To the Churches in Revelation, Part 7

7 September 2022   |   Posted in:

To the Churches in Revelation, Part 7: Laodicea (Rev. 3: 14-22)

The letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation, chapters 2-3, are from Jesus to His people in the 1st century. However, they are more than applicable to us in the 21st century. Times may have changed, but hearts have not.

In 2022, this wisdom is fitting for times such as these. In part 7 of this series, we’ll look at the church in Laodicea. We’ll see Christ’s diagnosis of them, along with the prescription. 

Revelation 3:14-22

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 that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious (overcomes), I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Background of the church at Laodicea:

  1. It was a banking center and possessed IMMENSE material wealth.
  2. Founded by Antiochus II.
  3. Was on one of the great Asian trade routes, which ensured its great commercial prosperity.
  4. Home to many hot mineral springs (we’ll see the significance of this later in relation to verse 16).
  5. The city was destroyed during the invasions of the Turks and Mongols.
  6. Modern day- What’s left of it is located near the city of Denizli, Turkey.

Jesus’ Diagnosis- The positive report:

None. The church at Laodicea may be contrasted with the church at Philadelphia. Concerning Philadelphia, Christ had no bad statement, but here with Laodicea He has nothing good to say.

Jesus’ Diagnosis- The negative report:

There is so much intensity going on here. Let’s break down each picture given to us by Jesus:

Picture #1: Verse 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.

There is nothing more damaging to a church body than those who see them selves as self-sufficient.

Look at Luke 12:16-20: 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

  • The church at Laodicea built all of their treasure on the trinkets of this world, and neglected completely eternal riches in Christ. As we see in the history of Laodicea the city would be destroyed.

In his poem “Only one life twill soon be past- C.T. Studd states:

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,” Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Picture #2: Go back to Verses 15-16: 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 (the Greek is ‘Emeo’- meaning to vomit).

Charles Ryrie writes- “Near Laodicea were hot mineral springs whose water could be drunk only if very hot. When lukewarm it became nauseating.”

According to Christ’s words in verses 15-16, He apparently has more respect for fiery hot fanaticism or for icy cold formalism than for lifeless and lame lukewarmness.

Jesus’ Prescription- 

Prescription #1: Verse 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.

  • Laodicea was to obtain from God 3 things they so desperately needed:
    • Gold (faith) that they may be rich, eternally.
    • White clothes (works blessed by God) that they might be clothed.
    • Eye salve (forgiveness) that they might see.

Prescription #2: Let Me into My church!- Verse 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 that person, and they with me.

  • This is a strange but common picture: Christ Himself on the outside, asking to be let in to one of His own churches. In measure, it is true of many churches today, operating under the name of Christ, but with Christ Himself, very little in evidence.

Prescription #3: Repent! Verse 19- Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Hebrews 12:6-8,11: For whom the Lord loves He chastens (disciplines), And scourges every son whom He receives.”7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons . . . 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The challenge and reward for the faithful-

Eternal riches in Christ are greater than anything this world has to offer.

Verse 21- To the one who is victorious (overcomes), I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

To share with Christ in the glory of His kingdom is the measure of true wealth.

Keep Looking Up,

Rev. Jon Barrett | Director of CVCCS