Today we finish our visits with the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3. I hope our time in Revelation has been enlightening to you. I know I have learned so much. Let’s conclude with Jesus’ words to the church at Laodicea.
Revelation 3: 14-22 (NIV)
14 ”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 you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so 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 inand 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.”
Christ’s Commendations to the Church at Laodicea
- NONE! They were busy commending themselves. They thought they were glorifying God when in reality they were disgracing His name.
Rebukes to the Church at Laodicea
- The church was neither cold, nor hot. They were lukewarm, and this caused the Lord to vomit. What is this all about? Laodicea sat nearly equi-distant between Heiropolis and Colossae. Water was supplied to Laodicea from both towns. Both the hot mineral-laden water from Heiropolis and the cold water from Colossae would be lukewarm by the time it got to Laodicea and mixed together. It was well known that the water at Laodicea was not fit for anything, but especially not for drinking and gaining refreshment.
- The Lord says that he wishes they were either a hot, healing mineral bath or a cold spring of pure water. They are neither and they make Him sick.
- The church at Laodicea was self-sufficient. They said they had need of nothing. They boasted that they were rich, when in fact they were poor, pitiful, wretched, and miserable in the eyes of the Lord. It was a church that would not let the Lord in. Matthew 7:21
- The Greek word used here for poverty does not mean simple poverty. It means grinding poverty and need.
- The church was spiritually blind to their own situation. They were ‘rich in spiritual pride, but bankrupt in saving grace.’ (MacArthur p.137) They were so wrapped up in building their own kingdom that they couldn’t see the Lord was standing outside knocking. There was no discernment. They had become a religious country club. They were neither salt nor light, but existing only for their own benefit.
- This is the harshest rebuke of all the churches possibly because their problem was PRIDE and self-sufficiency, which God hates.
- They were naked and needed the white garments of God’s righteousness and grace.
- Christ offered them spiritual gold, spiritual clothes, and spiritual sight. (MacArthur p. 138)
Promises of Christ to the Church
- Verse 18 suggests that Jesus was saying the church needed some persecution in order to be refined like God. They were too comfortable, self-sufficient, and prideful.
- He counseled them to get white clothing so the shame of being naked before God would be covered.
- Recall that the city was famous for producing a healing eye salve. Jesus counseled them to apply the heavenly eye salve that He offered so their eyes would be opened and they would have discernment and vision.
- Jesus still loved this church. He rebuked or disciplined them out of His love. This is like the disciplining and training of a child by a parent.
- Jesus reminded them that He was waiting for them to repent and return by telling them He was standing at the door, knocking. This verse is often used for evangelism purposes, but in fact, it is addressed to believers. This shows Jesus desire to fellowship and relate to the church at Laodicea. Apparently He had been completely excluded.
- For those who obeyed, Jesus promised a position of honor with Him on His throne. This does not mean the overcomer becomes a cloud potato and sits around heaven doing nothing. This means the overcomer, when he dies, is granted rest from the difficulties that mark the world.
Takeaway for 2013
- We should consider whether we have become so prideful and self-sufficient that we no longer have need of Jesus?
- Do we have an accurate picture of ourselves?
- Are we taking advantage of the good resources God is moving our way? Bible study. Fellowship with other Christians. Worship services. Prayer time.
- There is always hope. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, desiring for us to allow Him to guide us and lead us.
MEDITATION MOMENT: Which of the churches we have studied spoke to you most deeply? Why? I would love to you to share here.
