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| Earl Gillespie |
THE SPIRIT’S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS
Revelation 3:14-22
The Laodiceans, our final church before we follow John into Heaven and view the throne of Jesus. This was a functioning church, they assembled together regularly to worship in their fancy edifices, conveyed in fine carriages, adorned in fancy robes and costumes. They perverted the Gospel, they shaped the truth, they collected money and amassed huge fortunes, and there were no community services. In the community people were sick and suffering, they were dying and they pretended not to see. They uttered praises for their blessing even to the point of bragging, but as a church they were spiritually naked and dead. There was no place for the unpreverted Jesus or the pure Gospel on their programs, he was left standing at the door.
Last Sunday evening a pastor conducted a youth program, morning service was cancelled so no hardship would be placed on the membership.. I am sure if the threatening rain had come, the event would have been cancelled. The young people performed and a visiting minister preached one of those messages that most seasoned saints had to take notes to remember what the message was about. The listener were constantly reminded to touch their neighbor. It is unclear if this will have a decisive effect on the community or the decline of youth participation in the churches. Prior to dismissing the service according to one minister on the rostrum, the Lord spoke to him and told him to lay hands on and pray for everybody in the church. A practice perfected in the sixties by Jim Jones and other TV preachers, by forcing the head back a couple of degrees the person could be made to stumble and fall, this was often mistaken for the spirit of God. Church members were instructed to come to the Alter and bring a seed offering and he would pray for them. It is amazing how God speaks to certain ministers when they are collecting money. Promises in the name of God were made and the money was collected, then on their way back to their seats the sucker punch was thrown, "He might not come when you want him but he is always on time." Wouldn't it be better to say, "whether your request is granted or not He is still God." The Laodiceans were also guilty of lying on God. The spirit of the Jezebel type has grown and is manifesting itself in the church of the Laodiceans this very day.
(In a moment of weakness, I wondered if Jesus ministry would have been more effective if he had blessed the disciples and sent them out to open up a string of fish markets. Then Jesus as the CEO would visit each establishment and preach to the masses as they came to buy fish. It is staggering to think of the money that could have been made in the name of doing God's work.)
The message to the church in Philadelphia and the church of at Laodicea overlaps each other and is repersentive of the present day churches and the climaxing of the church age. The message to the church at Laodicea is a message to a church in its final state of apostasy. The Gospel has been perverted and the word of God no longer reflect the return of Jesus Christ. The message from the pulpit is about the changes and the shifting that is taking place and the great work that God is about to do. The listeners are encouraged to prepare themselves for the blessing they are about to receive as they plant their seed offering of faith. The message sound as if it is from the throne of God but it is not the word of God. The Laodiceans called themselves a church, they looked like a church and they even acted like a church but they were dead. They did the programs, they sung spirited songs, but they had locked the word of God out of their hearts. It was all about the now and Jesus was left standing at the door gently knocking.
The messages to the seven churches were directed to the churches that existed in John’s day but because the number seven is used it gave the messages a deeper message. Each of the seven churches represents a period of time from Pentecost to the Rapture. Also note the fact that the message to the seven churches is located between the vision of the glorified Christ and the vision of the glorified Church. The seven churches represent the church age from Pentecost to the Rapture and when the Rapture takes place the saints will be glorified and given bodies like unto the Lord’s glorious body (I John 3:1-3).
Revelation 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Laodicea was located about forty miles east of
Ephesus. Its name was derived from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II, the
Syrian who ruled in the early days of the city. Laodicea was a wealthy city, so
much so that In spite of the fact that an earthquake destroyed it during the reign of Nero, A. D. 62, it
quickly recovered from that terrible disaster, and from its own resources soon
regained all the glory and wealth lost during the great earthquake. At the time
John wrote the message to the local assembly there, Laodicea was again a
magnificent and wealthy city. It was regal in it's wealth and power and boasted that it needed nothing.
From the account In Revelation, the wealth of the city greatly
affected the church. It seems strange to most people that riches and sorrow go
together. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Most of the
time, riches produce rotten living. There are a few rich people who serve God,
and there are a few rich churches that are spiritual; but the general rule is
that riches bring sorrow. Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches
enter into the kingdom of God!” That does not mean that God cannot or will not
save a rich man - He can, and He will. But the sad fact is that riches and
Spirituality somehow do not seem to walk together.
Verse 14: “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” There was a local assembly at Laodicea, and even in Paul’s day some thirty years before John was exiled to Patmos, the condition of that assembly troubled Paul tremendously (Colossians 2:1). Seemingly the ruin of that church was pride, material wealth and self-satisfaction among the people. They did not need God - they had everything. They gloried in things - not in the Lord. Since each church in Revelation represents a period in history between the beginning of the Church and the Rapture, we recognize that we are now living in a church age symbolized by the spirit of the Laodiceans of John’s day - pride, wealth, and Self-satisfaction. Note the titles of the divine Speaker: “These things saith The Amen.” This title is a Hebrew word signifying both the true unchangeable nature of the Speaker, and the unchanging message of God’s Word. Authorities on the original languages of the Bible tell us that the Hebrew word for “Amen” is literally “truth,” or “believe.” In the New Testament, the Greek word for “amen” can be translated “verily,” which is another way of saying, “truth.” So the Speaker addressing the Laodiceans is “The Truth,” and certainly that is Jesus (John 14:6, John 17:17). But the Laodiceans have denied the truth.
Verse 14: “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” There was a local assembly at Laodicea, and even in Paul’s day some thirty years before John was exiled to Patmos, the condition of that assembly troubled Paul tremendously (Colossians 2:1). Seemingly the ruin of that church was pride, material wealth and self-satisfaction among the people. They did not need God - they had everything. They gloried in things - not in the Lord. Since each church in Revelation represents a period in history between the beginning of the Church and the Rapture, we recognize that we are now living in a church age symbolized by the spirit of the Laodiceans of John’s day - pride, wealth, and Self-satisfaction. Note the titles of the divine Speaker: “These things saith The Amen.” This title is a Hebrew word signifying both the true unchangeable nature of the Speaker, and the unchanging message of God’s Word. Authorities on the original languages of the Bible tell us that the Hebrew word for “Amen” is literally “truth,” or “believe.” In the New Testament, the Greek word for “amen” can be translated “verily,” which is another way of saying, “truth.” So the Speaker addressing the Laodiceans is “The Truth,” and certainly that is Jesus (John 14:6, John 17:17). But the Laodiceans have denied the truth.
Notice the second title given to the One who is addressing the
Laodiceans: “The faithful and the true witness.” From Adam to this present
time, every witness except this One has failed in one way or another. Who is
this One? The Lord Jesus Christ! He is the only One who faithfully obeyed the
commands, wishes and desires of the Heavenly Father in every minute detail.
Verses 15 and 16: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor
hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Again the solemn
words, “I know thy works!” This statement is made seven times in the messages
to the seven churches. Omniscience is a divine attribute, and Jesus Christ is
divine - just as divine as is God the Father.
To the church at Philadelphia Jesus said, “I know thy works.” He then
went on to say, “For thou hast a little strength.” He knew the weakness of the
church at Philadelphia, He knew the lukewarm spirit of the Laodiceans - and He
knows the spirit existing in your church, whatever that spirit may be. This
last phase of the church is the worst, by all means. Notice the use of the
terms “COLD” and “HOT” - not “DEAD” and “ALIVE.” The Laodiceans were in the
most dangerous state possible. They were not referred to as being spiritually
dead, nor as being spiritually alive . . . they were indifferent. They were
lost, of course, for had they been born again they would not have been spewed
out of the mouth of Him who is the Head of the Church.
Verse 17: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” You will notice the believers in
Philadelphia have not one word to say for themselves. They make no boasts nor
brags. The Laodiceans testify in their own behalf: “Thou sayest . . . . “ In Laodicea,
there was not only a self-satisfied condition in the assembly - but also pride.
The church boasted openly, “I am rich!” It is true that the city of Laodicea
was materially rich, but the church had no right to boast in riches, nor to
sell out to the riches of the secular city. Jesus said, “Where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.” I am sure the church at Laodicea could have
matched some of our big churches today - in members, social influence, gifts,
showy buildings, robed choirs, intellectual leaders - and probably a banquet
hall second to none even in this day. But any church - whether in Laodicea or
in your home town - is headed for ruin when it puts “things, programs and money” ahead of Jesus.
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things
will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Wealth (things) at the expense of spirituality
is a tragedy and a curse. Hear the Laodiceans testify further: “And have need
of nothing.” These people had absolutely no place for the Lord Jesus Christ in
their program. They did not need anything He had; they were completely
satisfied. Even in the very face of judgment (verse 16) they continued to
boast. They did not believe in a God of judgment. They believed what the
liberals and modernists are preaching today - “the goodness of God, the
Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man.” They did not believe in a God who
is a consuming fire, a God who is angry with the wicked every day, a God who
judges in righteousness. The condition of the Laodicean church described here
could be front-page news of any religious paper in this hour. All who will face
facts and agree to the truth must confess the same. The last part of verse 17
is bursting with prophetic truth: “. . .and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!” These people did not know their spiritual condition.
They were so totally indifferent to the truth, to the Word of God, to the
Gospel and to Christ Himself, that they were calloused (“their conscience
seared with a hot iron”). They were past feeling, and deep down in their own
sinful hearts they thought they were sitting on top of the world religiously.
In reality, they were on top of the world religiously - but spiritually they
were wretched, they were miserable - and yet their blind hearts could not see
nor feel their misery. They were poor, they were blind, they were naked. Why did I say this part of the verse is
bursting with prophetic truth?
.
Verse 18: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried In the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.” The characteristics of the Laodiceans are summed up by
the Spirit in three words: Poverty -nakedness blindness! The Lord does not
command the Laodiceans to repent - He counsels with them and offers to take
care of their poverty, their nakedness, and their blindness. We find Him standing
at the door, knocking - pleading for just one man to open the door and let Him
in – but to no avail. Notice the counsel He gives: “Buy of ME gold tried in the
fire.” The riches of Christ are unknowable, inexhaustible. He has gold tried in
the fire, and to buy from Him is no problem. Isaiah instructed, “Buy without
money.” You do not need gold as man knows gold, in order to buy at the Lord’s
great Supermarket. “Ho, everyone 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 with price” (Isaiah 55:1). Gold, purified by fire, points to the
divine righteousness of God - and Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30). Without the riches of His
grace, we are of all men most miserable. We are the poorest of all men - but in
Christ we are the richest of all men; Heaven is at our disposal, in Christ. White
garments are the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8). To be clothed
in righteousness is to be free from the shame of nakedness. Eyesalve is for
spiritual discerning. Unless our eyes are opened by the Lord, we cannot discern
spiritual matters. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians
2:14). Unless the Lord opens the eyes of our understanding we will never
know the truth that makes us free.
Verse 19: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous
therefore, and repent.” This passage does not apply to any particular group,
but to ALL the children of God throughout all ages. This verse is very enlightening,
and needs to be preached in churches today. From the beginning of creation, the
Lord God has rebuked and chastened those whom He loves - His own children
(Proverbs 3:11,12; Hebrews 12:5,6). In Romans 11:22 Paul cries out, “Behold therefore
the goodness and severity of God.” The Word of God speaks for itself. The
Scriptures carry their own light. Scriptures unlock themselves when we allow
the Spirit to compare spiritual things with spiritual; therefore, hear these
words:“Hebrews 12:6-8 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Verse 20:” Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he
with me.”
Verse 21:” To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
This last picture of the church is sad. At the beginning (at Ephesus)
we found the Lord Jesus standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks
. . . standing in the midst of the assembly , while in Laodicea He is standing at the door,
on the outside, knocking. This tender, touching call of the Master has been the
call of ministers down through the centuries, appealing to individuals to open
the door and let the Lord Jesus in. In
this Scripture, Jesus is appealing to ANY (even ONE) individual, but He is
knocking at the
door of the Laodicean church - not the door of an individual heart.
However, if one individual will open the door, His promise is, “I WILL come in
and sup with him, and he with me.” “Behold, I stand at the door.” Thus the, Lord is pushed out. He is not
within the assembly at Laodicea; He is outside, knocking
and speaking. Here we have a true display of the grace of God, even
when the church has stooped to the lowest degree and has pushed the Lord Jesus
out. The Lord Jesus does not command the
Laodiceans to buy (verse 18), nor does He force entrance (verse 20). “I stand, I knock.” You may rest assured that the Lord
Jesus will never force Himself upon any home, any church, or any nation. He
loves all, He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is searching for
the unsaved - but He will never force Himself upon anyone. The Lord will never
intrude where He is not wanted.
And Jesus Himself asked, “When He comes, will He find faith on the
earth?” Surely we are living in the hour of the lukewarm, professing church. I
am sure if the Rapture should take place between 11:00 and 12:00 on Sunday
morning, some churches in the midst of a service would not be disturbed, and
from the preacher on down, not one would be taken from that congregation. That
assembly would not know anything had happened until the service dismissed and
the people returned to their homes or neighborhood, to find some of their
friends and loved ones missing. Yes, there are churches on earth today - local
assemblies - where there is not one born again child of God in the group.
Verse 21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.”
This verse is bursting with truth and glorious revelation. How did Jesus come
into the authority to sit with the Father in the Father’s throne? It is true
that from the standpoint of deity He had a perfect right to sit there – but bear
in mind that He humbled Himself, took upon Himself the form of man, and became obedient
unto death. In Hebrews 1:1-3 we are told that He is now seated at the right
hand of God the Father; and when Stephen looked into Heaven, he saw Jesus
standing at the right hand of God the Father.
I believe Hebrews 12:1-2 will clear up this question: “ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God..” “Hebrews 5:7-8 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Revelation 3:22 He that hath an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Next
The Throne of Jesus in Heaven
Revelation 4
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