The Laodicean Church

The Church at Laodicea

Good afternoon. I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying what has been so far a beautiful weekend. Today we are looking at the last of the letters to the churches. Todays letter is addressed to the church in Laodicea. It is the letter I believe has come to look most like the church in America. Not every church but it does many. The problem is that wealth has a tendency to cause spiritual laziness. And this laziness causes a break in our relationship with Jesus that we often times don’t even see. And here’s the thing it doesn’t take a lot of wealth to get there. Just a little will suffice to cause this split between you and Jesus. My hope is that this is not true of any who are in this room. But I know otherwise. I say this because I have seen the affect that it has had on myself and other first hand. Wealth leads us away from feeling the need for Jesus in our lives. It creates lives void of time in the word and in prayer. Listen, if this is you? Know this. It’s ok. Because there is hope. Jesus is standing right here right now right next to you simply waiting for you to reach out to him. So if you feel far from Jesus then let’s look at this letter and find the fix.

Revelation 3:14–22 ESV

“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. “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 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. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Laodicea

The city of Laodicea was situated at the crossroads of three very important roads in ancient Rome. As a result of this location it had become an important city. In particular in the areas of industry and banking.

As a testament to its wealth in AD 60-61 the area was hit by a severe earthquake. Many of the surrounding cities suffered significant loss. Laodicea alone was able to rebuild without needing to borrow from the imperial treasury. This was one of the wealthiest if not the wealthiest cities in the region.

The city was well known for its medical school and in particular the creation of both an ear ointment as well as an eye-salve. Remember this point. Because God is going to use this information later in his letter to the church.

We are going to find in our passage that the church was quite prosperous and it appears that outwardly it was quite successful. There is no external persecution from Roman officials, Jews, or even false teachers.

This church was a prime example of a nominal, self-satisfied Christian church that had become completely complacent in their walk with Jesus. And as result the culture around them pretty much left them alone. Satan had little to fear from this church.

Now that we have some background information concerning the city and the church let’s look closer at the letter.

We read in verse fourteen

Revelation 3:14 ESV

“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.

Jesus Revealed

Let’s look closer at how it is that Jesus reveals himself in this first verse to the church at Laodicea. He begins with the words “The Words of the Amen.”

The Word of the Amen

The word Amen here is actually the representation of a Hebrew idea using a greek word. In common English today we don’t have a singular word that translates this idea very well. What this phrase is conveying is that God is the faithful one, He is reliable and trustworthy. He can be trusted to keep his covenant with his people.

Next Jesus reveals himself as the faithful and true witness.

Faithful And True Witness

The key to understanding what Jesus is revealing about himself here is the word witness. Because in the previous statement we said that Jesus is faithful and trustworthy to keep his covenant. We could say that therefore Jesus is a faithful and true witness. In essence he can be trusted to communicate the truth to us as a witness as to what has happened, is happening now, and is still yet to come.

Finally, Jesus reveals himself as the beginning of God’s creation.

The Beginning of Creation

My favorite commentator on the book of Revelation likes to say that Jesus as the “Beginning” of creation is the source and origin of creation. The problem with this is that this isn’t clearly found in the meaning of this word. Could it be. Sure, it’s possible. But I don’t believe likely.

Jesus in our letter was initially introduced as the first and the last, the alpha and the Omega. And we are going to see these descriptors again as we near the end of our book. These ideas present a picture of Jesus as being transcendent of and above all of creation.

The greek word used here that everyone translates as beginning can and is often times used secularly during Roman times to mean a supreme ruler.

As my daughter likes to point out context is very important. And so I believe giving the context of of the book and the letter to Laodicea Jesus is revealing himself as the one who rules over all of creation.

So Jesus is faithful to His people. And his witness to us in the Scripture are to be trusted as true. Why? Because Jesus is the ruler over all of creation. This is who Jesus is revealing himself to the Laodicean church as.

He continues in verses fifteen and sixteen and says,

Revelation 3:15–16 ESV

“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

I don’t know why, but recently in my household there has been a rash of people taking water from the kitchen sink and choosing not to first check the temperature.

And well, for some unknown reason this week in particular. That water has been lukewarm. And everyone that has done so has instantly wished they had not. And their first response is to get that gross water out of their mouths.

LUKEWARM = DISGUST/GROSS

But why? It doesn’t actually have any difference in flavor. It’s just water. But there is something particularly disgusting about lukewarm water that is gross in our mouths.

And this is how Jesus describes the relationship that this church has with Him. He would almost, it appears, prefer that they chose false doctrine or something adverse in their relationship with him. But just an indifferent, nominal, complacency in ones relationship with God is the most dangerous and disgusting to God. It almost sound like anything would be better than the nausea inducing lukewarm relationship that they have chosen to have with Him.

The obvious question that comes from this statement is what is your relationship with Jesus like right now? If it’s lukewarm I would suggest finding a solution.

Because Jesus says that he will spit you our from His mouth. Not sure about you but this sounds like an irrevocable rejection of the Church at Laodicea. And I believe that this strong language is needed. It is needed to wake those of us who may be on cruise control in their relationship with Jesus. Spiritual indifference is not the place you want to be. Don’t worry I will address this a bit more when we wrap things up this afternoon.

Jesus continues in verse seventeen and says,

Revelation 3:17 ESV

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Wealth has an alluring trait to it.

I am rich = I need nothing

Here is how the church tends to work. It’s clearly not always true, but it is definitely something that needs to be watched for. I have personally seen it in individuals and there was an impact at times upon the church. This is the tendency that we may have. If I or the church are doing well financially that must be the blessing of the Lord and so that means that I must be spiritually healthy as well. And here’s the thing most translations read I am rich, I have prospered. A literal translation would be I am rich, and I have gotten riches. This church was not only wealthy but it was boast in its ability to acquire wealth by her own efforts. There is a worldly pride that is present within the church. And this pride in wealth has lead to a spiritual complacency. And as a result they feel as though they need nothing from anyone, including God. Outward material wealth is not a measure of ones or a churches spiritual prosperity.

The Truth Hurts

Sometimes however the truth needs to be heard even if it hurts our pride. Jesus tells them that they simply do not realize that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. This church in reality is like a blind beggar, destitute, and clad in rags.

Then in verse eighteen he says,

Revelation 3:18 ESV

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.

Now Jesus is going to counsel them. He wants them to see not only the truth of who they are, but also the way to true spiritual health.

He wants them to by gold refined by fire.

Gold Refined by Fire

Now this isn’t a suggestion that they purchase actual gold from God. This is a Metaphor. Jesus often times in that parables presented Kingdom of Heaven like a treasure that needed to be found and purchased. And that the purchase price was no where near the value of what it was that one received in the treasure that is the Kingdom of Heaven. But these are all simply ways of describing the significant value of the blessing of the Kingdom of Heaven. And so Christ is encouraging the church to secure for herself true riches that will never tarnish. And that treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Garments of White

The city of Laodicea was well known for making linens that were black in color. Now is there some metaphor being made here between the darkness and the light. If so, it’s now plain. However, I would say that it is definitely a possibility. The church is being called to cover her shame with garments of purity that only God is capable of providing.

Salve For Their Eyes

Again this is a reference back to the prosperity of the city. The medical college in Laodecia was know for creating what was called Phyrigian powder. This powder was used to create a salve that was very effective in the treatment of cataracts. A doctor may be able to help one see this physical world better. But it is only Christ Jesus that can heal those who are spiritually blind.

I think that in verse nineteen we see some of the most important words for any church in the entirety of the bible. Jesus says,

Revelation 3:19 ESV

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

The Love of Jesus Sometimes Brings Discipline

We need to see that even though Jesus uses strong language to reprove the church in Laodicea it does not mean that he doesn’t love them. He was not being harsh with them in order to be punitive towards them. But rather in order to bring discipline and correction. Sometimes discipline and correction sting. In Hebrews 12:6 we read.

Hebrews 12:6 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

So Be Zealous and Repent

Even though the idea of Jesus spewing someone or a church from His mouth may sound pretty final, this appeal shows that there is still hope. If they will only see their truly spiritually impoverished state. If they will only see the healing that Jesus can provide for their spiritually blindness. Jesus says it is never too late to replace their lukewarm attitudes with zeal towards the Lord, and thereby repentance.

And then we come to what has unfortunately been an often misquoted verse. In verse twenty we read.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Pastors have often used this as an invitation to non-Christians to let Jesus into their hearts so that they might be saved. Look the idea isn’t necessarily wrong. But that is not at all what is happening in this verse. This is how easy this idea is to debunk. Who was this phrase written to. It was written to Christians. So what is being said here for us to perhaps hear today.

Here is what Jesus is saying and it is important for all of us to hear clearly. Because I do believe that all of us can tend towards spiritual laziness. We simply get into the regular routines of life and making things happen that just need to happen. And well, the truth is God simply gets pushed out of the way.

When this happens to us. This is what Jesus says. He says I am right here. It is as though I am just on the other side of a door that you have closed. And I won’t open it. I need you to take that step. And if you are willing to open that door I will come right back into your life as though I had never been pushed out of your life. We will sit down and we will have a meal together just like old times as though nothing had ever happend.

If you simply open the door and let him in. He will than take the next step in restoring the relationship that was there at the start.

Jesus now begins to wrap the letter to Laodicea up and in verse twenty-one he states,

Revelation 3:21 ESV

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

This is an interesting verse. It state that Jesus will grant for those who overcome the opportunity to sit with him upon His throne. Typically in the New Testament Jesus is seen as standing at the right hand of God the Father who is upon the throne. I bring this up because if you study this idea you will find where people try to split hairs and somehow declare some difference that is being presented. The idea that Jesus stands at the right hand of God and the sharing of the throne of God both involve the same theological idea. And this is what is important for us today. Jesus is upon His throne right now. The messianic rule of Jesus does not begin when he returns. It has already begun and it is in full view of those who eyes have been spiritually opened by Jesus himself. These should be seen as words of great encourage to us. Jesus already sits upon his throne and in due time all of his enemies will be made to bow before him.

And when Jesus returns and issues in what I believe is His millenial kingdom we will somehow reign with Him in this kingdom. Exactly how and what this looks like is not stated and so I will not guess. And this reign doesn’t come to an end after the millenial period of time is done. We will see later in the book that we reign forever. What do we reign over? What we were meant to from the beginning. when God gave to us dominion over His creation.

And finally Jesus wraps it up with the familiar,

Revelation 3:22 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

SO WHAT?

Listen to Jesus Rebuke

It is never easy to hear a rebuke even if it is not directed at you. Particularly if that rebuke appears harsh. In fact in our modern therapeutic model in western society this is not even permitted. Today we do not want to hear from a God who might speak harshly to us. We refuse to hear from anyone who speaks harshly to us. In fact, today, when we don’t hear or get what we want we tend to throw a huge fit. We it all over our country this last week.

Unfortunately western Christianity feel victimized (and some of that is for good reason) any criticism of their own or anyone else’s values. But the fact is Jesus here has a harsh word for many of us.

Jesus always speaks tenderly to those who have been broken and those suffering. Similarly we should not be callous to those around us who are working through genuine hurts in their lives.

But, Jesus words here should peal like thunder to any that are self-satisfied and secure in the things of this world that they have acquired. Any who feel as though they need little help from anyone outside of themselves.

Even still we need to see that when Jesus rebukes with stearn word to the Laodicean church he does so from a broken heart. In verse nineteen he says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Then he invites to come and sit and have a meal with him. To repair the relationship which is broken. We simply need to open the door and let him back in to our lives.

Repent and return to your first love for Jesus. And sit and enjoy Him as He find his joy in you. When we do this we will bring the greatest glory to God in our lives.

Next point

Physical Wealth —> Spiritual Poverty

The church at Laodicea was a proud, self sufficient church. They had come to a place that they needed no outside help from anyone. Unfortunately that reality blead over into their relationship with Jesus. And they began to feel as though they didn’t need him either. I fear that when we look at the church in the US we are most similar to the church at Laodicea as a whole. There is massive suffering in parts of this world simply because people choose to follow Jesus. Here in the US we have been able to find theological and sociological explanations for why it is that we don’t suffer similarly. As a result we are so quick to try and export our profound learning about so many areas of life to the rest of the world through good mission work. All the while failing to humbly listen to the stories lived out by other churches who have suffered for the sake of the gospel.

We have often times come to a point where we feel as though we do not need God. And it is the most dangerous of places to be. If we are not careful our material abundance in America can lead us to spiritual poverty just as it did the Laodicean church.

And I believe that it is the bankrupt state of much of the Church in America today that has allowed the increasing secularism that we find in our country today.

Tribulation Comes

In America we almost always misrepresent the cost of the gospel. Among some of our early church fathers was a group that were called the Anabaptists, they were a protestant group that were hated by Catholics and other Protestants alike. They believed that they were experiencing the Tribulation because they were being murdered by both Catholics and other Protestants. Many Christians in Germany during WWII wondered whether they were experiencing the exact same thing. Has Hitler come to power as the antichrist and the Great Tribulation begun. Today here in America we see a country with deep seeded divides. Divides that are only growing and festering due to politicians that only care about themselves. We see a country where violence and destruction are no longer thought as being inappropriate but rather have perhaps become the norm. There was a time of prosperity both economically and socially for our country. The two must go hand-in-hand. And I do believe that was a period of blessing from the Lord. But today we should see that every period has both a beginning and an end. We should use what time we have left of the prosperity of our country as a means to bless others who are in need around us.

The Solution - Repentance

The fix for the people of God has always been the same. It has and it will never change. Repentance. We must see and admit that we so often times consume or fabulous meals without the presence of Jesus. We eat alone in our self-glorification no different than the rest of the world. And it makes Jesus nauseous. However, If we humble our hearts and listen to His voice in the Scriptures we may yet overcome.

Amen.

Amen.

Prayer