The Seven Churches of Revelation (4)

Laodicea

Over the past number of weeks we have been looking at the seven churches found in the book of Revelations, chapters 2-3. And not only have we been studying what was happening historically 19 centuries ago in the church, and what Jesus had concerns about in the church, but we have done our best to see if there is anything we can learn and apply in 2019 for our own benefit. 

Or to state it another way, is there anything we are doing or not doing in the church of 2019, that Jesus spoke about 1900 years ago where we need to change? I mention this idea of change, because we also want to remember as we go through this final study, Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to those who will read and obey what it says.

            Today, we’re going to look at the church found in Laodicea. And of all the churches, Laodicea, is the only church out of the seven where Jesus does not offer one single word of commendation or affirmation. Jesus can find nothing in this church to praise them about. As a matter of fact, the only word of hope Jesus offers to this church is a word of repentance, which is the Lord basically saying, they still have a chance to get their act together, if, they will follow Me. 

Tonight, we’re going to look at the church found in Laodicea. And of all the churches, Laodicea, is the only church out of the seven where Jesus does not offer one single word of commendation or affirmation. Jesus can find nothing in this church to praise them about. As a matter of fact, the only word of hope Jesus offers to this church is a word of repentance, which is the Lord basically saying, they still have a chance to get their act together, if, they will follow Him.    

To give you an idea of where we are going tonight, I want you to think ahead to the warm days of summer. And let’s say the temperature is 30-35 degrees outside. Have you ever been to an amusement park or maybe a zoo when in that temperature outside and you are walking around or standing in a line? It can be downright miserable can’t it? And then somewhere along the path you see one of those misting machines. Cool water is spraying either down or attached to a fan spraying out. And you walk through that mist of water and you sigh “aaahhh.” That cool mist of water feels so good doesn’t it? It revives you for just a split second. It’s almost like someone splashing cold water into your face or putting an ice cube down your back. 

Well, in our text tonight, Jesus is going to splash some cold water into the face of the Laodiceans. Jesus wants to wake them up because they have been drifting. It’s similar to one of those water rides where you are buckled in and the ride twirls in circles carrying you along a rapid current with multiple waterfalls spilling and crashing down all on top of you. That waterfall wakes you up doesn’t it? It gets your attention. Well, I believe Jesus was trying to get the attention of this church in Laodicea. 

Well, in our Scripture today, Jesus is going to splash some cold water into the face of the Laodiceans. Jesus wants to wake them up because they have been drifting. It’s similar to one of those water rides where you are buckled in and the ride twirls in circles carrying you along a rapid current with multiple waterfalls spilling and crashing down all on top of you. That waterfall wakes you up doesn’t it? It gets your attention. Well, I believe Jesus was trying to get the attention of this church in Laodicea. 

You might say Laodicea is a church that sits on the fence because they have become complacent, with an attitude which says - I can take it or leave it, it makes no difference to me. I'm not hot for Jesus, but neither am I coldly against Him. And personally, I think this is a very common attitude in our community and country. An attitude of indifference, questioning whether it really matters or not to have faith in Christ. Or if we do believe in God, it’s a half-hearted measure, only recognizable when convenient or an emergency arises beyond our control.

In response to this attitude, we read Jesus' famous rebuke - "...because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Not too fetching of a picture is it? 

Sort of reminds you of an old time baseball player chewing of big wad of tobacco as he spits some brown slimy crud along the base line. When applied to the church, this rebuke from Jesus signals disgust, warning, and uselessness. I’m going to spit you out - because I cannot use you the way you are. 

Well, if you are ready, let’s finish our journey of the seven churches of Revelation as we read the Scripture together regarding our final church. 

Revelation 3:14–22 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

There is a story told of a man who was having trouble sleeping at night. He tossed and turned all night long. Telling his friend about his lack of sleep - he was offered this advice. "Keep rolling as close as you can to the edge of the bed, you'll drop off in no time."

Here’s the connection to that horrible pun. The church at Laodicea had a problem. Their effectiveness as a church had dropped off. They rolled neither one way or the other. They weren't conservative, they weren't liberal, they didn't practice evangelism nor a social gospel. As a church they were spiritually dead and useless. And the question is – how did this happen? How does a church that began spiritually alive fall away?

We believe when this church was first started, probably with Epaphras (), a fellow worker with the Apostle Paul, that the church was excited about their faith and shared the gospel to bring others to Christ. But something happened a few generations down the line. They became self-sufficient, confusing their material prosperity, which is a trap many of us can fall into. (And with prosperity we can begin to drift away from God can’t we, because we really don’t need God to take care of our needs anymore?) And slowly, inch by inch, they lost their zeal for the Lord, their purpose and mission and why they were a church. 

We don’t know of any persecution they faced. This may clue us in that their gospel message was not a threat to other beliefs, such as Jesus is one of many ways to heaven, not the only way. Actually, many scholars wonder if they were really Christian at all, except by name. Origen, who was an early church writer and Christian theologian dying in the third century (254 A.D.), concluded they were not born again at all.

Hot or Cold  

Jesus describes their deeds in verse 15 & 16 as lukewarm, being neither cold nor hot. And you may find it interesting, the word lukewarm is found no where else in the entire Bible, except here, where Jesus uses it. And this verse makes a lot more sense once you understand Laodicea utilized a six mile long aqueduct (mostly underground) from the hot springs of Hierapolis. By the time the hot water made the 6 mile route, the water became lukewarm and distasteful, full of calcium carbonate and sediment, inducing nausea when drunk. The people at Laodicea knew their water was poor. And they knew Jesus was talking about their spiritual condition when He told them you are lukewarm. You are in a distasteful condition. I can’t use you the way you are.

            When you eat at a Chinese restaurant, they offer you two drinks don’t they? Either hot tea or ice water, because both are pleasant to drink. But does anyone ever offer you lukewarm tap water? No, of course not. And why is that? Because lukewarm water is worthless, it doesn’t satisfy. 

            And because Jesus says Laodicea’s spirituality is lukewarm, worthless, I believe Jesus was saying the members of this church did not know Him as Savior, they had not been born again. They were playing church, but they did not understand what it means to be a disciple. I believe this is what happened to John Wesley, founder of Methodism. As a young man, Wesley tried to be a good Christian as both a minister and performing good deeds. But he failed miserably and knew there was nothing he could do to guarantee his salvation in Christ. Several years later, he discovered it was by God’s grace that one is saved, and his heart conversion came on May 24, 1738. 

            And today, if the enemy of our souls can convince people in the church to believe somehow they are a Christian simply by sitting in a pew and throwing in a couple of bucks, then the enemy has won a decisive victory. Without being spiritually born again, baptized by the Holy Spirit, we will be useless for God’s kingdom.

            Now I love what Jesus does in verses 17 & 18. Jesus uses what the Laodiceans are familiar with to make a point. Jesus uses three areas Laodicea prided itself on.

Financial Wealth

The first area of pride was financial wealth.        

From an earthly perspective, Laodicea did not have any tangible needs because it had acquired great wealth. The city was strategically located where three major trading routes intersected, which made Laodicea a prominent center for banking. 

Actually, Laodicea was so self-sufficient, that when an earthquake damaged the city in 60 A.D., the people turned down Emperor Nero’s government funding. They would finance their own rebuilding. 

[Can you imagine today a city like Detroit or in Japan turning down federal disaster assistance after an earthquake?]

Jesus tells the Laodiceans, you may think you are wealthy and have all you need, but spiritually you are poverty stricken. Your need is very great because you don’t have Me! Buy My gold that you may be truly rich.

Have you ever noticed in Canada when we become prosperous and self-sufficient it can lead to a lack of prayer in our lives and we place God on a shelf for safe keeping only to take down in case of an emergency? 

There is nothing wrong with being prosperous and working hard. But there is a danger we have to watch out for. Prosperity can blind us to our true spiritual poverty.  Wealth can produce a love of the world. We get caught up in acquiring more things that brings temporary satisfaction, but never meets our spiritual needs in Christ.

Clothing Trade

The second thing Laodicea prided itself on was the clothing trade.

The Garments from Laodicea were famous all over the world. The glossy black wool from Laodicea was a luxury item. The wool was used to make clothing and carpeting. 

In ancient times to be clothed with fine raiment was a great honor, whereas humiliation and shame came with nakedness. If you recall that’s what they did to Jesus on the cross. During a crucifixion, to humiliate a criminal further, they were stripped naked for all the world to see. 

And because the Laodiceans prided themselves on their beautiful outward appearance, the Lord says, spiritually you are naked. To cover your shame you need to buy new clothes from Me.   A white raiment, not black, which will last forever. To adorn the body is temporary - to adorn the soul is eternal.

Eye Salve

And then the third thing Laodicea prided itself on was its famous eye-salve. 

Laodicea was noted for its medical school that produced an ear ointment and a Phrygian powder used to make an eye-salve for certain eye diseases such as inflammation.  

We could say the physicians of Laodicea aided people with limited physical blindness - but only Christ can totally heal the eyes of those who are spiritually blind.

And blind the Laodiceans were because they could not see their own spiritual poverty and nakedness. Their Phrygian powder was useless to see their true condition. They needed Christ’s eye-salve to truly see.

And blind the Laodiceans were because they could not see their own spiritual poverty and nakedness. Their Phrygian powder was useless to see their true condition. They needed Christ’s eye-salve to truly see.

Now watch the beauty of verses 19-21. 

Jesus has rebuked His church, now He offers them a second chance to respond to His love.

Revelation 3:19 NIV

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Rev. 3:19-20

In verse 19 - God says: "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent."

Why does a parent discipline a child? Is it not because the parent loves the child? 

Discipline is not abuse. 

Discipline is loving behavior to correct improper behavior. 

Discipline and love help to train the child, and help shape the child's character. 

Jesus is saying, if I did not love you, I would not be rebuking you and trying to correct your behavior. I want to help shape your character into a dynamic disciple of Mine.

            Then in Verse 20 Jesus speaks of a door and having a meal together. In ancient times, a shared meal took on great significance. It was a symbol of affection and intimacy. It was a time of close fellowship. Mealtime was a special time with companions and loved ones similar to what we do at Thanksgiving. Do you remember in when Peter was criticized by a few Jewish Christians, not for preaching to gentiles, but for eating with gentiles? Do you remember in when Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for eating with sinners? In this verse, by Jesus wanting to dine with us, Jesus is offering Himself in fellowship to those who will invite Him in.

Revelation 3:20 NIV

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Then in Verse 20 Jesus speaks of a door and having a meal together. In ancient times, a shared meal took on great significance. 

It was a symbol of affection and intimacy. 

It was a time of close fellowship. 

Mealtime was a special time with companions and loved ones similar to what we do at Thanksgiving.

Acts 11:3 NIV

and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

 Do you remember in when Peter was criticized by a few Jewish Christians, not for preaching to gentiles, but for eating with gentiles? 

Luke 15:2 NIV

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Do you remember in when Peter was criticized by a few Jewish Christians, not for preaching to gentiles, but for eating with gentiles? 

Do you remember in when Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for eating with sinners? 

In this verse, by Jesus wanting to dine with us, Jesus is offering Himself in fellowship to those who will invite Him in.

Now I want you to envision a door with a single latch on the inside. 

This door represents the way to your mind, emotions, body, and soul - the real you. Jesus is standing at this door, call it the door to your heart, and He is knocking. But Jesus cannot open the door, only you can, because the latch is on the inside. 

You have three possible responses when someone knocks on your door:

1. refuse to open, tell person to go away

2. ignore it - not interested right now

3. open the door, invite person in

Though Jesus was strong with His rebuke, I’m going to spit you our of My mouth, out of love, the Laodicean church is given a second chance. If they would repent of their indifference, if they would invite Christ into their hearts to reign supreme, if they would overcome, Christ would seat them with Himself in the kingdom of heaven.

            Though Jesus was strong with His rebuke, I’m going to spit you our of My mouth, out of love, the Laodicean church is given a second chance. If they would repent of their indifference, if they would inviteChrist into their hearts to reign supreme, if they would overcome, Christ would seat them with Himself in the kingdom of heaven.

When a parent corrects a child’s behavior (sit in the time out chair, grounded, no TV, no texting, no computer games, whatever), the child needs to know once again they are still loved. 

As a parent we have never stopped loving them, but there are feelings of estrangement because of disobedience or defiance, what the Bible calls sin. Fellowship has been broken to some degree. And the parent and the child have the opportunity to restore loving communication (the feeling side of love). But how do they do that?

Confession & Repentance    

On the part of the child there is confession and repentance - I am sorry, I agree with you I was wrong. 

Forgiveness & Reconsiliation

On the part of the parent there is forgiveness and reconciliation. Let us put this matter behind us. (And with loving arms extended), let us be friends again and repair the separation between us. If there are future consequences from your misguided actions, I cannot remove those consequences, but I can promise to walk with you as you deal with them.

Conclusion:       

Well, Jesus stands at the door to all of our hearts. And with loving arms extended, Jesus says - let us be friends and repair the separation between us. 

Let us dine together as close friends do enjoying one other’s company. 

The question is, will we open the door or will we remain indifferent? 

It’s like the story of a man who was having great difficulty making decisions. One night he came to a four-way stop sign and spent the evening. 

What will be your decision? 

Will you choose Christ, for Christ has already chosen you at the cross? 

And here’s the blessing and promise for those who choose to follow. Jesus says to the one who overcomes, just like He overcame sin and death as was raised victorious to sit at the right hand of the Father, the overcomer shall be granted to sit with Jesus on His throne. They shall rule with Christ.