been the subject of vicious and relentless attack since its beginning. Every New Testament book was written to correct some error seeking to corrupt the doctrine and practice of the church.  On the surface, it appears that many of these efforts were successful to some degree. One need only read Revelation 2 and 3 to see how quickly and significantly the churches had fallen into disgrace.

Theologically and positionally correct, Ephesus had abandoned her first love, which I take to mean that love for Christ and others was no longer evident as the identifying, motivating or driving force for her existence. Smyrna was plagued by an unwarranted fear that would endanger her perseverance in her imminent testing in the crucible of Satanic tribulation.

Pergamum was corrupted with the teaching of Balaam (“not of the people”) leading to compromise with pagan idolatrous practices. This influence was perpetrated by Nicolaitans (nike and laity, “victor over the people”), a pre-gnostic sect that developed the priest-class, greedy for power and money, superior to and dominating the people—the laity (Jude 11). This is evident today in Romanism.

Thyatira had fallen to an evil feminist, Jezebel, a professed prophetess who influenced Christ’s servants to compromise with sexual immorality and idolatry. Sardis was simply spiritually dead because her works incomplete. Laodicea was gripped by prideful self-sufficiency leaving her lukewarm in her devotion to Christ. Only Philadelphia is recorded without rebuke.

Nevertheless, in these churches were some who did not “hold this teaching” and who “have not soiled their garments.” These were exhorted to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” It is these who would conquer and overcome and be rewarded—showered with honor and blessing.

Every negative aspect of these churches can be found in every generation since the churches were founded by Jesus. This includes modern Christianity. As long as Christ’s churches are on earth, they will have these problems. The newly formed churches in Acts were admonished to persevere in the faith because it is “though many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). That admonition stands. “Evil men and seducers shall increase more and more, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). If these threats are overcome victoriously, we prove that “we are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37); and “If we endure [stay the course], we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).

True believers are those who persevere and endure every attack from without or within the churches (Acts 20:29, 30). The mark of a genuine church is perseverance because every true believer that makes up the church is an overcomer. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).