The First Church of the Casual Christian

Several weeks ago we began hearing about a new movement going on among religious circles, and I agree that there is one under foot. We also heard a warning being sounded in regards to its dangers, and again, I must confess that I am in full agreement that this emergent church movement is very dangerous. But tonight as I type out this text, I wonder if we can find any information on this movement from the pages of scripture.

No doubt there are many out there who would think this foolhardy because the Bible was completed more than 1,900 years ago. And yet, even though it is oft times regarded as an archaic book, it does predict the time when not only movements such as this new emergent church would arise, but many other such movements. What’s more, the Bible sets the time frame for their arrival just prior to the rapturing of all true believers to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air (I Thes. 4).

Found in Revelation 3, this church is known as the Church of the Laodiceans, and its description spans verses 14 to 22. Historically speaking, we can trace the beginning of this period of the church age to somewhere in the 19th century, and we can do so by the first descriptor of this church: Its name.

The word Laodicea is made up of two words in the Greek, the first being “laos” from which we get such words as laity because it simply means people.” The second is that of “dike” (pronounced dee-kay) which simply means “right.” Put them together, and we come up with “the rights of the people” or “people of rights,” however you wish. While some might argue my conclusions, I would ask when throughout all history has there been such a movement of various groups all demanding their rights as there have been in the last 100-plus years?

While I will admit that that is part of what our country was founded upon, I would counter that theirs were rights coupled with responsibilities, which those of the last 100 years are not.

But there is a second descriptor given within her name and is that of denominationalism. Have you ever heard anyone bemoan how many denominations there are today? When did they begin to multiply?

Again, somewhere in the 19th century. And we can see this descriptor in comparison to the other six churches listed in Revelation 2 and 3. In every other case, Jesus says, “the church of (or in)” and he gives the city name of its location, but not for Laodicea. Instead, it is the church of the Laodiceans, plural, indicating they are a very splintered lot, very individualistic, which is the nature of denominationalism.

Why are there so many denominations? For the same reason there are so many Bible versions, because everyone has their own preference. If you don’t like how the King James reads, there are now almost another hundred versions to choose from. The same thing about churches: If the preacher steps on your toes, you can always find 100 others who will let you just snuggle right in. In II Timothy 4, Paul predicted the day would come when sound doctrine would not be tolerated and no doubt religious liberty has fostered its growth, but that day is here.

We are living in the days of the great falling away Paul spoke of in II Thessalonians 2. The Greek word Paul used for this is “apostasia” from which we get apostasy. Paul is speaking of religious apostasy, the time when people would refuse sound doctrine, and that, my friends, is manifest in multiplied denominations. How many were there prior to 1800? Just a handful. How many are there today? Multitudes, as predicted by Jesus in Revelation chapter 3.

Before going on to the next descriptor, it is significant that Jesus identifies himself to this church as the “Amen.” For those of you familiar with prayer, you know that this is the last word of any Christian prayer, and it is so because it simply means, “so be it.” What Jesus is saying here is that he will have the last word. Indeed, he is the last word. As he elsewhere calls himself the first and the last, it is not surprising that he would reserve for himself the right of having the final say.

The significance for this church is that no matter what rights they think they have, when they meet him on Judgment Day, they will find out what rights they really had, and what responsibilities they neglected. They will also find out the price tag associated with false doctrine.

Until next time.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or rghamman@mtaonline.net.