THE SOLOMON CHURCH
“Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly” (2 Chronicles 1:1).
The church of Jesus Christ today has been strengthened and blessed by God. Provision has been made for endeavors of all kinds. Consider the big, beautiful edifices being built in the land. Consider also the church’s great financial blessings. Millions are spent on televangelism, books, records and tapes, missions, institutions, colleges and parachurch ministries of all kinds.
When all these works began, each one had something of God’s anointing. Indeed, most started out with the same blessings that God poured out upon Solomon. Solomon was well organized and much more educated than his father, David. He did everything bigger and better than any previous generation ever could have conceived.
The driving force behind Solomon was wisdom and knowledge. This was his heart-cry to God: “Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
Isn’t this a wonderful prayer? It sounds so good and God was pleased that Solomon did not ask for selfish gain. Yet there’s a problem: This prayer is totally man-centered! This very talented, self-confident king was saying, in essence, “Just give me the tools, God, and I’ll get the job done. Give me wisdom and knowledge, and I’ll set everything in order among this people. I’ll accomplish it all!”
Solomon’s prayer was not the prayer of his father, David, a man who was after God’s own heart. No, Solomon’s prayer was that of a new generation—an educated people with new ideas and skills. His cry was, “I need wisdom and knowledge!” I believe Solomon represents the spirit and nature of the last-day Laodician church. This church is headed for the same ruin Solomon faced!
Solomon had a head full of wisdom and a mouth full of songs. He could preach and teach with incredible skill. He had a well-organized operation, with talented leaders. Everything about his church appeared to be decent and in order. But everything Solomon did ended up in the phrase, “All is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)
The Solomon church has all the answers. It looks great on the outside but it is absolutely lifeless! And it ends up in vanity, idolatry, sensuality, emptiness and despair.