Welcome to the Church at Laodicea?
reading any scripture that is in reference to God’s plan for His children in the last days
before His Son returns.
While the book of Revelation presents many images of God’s judgment upon the
ungodly who have rejected Him, it also reminds us of His great patience, provides great
comfort to the believer as we read promises to those that overcome, and a glimpse of
the Holy City, the New Jerusalem (I say a glimpse because although it is described for
us, I don’t think our minds can truly comprehend just how beautiful it will be).
My focus in this article however is on 1 of the 7 Churches mentioned in Revelation
Chapters 2 and 3; more specifically, the church at Laodicea and how it mirrors many of
the churches in the United States.
While I truly believe that the American church actually falls under more than one of the
churches described in Revelation 2 and 3, unfortunately in many ways, the American
church most closely resembles the church in Laodicea.
Our Lord accused the Laodiceans of being “lukewarm,” that is, neither hot nor cold. Out
of the seven churches described, did you know that the church in Laodicea was the
only church which had nothing positive said about them by our Lord? In fact, this
church was such a bitter taste in our Lord’s mouth that He threatened to spit them out if
they did not change! I shutter to think of just how unpleasing this behavior is to our
Lord.
Complacency is defined as:
Answers.com: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled
with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy.
Webster’s: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual
dangers or deficiencies.
What is the danger? Remaining in a lukewarm state and not recognizing that we need
to repent of our ways as our Lord instructed us to do.
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'
Unfortunately, this has been the attitude of our country….and we are being disciplined
because of it (19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and
repent).
If God has blessed you with abundance, is this what your heart cries out? Even if God
has blessed you to live what is considered by most to be a moderate lifestyle, or at
what some would consider being at or below the line of poverty, where do you stand on
the matter? Do you have an insatiable desire to gain more for yourself? To have more?
A desire that ultimately will never be quenched? In many cases, the more things we
have, the more things there are that take us away from God.
Wouldn't the heart of God have us to acquire wealth so that we can help others and
help to build the kingdom?
My dear brothers and sisters, we must repent of our ways and return to the Lord our
God.
19 Those whom I love…
This part of verse 19 is so beautiful to me. In fact, as I am writing this article, my heart
weeps with love and sincere gratitude for my Lord Jesus. The message of the gospel
presents itself here yet again. Regardless of what it is we have done, we can always
repent and come back to our Lord. While God’s grace is not a license to do as you
please and repent later, it is for the true believer who has lost their way, a wonderful
display of mercy at the hands of our loving, Heavenly Father.
So now what?
We must sincerely desire to repent and overcome. The Lord has promised us that if we
do this, we will regain our fellowship with Him.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. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either
one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about
to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not
need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and
naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become
rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve
to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So
be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches."
Like the Laodiceans, most of us desire to accumulate more possessions and wealth for
ourselves. We find it easier to trust in our money than we do to put our trust in God.
The Lord has blessed this country with abundance, but instead of us being thankful
and turning closer to the Lord, we have turned away from Him. Instead of using our
wealth to bless others, we have used it to "bless" ourselves. Having this great
abundance has also for many created a spirit of complacency in their Christian walk.
