Laodicea: Rev. 3:14-22

Introduction

As we close out the series “letters to the church” we are going to look at the church at Laodicea.

The 6 churches up to this point have been;

Ephesus - The church that left their first love

Smyrna - the suffering church

Pergamos - the worldly church

Thyatira - the church who tolerated sin

Sardis - the dead church

Philadelphia - The faithful church

and finally we come to Laodicea - The lukewarm church.

The Recipient of the Letter vs. 14a

Like all the other letters this one is addressed to the angel or messenger of the church at Laodicea.

The City

Laodicea was the most southeastern Church that recieved a letter from Jesus through John.

It was 100 miles east of Ephesus and about 40 miles away from Philadelphia.

The church was likely started during Pauls time in Ephesus, but we know Paul didn't start it based on his word in Colossians 2:1 “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;”

It was part of a triad of cities which included Colossae (10 miles east) and Hierapolis (6 miles north).

It was located on a plateau several hundred feet high, so geographically it looked impossible to conquer, but they had to pipe their water in for several miles, so if they were attacked that is how the enemy would attack, without water, life is impossible.

Laodicea was known for its finance, wool, and eyesalve, which will all be referenced in this letter

The Writer of the Letter vs. 14b

The writer of the letter is Jesus and here he uses a few titles to introduce himself to the church here.

The Amen

This is the only time this title is used to talk about Jesus

The time we see a member of the Godhead introduced this name is Isaiah 65:16 “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hid from mine eyes.”

The word truth here to describe God is the same word used to describe Jesus as the Amen.

Christ is certainly the Amen in the sense that he is the God of Truth incarnate.

One commentary said this “There is more more in this rich title than just an affirmation of His Deity. 2 Corinthians 1:20“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

It is through the person and work of Christ that all of God’s promises and covenants are fulfilled and guaranteed. All of the Old Testament promises of forgiveness, mercy, lovingkindness, grace, hope, and eternal life are bound up in Christ’s life, death and ressurection. He is the Amen because he is the one who confirmed all of God’s promises.

The faithful and true witness

Not only was Jesus the Amen because of his work, but also because he always speaks the truth.

Jesus is completely trustworthy, perfectly accurate, and his testimony is always reliable.

Jesus is like he calls himself in John 14:6, the way, the truth and the life.

The beginning of creation with God

We have spent a lot of time in creation, and there are many verses we could use to prove that Jesus was their with God in creation, but I’ll just use one tonight.

Colossians 1:15–16 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

The Concern vs. 15-17

Jesus starts by talking about their works

I was talking this week with some friends at work, and they asked me the question “Do I believe that we can lose our salvation?” Without going through every chapter and verse I gave them two things, but the point for tonight is this “If you could lose your salvation, salvation is no longer by grace through faith, it’s through works, which can never save you”

Works aren’t used for salvation, but they prove your love for Christ.

Here we are going to see the works at the church of Laodicea, did not prove their love for God, but really quite the opposite.

Christ looked at their works and saw some concerns

Concern 1; They were neither Hot nor cold, but rather lukewarm

Christ metaphorical language is drawn from Laodicea’s water supply, because it travelled several miles through underground aqueducts before reaching the city, the water arrived foul and dirty. It was not hot enough to relax in like the hot springs in Hierapolis and it wasn’t cool and refreshing like the stream water in Colossae. The water in this city was useless

Because of the spiritual state of the church, Christ gave them a rebuke, telling them because of their lukewarmness, he would spew or spit them out of his mouth.

Hot people here are those who are spiritually alive and possess the fervency of a transformed life.

Luke 24:32 “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

Cold people here can be best understood as those who reject Christ, The gospel leaves them unmoved, they have no interest in Jesus, His Word or his church.

Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Jesus told them you aren’t hot and you aren’t cold and I want you to be one or the other, but you are living in a dangerous place, where you are living a lukewarm Christian life.

MacArthur said this “The lukewarm do not fit in either category. They are not genuinely saved, yet they do not openly reject the Gospel. They attend church and claim to know the Lord. Like the pharisees they are content to practice a self righteous religion, they are hypocrites playing games.

Jesus described these people in Matthew 7:22–23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

I believe lukewarmness is one of the biggest issues in Christianity today, and thats because it blinds those in that state from reality.

Jesus calls out their real state

This church thought they were rich and in need of nothing, but the reality of it is they were wretched, miserable, poor and blind.

Matthew 19:16–22 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

When the rich young ruler was faced with what it actually meant to follow Jesus he went his own way because of the cost. He was deceived about his spiritual condition, just like this church.

We must be careful that we don’t get blinded by the real state of our church

The command vs. 18-20

Buy of me

Jesus wasn’t in any way indicating they needed to buy their salvation, but rather bidding them to come to him like God did in Isaiah 55:1 “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.”

All sinners have to offer is their wretched, lost condition. In exchange Christ offers his righteousness to those who truly believe!

Peter wrote about how our faith using the illustration of Gold in 1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Christ offered the Laodiceans a pure, true salvation that would bring them into a real relationship with Him.

Christ tells them to put on white garments to take away the shame of nakedness, symbolizing that righteous deeds always accompany genuine saving faith Rev 19:8.

Anoint thy eyes with eye salve

Though they prided themselves on spiritual knowledge they were actually spiritually blind. Blindness represents lack of understanding and knowledge of spiritual truth.

The Laodiceans desperately needed Christ to as paul prayed in Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

As proof that he still loved them, he would rebuke and chasten them

Proverbs 3:11–12 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

Jesus is standing at the door knocking and all we have to do is let him in

This was an individual invitation; if any of the people in the church at Laodicea opened the door Jesus would come in and fellowship with them, the problem with this church is no one would open the door.

The Promise vs. 21

Whoever overcomes has a seat with him on the throne next to God

to enjoy fellowship with Christ in the kingdom throughout all eternity is sufficient blessing beyond all comprehension. But Christ offers more, promising to seat believers on the throne He shares with His Father.

Jesus offers us everything

Conclusion

The message is clear they had to turn the church around, and they could do it through the power of Christ, like every church Jesus wanted them to be hearers and doers of his command.