Revelation 3:14-22
Message to the church of the Laodiceans
1/8/2023
Always remember that these letters to the churches can be viewed from three perspectives. 1.) Practically – These are real letters to real churches with real problems. 2.) Prophetically – These letters portray the church at various stages of church history. 3.) Personally – These letters speak to every Christian and to every church that reads them. They have a word for you as an individual and they have a word for us as a congregation.
Intro: This letter is the saddest, the most disturbing and, sadly, the one we can identify the most clearly with. It is the picture of the Church of Jesus Christ as it stands today. It is certainly the picture of the church in the last days. We have moved in our study from the days of the Apostles to the days of the Apostasy. We have lived long enough to witness the beginning of the end. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Hal Lindsay reported that Redbook magazine in August of 1961 hired one of the top pollsters in the nation to survey a full representation of our seminaries which were preparing students for Christian service. Here are some of the results: Of the ministers in training, 56 percent rejected the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. 71 percent rejected that there was life after death. 54 percent rejected the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. And 98 percent rejected that there would be a personal return of Jesus Christ to this earth. Family, the church is in a mess. Laodicea was a very important city in Asia Minor. Notably, it is often said that they received cold water from Colossae and hot water from the hot springs of Hierapolis. But all water was lukewarm by the time it passed through the aqueducts to reach Laodicea. It is to this church that Jesus sends a message.
The Paramount – The Utmost! – These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
1. He Comes in the Name of Confirmation – He comes as the “Amen” it means “So be it; let it be so; This is true or it is so”. It is a word of confirmation and finality. When Jesus comes to this church, He comes as God’s final word to humanity, 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Regardless of how the Laodiceans saw themselves, Jesus comes to tell them the truth, He comes to have the final word.
2. He Comes in the Name of Consecration – He comes as “the faithful and true witness”. This church had a vision of itself what was flawed. Jesus wants them to know that He knows them as they really are and that He has comes to reveal their true state. Their witness was incorrect about Him and He has come to set the record straight.
3. He Comes in the Name of Creation – He is called “the beginning of the creation of God”. This identifies Jesus as the Creator and the Controller of all things. Jesus comes to remind them that in spite of what they might think, He still sits on the throne and He is the One Who is in control.
The Perception – Jesus tells His church that He wants them to be either “hot or cold”. The church should be a place of reconciliation and it should also be a place of battle. But because of their condition, the Lord tells them that He will “spue them out of His mouth”. The word “spue” means “to vomit, to throw up”. Jesus is saying figuratively that lukewarm Christians make Him sick! Laodicea had “I” trouble, v. 17. Theirs was a “me” centered church. We need to beware of that mentality. This is a church that sets its ministry events to serve themselves over the needs of the community. Someone said in a leadership conference years ago that we should not get too worked up about the folks that won’t follow you because they all have the same eye problem as Laodicea! He said notice when you tell them what direction you want to go in how they always say, “I can’t see it.” He said that they are telling you that they are blind, They can’t see it! Only God can open the eyes of the blind!
• They were proud of their achievement. Jesus says they are “wretched.”
• They were proud of their wealth. Jesus says they are actually “poor.”
• They were proud of their vision. Jesus says that they are “blind.”
• They were proud of their fashion. Jesus says they are “naked.”
ILLS: A church is like an airplane. A jet engine does not have brakes; it’s either thrusting forward or in reverse. When an jet stops going forward, it starts going down! An airline pilot describes landing a large jetliner under the best of circumstances as a well-controlled crash! The same is true with the local church fellowship. When a church stops moving forward; when a church loses its vision; when a church stops being passionate about Jesus and His plan for the community; they are headed for a rough landing!
The Promise – “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” This is not a verse calling lost people to come to the Lord. This verse is calling the church to open the door to allow Him back inside. This letter is not about salvation, sanctification, or regeneration; it is about repentance.
I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, He never gives up in His efforts to enter the lives of those He loves.
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Jesus does not need for the whole church to get on fire so that He can come in; He merely needs just one person to hear him and to open the door.
I will grant the overcomer to sit with Me on My throne, Those who come to Jesus are promised that they will reign with Him in Glory.
