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The Vision of Hope for Laodicea — 14 Comments

  1. Laodicea says, "I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!" We do say we're rich. In fact, the Adventist church is the richest protestant denomination in the world—it operates the largest number of schools and hospitals. There's something about earthly riches that propels a person into state of complacency and lukewarm-ness. Look at David. He had humble beginnings. But the moment he became a king, he killed an innocent man. A lot of living examples even from our own lives. Jesus nailed it when he said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The only way to counteract this pattern is: as God increases your wealth, increase the time you spend on your knees in front of Him.

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  2. William,
    First, I love the thought of just driving to see the sunrise. I also love the reminder that even though Jesus sometimes has harsh words for us, they are never meant to push us away but to remind us of our constant need for Him. Thank you for that.

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  3. In Rev 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.; we see REMNANT under war attack!

    I think that this traditional whine on our riches is not corect interpretation of Bible text.
    I dont see in our church superiority over nothing.
    Mother Teresa also have had great number of hospitals and charity facilities.
    If google her one can be suprised of what number is spoken.

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    • Goran, perhaps the reason why we see things that way is because we as a people have a tendency to view scripture from a physical point of view rather than from the spiritual. While I think that there is something to be said about our monetary wealth the real focus seems to be on what we view as spiritual wealth. We feel that WE have the truth and tend to look down on others as having lesser value in the eyes of God because of it. The parable of the two worshipers in Lk 18:9-14 comes to mind on this.

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      • I agree, that tendency is real: to despised others.
        But if it is that only, than it is easy to read Luke to the part when say:
        I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
        That message is clear and I dont think spiritual miserables are rich in any sense, also they can be so low to even think big on themselves.

        The part we forget is that Pharisees was really good gays not just think to be good. They have leading position in Nation. Are we SDAs have that position?
        If we imagining to be better from others I agree that those which are really great need to hear Luke, but there are few of them.
        Mostly we are not so great Spiritual or Material peoples.

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        • The evaluation of God's last day church as "rich and increased with goods" comes from Jesus Christ himself. Why would He say that? Could He be talking about us? Who me?!
          We need to know what is going on in the healthcare system to really understand ($5M+. salary in 1 year? $3.5M salary annual - more than CEOs of John Hopkins and Mayo Clinic systems combined?). It also is in the education system on a different premise (if pride quantifies like money). How about a structure where as leaders you have the power to spend other people's money on yourself - any amount you have the power to vote: for travel and transport, for food and hotels, for lavishing on your buddy what he in return can lavish on you? And we thought the Congress of the USA had it great. "Have need of nothing" when we know that the brethren will keep giving and giving and giving to meet our expenses. Notice the top of the system is getting larger and larger; and taking more and more control. Prophets not invited; voices disallowed.
          Buy of me gold? gold? Wow! How about meeting the psychological crave with metaphor? And white clothing? Our Lord is looking for purity of heart - authentic Christianity. Anointed to serve.
          HE still anticipates a victory celebration. Still has a few good "men".

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  4. Thanks to everyone for adding thoughtful comments to the discussion. Newton, I really like your application of Jesus' illustration of a rich man trying to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not only hard for those who are rich in possessions, but also those who see themselves rich spiritually. Wow! I had never thought of that application for Jesus' illustration. Powerful!

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    • William, thanks for sharing a wonderful experience of the Holy Spirit's leading, and teaching you. Profound. Indeed the Blessed Hope, as we anticipate HIS victory, in and with us. Wonderful quotes from EGW, calling for continual communion in relationship with Him, fervency in prayer, and trusting more fully. Praise goes to HIM.

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      • Ok. I see your point. Powerful argumentation.
        Just thinking, that looks like the Laodicean message is just for SDA bureaucracy ?!
        What about us believers?
        If remember, E.W. directed that message to all of us I think in context of leaving Legalism and receiving Faith in Jesus.
        Is not, if true, that kind of behavior in bureaucracy system clear example of falling in criminal activities like Pyramidal system in spiritual sense?

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        • The message to Laodicea is corporate only in how it applies to each individual. Jesus' invitation to "buy of me" is personal, and thus affects the the whole church. No one is truly of the remnant by association only, but only if they are like Jesus in trusting God as fully as their knowledge of Him allows, while they continue to search for a more perfect knowledge of God.

          The positive self-assessment is due to the blindness they are accurately diagnosed with. I'm sure most can recall when they first realized how true this is. Jesus is entreating by revealing the true condition that places every soul in peril who remains in that condition, and Laodicea's victory will bring an end to the reign of sin.

          Yes, we buy. The coin? Repentance. And no one can say they can't afford the required price. Study the prodigal son to understand this. What is repentance? Leaving the pigs behind, going to the Father without excuses and accepting His mercy by receiving His gifts. This means trading our rags for his "best robe"! Who would turn this down?!

          Yes, there is great hope for all who believe and repent.

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  5. I prefer to think of it like this.

    Titus 3:3-9

    3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, 5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. 6 God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for. 8 This is a true saying.

    I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone. 9 But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.

    When Peter looked at what he was doing, he sank. Look to Jesus!

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  6. I really like your post on the remnant: It is very well described. For me the SDA Church needs to stop and think twice before they consider themselves as the remant. We really don't think that we are poor we need to buy your gold from Jesus Christ. We are very arrogant because we keep the Sabbath. There is a lot to do to be able to have what we need to please God. I am a Seventh-day Adventist member but I feel that the Church does not do enough to keep the youth in. Please think about the youth and what to do to make them as ease. Thank you very much.
    raster

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  7. Reproof should be translated as guidance, leading, shepherding. Proverbs 6:23. Revelation 3 was not ment to condemn, but to lead us down a path that follows the will of our Father. Lead on oh King eternal. The congregation and William said, "exactly John".

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