What Church do you belong to? In the Bible, no mention is made of denominations.
However, in Revelations, God had specific things to say to individual churches. (Rev. 1:10-20 through Rev. 2 & 3)
Many Biblical scholars believe the seven churches that were spoken of actually existed in Asia. It is also common belief that the 7 churches prophetically depict the progression of Christ’s Church through the ages. Regardless of historical or prophetic view point; God assigned an angel to address each church. (Rev. 2: 1 & 8 and Rev. 3:1, 7 &14)
God first identifies the church and reveals that He knows EXACTLY what is going on in that particular ‘body of believers.’ Then, God identifies Himself as the one who is speaking; the Angel is only the messenger.
To each of the churches, God first advises the “church” to listen, followed by both commendation and instructions on how to fix their issues. To each church, God gave admonishment or a challenge to do better.
As a Christian, I belong to one of these church representations. As a part of the body of Christ; the question is what church do my personal actions associate me with? As a believer, I must read each description and search my heart with the help of the Holy Spirit. After reading each prophesy, I must answer three questions.
- What things are the churches doing that please my Lord?
- Can I honestly look at my own actions as the body of Christ (church) and say I please Him?
- If not— what plan am I going to make AND follow to change the church of “me”?
Changing what church building I go to isn’t going to change me; wherever I go, there I Am. If I’m not a vital ministering part of the body of Christ, it isn’t the church buildings fault, the Pastor’s fault or the fault of the people sitting on the bench beside me. It’s my fault and only I can change the “church” that I personally represent (Romans 12:4-5).
When I complain about ‘the church,’ I condemn myself, because, when I call myself a Christian, I’m the representative of Christ’s church. The scripture says to examine myself. This is a hard examination to make, but a necessary one that can only be done through the Holy Spirit, who searches the mind of God (I Corinthians 2:11).
If the ‘church experience’ isn’t working for me—as hard as it is, I need to find out why I’m unhappy with how I’m representing Christ. When we each do this—the church will actually be the body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 13: 5-6 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
Prayer: Father, please help me to understand how I represent you as the body of Christ. Help me to always have an attitude that reflects your will. Thank you for your Holy Spirit to direct me. I love you and want to serve you. amen.
Scripture references:
Rev. 1:10-20 through Rev. 2 & 3 (see whole chapters Rev. 1-2-3 for messages to each church )
Rev. 2: 1 & 8 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
To the Church in Smyrna “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
Rev. 3:1, 7 &14
1“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
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7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
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14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
Romans 12:4-5 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1 Corinthians 2:11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.