Page 506 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PROPHECY

it “even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:20). Thus in “It is Laodicean,--conformed in everything to the popular
spite of the widespread apostasy that exists in our day judgment and will,--the extreme opposite of Nicolaitan.
we can be encouraged that there are true Philadelphia Instead of a Church of domineering clericals, it is the
churches in the world and we are responsible to Church of the domineering mob, in which nothing may
continue to support Christ’s chosen institution until He be safely preached except what the people are pleased
comes. We agree with Arno Gaebelein when he said, to hear,--in which the teachings of the pulpit are
“Philadelphia is not a defined church-period, but rather fashioned to the tastes of the pew, and the feelings of
a description of a loyal remnant called out by the Spirit the individual override the enactments of legitimate
of God and bearing the final testimony to the whole authority. It is lukewarm,--nothing decided,--partly hot
counsel of God by word and deed.” And Harry Ironside and partly cold,--divided between Christ and the
makes the following observation: “Following the world,--not willing to give up pretension and claim to
Reformation came a time when a cold, lifeless the heavenly, and yet clinging close to the earthly,--
formalism seemed to settle over all Protestant having too much conscience to cast off the name of
Christendom ... But in the eighteenth and nineteenth Christ, and too much love for the world to take a firm
centuries a great wave of blessing came over all of those and honest stand entirely on His side. There is much
lands where the Reformation had gone. God began to religiousness, but little religion; much sentiment, but
work afresh in mighty power. Marvelous awakenings very little of life to correspond; much profession, but
occurred all over Northern Europe and the British Isles. very little faith; a joining of the ball-room to the
A half century later, the same mighty power began to communion-table, of the opera with the worship of God,
manifest itself in America. ... A little later, in the early and of the feasting and riot of the world with pretended
part of the last century, God began in a very special way charity and Christian benevolence. And it is self-
to arouse many of His people to a deeper sense of the satisfied, boastful, and empty. Having come down to the
value of His Word and its all-sufficiency for the guidance world’s tastes, and gained the world’s praise and
of His people in this scene” (Ironside). patronage, the Laodiceans think they are rich, and
Laodicea (Re. 3:14-22) -- The unregenerate end-time increased with goods, and have need in nothing. Such
church. This church is described as physically wealthy splendid churches, and influential and intelligent
but spiritually wretched, and miserable, and poor, and congregations, and learned, agreeable preachers! Such
blind, and naked (Re. 3:17). The Lord Jesus is standing admirable worship and music! Such excellently manned
outside of this church inviting individuals to come to and endowed institutions! So many missionaries in the
Him. This is a picture of the apostate churches of the field! So much given for magnificent charities! Such an
last hours of the church age. Compare Revelation 18:4. array in all the attributes of greatness and power! What
“Laodicea is a compound word meaning ‘the rights of the more can be wanted? ... Can any man scrutinize
people.’ Could any other term more aptly set forth the narrowly the professed Church of our day, and say that
condition of modern affairs? It is the era of we have not reached the Laodicean age?” (J.A. Seiss,
democratization in both the world and the church. ... The Apocalypse, 1900).
The spirit of this ultrademocratic age has invaded a A summary of the lessons from this overview of church
large portion of the professed church. The authority of history: (1) The church of Jesus Christ will not be
God and His Word is rapidly being denied. The spirit of conquered by the world and will not die. In spite of
the age is the spirit of a large part of the church; hence, apostasy and persecution, the Philadelphian church
the striking correspondence between this letter to the exists in the last days and is Raptured. Compare
Laodiceans and the latitudinarianism so prevalent about Matthew 16:18. (2) Apostasy will increase until the end.
us. ... There is neither burning zeal for His Word nor yet Compare 2 Timothy 3:13. The prophetic picture
absolute repudiation of Christ and the Bible. Instead, described in Christ’s messages to the seven churches is
there is a nauseating, lukewarm condition that is one of increasing apostasy from the New Testament
abhorrent to the Spirit of God. ... Never were church pattern as the church age progresses. This, of course, is
dignitaries and carnally minded religious leaders more exactly what we see in history, and the apostasy is
satisfied with themselves and their great work than increasing continually before our very eyes.
today. They advocate anything and everything that will Total Apostasy (Revelation 17)
seem to increase the church’s popularity. ... Ah, beloved In Revelation 17 and 18 we see the final form of the
friends, it is getting late in the dispensation, the night- professing “church” just prior to Christ’s return in power
shades are fast falling, and the Lord who, in the and glory. This is after the translation of true Christians
beginning, was in the midst of His church, stands from the earth. Notice the characteristics of the harlot
outside that lukewarm system that calls itself by His church and remember that though the final, totally
name, and He knocks in vain for entrance!” (Ironside). apostate church will not appear until the antichrist

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