Does the Church Require Another Reformation – Part 1 by Glen Iverson

Does the Church Require Another Reformation?  Part 1
Glen Iverson

The book of Revelation isn’t John’s revelation on Patmos, it’s the revelation that God gave to Yeshua the Messiah as stated in Revelation 1:1.  I’d suggest that the most important part of this book is the letters to the 7 churches.  These letters beg the question of why is Yeshua signaling out these specific churches from the many church communities that were established by the end of the first century.  I believe that while these were actual churches that have these specific problems, these letters not only have advice for us all “those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic Communities…(CJB)”, these letters tell the story of church history.  The letter to Ephesus starts with the following statement:

“Revelation 2:2-3  “I know what you have been doing, how hard you have worked, how you have persevered, and how you can’t stand wicked people; so you tested those who call themselves emissaries but aren’t—and you found them to be liars.  (3)  You are persevering, and you have suffered for my sake without growing weary.”

The letter to Laodicea ends with the following statement:
“ As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins!  (20)  Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. “

As one studies church history, one can observe the problems that Christendom has had since the first century.  A quote attributed to Sam Pascoe states:

““Christianity began in (Judea) as a fellowship (a relationship), and then moved to Greece and became a philosophy (way to think). Afterward, it moved on to Rome and became an institution (a place you go) and then to Europe where it became a culture (a way of life). Finally it settled in America where it has become an enterprise (a business).”

Throughout church history, no matter whether it was under persecution by the Jews, the Romans, the Vatican, the Muslims, the Communists or progressive liberals, there has always been a remnant holding fast to the Word of God.  A remnant however has always been the minority, not the majority.  Believers have always gathered in communities and these communities which we call “churches” have always grown the fastest and strongest as an underground movement.  There are numerous warnings of false teachers throughout the New Testament by Yeshua, John, Peter, Jude and Paul.  It isn’t simply a passing statement, it is a major theme.  Paul states in his second letter to the Thessolonians:

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until after the Apostasy has come and the man who separates himself from Torah has been revealed, the one destined for doom.”

As Oct 31, 2017 is the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, it’s a good time to reflect on what has happened during the past 500 years.  While building for many years, one man, Martin Luther nailing his 95 thesis to the castle door was the final straw that caused a change.  Even though an entire denomination was built on Luther, it’s important to note that he was merely a man, he was flawed and became bitter later in life as noted by some of his writings.

What has happened since the Reformation?

Where is the corporate evangelical church now?

How did we get here?

Is another “Reformation” required?

What can we personally do?

A lot of good things have happened in the past 500 years, millions of people have accepted Yeshua as their Messiah and the Gospel has been brought throughout the world.  The Gospel is simply that we are sinners and Yeshua is the atonement for our sin.  Once saved, one should be able to see this through the fruits we bear (Matthew 7).  Many church plants and missions have been setup all over the world including Israel.  Many Messianic communities have been established in Israel by Messianic believers.  This has gone from less than 10 when Israel became a nation to hundreds today.  Things have happened that are exciting to watch and be a part of.

While salvation is something that one has on an individual basis and each of us is responsible for our own study and what we learn, we need to pay attention to what is happening in church trends.  Trends are the general direction things are moving toward, and the direction the popular western evangelical church has been going over the last few decades is a cause for concern.

It’s time to consider how close we are to the “apostasy” that Paul warned about prior to the rise of the one who will be the Antichrist, a topic that we’ll take a closer look at in the next installment.

Happy Reformation Day.