It seems our choice today is between two diametrically opposed world views -- biblical correctness or political correctness. I recently read an article about a radio talk-show host who was fired for quoting Scripture in response to a caller's question. The issue was whether or not the late pope John Paul was in heaven. Being an evangelical pastor, the host properly quoted the passage where Jesus said we must be born again to see the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the host was implying, if the pope was born again, he would be in heaven. For his act of biblical correctness, the host was fired. Evidently, the so-called "Christian" station he worked for was more concerned with political correctness than biblical correctness.

What we're seeing in our culture today is both sad and amusing. It's sad because it appears the Western church has become so spiritually weakened by her modern, self-centered teachings, she can no longer even endure the most basic elements of her faith. It's amusing because, even in the churches weakened condition, within her spiritual walls walks the One who still holds all power and authority in both heaven and on earth.

I'm reminded of Jesus' message to His churches. What message am I talking about? I'm referring to the entire New Testament book of Revelation. You see, that's what the book of Revelation really is -- a message, or a prophecy, to us, His churches. We know this because, in the first chapter of Revelation we read:

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood (Revelation 1: 4-5 New American Standard Bible). 

And, in the last chapter of Revelation we read:

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16).

Since the prophecy begins by saying it is a message to the churches, and ends by saying it is a message to the churches, it only stands to reason what we find in between is also a message to the churches. 

If you recall, when the Apostle John heard the voice, he turned and saw Jesus walking among His seven golden lampstands (Revelation 1: 12). It turns out, the seven lampstands represented Jesus' seven churches that were located, in John's day, in Asia Minor. Friends, my point is, this same Jesus that John saw almost two thousand years ago walking among His churches, is still walking among us today. And, He promised He would do so, until the end of the age (Matthew 28: 16-20). 

You see, when we read Jesus' seven letters to His seven churches, an important message comes through that we often overlook. That message is, no matter how much Jesus may have against His churches as a whole, His offer to us as an individual remains. For example, even in His letter to the now infamous, "lukewarm" church in Laodicea, Jesus said this at the end:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:20-22). 

Friends, Jesus is still walking among us. And, His dinner invitation remains. In the days to come, we may not have silver or gold. But, you know what? We wouldn't trade places with the richest people in this present age.

Not if it means giving up what we have.