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Lesson 11  Revelation 3: 14-22

      We have come to the last church, the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22.The Church of Laodicea is located about 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia, in the Lycus River valley near Colossae and Hierapolis. It is believed that the city got its name from the wife of Antiochus II, the Syrian monarch. Her name was Laodice. The name means "people ruling." The city was known for its production of black, glossy wool garments. The city had two other things for which it was known. It was the banking center for the region. Additionally, it was celebrated for the medical school, which was famous for a powder that cured ophthalmia (an eye disorder). Remember this, because later we will examine a statement that Jesus makes in verse 18.

    In verse 14, Jesus directs John to introduce Him, the author of the letter, to the Church of Laodicea with His following names: Amen, faithful, true witness, and the beginning of the creation of God. Why are these names so important? What do they mean?

• Amen = firmly faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), truly, you agree
• Faithful = trustworthy, reliable
• True witness = a truthful martyr (one who bears "witness" by his death)
• Beginning = the first, ruler, corner, power
• Creation = the creative act in process

     Jesus is telling the Church of Laodicea that the faithful One, the reliable One, the One Who died for what He knows to be true, and the first in the creative power of God, is still in the process of creating us.

    How is it possible for a Church to get into the poor condition of the Church of Laodicea? Remember, the church we are talking about could be you right now in your walk with God. Therefore, as you examine how Laodicea got into this condition you must also examine how close you are to this condition.

    Let us study the Church of Laodicea and really see what Jesus is saying about it. As we do this, we will see how they found themselves in this condition. This will help us to avoid finding ourselves in this same condition.

The following definitions help us to understand verses 15 - 17.

• Cold = cool, fresh, chilly
• Hot = boiling
• Lukewarm = tepid
• Will = intend
• Spew = to vomit
• Rich = wealthy in a spiritual way (the false sense of spiritual wealth)
• Increased goods = righteousness of life and conduct (the false sense)
• Have = necessity, possess
• Need = lack, needful
• Nothing = no one, no thing
• Knowest = to have full knowledge
• Wretched = to be afflicted, undergo hardship
• Miserable = a combination of misery and pitiful
• Poor = one who crouches and cowers, poverty-stricken, powerless to enrich
• Blind = not able to see physically and spiritually
• Naked = without clothes

    Here we have a Church that Jesus says is neither cold nor hot. You ask, "how can this be?" Some of us have our way of doing things, just because that is the way it has always been done. We do not question these acts or behaviors; we cannot give a reason for them. We will not ask questions to see if our behaviors and thoughts actually line up with God's plan. We go to Church because we grew up going habitually. We share God only with those who ALREADY KNOW HIM. God is sick of us calling ourselves His children and yet we do not act like Him. How do we act like God?

    In verse 16, Christ says He intends to vomit those of us who are lukewarm, out of his mouth. This is not just casting us off, but also forcefully removing us from Him. Think on this. How would you feel being forced out of God's body?

    God always gives a reason for His action. So look at verse 17. We will come back to deal with a concern that may be in your mind about this question (how would you feel being forced out of God's body?). The Church of Laodicea had become full of themselves like some of us. Because of the fact that they had accepted Jesus into their lives, they felt that they had the bull by the horns. They lived as if they were in need of no other thing. They also thought that their spiritual lives were so HOLY that they could move mountains. Have any of you been around people who thought they had neither sin nor needs in their lives? Yet when you spent time with them you find out, they are not that deep into the word of God nor do they have a relationship with Him. Why is it that we think we can hide things from each other and especially from God?

    Look at the way Jesus is introduced to them as firmly trustworthy, reliable, a truthful martyr, and the power to create. With this introduction, He is saying He knows what it is like to be out there in the world; after all He did live in this world. In the world, there is no reason to be a phony, and you do not need to be stiff-necked nor full of yourself, because as believers, you are not of the world. You see, God, the Father who sent His Son to you, will bring you home if you do what He asks of you. In the Church of Laodicea, they did not see themselves, as they should (I Corinthians 11:28-29).Because they would not truthfully look at themselves, they were not able to see that they were spiritually lower than a beggar was. For a beggar knew his condition and sought help. Like some of us, they had no idea of their true circumstances nor do we know that we are blind and naked. Other people can see us, as we really are (The Emperor's New Clothes).

    It appears that the Church of Laodicea did at one time walk with God. Because this Church had fallen out of their relationship with God, they did not even know that God no longer favored them in their walk. Please note that Jesus condemns them for where they are now in their walk or non-walk. This should tell us that at one time we can have an honest walk with the Lord and then drift into condemnation from the Lord.

    How would you feel, being forced out of God's body? This question may cause some to think that they can lose their salvation. Let us answer this concern from the same text. In Revelation 3:14-22, does Jesus tell them that they will not be in heaven? No, but he wants to correct this mindset in His body. Also pay attention to Him saying, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:…".How would you feel, being forced out of God's body? This question may cause some to think that they can lose their salvation. Let us answer this concern from the same text. In Revelation 3:14-22, does Jesus tell them that they will not be in heaven? No, but he wants to correct this mindset in His body. Also pay attention to Him saying, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:…".

The following definitions help us to understand verse 18.

• Counsel = advise
• Buy = redeem
• Tried =purified
• Fire = which consumes all that is inconsistent with the holiness of God
• Shame = ashamed
• Anoint = to rub in
• Eyesalve =a poultice made of plaster in the form of a roll

    Jesus is telling this Church and some of us to get back on the right track. Go out and "…buy (redeem) of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich…" This refers to those things, which have spiritual value. In order to do what Jesus asks of us, we must be willing to let go of ANYTHING that will contaminate us. In addition, you will have to spend time with Him in order to see what has spiritual value. At the time that Jesus is condemning the Church of Laodicea, the things that they were doing and thinking had no spiritual value. For if these things and behaviors had spiritual value then the Church would not be in this serious condition! Here it is again, an opportunity to use a godly mirror to see us as He sees us. Are we willing to do this, to see ourselves as God sees us? Is it possible that some of the trials we are facing are because Jesus loves us and is trying to get us back on the right track? It is easy to see the shortcomings of others. Are you willing to see your own shortcomings (Matthew 7:1-5)? Another question is, "how do I see things from God's viewpoint?" You may think this is hard, but in reality, it is easy.

Genesis 1:26-28; Deuteronomy 6:2 - 9 Romans 12:1 - 2 Deuteronomy 7:6 - 11; I Peter 5:5 - 11 Hebrews 12:1 - 7; Philippians 3:7 - 21

    If we are willing to examine ourselves through God's eyes and get on the right road, then the white clothes, spoken of in verse 18, are waiting for us in heaven.

    Early in this lesson, we talked about Laodicea being known for its medical school, which was famous for a powder that cured ophthalmia (which is an eye disorder). Look at how Christ tells them its time to apply some eyesalve to their spiritual eyes so that they can see clearly. Could it be that God is telling us to apply something to our eyes so that we can see his way? I think so. For we all need to grow closer to God and our walk needs to become His walk. Even with all that He condemns Laodicea for, He makes sure that they know that He loves them. In verse 19, this is made very clear. Also, it would be good for all of us to apply this kind of love to our relationships with children and spouses.

The following definitions help us to understand verse 18.

• Love = tender affection
• Rebuke = to convict, refute, reprove
• Chasten = to train children, education
• Zealous = to seek or desire to be the object of warm interest on the part of others
• Repent = to change one's mind or purpose for the better