Revelation 3: Church Of Laodicea 

Laodicea means “Judging the people”

Main Theme: The lukewarm church under the judgment

🔹City of Laodicea

The Laodicean church period spans from the Adventist movement to the time of the end. The phrase "judging the people" implies that we are in the midst of an investigative judgment. 

Antiochus II founded the city between 261 and 246 BC. Antiochus II named the city after his wife, Laodicea, who eventually poisoned him due to her husband's marital alliance with Ptolemy Philadelphus.

Laodicea was a wealthy city. When an earthquake destroyed it in 60 AD, the citizens did not seek assistance, instead rebuilding it at their own expense. 

• Laodicea produced black woolen cloth, which many people used as clothing. They manufactured and dyed garments and colorful cloths. They also possessed a temple honoring Aesculapius, the Greek deity of medicine, where they produced the renowned Phrygian eye salve.

• Near the city were a number of hot and lukewarm springs. People came from all over to find healing in the water and buy eye salve. This contributed to the city's prosperity. They boasted arrogantly, "I am rich... and have no need for anything."

It seems that Paul never visited this church, but he did write them a letter and ask for it to be read in the Colossian church, close to Laodicea (Colossians 2:1). Additionally, he directed the reading of the letter to the Colossians in Laodicea (Colossians 4:13–16).

🔹Five parts of the Laodicean passage:

1. The person delivering the message (3:14–15)

2. Diagnosing the spiritual condition or criticism (3:15–17)

3. The treatment or cure for illness (3:18).

4. The rationale regarding the message (3:19–20)

5. The reward for taking the advice (3:21)

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 14 to 16

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.

🔹The messenger to the church of Laodicea

• He is the “Amen”.

• He is the beginner of the creation of God and therefore knows all about His creation.

• He is the Faithful and True Witness.

• He says: “I know your works”.

Since Jesus Himself delivers this message, we can trust that it is trustworthy.

🔹Lukewarm Christians

The Laodiceans are neutral and non-committal and have patchwork characters:

• According to Jesus, such a religion is worthless.

• Although it may initially appear that there is a mixture of self and Christ, it soon becomes clear that there is none of Christ. Selfishness grows in patches, eventually covering the entire garment.

Laodicea is composed of half-hearted Christians:

• Half-hearted Christians are worse than infidels because they may mislead people with deceitful words and a lack of commitment.

• The infidel reveals his true character.

• The lukewarm Christian deceives both parties. He is neither a true worldly person nor a genuine good Christian.

• Satan uses him to do a task that no one else can do.

🔹What is the Laodicean disease?

• Laodicea acts appropriately, but with the incorrect reasons or motivation.

• Although Laodicea lacks power, it possesses the appearance of holiness and the theory of the truth. True Bible-based beliefs are right, but there is no power if you do not allow them to change you.

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 17

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:

🔹Two completely differing opinions

• Laodicea believes she is wealthy, has perfect vision, wears elegant clothing, and is happy.

• The reality is that she is impoverished, blind, nude, sad, and wretched, according to Jesus.

The people of God are in a sad deception, but they are honest in that deception.

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 18 to 19

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.

🔹Gold tried in the fire

Laodicea needs a faith that has love as the motivating force:

The believer is justified and makes no claim to God based on his or her own merits. Grace is an unmerited favor. Christ Jesus' atoning work, where he acts as the sinner's surety and substitute in heaven, justifies him.

Even though Christ's merit has justified him, he is still not free to do wrong. Faith purifies the soul by instilling love. Faith sprouts, thrives, and yields a harvest of invaluable fruit. The presence of faith leads to excellent deeds. The sick are visited, the destitute are cared for, widows and orphans are not abandoned, the naked are clothed, and the hungry are fed. Men united with Christ love God's children, walk in humility and truth, and do good.

Faith that works by love

Galatians 5:6 - "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

What it means to be truly rich

1 Timothy 6:17-19 - "17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

Rich in faith

James 2:5 - "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"

Faith and love are the gold that has stood the test of time. It enriches the heart because it has been cleansed until it is pure, and the more it is put to the test, the more brilliantly it shines.

🔹White garments

White garments represent righteousness.

Isaiah 61:10 - "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

- Christ, in His humanity, manifested a flawless character, which He offers to impart to us.

- "Our righteousness is comparable to filthy clothes." (Isaiah 64:6). Everything we can do on our own is tainted by sin.

But God's only Son "was manifested to remove our sins, and there is no sin in Him".

The definition of sin is "the violation of the law." (1 John 3:4). Christ, however, was obedient to the requirements of the law. He declared of Himself, "I delight in doing Thy will, O My God; indeed, Thy law is in my heart." (Psalm 40:8).

- When on earth, He told His disciples, "I have kept the commandments of My Father." (John 15:10). His perfect obedience has made it possible for all people to obey God's commandments. 

- When we surrender ourselves to Christ, the heart becomes one with His heart, the will with His will, the mind with His mind, and the thoughts with His thoughts; we live His life. This is what it means to wear His righteousness like a garment. So then, when the Lord looks upon us, He sees His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect conformity to God's law.

Summary: The righteousness of Christ given to the sinner is represented by the white garment, which represents the purity of character. This garment has the texture of heaven and can be bought only from Christ for a life of willing obedience.

🔹Eye salve

The Laodiceans lacked spiritual discernment to see their condition as God saw it.

To restore their spiritual eyesight, they need to come to Jesus.

Summary: Eye salve is the wisdom and grace that allow us to discriminate between good and evil and identify sin in all of its manifestations.

God has given His church eyes, which He expects them to anoint with wisdom so that they may see clearly. However, many individuals desire to conceal their actions from the church, fearing accountability. The heavenly eye salve will provide a better understanding.

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 20

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.

🔹Jesus is outside

Jesus is outside the heart of Laodicea (3:20). Therefore, who controls their heart?

Answer: Self!

The problem is with the heart. The heart is cold, and the works are hot. The result is lukewarm. Laodicea's problem is not primarily with her actions, but with the motivations that led to them.

1. Laodicea has a heart problem.

Laodicea's problem is not with the outside (what she professes), but with the inside (what she is).

The problem is not primarily with the behavior, but with the heart.

Laodicea is hypocritical. It shows one face on the outside when it is different on the inside.

They are Christians in intellect, but the truth has not reached their hearts. This is why, in Revelation 3:20, Jesus is outside the heart, begging to come in.

They are lacking in devotion and fervor: 

• They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian zeal and devotion. 

• They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self (selfishness rules the heart) and follow the principles of their faith closely.

2. Destroying the roots of sin.

• Eliminating sinful actions is useless unless it kills the sinful root that produces them.

• You do not kill a tree by cutting off its leaves; rather, you kill it by pulling it up by the roots.

• To change behavior, we must go to the heart or the root of the problem: pride, selfishness, covetousness, envy, and hatred.

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 21 to 22

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.

Although the church of Laodicea seems to be in a helpless condition, verse 21 shows that it is possible for it to be an overcomer. This brings hope to everyone who is spiritually blind; that one day they will see.

Next: Revelation Chapter 4: Chapter Reading

Previous: Revelation Chapter 3: Church Of Philadelphia