KBM Revelation Chapter 3 Laodicea

Hello again and welcome to our 188th episode of Kids Bible Minute. I’m your host Landon Rowell and I’m also the local preacher for the church of Christ in Ramona, OK. I want to thank Bible Way Media, out of the Oologah cofC for giving me the opportunity to do this podcast and each of you for studying God’s Word with me. I enjoy our studies together and look forward to it each week. As always, I want to make certain you have “your” Bible with you so that when I mention a Bible verse you can read that verse for yourself and not just take my word for it. Now most of the time I will read that passage mentioned out loud so it’s best if you pause this podcast when the scripture is mentioned, turn to the verse and read it, then unpause the podcast and read along with me as I read out loud. If you are new to our study, first I want to say thank you for studying with us and secondly I want to let you know that you can reach all archived or past episodes easily at ramonacofc.com in the podcast section where there is a direct link to Kids Bible Minute past episodes. As most of you all know we have been studying in the book of Revelation and find ourselves currently examining the church in Laodicea in . Having read that now, there is something different in Jesus’ reaction to this congregation than any other. Jesus has nothing good to say about it, but before we get into that I want us to first examine how Jesus describes Himself to the church there in Laodicea. Let’s read …

Revelation 3:14 ESV

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

As we see here Jesus uses the word “Amen” as a proper name. The idea here is that Jesus is the ultimate statement of validation and fulfillment to God’s people. He is “the Word that became flesh” () and He is “the Truth of God in the flesh” (). He is also the faithful and true witness. Here Jesus is described as someone with zero deception in Him. Every word he utters is true and as God, He is witness to it’s authenticity from the Father. Lastly we Jesus described as the “beginning of God’s creation.” This phrase has led some to conclude that Jesus was first “creation of God” and therefore not deity but that doesn’t add up to what we have already seen. Remember Jesus has always been God just like the Father & Son (; ; ). So what does this mean? The word beginning here is where we get our English word architect and thus is not dealing with the order of creation but cause of creation. The idea being Jesus has the architects notes (God the Father) and causes creation to happen which is exactly what we find in Scripture.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

All this is explained to the church in Laodicea because they needed to remember who there Savior is, it isn’t money but rather Christ. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city and it appears the church was very financially well off as well. However, that didn’t matter to Christ because the church there wasn’t remembering who made them stewards over all that in the first place and who they can truly rely on.

Revelation 3:17–18 ESV

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Rev 3:

It is very easy to get caught up in the “riches of this world” and there is nothing wrong with having even lots of money, but that is only if we remember to rely on God and put our complete faith i.e. trust in our Savior. Let’s make certain we are doing everything in our life to always strive to mature in our faith and rely on our God because if we don’t we will be like the church in Laodicea, lukewarm and spit out by God.

Well, that concludes this Bible study for today. As always, I want to thank you for studying God's precious Word with me and I want to encourage you to continue to study God's Word every day. Be sure to use the wonderful material and other podcasts made available through the BWM App or website at biblewaymedia.org. I also personally have a website at gospel-preacher.com. Of course, make sure you ask your parents if it is ok by them before you download the app or go to those websites. I also encourage you to contact me personally with question about the Bible at the Ramona church of Christ email address [e-mail] or through our Facebook Page. Make sure you message the Ramona church of Christ in OK not California. Until we have an opportunity to meet again, peace be with you in Christ Jesus our Lord.