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It is coming to a level of regret that we examine Ms. Prata's writings yet again. This unfortunate woman authors these articles as if she was some sort of authority, completely unaware of her logical foibles. It is a marvel that someone could be so sure of themselves, yet be so utterly unaware of their inadequacies.
It is coming to a level of regret that we examine Ms. Prata's writings yet again. This unfortunate woman authors these articles as if she was some sort of authority, completely unaware of her logical foibles. It is a marvel that someone could be so sure of themselves, yet be so utterly unaware of their inadequacies.
It's not that she's stupid, she seems to be a smart woman. Rather, she seems incurious. She recites back everything she's been told without examining it or questioning it. Everything she writes is the "party line;" everything she writes is what someone else has said.
Today Ms. Prata actually quotes a Scripture, and it's a relevant one to the topic she discusses. Unfortunately, rather than consider the Scripture and derive a lesson from it, she simply repeats talking points.
Besides the historical insight gained from these seven first century churches, and besides learning what Jesus values about them, another lesson of these letters is to see if there is something to apply to one's self and motives. Rather than do that, Ms. Prata is looking to assemble her doctrinal enemies in order classify and criticize them.
Ultimately, her purpose is to attack Joel Osteen. We should note that we do not intend to defend Osteen, we want to examine the author's pronouncements.
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:15-20) (Ms. Prata's problems begin with her citation. She leaves out part of the Laodicean letter. Let's quote it in its entirety:
Re. 3:14-22 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Does she edit the passage so as to bolster her doctrine? Because the verses she omits weigh in against her.)
Often forgotten in the prophecies are the warnings Jesus gives to the churches in Revelation. As with many prophecies, there is a near fulfillment that is and a far fulfillment. The 7 letters to 7 churches that open the Book of Revelation were actual letters sent to actual churches and actually read as warnings, encouragements or indictments against them. The second reason the letters were sent was to reveal seven different types of individuals/churches throughout history and instruct them in God’s truth. (Is this true? There is a train of thought out there that advocates this, but Ms. Prata does not cite references or make any sort of case at all for this assertion. She simply presumes this highly speculative theory to be true.
We do not hold this view, however. We agree with this, at least for the most part. This is not an endorsement for this particular church organization or its beliefs.)
The last verse is the one I want to point to. Jesus is not ‘knocking at the door of your heart’ in this verse. It is obvious he is knocking at the door of the church. (Ms. Prata makes her second undocumented assertion, and with a summary denial. However, we can read the verses for ourselves, especially the verses she omitted.
The last verse is the one I want to point to. Jesus is not ‘knocking at the door of your heart’ in this verse. It is obvious he is knocking at the door of the church. (Ms. Prata makes her second undocumented assertion, and with a summary denial. However, we can read the verses for ourselves, especially the verses she omitted.
Jesus says, If anyone... The letter is written to people, not an entity. People within a particular local congregation. It's written as if it's intended to be received by people: Be earnest and repent... To him who overcomes... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This is all written to specific people with a specific problem and there is a specific solution.
This is not about one of seven types of historical churches. It is a personal admonition to a group of people, with a call to repent and a promised blessing.)
The church had become (and will become, like it is now) so pale and non-Gospel oriented that Jesus is outside it! (Jesus is not "outside" the Laodicean church. They are one of the seven lampstands [Re. 1:20], and He is among them in glory [Re. 1:13]. He calls them to repent, and tells them He loves them: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.
Jesus is in this church, because these are Christians. They are backslidden and carnal, but all they need to do is repent.
Jesus is not outside this church.)
Just think of Joel Osteen’s church at Lakewood and you have a perfect fulfillment of the kind of church Jesus is warning about here. (Ahh, so we get to the actual purpose of Ms. Prata's article; she wants to impugn Osteen, linking him to the Laodicean church age.
This is the danger in embracing speculative Bible theories. It becomes a "fill in the blank" activity, where your disdained false teacher is plugged into a category and then either attacked or dismissed.)
Mr Osteen never preaches sin or wrath or judgment because he doesn’t want to offend anyone, wanting to stay positive. But how can a person repent if they don’t know they are sinning? He refuses to put a cross on his stage, because it might prove an “obstacle to anyone who might come.” But if they are not coming to the cross, what are they coming to??? Jesus is standing outside Mr Osteen’s church, knocking to get in. (There we have it. Osteen's church is representative of the Laodicean church age.)
That sad indictment is repeated over many parts of the body of Christ today. I pray you find a good church that has solid beliefs, and participate there. Support your pastor, if he stands on the foundational principles of the faith, and preaches them. He is a rarity these days, and precious. Treat him like he is.
The decline of belief is symbiotic. If you attend a church like Lakewood for any length of time, then you will fade into lukewarmness because the fire of wrath and rebuke from a holy God has disappeared. With the full counsel of God being preached, His perfect message of sin & wrath/mercy & redemption is held up and you will grow in Christ-likeness. Without the cross preached, who are the Laodicean congregants growing into looking like? Man, not God. (And lastly, because Osteen's church is Laodicean, Ms. Prata can make all sorts of generalizations about the church and those who attend.)
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