Understanding the worldwide church
Understanding the worldwide church
Revelation 2:1-3 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labour, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Extra Reading: Revelation 2:1-11.
The Ephesian leaders kept their people busy (vv2-3) and the Lord commends them for their labour, but somehow they had left their first priority, which was to love God. Their work for God had actually distracted them from God. They had busy hands, crowded calendars, full heads-but empty hearts. What was God’s remedy for their situation? “Remember and repent, or I will return and remove your light (2:5). This is a warning for any leader who has drifted from the ways of the Lord. Jesus lets each church know He understands their situation. He affirms their positive qualities, He touches their hearts then voices concern over an area that needs attention. Finally He challenges them to listen. He consistently shows compassion before He corrects. Let state very clearly that there are two kinds of churches. There are two kinds of prophets, two kinds of apostles, two kinds of witnesses, two kinds of teachers who teach true or false doctrines. Scriptures have stressed this more and with force. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not intend to have good relationships with hypocrites. He did not tolerate or have any good relationship with Satan and his liars. Satan’s deceptions were recognized by the Lord Jesus Christ immediately and He exposed them. They were publicly exposed without consulting them about this in advance. Neither did He give any offer for compromise or an agreement of peaceful coexistence. Repentance is the only hope God can give to liars.
There were false prophets and false teachers in the Old Testament. There were false prophets and false teachers when Christ was on earth and we are promised false prophets among the people today and false teachers among us (2 Peter 2:1). Our Lord Jesus expects the true church to refuse to tolerate such wicked men just as He did (Revelation 2:2). We are also promised that in the “last days” the Holy Spirit will be poured out in all nations. The true church is promised worldwide success from Genesis to Revelation. All the promises to Abraham can be claimed by the true church of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave the true churches the promise from Galatians 3:6-9. Some people believe God and others do not. Some believe the Bible to be true and others do not. There are and will be true and false prophets in the church worldwide. There are false prophets, false apostles, false witnesses and false teachers because there are true prophets, true apostles, true witnesses and true teachers. Satan counterfeits what is true and genuine. It is easy for Christians to point to the sects as the false prophets, but most of these false prophets are in the churches worldwide.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to identify these false prophets and teachers, and challenge them with the true gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Rev. Samuel N. Modise
