PrillyCharmin: THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

REVELATION 3.14 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things: 3.15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 3.16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

3.17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 3.18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.

3.19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. -WEB Bible.

God is not pleased with the Laodicean church. They are a wealthy church, and that’s their problem. Because of their wealth, they assume they are doing everything right. But the truth is, they are blind and deaf about spiritual things. God is so disgusted with how clueless they are, that he’s nearly ready to spit them out and be done with it. God is very frustrated because he can’t get through to them!

“He who has an ear, let him hear.” Jesus says this, over and over in Revelation chapters 1-3... "He who has an ear, let him hear." This is the tragedy of our modern age and culture: people cannot hear. Even worse, they refuse to hear; because they fear they will lose the liberty of doing exactly as they please.

The Laodiceans are supposedly Christians but they’re so caught up in things of the world that it’s hard to tell the difference. They’ve lost the sensitivity required to hear from God.

“As many as I love, I reprove and chasten.
Be zealous therefore, and repent.”

God urges the Laodiceans to earnestly and zealously repent! Repentance is always a healthy thing. It’s a beautiful experience to kneel before God in humility. The cleansing and peace that comes to a contrite, submissive soul is one of the most spiritual experiences we can ever have.

The Christians at Laodicea do not get a promise of protection, as the Christians in Philadelphia did. It is likely that they will be facing trials as God urges them to repentance: and this is because God does love these people, even if they’re dense and difficult.

THE REWARDS FOR LAODICEA

REVELATION 3.20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. 3.21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.

3.22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” -WEB Bible.

Laodicea has a promise of sweet fellowship with Jesus! They are even offered the opportunity to sit with Jesus on his throne! This was a reward that the Apostles James and John had coveted: their mother even asked Jesus for the privilege of having her sons sit at the right hand of Christ. And here, Jesus offers it to the Laodiceans!

Prosperity has made the Laodiceans smug and complacent. But Jesus never lived that way. That’s not the example Jesus set for us, and he taught his disciples to live an extremely spare existence also. Jesus told the rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

Perhaps they are afraid of giving up their wealth, power and privilege, when Jesus is actually offering the Laodiceans far, far more than shabby earthly wealth. However, they do need to get serious about their relationship with Christ first.