A TALE OF TWO CHURCHES

Winds of change are currently blowing across this nation and in fact, the whole world. We need to shake ourselves out of our lethargy and begin to realize that this is a time of shaking, storms and change. Winds of change are also blowing within the church itself. Nothing appears to be staying the same. Although this is somewhat unnerving, it is also challenging. We as believers can move on with God and participate in what He is doing in these days, or we can slide back and become progressively more distant in our relationship with Him. This will cause us to move out of the flow of His Spirit and of what He is doing in these exciting, though somewhat daunting, days. Standing still is not an option. If we stand still, we will slide back into a place we really won’t want to be!
As time progresses we will increasingly see two churches emerge in the Body of Christ. I am not talking about two huge organizations, but rather suggesting that Christians will progressively head in two different directions, leading to two different outcomes, and consequently, to two different expressions of Christianity. At present both expressions can often be found in the same local church. Generally we will find that there are believers who earnestly want to move on with God, and then there are those who prefer to stay in the comfort zone of ‘lukewarmness’ and compromise.
In the book of Revelation, the Lord gives messages to seven churches – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The seven churches to which these messages were addressed were actual churches in existence at the time. There is also a prophetic application in each of these messages. I used to think that there were seven different stages in the church age, culminating at the end of the age with a church represented by Laodicea. However, I have come to see and understand that in actual fact there is not one but rather two churches at the end of the church age represented by Philadelphia and Laodicea.
Presently, these two churches cross all denominational lines and are not confined to, or defined by any man-made boundaries. It is quite possible for two people to sit side by side in the same local church and for one to be spiritually a part of the Philadelphian church, and the other spiritually a part of the Laodicean church. God is not impressed by external appearances – He does not look at the label on the door of the church that we attend – He sees our hearts. The Bible says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
As time progresses, this mixture will not be able to continue and two different kinds of local churches will emerge, patterned after the Philadelphian and Laodicean churches of Revelation. As we continue down the road towards the end of the age, some who confess Christ will become increasingly committed to Him, increasingly wholehearted in their love for, and obedience to Him; increasingly on fire for Him. The love of others who confess Christ will in contrast, become progressively cold, and their lives will roller-coast into the world of compromise. They will increasingly slide back into the unbelieving world, or become part of an apostate ‘church’ that participates in a one world religion. An increased separation between these two streams will result, so that those of like heart will gather together. This will result in whole churches becoming on fire for Jesus, or whole churches becoming part of the apostate church which according to scripture, will ultimately deny it’s Lord. While many local churches are still a mixture at the time of my writing this, there are signs that separation of the two streams has in fact begun.
Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” What is currently in our hearts at this time is incredibly important as this will decide the direction of our lives. It will propel and persuade us to make our choice; either to become progressively more like the Philadelphian believers, or more and more like those of the Laodicean church. The Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
In this book, we will look closely at the characteristics of the two churches. This will help us to discern more clearly where we are spiritually at this time in our lives, and it will give us a clear picture of the choice that lies before us. It is not automatic that some believers will end up as Philadelphian believers and some Laodicean. It’s our call! No matter where we happen to be right now, we can choose which way to go. God will not override our free wills, but when our will lines up with His, then His Presence and Power is both activated and available to help us. In fact, it is clearly His will for you and me to be patterned after the Philadelphian church. The Lord brings no correction to this church; only encouragement and commendation! Those in the Laodicean church, on the other hand are exhorted to repent. We are at the crossroads. The choice is ours!