Revelation: Jesus Christ sharply rebukes a lukewarm church in Laodicea

Bible End Times Prophecy Series – Week 40

The Seven Churches of Revelation

 

Revelation 3:14-22 (NLT)

 

Laodicea ruins in Turkey. Photo by Tourmakerturkey.com

Letter to the church at Laodicea

 

¹⁴ “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

¹⁵ “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!  

¹⁶ But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 

¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 

 ¹⁸ So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  

¹⁹ I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

²⁰ “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 

²¹ Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

²² “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Background and commentary

 

John the apostle is considered the writer of the Apocalypse or Revelation. He wrote down what the risen Lord Jesus Christ both told and showed him in a series of visions of the future. The letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor are messages that apply to the Christian church overall as well as to individual believers.

In John’s time, the city was wealthy due to its location on a key east-west trade route. And although it was devastated by an earthquake in 60 A.D., it was able to quickly recover [1] [2]. The city included a Jewish community, and like the other cities mentioned in Revelation, the worship of pagan deities, especially Zeus, was widespread. Today, the ancient city, mostly ruins, is undergoing archaeological excavation. The site is about 4 miles north of Denizli, Turkey. (See photo from tourmakerturkey.com.)

Jesus upset at its lukewarm approach to Christianity

What are some synonyms of "lukewarm?" Unenthusiastic, apathetic, indifferent ... The letter to the church offers clues on how it became that way, or perhaps it always struggled half-halfheartedly, and without success, against the Laodicean economic and pagan environment.

"You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." - Rev. 3:17

In the United States, we don't have to look far, or much beyond ourselves, to see that a nation blessed economically is becoming less interested in the spiritual riches of the Kingdom of God. After all, how do people spend their disposable (left-over income) and their time off work? We see clues all around us.

Jesus had warned (Matthew 19:24; Mark 17:17-27; Luke 12:16-21) that it would be hard for a rich man to enter heaven, and how devoting ourselves to getting materially rich would take our focus off what really matters. The Lord urges us to seek spiritual riches from Him instead (Rev. 3:18).

A lack of commitment, as in all things, will lead to things half-way done, not done well or not done at all. Jesus Christ makes several important points that are relevant for all of us alive today:

Because of His love, He will give us an opportunity to change our ways, and like a parent, He will correct and discipline us (Rev. 3:19). 


The verse in Rev. 3:20 contains a significant offer of His free gift of salvation. He initiates the action. He is standing at the door of our heart, knocking. We can let Him in and share intimate fellowship with the God of all creation. And, if professing Christians really understand what He saved us from and what blessings He has in store for us, we would not become apathetic or indifferent.

His great promise in Rev. 3:21 is that the victorious disciples will get to sit with Him on His throne. What an incentive that should be for anyone.

You can lead a victorious life

John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

1 John 2:16 (NIV) – “For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16 (NLT) – “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

Jesus Christ, the Savior – You must be born again

The sinless Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world AND the punishment for those sins so that we could be saved. 

Today, if you do not know Jesus, receive His free offer of salvation and put all your trust in Him.

John 1:29 (NLT) – “The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

2 Corinthians 6:2 – 

“ For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Acts 2:38 (NLT) – “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Shalom

Faith Today Christian Ministries

Exalting the name of Jesus!

Notes


1 and 2: Pilgrimtours.com citing International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft).

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