Laodicea – Rev 3:14-22
Christ’s Identification – “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Laodicea write:
“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:
Christ’s Commendation –There was no commendation
Christ’s Rebuke – ‘ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need],
Christ’s Exhortation – 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].
Christ’s encouragement – Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The final church in this series Laodicea was situated 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east from Ephesus.
What was the problem of this church in the Lord’s eyes they were indifferent. They were lukewarm. I am someone who either likes it cold or hot I can’t bear a lukewarm glass of water. I want it piping hot. I definitely can imagine what Christ was referring to here. This church was stated between Colossae and Hierapolis. Hierapolis was famous for their hot springs and Colossae for their sparkling cold waters. Laodicea could have drawn their water from either one of these places but chose to draw water from other sources. Perhaps this is why the Lord Jesus called them lukewarm when they had the opportunity to draw from a better source they chose differently.
Laodicea was also independent and was considered the capital of financial wizards in Asia Minor. That is why the Lord described in need of nothing and rich vs 17. They made their riches also by the farming animals that they had. Black sheep, that gave them wool that were greatly sort after and paid a premium prices. In Ad 60 there was an earth quake that destroyed much however this city never asked for aid from Nero who was the then emperor. They had enough resources to rebuild. They had money and wealth and so didn’t have a care in the world. In fact they were so indifferent to the things of God that they did not notice the Lord walking amongst the lampstands. Today we are so engrossed in counting our resources and how big our building is that we forget the presence o the Lord in our midst. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in wealth that we forget the presence of the Lord who actually made us rich in the first place. If not for the Lord where would we be?
The Lord always has a way out of our predicaments and so for the church in Laodicea. He tells them they needed to go through the fire in order to be purified and I believe when you and I go through the fiery trial of life we are challenged and made into vessels of honour. He then tells them their garments needed to be white perhaps it was below the belt hit to the way they got rich, the black garments that brought them to a place of indifference. The Lord finally tells them need to apply healing eye salve so they could see. Their prophetic vision was blinded. Just today I heard that a pastor had refused prophecy in his church saying it is not needed to move forward. I dread to think where he and his congregation will end up. Laodicea was famous for being marketers of a Phrygian eye salve. So it was no wonder that the Lord hit a home run with what he told them.
In conclusion of our Revelation series I would ask that we all search our hearts and see Jesus for who He is. He is walking amongst us even without our knowledge and is desperate to free us, purify us, and restore us because after all we are His bride.
Pray with me so you can stand before Him without spot, wrinkle and blemish.
Father God I am a sinner and I can identify with the letters to the churches I see where I am wrong please help me to repent and turn away from my lukewarmness and indifference to You. Purify me with your precious blood and give me freedom and life to live a full overflowing life in You so I may glorify you everyday. Father I want to be Your true church and true bride. Lead me in a path that will lead me into your arms. Thank you for revealing to me all that you have done in this series. I bless you in Jesus name. Amen
