Ancient Perils in Modern Churches (Part 1)

The letters to the seven churches of Asia recorded in the first three chapters of Revelation have been designated by G. Campbell Morgan, a widely known and read Bible exegete, as "first-century messages to twentieth-century Christians." The designation seems to be quite appropriate and in full harmony with the contents of the letters to these churches. Each letter sets forth a definite principle and each church represents a particular condition. Ephesus was outwardly maintaining works, labor, patience, and discipline in life and teaching. But their loyalty was outward, mechanical, formal--a cold orthodoxy. They had left their "first love"--an inward backsliding, a lack of the spirit of devotion to Christ in the letter of obedience. Laodicea was spiritually lukewarm, proud, satisfied, independent, indifferent. Sardis was dead, with nothing left but a name. How true of some churches known to us today! Thyatira was faithful in word and work, but silently acquiescent to an evil influence in the church. Pergamum was threatened by alliances with wealth and worldliness in that center of wickedness where "Satan’s throne" was. Smyrna exemplifies wealth in poverty--a suffering church, faithful even unto martyrdom. Philadelphia was the faithful, militant, perfect church, before which God had set an open door.

We have often heard it said that history repeats itself. Conditions represented in these letters prevail in churches of Christ, in principle, today.

To be continued…

Foy E. Wallace, Jr.