A church is not a building, but a group of individuals. There are two types of churches: the invisible church and the local church. The invisible church is made up of all born-again believers from the time of Adam to the last believer to be saved at the end of the millennium. This church, also known as the catholic/ universal church, is known only to God. The local church can be made up of:

• believers only (especially when it is a very small church),
• both believers and unbelievers, or
• unbelievers only (eg: the charismatic church, the Roman Catholic Church).

Thus, it is dangerous to think that if one is in a local church, one is automatically in the invisible church.

The Beginning of the Founding (Rev 1:4): God may use men to found churches. But the ultimate founders of a church are not men, otherwise it will be cultish. A church is founded by the grace of God. Believers are part of the larger church family, and can encourage one another by sharing their lives one with another. Together the church can be a faithful witness for God. Revelation 1:4 describes Jesus’ humanity (“is”), His death (“was”), and His resurrection and soon-return (“is to come”). Hence, Jesus is one of the real founders of the church. The other is the Holy Spirit, described here as “the seven Spirits” because of the different aspects of His ministry (re: Isa 11:2). Based on what Jesus did, the Holy Spirit will then bring conviction and conversion to the sinner, and then nurture the believer in the church to grow spiritually.

The Manner of the Founding (Rev 1:5): The church is founded by the finished work of Jesus “who is the faithful witness (He never lies), and the first begotten of the dead (He defeated death and rose from the dead for our justification) and the prince of the kings of the earth (He will rule)” (Rev 1:5). The church is founded by Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection which brings salvation to His people. Having been redeemed by Jesus, we must live in obedience to Him.

The Result of the Founding (Rev 1:6): Revelation 1:6 reveals that God the Father is also one of the real founders of the church. And we the redeemed are made “kings (ruling with Jesus when He returns physically before the millennium) and priests (interceding, praying to God on behalf of others and self).” And we will sing praises to God (“to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever”).

Believers are to live for God, not man. May our hearts and devotion be to God, and God alone.