Christ's etter to Laodicea
Notes
Transcript
Intro: We finally come to the last of the 7 churches that Christ wrote letters to. It has been an interesting study to once again see how Christ views His bride - His church.
Background:
Background:
Laodicea means “the rule of the people.”
The city was known for it’s banking wealth, it’s eye salve and other medical remedies, and its glossy black wool.
It was located near both the Heiropolis hot springs and the very cold water from Colossae.
It was located in the SW of Phrygia - anything in the bottom left of the fridge is not likely any good. LOL
Christ Revealed
Christ Revealed
Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)
“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
“the Amen” (meaning “May it be so” in the NT and “as I live, says Yahweh” in the OT)
For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.
Faithful
2 Timothy 2:13 (NKJV)
… He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Christ is faithful even when His church is not.
True Witness
What He has said about the churches, and will say to this church, is not His opinion, but accurate, verifiable, dependable and factual.
“The Beginning of the creation of God”
The word “beginning” is the
Greek word for “source of, initiator of, or origin of” see Col 1.15-18
Not that He is the first created, but He started creation. Gen 1
He knows 15
Week after week we have seen this very thing.
He has desires “I could wish...” 15c God is so personal! He too has desires, and because He is all powerful and knows everything, we can trust that His desires are far better than our desires.
He is willing to forcefully expel those who are unfit. 16 more on this in a bit
He gives counsel 18 That is actually why we have the Word of God in full. The Gospel would be sufficient for our entry to heaven, but the whole Word of God also gives us His counsel.
His love corrects errant behaviour. 19
Note here: He loves even these lukewarm Christians. We see that in His calling them to repentance.
He sits on a throne of His own! 21
He had to overcome to claim it.
How They Pleased Christ
How They Pleased Christ
They did have some works, or business. 15
Some of them can still overcome. 21
It appears that this church was good at complimenting it’s self, and yet Christ does not say much in this category - it is the opposite of last week.
How They Displeased Christ
How They Displeased Christ
Lukewarm = They were no longer “hot” or “on fire” for the Lord. Nor were they cold and refreshing. 15-16 “lost their vigour” “wretched”
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
The Bible Exposition Commentary
The second law of thermodynamics requires that a “closed system” eventually moderates so that no more energy is being produced. Unless something is added from the outside, the system decays and dies. Without added fuel, the hot water becomes cool; without electricity, the refrigerant in the freezer becomes warm.
I often hear of people that know a little about Christianity and think that they are fine. They are not against it, but they are not willing to be fervent for God either. They often fool themselves into believing that they are “good with God” and yet they can’t even give an accurate answer of what it takes to know you are saved and bound for heaven. These people are in a sad position!
Historically we see the “Physicians” of Leo used a lukewarm water from the local mineral springs to induce a reaction that caused the stomach to empty.
They deceived themselves into the belief that they were rich and had it all. 17 “Miserable”
Lost there values by deceiving themselves so much. This happens when people are lukewarm.
Opposite of the church in Smyrna, they thought of themselves as self sufficient and not needing anything from anyone - including God!
Verse 18 suggests they get Gold that had been purified by God’s fire.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
The goal of our church is not to stop your suffering. It is not to make you feel comfortable, or happy or blessed. It is to “...live in the truth of His word...”
They lost their spiritual vision. blind
Last week we saw the importance of seeing open doors.
The city was known for its eye treatments. Jesus says they need to see what is happening and what their true spiritual situation is actually like.
Hosea 12:8 (NKJV)
Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labours They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’
2 Peter 1:9 (NKJV)
he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
They lost their vestments - clothes
These people had lost their morality and decency. The town was famous for black wool, and yet people here are laid bare and exposed.
Revelation 19:8 (NKJV)
To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
This church thought they were honouring God, and in-fact they are disgracing, and shaming themselves.
The Church “To Do”List
The Church “To Do”List
Be zealous continually
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
This is imperative. It is something we should do often.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary
to profess affection in order to gain someone as a follower; Rev. 3:19
Repent 19c = stop confess and turn and go the opposite way.
Of the pride
Of the arrogance
of the false modesty
Open the door when Christ nocks! 20
Most of us have become very comfortable at not answering our phones when we see an unknown number from victory because we believe it to be just a spam call.
Hear His voice and that of the Spirit! 20b
I did not say listen to voices. I said, “Hear God and respond!”
The Promise of Christ
The Promise of Christ
Eating with Christ v20b
The New King James Version Chapter 3
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me
I believe this is a reference to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This is an event, still future, when the Bride of Christ will enjoy a meal with Him in heaven. I understand it to be a 7 year feast where we will not get fat, can eat all we want of the best food ever, a never get fat, because we have our heavenly bodies.
We don’t ask him to do things our way, we ask Him to come in and change everything to fit us for heaven.
Overcomers can sit on heaven’s Throne with Him. 21
Revelation 2:26 (NKJV)
He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
Our church theological position is to take the plain and obvious understanding of the Bible. So, when it says Christ will rule and reign for 1000 years, we accept that as a yet to be fulfilled promise of Christ. I believe 2.26 is talking about this period, but after that we see there are those who continue as leaders into Eternity.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Conclusion: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
Conclusion: The Lord knows what is going on and where we need to be as a church.
Weirsbe describing this passage says, “The Laodiceans were an independent church that had need of nothing, but they were not abiding in Christ and drawing their power from Him. It was a democratic church that no longer follows spiritual leaders or the authority of the Word of God.” They lived for appearances, success, and feelings.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 581). Victor Books
Over recent weeks we have been privilaged to have a look through God’s X-ray eyes to see churches for what they are. Judgment is coming, in the following chapters of this book and in real life sometime soon.
1 Peter 4:17–19 (NKJV)
The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Q1. Are there areas we are still living the lie, fooling ourselves into believing we are all we should be as a church?
Q2. Being zealous takes effort. How much effort do we put into accurately representing our God?
Q3. How much does it mean to us to be there eating with Christ at the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb?