httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0V-8c81D4k

The last of the letters to the churches from Christ.  It is a scathing letter with no commendation.

 The city: Laodicea was well known for its wealth and was a banking center.  They were also known for the manufacture soft black wool which was made into cloth and rugs that further added to their wealth.  There was also a school of medicine that specialized in the making of a salve for the eyes.  This salve was marketed all over the Roman world.  The people of the city were living a life of relative ease.  They had so much money that once when an earthquake hit they were able to rebuild on their own although Rome offered to assist with financial aid.  Laodicea was situated in the Lycus valley about 100 miles east of Ephesus.  It was the southernmost of the 7 churches of Revelation.  It was located between Hierapolis which was known for its hot springs and Colossae, known for its pure cold water.   The interesting thing about Laodicea is that water from Hierapolis and Colossae were piped into the city by aqueducts.  The hot water from Hierapolis was lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea and the cold water from Colossae was lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea.

 The church: They were blind to their own needs.  The Lord is about to give them a true picture of where they stood in His sight.  They were so wrapped up into building their own kingdom that they did not realize they were not part of His kingdom.  This church was a total unregenerate, false church.  They had religion down pat but they were far from the truth.  It represents so many of the churches right here in America today.  Churches busy doing but not being.  People religious to the core but lost and headed straight to hell.

 Ezekiel 6:9 says “I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols.”  God’s heart was hurt over Laodicea.

 Vs 14:  To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  

These are the words of the Amen,  –  Amen is an OT title for God (Isaiah 65:16).  It means ‘truth’ in Hebrew.  Jesus is called the Amen:

           “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.”  2 Corinthians 1:20

 He confirmed all of God’s promises.  He is truth.  When we say amen at the end of a prayer we are basically saying “truth – I believe truth (Jesus)”

 The faithful and true witness – this title further expresses the first title.  He is always faithful and always true – He can never be less than He is.   He is as John 14:6 states “the way, the truth, and the life.”

 The ruler of God’s creation. – some versions have “beginning of creation’.  Beginning in the Greek means ‘origin or source’.  Jesus is the origin or source of creation not the first one created because He is not a created being – He is God.  In Colossians He is referred to as the ‘firstborn of all creation’ that does not mean the first one born but rather the supreme person which comes from the word prototokos where we get the word prototype.

 We must have our theology right or we end up as so many other churches – a dead religion or cult.  Remember Jesus asked Peter who He was and Peter said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus is not a created being – He is God.  He is not just a good man, or prophet, or teacher, or religious figure we think about at Christmas or Easter.  He is the Creator of all things and sustainer of all life!

 Vs 15:  I know your deeds, – deeds represent the true spiritual state of someone (Jesus said ‘you will know them by their fruits’ – Matt 7:16).  Deeds confirm or deny one’s salvation.  The Laodicean deeds represented they were dead.

 That you are neither cold” nor hot.  The lukewarm water that reached Laodicea from its two neighboring cities was foul and dirty – an incubator for germs.  Hot water kills germs and cold water does not provide a place for it to thrive.

 I wish you were either one or the other!  Jesus is telling them that they are hard to reach.  A sure enough known unsaved person is easier to reach than someone who thinks they are saved and living a lie.

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!”  Matthew 7:21-23

 Vs 16:  So, because you are lukewarm –  complacent, comfortable, don’t realize their need

 Neither hot nor cold – hot means to be fervently devoted to Christ and cold is a non-believer who knows they are non-believers.

 I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  He is telling them that they make Him sick!  Some churches make Him weep, some make Him angry, and some like this one just makes Him sick.  Their self-righteousness nauseated Him.

  Vs 17:  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  – they were self-satisfied and independent.  They were so smug in their wealth and knowledge, they most likely looked down their noses on those who truly did believe the gospel of Christ.

But you do not realize that you are wretched; pitiful, poor, blind and naked. – Nakedness represents defeat and humiliation.

 

John R. W. Scott in his book “What Christ Thinks of the Church” notes:

“Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth century church than this.  It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today.  Our Christianity is flabby and anemic.  We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion.”

Vs 18:  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich;  – Salvation is free.  Isaiah  55:1 says “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money come, buy and eat.  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”  This is metaphorically speaking.  They needed faith – more precious than gold.

And white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; – they needed to trade their black wool symbolizing their filthy sinful garments for the white garments that represent righteousness.

And salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. – He was about to poke His holy finger into their eyes so that that they might truly see.   They were blind with lack of understanding and knowledge of spiritual truth.

Vs 19:  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. – He will permit a church to go through times of trial so that they might become what He wants them to become.  He wants all to believe and come to Him.  To rebuke means to expose and convict.  To discipline means to punish in love.

So be earnest and repent. – Mourn over the sin, and hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Vs 20:  Here I am!  He is present.  He is there if you don’t want Him to be and He is present if you want Him to be.

I stand at the door and knock. – The Lord is on the outside of the church!  While they were busying doing activities and entertaining themselves on the inside, He was on the outside knocking to come in and they did not notice.  He knocks through circumstances and He calls through His word.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, – He will speak to anyone who is willing to listen.  He said if anyone – singular.  He is looking for that one who is willing to open the door.

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. – a supper table becomes a throne as we fellowship with Him.  The word dine refers to the evening meal.  The last meal of the day.  He is willing to come in and fellowship with you as the day of mankind draws to a close.  It is the last hour, the meal is prepared, open the door and invite Him in.

Vs 21:  To him who overcomes, – the believers are the overcomers

I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, – one of several rights He has promised those who overcome.  Heaven will be His throne and we will be with Him there.

Just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.  We are going where He is!

Judgment is going to come to this world but it first begins at God’s house.

 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”    1 Peter 4:17

  Vs 22:  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

– listen to Him.  Pay attention to what He is saying, that gentle nudge He gives, that knowing that He puts in your heart.  Do not ignore Him.