Note: I used many sources to study this book, one of my favorites is Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept by Daymond Duck and some out of different study bibles.
Title: The Church of Laodicea: The City of Compromise
Theme: To see why Jesus had no commendation for the church and what we can do.
Text: Rev 3:14-22
Revelation 3:14. 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;
Jesus described as:
1) The Amen-the last word, similar to what we hear in the Alpha and the Omega
2) The faithful and true witness-this is important it says that Christ will reveal
all and tell all.
3) The beginning of the creation of God-He is the creator. He was there.
Christ creatorship shown in John 1:3 and Collegians 1:16-17
So what does this mean to the Laodicean church. What does this mean, as we will see, to a compromising church. A backslidden church. He tells them that no matter what they believe and what the think he is the final answer. And all things will be revealed to them there will be NO! excuses before him. And most of all for his credentials he is the creator and God. No one has the answers to the past except Christ because he was there and no one has the answer to the future but Christ because he is there.
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
When Jesus used these words pertaining to the other churches he usually meant good works but as we will see in this Church there was no good works
This meant something to the Laodicean church. It was known for its water system. It had a time obtaining water in the valley so they built long aqueducts to bring water from the mountains where the snow was. The only thing was that by the time it got to them it was lukewarm.
The same happened with the aqueduct built to the hot springs at the Lycus an Maeander River they shipped from there but again it was lukewarm. I don’t know about you but I like my water either hot or cold but never lukewarm warm.
What is a cold church? liberal even formality
What is a hot church? those with a real spiritual fervor
Which one are we?
Luke warmness of a middle of the road saying. As some say riding the fence although in Christianity there is none some people believe they are all right as long as they are in the middle. This is also called compromise.
In Revelation 3:1. Jesus said of the Church of Sardis I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
It is one that resembles its surrounding society. How do churches compromise today?
Results of Luke warmness: I will spew thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched(evil), and miserable(sad), and poor`, and blind, and naked:
Contrast of the church. It thought it was rich and had and lot and did not need anything. Their hope and faith was in money and material goods. They believed that this would solve all their problems. Some people believe that if they win the lottery or if they win the sweep stakes all their problems would be solved. And I tell you if they can’t solve their problems with out a bunch of money then they can’t solve with it. Because when they get the money they will still put themselves back in the same position.
Money does not solve problems but causes. Most of you may have been surprised about my stand against taking lottery money. Let me explain it to you this way. 1) People will not usually give it to the church 2) If they were not giving to the church faithfully before they won why would they do it when they won 3) I believe that it is gambling and has ruined many a lives and still ruins lives. You look at their commercials they appeal to your pleasure and pride to have the best.
I have got a question. Why do people feel that money solves all their problems? When it never has and it never is. Jesus preached so much a dependence on money and riches but it is the major cause of divorce and probably a many other problems.
The contrast is and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Cure to the three problems
I. Buy gold (holiness)acceptance
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire (pure), that thou mayest be rich; speaks of the blood of Christ.
II. change garments (a change of life)commitment
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; Speaks of the righteousness of Christ. Laodicean church was famous for their black wool
III. apply the cure (applying the cure)application
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. They were also famous for the eye medication that was needed because of the winds. Jesus uses this here. Speaks of the Holy Spirit who opens the eyes of the blind.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
No matter who people are Christ will accept them back. Even the wicked church of Laodicean church. He prods them back with chastisement. He calls them to be zealous (or hot) he even allows them to repent.
20 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.
Notice he is at the door and knocking meaning he is outside and not inside. Jesus was outside the church.
Most of you have seen the picture by the English artist, Holman Hunt that shows Jesus standing at the door knocking. You probably also noticed that the door knob was missing as was pointed out by his first critique. This is because we open the door and let him come in.
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.
If we overcome then we will be with the father. Notice our example, our reason our purpose, and also our no excuse not to because he overcame.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
