THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA
Revelation 3:14-22
Charles Spurgeon said “No Scripture ever wears out. The epistle to the church of Laodicea is not an old letter which may be put into the waste basket and be forgotten; upon its page still glow the words, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
This Scripture was not meant to instruct the Laodiceans only, it has a wider aim. The actual church of Laodicea has passed away, but other Laodiceans still exist; indeed, they are sadly multiplied in our day, and it has ever been the tendency of human nature, however inflamed with the love of God, gradually to chill into lukewarmness.
The letter to the Laodiceans is above all others the epistle for the present times. (https://archive.spurgeon.org/sermons/1185.php)
The information in this letter applies to countless churches across the land, and sadly it could serve as an evaluation of the overall state of the church in America. Of all the seven churches we have examined, Laodicea was in the worst possible condition. This is very sobering; especially considering the fact that Jesus said that Sardis was dead. Things were so bad in Laodicea that Jesus said they made Him sick, even to the point of vomiting.
- I would like to take a look inside this church and see if we can see what Jesus saw. Join me as we examine “The Letter To The Church At Laodicea”. We will begin by considering:
THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS LETTER
v14a "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
Of the seven cites that were addressed in these letters from Jesus, Laodicea was the wealthiest. This city was known for its banking, manufacturing wool, and they were the home of a medical school that produced eye salve. However, Laodicea had a major problem concerning its water supply. They built a massive aqueduct to bring water into the city from the hot springs in nearby Hierapolis, and they received cold water from Colossae. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was not hot or cold, it was lukewarm.
One of Paul’s “fellow laborers” in the ministry named Epaphras started this church. By the time that they received this letter, the Laodicean church was in a very bad situation. Jesus said they were like the town’s water supply; the church was lukewarm and they made Him sick.
- This leads us to:
THE AUTHOR OF THIS LETTER
This harsh rebuke came directly from the Lord Jesus. It was vital that the members of this church pay close attention to the contents of this letter, for it was sent by the ultimate authority in History. Jesus identifies Himself as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the Creation of God.
This verse speaks to the power, authority, and majesty of the Lord. Jesus Christ is the Eternal One. - John 1:1-1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created”. Jesus is God; in this very book He proclaims, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)
As “the Amen”, Jesus is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth. All the promises of God are fulfilled in Him. Jesus is also the originator of the creation of God, both material and spiritual. Jesus says “I am the Beginning of the Creation of God”; He stated this truth to correct a false teaching in Laodicea and Colossae that said that Christ was a created being. Jesus was not the first person to be created, for He was never created; this verse actually speaks to the fact that Jesus began all creation. He did not have a beginning; He is the Beginning, meaning that Christ is pre-imminent over all creation.
- The Lord Jesus, with His great authenticity, power and authority had a very stern message for the church in Laodicea. Notice:
THE REBUKE IN THIS LETTER
v15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and repugnant to the Lord. Cold water is refreshing; hot water is useful for medical purposes. Lukewarm water has neither of these benefits.
Most people find lukewarm drinks disgusting. I like coffee cold and I like it hot, but I cannot tolerate it if it is lukewarm. Did you know that Jesus is the same way? He despises lukewarmness. So much so, that He says it makes Him sick to the point of vomiting.
This church was consumed with pride, ignorance self-reliance, and apathy. Laodicea was a church that had a very high view of itself. They were so wealthy that they felt that they were in need of nothing, but Jesus makes it clear that they were spiritually impoverished. Because they made and possessed expensive wool garments, they saw themselves as being well clothed, however, Jesus said that they were spiritually naked. They produced eye salve that was supposed to help with one’s physical eyesight, but they were blind to their own spiritual condition.
Nearby Hierapolis was famous for its hot springs, and Colossae for its cold, refreshing mountain stream. But Laodicea had dirty, tepid water that flowed for miles through an underground aqueduct. Visitors, unaccustomed to it, immediately spat it out. Just like the dirty, tepid water of Laodicea, these self-deceived hypocrites sickened Christ. (MacArthur Study Bible: Notes on Revelation)
- After rebuking them harshly for their actions, Jesus went on to tell them how to make things right. Notice:
THE COMMAND IN THIS LETTER
v18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
The people of Laodicea were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”, fortunately, Jesus is the source of spiritual gold, white garments, and healing eye salve for all who will repent. The things that Jesus offered were far better than what they could attain through the major industries in Laodicea.
Laodicea was a city known for its great wealth, but Jesus counseled them to buy from Him “gold refined in the fire”. Their earthly treasures would pass away, but in Him they could receive eternal spiritual treasures. Laodicea was the home to a thriving wool industry; they manufactured and died wool that was used for clothing. Jesus counseled them to buy “white garments” from Him so that they could be clothed. By turning to Him, these people could be clothed in His righteousness.
Another industry in Laodicea was the production of a salve that healed many eye problems; however, Jesus counseled them to trust in Him and He would “anoint their eyes with eye salve so that they may see”. These people had the opportunity to gain true spiritual vision through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
It is apparent that the overwhelming majority of people in the Laodicean Church were unregenerate. But I believe that there were a handful of genuine believers who were a part of this church. This letter shows the amazing love, grace, mercy, and compassion that Jesus has on the lost and saved alike. He did not have to give this church the opportunity to turn things around. He did not have to rebuke and warn them and call them to repent, but that is exactly what He did. If He did not care about the people in Laodicea, then there would have only been six letters to six churches in Asia Minor.
- Jesus goes on to profess His love for these people in verse 19. He says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”.
This letter is as harsh as anything you will find in the Bible, it was a stern, honest and painful rebuke, but it was rooted in love. God’s purpose in discipline is not to punish but to bring people back to him. If this church did not repent and return to Jesus, they would face His discipline and judgment.
I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus did not simply destroy this church in anger; He loved them enough to rebuke them. He told them what was wrong, He told them how to make things right and He warned them of what would happen if they refused to do so. Notice:
THE PROMISE IN THIS LETTER
v20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also 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."
This is one of the most misinterpreted and misapplied verses in the Bible. Often you will hear Revelation 3:20 quoted in the context of Jesus “knocking on the door of someone’s heart”, calling them to salvation. The correct interpretation is that Christ was on the outside of a church that bore His name, trying to get in.
You have all probably seen Holman Hunt’s famous painting, which depicts Jesus standing outside a door with a light in His hand; He is knocking on the door. When Hunt finished that painting, a man looked at it and commented to the painter, “You made a mistake.” Holman Hunt said, “Where is the mistake?” The critic said, “You forgot to paint a handle on the outside of the door.” Hunt responded, “There is no mistake. The handle is on the inside. Jesus knocks, but you must open the door!”
Jesus was standing outside the door of the Church at Laodicea knocking and hoping that someone would let Him in. He promises in this letter that if anyone would hear His voice and open the door, He would “come in to him and dine with him”. Jesus did not want to destroy this church; He wanted to enter it, control it and bless it. He promises to abide with those who will let Him in.
Like the rest of the seven letters, this letter contains a promise to the “overcomer”. The overcomer is promised that he will share the glory of Christ’s throne and reign with Him over the millennial earth. Those who follow Him in humility, rejection, and suffering will also reign with Him in glory. This is an amazing promise; however, this promise is not for everyone. It is only for those who are true, genuine followers of the Lord Jesus.
It is likely that Laodicea was once a vibrant and healthy church. Paul wrote a letter to the Christians there and also instructed the letter of Colossians to be read in their assembly. It is interesting that when mentioning them, Paul does not have a negative word to say, but then decades later, Jesus rebuked them sharply. At some point, things went awry in Laodicea.
Perhaps they were once a passionate assembly with zeal for the Lord, compassion for the lost, and love for one another. Now they were in a sad state and if they did not heed Jesus’ rebuke and warning they would be destroyed.
Spurgeon theorizes that “Perhaps its best men were dead, perhaps its wealth seduced it into worldliness, possibly its freedom from persecution engendered carnal ease, or neglect of prayer made it gradually backslide; but in any case it declined till it was neither cold nor hot.”
We must ensure that we do not become a church that resembles Laodicea in any way. This church has a rich history; faithful servants of God have ministered to others in this place for over a century. There is no way to know how many thousands of people have benefited spiritually because of this small church in this rural community. Lost souls have been saved, backsliders have been reclaimed and new Christians have been discipled, Leaders have been trained and missionaries have been supported all over the world. Many people who were hurting physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually have been helped because of this ministry. In this place, Christ has been exalted, the Holy Spirit has moved, and the Father has been praised and worshipped. Thousands of prayers have been lifted and countless individuals have learned the truths of God’s Word.
I pray that these things continue, but I must warn you that there is an enemy who would like nothing more than to destroy what God is doing in this assembly. We must stay sober and vigilant and guard against His deceptive schemes at all times. We should never become with the status quo; We cannot become complacent, lethargic, and apathetic; We must never assess this church and think that “we have arrived”; and we cannot lose sight of why we exist. Let us never be of the mindset that this is “our Church”; this is the Lord’s Church and if it ever ceases to be so, Jesus will “spew us out of His mouth”.
There is much beneficial information for the modern church in these ancient letters. It is important for us to understand that even though these 7 letters were written to congregations of Christ followers, those congregations were comprised of individuals. For those churches to escape the judgement and chastisement that Jesus promised, the individuals who made up those churches must respond accordingly. In the same way, Stockdale Baptist Church will not experience revival until the individual members of this church hear and heed the words of Jesus in these seven letters.
It is likely that in this assembly, there are some individuals who need to do what Jesus called on these 7 congregations to do. Some of you need to remember where you once were, realize how far you have fallen, repent of your sin, return to your first love, reject false teaching, and rekindle the fire inside of you that once burned for Jesus.
Some of you are the strongest most vibrant Christians I’ve ever met; Jesus has a message for you as well. He would have you to remain faithful to Him, realize the importance of increasing in good works, reinforce those positive attributes that you possess, resolve to endure opposition and persecution, and never lose sight of the fact that the return of Jesus is imminent.
I pray that you will hear and heed the truths that we have learned in Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
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