Articles
What The Lord Knows About Centreville
At the beginning of the Revelation, before the highly figurative portion commences, the Lord sends a personal message to each of the seven Asian churches. In these messages the Lord reveals that He knows His people intimately, both as individuals and as a collective.
We are all individually accountable for our actions, but the local church is simply the aggregate of our personal contributions. Each one’s involvement contributes something to the body of believers for better or for worse. To put it another way, “the whole [is] joined and knit together by what every joint supplies” (Eph. 4:16).
So, what was said to these churches echoes through the ages to Centreville?
“I know your works, your labor, your patience ... and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary” (to Ephesus, 2:2-3). The Lord knows when we have done well, and He commends our faithful service. Others may overlook our work, but Jesus’ awareness is what ultimately counts. May we at Centreville always strive for the Lord’s approval.
“I know ... where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is” (to Pergamos, 2:13). Every environment is different, and some churches exist in places that are friendly while other churches face hostility. Pergamos had strong ties to Rome and was the political capital of the province. Rome’s persecuting force would ebb and flow depending on the overall political climate (Antipas had already been martyred – 2:13b).
In our own country, churches in Utah face a different climate than those in the Deep South, in laid back California or in the Catholic northeast. In our case, the Lord might note that Centreville is located in an environment of ethnic/religious diversity, job instability, career focus, geographic separation, economic prosperity and political correctness. All of these things constitute challenges to our inner cohesion and outreach to the lost.
“You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (to Ephesus, 2:6); you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality ...” (to Thyatira, 2:20). In a modern society that praises tolerance for everything and everyone, it is shocking to hear the Lord commend intolerance. But there are things Christians must not tolerate, for the spirit of compromise has always threatened those called to maintain a higher level of morality than their neighbors.
The Ephesians had also “tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (2:2). To fail to confront such men would have been to sacrifice truth, and honoring the truth revealed by God is vital to our spiritual welfare.
On the other hand, the Thyatirans caved in to “Jezebel,” undoubtedly a metaphorical name for a sister in the congregation who corrupted the church. Jesus was harsh toward Jezebel and her sympathizers, and He threatened severe judgment against them. Christians cannot allow worldly sophistication to undermine their courage against and resistance to sin. Over time, churches tend to gradually absorb the characteristics of their surroundings. We at Centreville must resist getting worn down by the sheer relentlessness of evil.
“I know that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (to Sardis, 3:1). Reputation is so important to our society that PR firms spin and twist and camouflage and photo-op and otherwise cast their clients in the most positive light. The fakery is palpable. Other saints and churches naturally draw impressions about us through visits, rumors, publications, preachers and other avenues, but often they are shallow and incomplete impressions.
The Lord knows our true identity, for He sees the heart. And He distinguishes between the dead group and living individuals (“You have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments,” 3:4). How would the Lord characterize the Centreville church as a congregation? I pray that He would consider us a “living body,” worshiping, teaching, edifying, serving and shining our light in a dark world.
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (to Ephesus, 2:5). Only two of the churches receive no correction: Smyrna and Philadelphia. Others are called to repent (2:16; 3:3, 19). We must constantly re-evaluate ourselves and look for doctrinal error, moral softness, indolence or other threats to our faith.
Jesus ends each epistle with “to him who overcomes.” Indeed, the whole of Revelation is about overcoming, and those who do are promised blessings beyond our finite comprehension. This world is a smelter, a crucible of refinement that we “may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 1:7). Centreville is always being tested in some way. May we always be diligent to receive the Lord’s approval.
