Laodicea And The Modern Church

Q

I was listening to a radio show about the Church of Laodicea, the commentator was saying that the definition of Laodicea is rule of the people and I wondered if this could actually mean social justice since this is what a lot of modern churches are striving for instead of the Gospel. Maybe another indicator that we are in the end days. Just wanted to see what you thought of that.

A

The effect of the people ruling in the Church was best explained by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:3. He said, “The time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear.”

With the advent of the “seeker sensitive” movement, many in the church became more focused on delivering a message they thought their target audiences wanted to hear. Since the goal was to have half their audience be non-believers, the traditional Gospel message had to change. Non-believers don’t want to be convicted of their sins and told they’re going to hell. They want to be entertained, uplifted, and involved in projects that make them feel like they’re doing good things for the less fortunate.

Leaders who adopted this strategy found their numbers growing and their bank accounts swelling. These were seen as signs that the strategy is successful, but when many in these congregations are still here after the rapture it will be shown for the failure it is.