The Book of Revelation is a fascinating study. John saw Jesus who gave him an amazing picture of things to come. As part of the prophecy, Jesus dictated seven letters to seven congregations of believers. “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and undo Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11. These letters are recorded in Revelation chapters 2-3, and each letter addresses good things and bad things that were happening in those congregations. Although each letter was written to a specific congregation, each letter was to be read by all, which indicates that each letter was relevant to all seven. Those letters also show that there’s a little bit of each of those ancient congregations existing today. When read in order, and looking back through history, we can see that each congregation is representative of the various ages of Christ’s ekklesia…His church.
That brings us to the final letter, which was written to the congregation at Laodicea. This letter describes most congregations today, and isn’t anything to be proud of. The address here is different than the other letters. Each one was written “to the angel of the church” in each city, but Laodicea isn’t addressed that way. “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.“ Revelation 3:14-15. The name Laodicea means “justice of the people” and the letter is addressed to “the angel of the church of the Laodiceans”. It was the people’s church not God’s. The people made the rules instead of Scripture being the guide. The people in this congregation were lukewarm in their faith and Jesus will spew them from His mouth. There’s always been lukewarm followers of Christ who look like they’re following Jesus but are far from belonging to Him. Judas was one of those people. He hung out with Jesus, followed Him, and seemed to be one of the disciples. Was he? He may have looked like a follower, but it was Judas who betrayed Christ. How many “Christians” today like to go to youth groups or Sunday services, but betray Christ on Monday morning? They are not true Christians and Jesus will spew them out.
The people in Laodicea thought they had everything they needed in life. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked:” Revelation 3:17. Laodicea was a very wealthy place where people were comfortable. There was no real persecution or suffering. Because they were comfortable, they relied on themselves rather than Christ. There’s no doubt at all that Jesus knows what’s truly in the heart of a person. Sitting in a pew and following rituals doesn’t make a person a Christian. If the coziness of our worship services is taken away, how many people will risk worshipping Christ? Will Christ be rejected when your faith is tested? “I counsel thee to buy of the 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 to not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18. Faith that hasn’t been tested can never trusted. How many Christians profess faith in Christ when life is good, but deny Him when sickness strikes, or the death of a loved one? What happens when you have a nice job that earns enough money to pay bills, but that job is suddenly taken from you? We see this happening today as quarantines and isolation put many people out of work. The riots that are happening in many cities today destroy businesses and take jobs away causing financial difficulties. Do you turn against God, or do you draw nearer to Him? It’s easy to profess faith when there’s no trouble in your life. Today’s congregations are full of unbiblical practices and sin is accepted because it shows us to be non-judgmental. These sinful ways are wrong and God is ready to show us what judgment is really like. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. Repent means to change your mind. God will rebuke those who live in a way that’s not Scriptural. If a congregation is happy with homosexual members, fornicators, liars, thieves, and such, God will rebuke them. Sinners must be witnessed to and encouraged to repent, but their sin cannot be accepted. This last letter describes what’s happening in congregations today.
Does this mean that there’s no hope? Jesus hasn’t given up on us. He’s still there calling to people to come to Him. “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.” Revelation 3:20-21. While you have breath it’s not too late to come to the saving grace of Jesus. He’s knocking but won’t force His way into your heart. Don’t wait for your pastor to wake up and lead the congregation back to the path of righteousness, but you answer the knock on the door yourself. Do it today because tomorrow may be too late.
These letters describe Christianity which has filled the “gap” between Daniel’s 69th and 70th weeks. Revelation chapter 4 describes the Rapture. “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold a throne was set in heaven, and one say on the throne.” Revelation 4:1-2. It’s a wise person who accepts Christ and lives for Him now. One day soon we will hear that voice calling Christians Home. Are you lukewarm and putting off surrendering your life to Him? If you reject Jesus now, you’ll find it nearly impossible to accept Him at a time when faith in Him will cost you your head. Answer His knock today.
What’s wrong with Laodicea? Everything. Jesus is not inside, but on the outside knocking to be invited in. They don’t see a need for Jesus, they are lukewarm in their faith, they accept sin as normal because they want to please the world, and their faith has never been tested because they’ve never done anything for Christ to cause persecution. A question we might ask is what’s wrong with the church of San Francisco, or the church of Seattle, or the church of London? “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:22. These words were written to you.
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