What the Church of Laodicea was like
Revelation 3:14 KJV 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; 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, I will spue 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, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and 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. 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
MAPS: SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION
Jesus revealed the sins being committed in the church and Who He is in these letters.
This is a letter where the church believes one thing and Jesus is telling them, no your believing a lie and tells them the Truth. In Rev 3:17, we find the peoples assessment of themselves. They believe they are:
1) rich,
2) have prospered in things, and
3) are in need of nothing.
What do they believe about themselves?
1. rich- 4145-plousios…- properly, fully resourced, rich (filled) by having God’s “muchness” – i.e. His abundance that comes from receiving His provision (material and spiritual riches) through faith (4102/pistis) (HELPS Word-studies)
2. prospered in things- the Laodiceans were successful in business, banking, and trade. They had many ways to make money, used their money to live a life of ease, and diligently pursued wealth.
3. in need of nothing – nothing-3762/oudeis (“no one, nothing at all”) is a powerful negating conjunction. It rules out by definition, i.e. “shuts the door” objectively and leaves no exceptions.. (HELPS Word-studies)
This church believed they had it all and needed no one to help them. God had given them more than enough earthly wealth and spiritual gifts. They viewed all these external things as being blessed by God and being right with God. They viewed themselves as self sufficient. Because of all their wealth and prosperity they did not even entertain the idea they were actually devoid of God.
This is the prosperity preaching of our day!
God gives you what you want, you can speak life into others, speak your own destiny, speak and create, this is not new, these people fell for it too. The only thing that is important is, did Jesus agree with them.
Jesus reveal truth
Jesus tells them their true condition which is the following:
1) wretched- you are in deep misery (HELPS Word-studies for an indepth definition)
2) miserable- Cognate…1652 eloeines (from 1656, eleos, “mercy”)- pitiable, wretched, in great need of mercy (because desperate)..(HELPS Word-studes)
3) Poor- 4434 ptoos… completely lacking resources (earthly wealth) (HELPS Word-studies)
4&5- Jesus also told them ther werw blind to their nakedness meaning they did not see they do not have on the right clothing, Matthew 5:3, 22:11-14.
As we see they viewed themselves one way and Jesus saw them another. The people believed they were in charge, had everything they needed, and that made them spiritually right with God. But Jesus says the exact opposite. They have nothing, they don’t just have a need but a great need which is mercy, they are in total lack, and they are not wearing the white robes of righteousness in Christ.
Oh, by the way, where is Jesus?
Revelation 3:20 KJV 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. 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.
Jesus is standing outside knocking to be let inside in order to fellowship with them. The commentaries are all over the place on whether these people are saved or not but this is always the wrong question. Why, because we can not see the heart only the fruit. Their words say, we need nothing and no one. What is the question? When they came face to face with Jesus Christ were they ashamed, did they hear well done good and faithful one, if ask did they believe they needed to repent, Jesus said they did.
There are many Laodicean churches today. They have the money, the things that money buys, and the way to make more money which equals, me and God are good. The consequences of being wrong on this are forever.
Matthew 7:22 KJV Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Many will say, I had it all and I was in need of nothing. Jesus will say, I know your works but I had no fellowship with you. The point is, your going to be judged and your going to hear a verdict. But will it be what you expect?
