THE MESSAGE TO LAODICEA
REVELATION 3:14-22
The name Laodicea means people ruling: it was a proud church, ruled by people.
The city of Laodicea was an important commercial centre, famous for its beautiful black wool, which was woven into fine, expensive garments. There was also a school of medicine adjoining the temple of Aesculapius, whose physicians prepared a famous Phrygian powder for the cure of eye infections. Its citizens, among which there was a large Jewish colony, had amassed considerable wealth, and were proud of their city as a mercantile banking centre. Laodicea had one serious shortcoming: the water from their own springs, mostly very hot, was unsuitable for drinking because it contained many impurities; they built stone pipes to bring water from the thermal springs of the neighbouring city of Hierapolis, but it was warm when it arrived and needed to be cooled before it could be drunk.
The Lord Jesus identifies himself as the Amen (which in Hebrew signifies that which is firm and true: all Old Testament promises regarding the Messiah are fulfilled in him), the Faithful and True Witness (the Prophet, the Word of God), the Beginning of the creation of God (beginning is a translation of a Greek word meaning origin or cause, i.e. the creation of God originated from him).
The church at Laodicea was rebuked for being useless: like the water coming into the city it was nauseating, being neither hot (curative) nor cold (refreshing). It was composed of people who professed to be Christians, but did not belong to Christ, and therefore he would disown it. Like the other Laodiceans, they prided themselves in being wealthy and self-sufficient, whereas (like all unbelievers), they were destitute and blind as regards spiritual life. Only Christ can sell (freely - Isaiah 55:1) the spiritual gold (genuine faith as per I Peter 1:7), so that we may be rich (eternal life and blessing), be clothed with white garments (the justice of Christ, good works: 3:4) and eyesight (John 9:39). They must repent, because the Lord rebukes and chastens those he loves.
There is an appeal to each individual: He calls upon each one, and if he is accepted, He will have fellowship with him.
Laodicea is a type of the majority of churches calling themselves Christian in our time, since the Second World War. As a general rule they regard themselves as wealthy and self sufficient, and are well equipped with buildings, human and material resources and have political and economic power. They are, however, ruled by men instead of the Word of God: they appoint their leaders, many be democratic election, according to their particular tastes (II Timothy 4:3-4), instead of recognising those who have the necessary spiritual qualifications (I Timothy 3, Titus 1) as God's gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11-12). They are useless to the Lord because they do not preach his Gospel, nor do they aim to keep themselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27) and are therefore mostly conformed with it. They are blind as far as spiritual matters are concerned, without discernment, without hope for eternal life, and they do not await the return of Christ (II Peter 2:1-22, 3:3-4). Each person within such churches is still given the opportunity of receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The communion at supper reminds us of the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7-10), and may be seen as confirmation of the fact that He will come for His own during this period, symbolised by the last of the seven churches.
He who overcomes (the true believer), will have the privilege of sharing Christ's power and glory, as surely as he is now in heaven sharing power and glory with the Father.
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked -
18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "
Rev 3:14-22 (NKJV)