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The Revelation of Jesus Christ There was never a time in the history of the church when the- leaders were as satisfied with themselves as they are in our own generation. Why are the great denominations not putting forth evangelistic efforts? Because they feel no need to do so. But what did Christ say to the wealthy, lukewarm Laodicean church? "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried In the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (3:17, 18). The professing church today is one of the richest organi zations in the world. If a church edifice does not cost half a million dollars, many feel that it is not worth building! We are certainly living in a day when the church is saying, "I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing." And this great, rich church is carrying on movements for the betterment of humanity, but what kind of movements are they? Reformation movements which are ignoring the Gospel, "which is the power of God unto salvation." It behooves every member of the professing church who does not know the Lord Jesus as a personal Saviour from sin to go to Cal vary's cross. There and there alone can the sinner's "filthy rags" of self-righteousness be washed white in the blood of the Lamb of God. There and there alone can he see with the eye of faith the only Saviour and Lord. But because the church-at-large refuses the way of the cross in this day of apostasy, the Lord Jesus is standing on the outside, knocking for entrance. Listen to His words: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come In to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (3:20). · Often in evangelistic meetings we use that text to present to unregenerated men a picture of our Lord, seeking admit tance into the hearts of unregenerated men. But let us note that, true though that picture is, yet here God does not make that statement to an unsaved individual. He is talking to the professing church. The end of the age will see the Son of God on the outside of the very church that bears His name.
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