Laodicea
Letter to the Church at Laodicea
The city was in the southwest of Phrygia, on the river Lycus, not far from
Colosse, and lying between it and Philadelphia. It was destroyed by an
earthquake, A.D. 62, and rebuilt by its wealthy citizens without the help of the
state.
This truly is the worst church of all and the one in the most danger of losing
their eternal souls. 
Lukewarm water is unpleasant to drink. It is neither hot or cold. If I taste
lukewarm water by accident, my reaction is to immediate spit it out. I like it
cold or hot as in coffee or hot tea.
It appears that this church had no first love, no sound doctrine and probably
didn't care less whether anyone was saved or not. It was a literal church but
resembles many today and probably many throughout the history of the church. I
would describe this as those that "Just didn't care."
No burden for the lost, no conviction for sin, no joy, and no fruits much less
gifts of the spirit among them. They probably didn't war and fight because they
didn't care enough to stand up for anything. Nothing to them was worth fighting
for it would seem. They could also represent a church that lived by their own
opinions and desires rather than what God's word taught. I would say that
they once knew the word but had substituted programs, man's books, drama,
entertainment, fund raisers and everything else but the teaching and preaching
of God's word. This is not to say and some of the above is wrong once in a
while but to replace the teaching of the word with those things is not good.
Those that believe the church age theory believe this to be the period from 1925
until now. They believe the joining together of certain groups like the World
Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement are signs that lukewarmness have
set in. They were willing to lay aside the word of God and sound doctrine to
agree in a false unity and unite churches.
Perhaps some though, would stray so far they
wouldn't care enough to join any groups. It would seem to be a
compromising group that allows anything and doesn't stand up for truth. This is
just my speculation.
Rev 3:14 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;
Another proof that Jesus was eternal and present at the creation.
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spew thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 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:
This church is rich and increased with goods. That really resembles latter day
churches. We still have poor churches, in fact I attend one but most of them are
very wealthy. Many TV evangelists own many mansions, automobiles, airplanes and
luxuries and even claim they are blessed by God in those things. That is not the
way Jesus taught though. He said not to lay up treasure here and seek the things
of this life. Many try to set up the
kingdom here and now. There is a dangerous move to get us concerned about the
good life here as opposed to seeking the coming of Christ and the kingdom to
come.
There is a move to emphasis material things as blessings from God instead of the
spiritual. I can't turn on the TV and get a good old fashioned gospel message
anymore unless I run across a local station with a modest preacher that still
preaches the gospel. There is one in Akron Ohio named Robert Webb Jr. who still
preaches the old gospel but there are many that emphasize the good life here and
now. Say that to the persecuted churches in countries today where the gospel is
rejected. Some preach that we should be happy and laugh all the time.
Where is the mourning for sin, the burden for the lost and the desire for the
Lord to return? We can laugh when Jesus comes. Now is the time to
mourn and weep for many are still lost. This doesn't mean we can't have joy.
There is a joy in the Lord that the world can't understand. It is a joy
that comes by the spirit of God and not by having fun with a crowd of people.
Rev 3:18 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 eye salve, that thou mayest
see.
We are counseled here to seek God for the true riches that no one can take
away. These are spiritual things that come from God and pertain to eternal life
and godliness. They are things given to us by the Holy Spirit after we come to
Jesus Christ by faith. True blessings of God are spiritual, not material.
White raiment is the clothing of righteousness for those who have not defiled
their garments by returning to sin and compromise. This a robe of righteousness
paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ and given to those that repent of sin and
resist the temptation to return to the sin they were saved from. Nakedness
reminds us of sin and backsliding back into the filth of the world Jesus gave
His life to save us from.
Anoint our eyes with eye salve is the return to the scriptures that we have
forsaken and renew ourselves to the authority of the word of God.
This church just may resemble some of our latter day churches who have
compromised with the world and have laid aside the word of God in order to have
a false unity. Sound doctrine is never out of fashion.
I have read some books and read things on the Internet also where many so-called
spiritual leaders are making light of the word of God. They may not intend to
mean what I understand them to mean but here is some things I've heard:
1. The word of God referred to as Old love letters.
2. The word of God referred to as moldy pages of what God has done.
3. Dusty love letters written long ago.
Yet in Christ's commendation to the Philadelphia church he states: They had little strength, and has KEPT HIS WORD, has not denied
his name.
If any minister of the gospel makes light of the word, downplays the importance
of the word, or tries to substitute the word of God for something else
preferable, I will not read or listen to another word he or she has to say.
The word is what we have to base what we believe on. If we throw it out, who are
we going to turn to for guidance? How are we going to judge whether someone is
speaking the truth? If we lay aside that word, we open ourselves up to the Jim
Jones, the Joseph Smiths, the Moons, and any other person who comes along in the
name of Christ telling us that they alone is appointed of God to show us the
truth. The old bible has proven itself and stood the test of time. I don't
believe it would have survived if God hadn't authorized it, planned, and
preserved it for us.
Many times the Roman Church burned the Protestant bibles and books. Men were
burned at the stake for translating the bible into the common language that
people could understand and read. It was preserved for us to read and not be
deceived. It is a gift from God. It is not old moldy love letters or dusty past
truth. It is a gift from God to show us the way to eternal life and to keep us
from being deceived by those who use the word of God to make merchandise of us
or use it to deceive us. Many false teachers may use the word of God for a
while until we start trusting in them enough to where he or she can begin to lay
it aside and substitute his own teachings. Joseph Smith was a good example
of that type of false teacher.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.
2Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works.
Jesus Christ rebukes these churches because He loves them. It is never God's will that any of us backslide and perish.
Again with the other churches, the cure for this church's lukewarmness and the
sins in the other churches was to repent. Change, turn back to Christ, be sorry
for sin to the point of being willing to change by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rev 3:20 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.
Christ knocks on the door of our heart (meaning the inner souls and spirit). We
have the free will to open it or leave it shut. He stands at the door to all
sinners who have never yet received Him as Lord. He stands at the door to all
believers who may have once received Him but have let the cares of this life
cause them to grow lukewarm or cold in spirit. Repent and do the first works.
Rev 3:21 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.
Those that overcome will reign with Christ when He comes (literally) to set up
His kingdom.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches.
We can hear or we can refuse to hear. It is our choice.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Ephesians Bible Study