The Essential Jesus (Part 18): The Early Church of JesusSample

Hold On–Until I Come

PRAY: Thank God for how your involvement in the church has helped you grow closer to him and others.

READ: Revelation 2:12-29

REFLECT: I know people who have been searching for the perfect church all their lives. They evaluate (and criticize) the pastor, preaching, and programs wherever they attend and then move on. Finding a church that loves Jesus and believes the Bible is important, which may take some looking. But as Groucho Marx once said, "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." Churches aren't perfect because they're made up of imperfect members.

The two churches in Revelation 2:12-29 certainly weren't perfect; they had the same basic problem. The church at Pergamum (vv. 12-17) had a wonderful history: they had remained true to Jesus during a period of unusual stress and persecution (v. 13). But that spiritual victory was long past; now, they were being enticed by false teaching (vv. 14-15). Some churches and denominations today have a wonderful history of evangelism and outreach but have lost their commitment to the gospel and biblical teaching. As a result, they are gradually dying. Jesus says the straightforward way to fix that situation is "Repent!" (v.16).

The members of the church in Thyatira (vv. 18-29) also had some good points; they were a loving, faithful, serving, and persevering congregation (v. 19). What pastor wouldn't be happy with that? But the church in Thyatira had the same problem as Pergamum: they tolerated false teaching. They noticed that it led to immoral behavior (v. 20). When human reason takes a higher place than biblical principles, the church begins to look no different than the world. For example, a recent survey found that born-again Christians were just as likely to divorce as non-Christians.

But all this raises an important question: how do we live with the fact that there's no perfect church? Jesus says, "Hold on to what you have until I come" (v. 25). In other words, remain faithful to the gospel and God's Word and eagerly look forward to his return. We can do that no matter what church we belong to.

APPLY: What false teaching have you encountered over the years? Did any of it entice you? Why?

PRAY: Lord, you know the church isn't perfect, and neither am I. Even so, help me to hold firmly to the gospel and to look eagerly for your return.