The city of Laodicea...
The city of Laodicea was located in the Lycus River Valley together with Hierapolis and Colossae. This valley is a natural route of travel from east to west. It was 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia. The city was founded in the third century BC by Antiochus II and was named after his wife "Laodice." Laodicea was known for producing a type of black wool cloth from the sheep they had and this put them in the clothing business. It also manufactured a type of ointment used for eye diseases. Laodicea was known for its wealthy citizens. Bankers and all types of rich folks lived there. Laodicea was lacking an adequate supply of clean water for drinking and washing. Laodicea did have some "hot" springs that were actually "lukewarm" springs. Laodicea was the banking center of Asia Minor having much gold there. Laodicea also had a medical school. In AD 60 the city was devastated by an earthquake. They were so wealthy and proud that they declined Roman assistance, and rebuilt the city themselves during the reign of Nero. This pride and wealth also played a role in the church. Paul addressed this church through the letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians 4:16).
"After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea."
Revelation 3:14
"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."
Jesus describes Himself as...
The word "amen" in Greek means "truth." Or, yes! Or "that's the way it is!" For example, it is used in Matthew 5:18...
"I tell you the truth (amen), until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We may rely on Him to tell us the truth about everything. Whatever He says is true. He is the living Word of God. He is truth incarnate. So, whatever He says to any of the seven churches about their spiritual condition is TRUE.
He also speaks the truth about God and Himself and His mission and work. He is the "faithful and true witness." The word "witness" in Greek is "martus" from which we have our English "martyr." In our time, we always equate martyrdom with death. The meaning of the word changed. Originally it just meant a "witness." Someone who gave an account about something, and who spoke the truth. Early Christians spoke the Gospel truth and were often killed for their truthful witness about the Lord Jesus and salvation through His atoning death.
Jesus was the ultimate faithful and true witness. He spoke the truth about God, and sin, and Himself and salvation, and because He spoke the truth He was crucified.
It is our job as Christians to speak the truth, and preserve the truth of the Gospel. We are to be "martyrs" as witnesses. If we live, fine. If we are killed for speaking the truth, that's fine, too. God especially rewards those who are faithful unto death.
Jesus is the "ruler of God's creation." Ruler is the Greek word "archei," from whence we have our English "arch." We sometimes speak of an "arch villain," or an "arch bishop," and so on. Jesus is the Ruler of all of God's creation. In Colossians 1:15-18 we read:
Christ reigns supreme over all creation, over the living and the dead, over the spirit world, over kings and governments, and over His Church. In EVERYTHING He is supreme.
Continuing in Revelation Chapter Three...
Jesus has some heavy criticism for the Laodicean Christians...
Note: the word "spit" is "emesai" in Greek, from which we get the English word "emetic." An emetic is a medicine you give someone who has been poisoned to induce vomiting. Jesus is saying plainly to the Laodicean church: you make me nauseous, and I feel like I want to vomit you out.
1. They were lukewarm Christians. They weren't hot. Neither were they cold. They weren't on fire for God. Neither were they atheists. They had no passion to advance the Kingdom. They had no desire to win converts to Christ. They had no passion for learning more about God. They had no passion for prayer. They had no passion for helping the poor. The city of Laodicea perhaps didn't even notice the existence of this church. Note: lukewarm churches are ineffective.
2. They had no spiritual discernment about themselves. They thought they were good Christians. They thought they were a good church. Their comfort and wealth had blinded them to their true condition. In the eyes of Jesus they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Note: What do you and I look like in the eyes of Jesus. He is our master. He is the one who has the right to judge you and me. How is he assessing us and our faith and our works? Will He be handing out rewards to us when we get to Heaven? Or not?
"If you think you are standing tall, take heed lest you fall." It is difficult to do a spiritual self-assessment. One thing is always true: if you think you have arrived, you have lost your spiritual discernment. The greatest saints of all are the ones who are leading good and holy lives, but are more and more aware of their daily dependence on the grace of God for their sins and weaknesses. Paul the Apostle was probably more righteous, and served God more faithfully than anyone, but he wrote of himself in Romans 7:21-24...
Jesus had advice for the Laodicean church...
1. Note: Jesus "counsels" us. A master does not counsel his slave. He issues orders. This verse reminds us that no matter how much we fail as Christians Jesus still loves us and considers us to be younger brothers and sisters. He is our Lord, but He is also our friend.
2. Buy your money and clothing and medicine from Jesus.
I'm reminded of Isaiah 55:2..."Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
3. Be earnest and repent. Literally in Greek "Be HOT and change direction." He criticized them from being lukewarm, now he commands them to "be hot."
This is good news for the Laodiceans. They were not past help. They were Christians. They had the possibility of deciding to be zealous for God. So Jesus commands them to change.
We need to remember this: we can change. We are commanded to change. At the very least we can pray for God to change us, and be willing to change. And will God not answer the prayer from His child: "Lord, please help me to be what I ought to be?" Of course He will answer such a prayer! So let's examine ourselves. If we are lukewarm, lets get to praying for help, and let's get determined to get hot for God. God will send His Holy Spirit, and God will make it happen in our lives.
4. Open the door to Jesus. This verse was popularized decades ago by Campus Crusade for Christ as an evangelism tool. But that's not what it is. It is Jesus' plea to people who are already Christians, but who are lukewarm. It is the beginning of Revival, not salvation. It is an invitation to a fuller relationship with your Lord.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Who is an "overcomer?" You are. The person who believes in Jesus, and stays faithful to Him. It doesn't mean sinless perfection. It means depending on Jesus. Growing in grace. Talking the talk, and walking the walk. If you have received Jesus Christ, and are trusting in Him, you are an overcomer.
"And they overcame [the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Testimony, and they loved not their own lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).
Overcoming is the normal Christian life. God has not created an elite group of super-spiritual people within the Church who have some special "anointing" or power. Every believer, whether they know it or not, is already complete and is already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Read Ephesians chapter one....
Note: Jesus does not have a giant throne we can all literally sit on. It is symbolic language that means that the "overcomers" will be rewarded with authority, and will reign along with Jesus and with the Father. What THAT means, we will have to wait to discover!
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
So ends the letters to the seven churches:
These churches are representatives of all churches in every age of the world. We all have the same problems, the same weaknesses, the same strong points, and the same advice and commands from Jesus. Church members at Wayside are just like church members in those seven churches 2000 years ago. It is our duty and privilege to learn from them. He who doesn't learn from history, is doomed to repeat the mistakes of history. So, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says!"
Amen!