Thursday: Christians in Laodicea
The last church addressed by Jesus was in Laodicea, a wealthy city situated on a major trade road. It was famous for its woolen manufacturing industry, its banks (which held a vast quantity of gold); and a medical school which produced eye salve.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
The prosperity of Laodicea filled its citizens with self-sufficiency. Around A.D. 60, when an earthquake destroyed the city, the citizens declined an offer of assistance from Rome, claiming to have all they needed to do the job. Since the city lacked water, it was supplied through an aqueduct that came from the hot springs at Hierapolis. The source was distant from Laodicea, so the water became lukewarm by the time it got there.
Read Revelation 3:14-17 along with Hosea 12:8. How did the self-sufficient spirit of the city pervade the Laodicean Christians?
Jesus did not rebuke the Christians in Laodicea for a serious sin, such as heresy or apostasy. Rather, their problem was complacency leading to spiritual lethargy. Like the water that reached the city, they were neither refreshingly cold nor hot, but lukewarm. They claimed to be rich and in need of nothing; yet, they were poor, naked, and blind to their spiritual condition.
The church in Laodicea symbolizes the spiritual condition of God’s church near the close of this earth’s history, as certain links with end-time portions of Revelation show. One such link, as given in Jesus’ parenthetical warning in Revelation 16:15, refers back to the “white garments” of Christ’s righteousness needed by spiritually naked Laodicea (Rev. 3:18, NKJV). The warning to keep one’s garments and not walk naked appears in the midst of a reference to the spiritual battle of Armageddon. The timing of Jesus’ warning may seem rather strange, at first, because it is no longer possible to receive these garments. After all, probation already will have closed for everyone. But the warning to keep one’s garments appears in connection with the sixth plague and Armageddon because Jesus wants to remind Laodicea to be ready now in advance of that terrible conflict – before it is forever too late. Thus, Revelation 16:15 warns Laodiceans that if they fail to heed Jesus’ counsel and instead choose to remain naked (Rev. 3:17-18), they will be lost, and ashamed, at His coming (see 1 John 2:28-3:3).
Jesus assures the Laodiceans that He loves them. He appeals for them to repent (Rev. 3:19). He concludes His appeal by picturing Himself as the lover in Song of Songs 5:2-6, standing at the door and knocking and pleading to be let in (Rev. 3:20). Everyone who opens the door and lets Him in is promised an intimate dinner with Him and, ultimately, to reign with Him on His throne (Rev. 20:4).
| Read Revelation 3:18-22. What counsel does Jesus give to the Laodiceans? What do gold, white garment, and eye salve symbolize (see 1 Pet. 1:7; Isa. 61:10; Eph. 1:17-18)? What does this counsel say to us, as Seventh-day Adventists, who recognize ourselves as the Laodicean church? |
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We love the Laodicean Church label and wear it like a badge of honor. It describes us; we are the last church; we are described in the Bible; therefore we are right! Big mistake. The Laodicean describes a church that:
While we are boasting we have the truth, are we blind to notion that truth is not a destination to arrive at, but a continual journey - a commitment to exploring and developing our understanding. That is the message we need to understand.
Our daughter, Toni, is an optometrist who works for Specsavers who have an advertising slogan at the end of their rather humorous ads; "You should have gone to Specsavers!" In our family, the slogan has been changed. When someone cannot see something or makes a visual mistake, We say, "You should have gone to see Toni!" We kid ourselves that we have 20/20 vision but we need to visit our optometrist to get a true picture of our vision.
The Laodicean message is not an identifier of a privilaged place in history, but a sound piece of advice to get our eyes fixed so that we can focus on the things of real value:
Now this says it all! Amen Maurice!
Church in Laodicea
Character magnified by God - Amen, the faithful and true witness
God's warning - you are neither hot or cold
Satan would have them think they are walking in the path of righteousness and only lead them into destruction.
Jesus had the most difficult time in reaching the religious people in his day.
It was the so called sinners (tax collectors, and harlots) by the religious group were more accepting of Jesus.
Judas is a great example of some one who is hot or cold.
He walked with the Lord, yet did not completely surrender to him.
How is your walk with the Lord?
What would you change in your life to be in fire for the Lord?
Greatest power in the world is power of choice.
Our power of choice has power even over our God.
In other words, God will always respect our choice. (even if we choose to be lukewarm)
Laodicea - self satisfied,they need to realize their true condition.
It feels like Jesus is judging the churches and telling them what to do to be overcomers and earn a reward. It feels like legalism? I need to go back to Rev 1 where we find Jesus loves us and rescues us from sin (being out of harmony with his character) and elevates us to be kings and priests of God. Then in this section we find Jesus asking us to let him into our hearts so he can dwell with us! Normally such a deep intensive loving relationship with such an amazing wonderful powerful being is strictly personal why are we disecting it in public and others making rules about my relationship? I have discovered sometimes a relationship gets into trouble and needs help to get back on track and because he loves us Jesus says come now let us reason together, see you are not the only one with issues, let your 'family' support you in becoming whole, look how wonderful it will be when we all in harmony together! Now I understand it is not about rules and earning rewards but living by principles with our loving LORD that will make everyone happy!
If you observe Jesus talking to the churches, you'll realize that His concern is how they can all be restored; he has no interest in destroying any of the churches. In fact, look at his words to Pergamum and Sardis, he prepares a route for hope. The High Priest between the lampstands is interested in ensuring that the candlesticks shine on and on. To him dead church, corrupt church and compromising church; He needs them still. For the Compromising Church (Pergamum) he comes as a two-edged sword to "reproof" and to "restore" why? Because those who overcome he gives them hidden manna to eat, and gives a white stone; to renew the name. For the corrupt church (Thyatira) he comes with the eyes of fire and feet of fine brass; with scrutiny and firmness, for "reproof" again why? Because those who overcome he gives power over all Nations and give the morning star. The Dead Church (Sardis) - He comes with the Seven Spirits of God and the Seven Stars - The Holy Spirit (To renew their spiritual commitment - to revive) and The Angels (to re-edify and guard) why? Because those who overcome he gives white garment and will not blot out their names from Book of Life.
Look at that! These messages may have had stern elements within them, but the significance is that Jesus loves His church even at the lowest form.He still pursues an "exit plan" for even the worst character in his Church. Our perception on "rebuke" is wrong. We look at warning as a bad thing, while this is meant to protect us. The letters to the Seven Churches provide additional beatitudes (blessings) to the Churches, just within their messaging. In every situation troubling, success, rebellion or even faithfulness, Jesus provided encouragement and counsel.
It's time we take these messages from the rescue point and focus on the overcoming element. Consider the warnings as a light in the dark to lead us towards correction.
Playing the middle.
- lukewarmness tries to play the middle
- They're too hot to be cold and too cold to be hot.
- They are cold but warmed up by their religious trappings or they are hot but cooled down by their self-reliance.
- They have enough of Jesus to think they have enough.
- They are trying to please both the world and Jesus.
- They have enough of Jesus to satisfy a craving for religion, but not enough for eternal life.
- They follow Jesus enough to be considered disciples,but not giving their hearts over to Jesus in fullness.
- They have too much of the world to be happy in Jesus and too much of Jesus to be happy in the world.
After Laodicea there is one more church addressed in Revelation...the last church at the close of this earth's history composed of those that have applied the remedy to heal our hearts and minds to be ready to stand in His presence. "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." {Rev. 12:17, NKJV}
There are multiple lessons that we can learn from Christ’s message to Laodicea. One of these is what the Bible calls “the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). People commonly but mistakenly believe that wealth means that God is pleased with them. The truth is that sometimes the wicked prosper (Jeremiah 12:1).
In our world filled with technology, material prosperity and modern conveniences, many mistakenly assume that they do not need God. People who are going to be faithful to God must not allow material things to lull them into a false sense of spiritual security.
Another lesson from the message to Laodicea is that we must be doers of God’s Word. We can’t relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. God expects His people to maintain zeal for His way of life.
A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesight—our ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. This occurs as we repent when we learn that we have sinned and as we allow ourselves to be led by God’s Holy Spirit.
How do we put Jesus's counsel into effect? We remember stories so they are excellent ways to convey messages. Journaling fixes thoughts in our minds. I believe the 7 churches are teaching us to take a story of a person like the women at the well or one episode in the life of Moses - read it and meditate on it then ask your self, what Principle/s of God are revealed, how does this impact my life, write it down, talk to Jesus about it, share it with a friend.
Jesus represent himself in three ways;
1. The Amen==} Let it be so
2. The Faithful==} to the point of death
3. True Witness==} of both creation, redemption of humanity and the sabbath.
4. The beginning of creation of God. To mean creation starts with Him(present at creation)r
It helps me to think of my relationship with Christ in terms of the metaphor He so frequently uses throughout scripture, marriage. In my nearly 33 years of marriage, our emotional “ feelings” for one another rise a fall with the events of life but one thing never changes, the commitment to one another. In our Christian walk, sometime when we see God work in ways to resolve financial, health or relationship issues we get that feeling described in the Bible, like being bourn up on eagles wings and at other times, we are over whelmed with grief, sickness or financial distress and we ask, why me, where is God now? In both times of life and indeed during the lukewarm phases, we need to turn to His word to remind ourselves that we know He is committed to us because He gave us all He had, His life and He will give us His Spirit to keep us clinging to Him; commitment.