QT 10/9/2024 Rev 3:1-6, We are a dying church body

Revelation 3:1–6 (ESV) —

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

 

NOTE: In terms of history, this church most closely resembles the church of the reformation. Ultimately, the separation from the Catholic church only resulted in state churches in England, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and Scotland. It also did not solve the problem of laity versus clergy either. It was a dead church spiritually. Some were trying to fix it, but most did not understand the gospel message and were not spiritually reborn. It would have been hard to live in those days. There are still many of those religious churches today. Fortunately the church and state have separated in most places. One is not born a citizen of a state by church baptism. This spiritually dead time will ultimately lead to a revival and a great outreach by the church into the world during the 1800s and 1900s.

 

The church today is mostly dead. There are a great many "alive" churches filled with born-again believers, but too many are wed to the culture and have destroyed their witness. Holiness is our greatest weakness. We have bought the lies of the culture and subjugated the truth of God's word. Will there be another revival? Maybe, … but it will probably be in the midst of the great tribulation, the promised apocalypse which is near.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I playing religion? Or am I sold out on the truth of God's word?
2. Do I override the bible and fit in cultural wisdom?
3. Am I embarrassed by the bible? [As a scientist myself, I am fully convinced of the truth of Gods' word. I find no contradictions.]

 

PRAYER: Father, give us boldness and learning to stand up to the lies of the world. Your word is truth and it holds the key to true human joy and happiness.