Message to the Church in Laodicea
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These
things saith The Amen, The Faithful and True Witness, The Beginning of the
creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of My mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest
be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My Voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
Me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the
churches.
Rev. 3:14-22 KJV
Laodicea — a city in the fertile Lycus Valley of the
province of Phrygia, where one of the seven churches of Asia Minor was situated.
About 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of Ephesus and about 16 kilometers (10
miles) west of Colossae, Laodicea was built on the banks of the river Lycus, a
tributary of the Maeander River.
This was a once famous city which had a wall of vast
compass, and three marble theatres, and, like Rome, was built on seven hills.
The Words of The Risen Christ to Laodicea in Revelation
3:14-22 contain allusions to the economic prosperity and social prominence of
the city. Founded by the Seleucids and named for Laodice, the wife of Antiochus
II (261 BC - 247 BC), Laodicea became extremely wealthy during the Roman
period. For example, in 62 BC Flaccus siezed the annual contribution of the
Jews of Laodicea for Jerusalem amounting to 20 pounds of gold. Moreover, when
the city was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 60 (along with Colossae and
Hierapolis), it alone refused aid from Rome for rebuilding (compare the
self-sufficient attitude of the church of Laodicea in Rev. 3:17). Laodicea was
known for its black wool industry; it manufactured garments from the
raven-black wool produced by the sheep of the surrounding area.
The Apostle Paul was very instrumental in planting the
Gospel in this city, from which he wrote a letter, as he mentions in the
epistle to the Colossians, the last chapter, in which he sends salutations to
them, Laodicea not being above twenty miles distant from Colosse. In this city
was held a council in the fourth century, but it has been long since
demolished, and lies in its ruins to this day.
The site of Laodicea is now a deserted heap of ruins that
the Turks call Eski Hisar, or "old castle."
In “the Message to the church in Laodicea,” there is
no commendation, and yet this was one of “the seven golden candlesticks.”
This ‘letter’ was addressed to: “the angel of the
church of Laodicea.”
From Whom this ‘Message’ was sent — “The Amen,” “The
Faithful and True Witness,” “The Beginning of the Creation of God.”
“The Amen” is One that is steady and unchangeable in
all His purposes and promises, which are all in Him “yea and in Him amen” (see 2 Cor. 1:20).
“The Faithful and True Witness” is the One who’s Testimony
“the True Church” bears.
He is “The Beginning of the Creation of God”—“The
Eternal Creator” and ‘Governor of the nations.’
He is “The Head of the Church.”
Revelation 1:5 presents Him as “The Firstborn from the
dead.” He was raised by GOD’s Divine Power, and has become “The Head”— “The Head of His Body” [a living temple
- which is His Church] (Eph. 4:15).
As “The Head of
the Church,” He is “The Beginning.”
As “The
Firstborn from the dead,” He is “The Beginning.”
He has all preeminence.
And He is The Head of the body, the Church: Who is The Beginning,
The Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence (Col.
1:18 KJV).
He is ‘The First’ of “The First Resurrection.”
He is “The Head
of every man” (see I Cor. 11:3).
He is "The
Head of all principality and power" (Col 2:10)
He is "First" in everything!
The charge drawn up against this church states:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot” (Rev. 3:15 KJV).
The church in Laodicea was 'lukewarm.'
The Living GOD demands enthusiasm and total commitment
from those who worship Him.
Lukewarmness and indifference are spoilers of ‘good
character.’
Lukewarmness neutralizes ‘faith.’
Lukewarmness makes ‘love’ wax cold.
Lukewarmness corrupts the atmosphere for ‘worship,’
and steals ‘joy.’
"How long halt ye between two opinions?
If The LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him” (ref. 1 Kings 18:21 KJV).
There is no room for neutrality.
Christ expects that men should declare themselves in
earnest either for Him or against Him.
No demilitarized zone!
Lukewarmness results in: sorrow, sadness, heaviness of
heart, and inconsistency; thereby cutting-off spiritual growth.
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:16 KJV).
As lukewarm water turns the stomach, and provokes to a
vomit, so ‘lukewarm-believers’ are unbearable and to no purpose for God’s
Kingdom and Government.
Even when men refer to their indifference towards
Godly things as ‘moderation,’ The Lord calls it “lukewarmness”; He clearly
states of such persons: “since you are like lukewarm water, I will
spew you out of My mouth.”
What is ‘spewed-out’ is rejected, therefore; they
shall be rejected, and finally rejected!
"…choose you this day whom ye will serve…" (Josh 24:15
KJV).
The church in Laodicea thought ‘high’ of themselves “… thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17a KJV).
They so catered for their material needs that they
completely overlooked the spiritual needs of their souls.
The Lord made it known to them that they were
spiritually blind and naked.
“…and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17b KJV).
The danger of lukewarmness is spiritual wretchedness.
Fine linen, clean and white is granted only to
"the True Church of Christ" (Rev 19:8).
Just like there were a few in Sardis who are worthy to
walk with Jesus in white, so only the true saints are qualified to be clothed
in white.
“I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the
shame of thy nakedness do not appear…” (Rev. 3:18 KJV).
“The Fire of The LORD” refines ‘the gold of His
eternal altar’ as His Glory reveals His awesomeness and beauty. He is purifying
His Church like ‘gold in the making.’
“The Counsel of The LORD” leads His people into true
worship that is pure and holy, His Divine Counsel brings us into ‘the heritage
of Zion.’
Our Lord Jesus Christ continues to give good-Counsel
to those who have cast His Counsels behind their backs.
He is “Wonderful Counsellor.”
He entrusts His ‘True Church’ with “the riches and
eternal treasures of Heaven.”
“The church in Laodicea” depended on the wealth of
Laodicea, which came from reign of the Roman Empire, in those days.
But, Christ counsels them on where they might have
true riches and how they might have them.
How must the Church have this true gold from Him?
She must buy it!
But, how can those that are poor buy gold?
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that
hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without
money and without price” (Isa. 55:1 KJV)
Salvation is a free gift of GOD given through JESUS
CHRIST.
His gift of Eternal Life is also free!
His Revelation, and His Word are freely given.
But, “the treasures of Heaven” reserved in Heaven’s
storerooms for the saints, comes with a price to the Church.
What is the price?
“Labor.”
It is according to ‘our labors’ that we shall be
rewarded.
"... and every man shall receive his own reward according to
his own labour" (1 Cor. 3:8b KJV)
Another word for “labor” is “work.”
The Lord commended the church in Ephesus for her works
[labors] (see Rev.2:2).
There is a "labor" that is outside of
Christ, but there is a "labor" that is in Christ Jesus.
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28 KJV).
One, has no eternal-value, and the other endures to
eternity.
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto Everlasting Life, which The Son of Man shall give unto you: for
Him hath God The Father sealed” (John 6:27 KJV).
What a privilege the Church is given—a Divine Heavenly
mandate to win lost souls for The Kingdom of GOD!
When “the True Church” has rightly delivered on her
Heavenly assignment, she will be surely glad, and thankful to 'The Captain of
her Salvation' for the glory that will be revealed in "the saints"
far out-weighs the riches that fade away.
The wise shall inherit glory!
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is
come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the
anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21KJV).