Best-selling author and prophetic voice Jonathan Cahn is calling the church to wake up in these last days.
In an impactful message, Cahn discusses the warnings Jesus gave to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea and Thyatira, showing how they mirror conditions in today’s church.
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Speaking of Sardis, Cahn explained that the city once flourished with wealth and trade, yet the church there received one of the sharpest rebukes from the Lord: “I know your deeds, that you have a name and that you are alive, and yet you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). Cahn warned, “This can be said of multitudes of churches, denominations that once were alive but are now dead. They exist in name as if they were alive … but the heart is gone.” He urged believers to “guard the flame” and not simply go through the motions of faith.
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Moving to Philadelphia, Cahn pointed out that it was one of only two churches in Revelation that received no correction, only encouragement. Jesus described Himself there as the One who holds the “key of David,” meaning ultimate authority. “Though Israel doesn’t realize it yet, the one called Jesus possesses the key of David,” Cahn said. “Whatever He opens, no one can shut. Whatever He shuts, no one can open.” He emphasized that even when evil seems to prevail in the world, Christ’s authority remains supreme.
When addressing Laodicea, Cahn described Jesus’ sobering words to a church that had grown complacent: “Because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Cahn explained that prosperity and comfort often become spiritual substitutes for passion and hunger for God. “The more you fill yourself up with the world, the less you’re going to fill yourself up with spiritual things,” he said. “Beware of idols. Beware of comfortableness instead of the Comforter.”
Perhaps the strongest warning came when Cahn turned to Thyatira and the mention of “Jezebel.” While noting that the Bible does not explicitly speak of a “Jezebel spirit,” he acknowledged the manipulative, idolatrous and immoral influence Jezebel represented. “Jezebel is long gone, but spirits don’t die,” he said. He cautioned believers to avoid demonizing one another but also recognized that the same dark spiritual forces Jezebel embodied—idolatry, immorality and deception—are still at work today.
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Ultimately, Cahn’s message was both sobering and hopeful. The Book of Revelation reminds the church to repent, overcome and keep its first love alive. “Always be on guard. Always guard the flame,” he urged. “Make sure you’re not just ending up going through the motions. Get back to the heart in the secret place.”
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
