The Seven Churches- Laodicea

 

Rev.3:14-22
 

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;

 

 The final appeal given to this messenger to give to the Laodicean church is the harshest rebuke yet. Alongside the rebuke given to Sardis that is quite a sobering assessment. But the Lord is the faithful and true witness. His assessments are accurate, not intended to flatter or please the hearers but to convey truth which will ultimately save from judgment and damnation. The truth must operate “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jer.1:10) Fallow ground must be broken up (Jer.4:3, Hos.10:12) in order to get the seed to take root. People don’t like being told to lose weight and eat better and exercise because of their pride and lust, but they can receive such appropriate admonition more readily from a doctor; whom they perceive to be speaking with their best interest in mind. But there is no truer or more faithful witness than Christ. And he will reveal the thoughts and intentions in our hearts in order to save us from our own destructive behavior and self-delusion. How easily we deceive ourselves and flatter ourselves and justify our wretched self-serving actions while the motions of sins are working in us. We try to soften the weight of our conscience with lies; we provide a rationale for our coveting; we point to others to deflect attention from our uncleanness and greediness. But the true a faithful witness knows the facts, the things that come into our minds and hearts, every one of them (Ezk.11:5,Rv.2:23). And it is he alone that can search our hearts and save us from our own sins. (Psa.139:23-4, Rom.7:23-5, Mt.1:21)

 The ”beginning of the creation of God” is an important revelation. Not to be wrested by those wicked and unstable souls who desire to demote Christ from the Godhead. The Word which is Jesus Christ, already was, he already existed in the beginning before anything else was for all things were made by him and for him. (Jn.1:1-3) He is the “beginning of the creation” (Rv.3:14); the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega (Rv.1:8,11,17). The beginning of the creation does not mean he himself was the first creation of God as the blasphemers declare. But that as Colossians 1:16-17 states “by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” So, if he is the beginning then he is also the ending. This is nonsense if it means the first creation of God. So, he is the beginning- that is all things were created by him; and he is the ending- that is all things are created for him. Christ himself is from everlasting- Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Compare Mat.2:5-6) And so he has no beginning of days (Heb.7:3).

 Amen means to affirm, ‘of a truth’, ‘so be it’ in reply to God’s revelation and declarations (as Dt.27:15-26). “Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the Lord do so: the Lord perform thy words which thou hast prophesied”. (Jer.28:6) It is a declaration of praise to God- “And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord.” (Neh.5:13) “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” (Neh.8:6) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (Psa.41:13- see also 72:19, 89:52, 106:48) Jesus Christ is the Amen of God, the positive affirmation that his will, will indeed be done of a truth. The manifestation of the Son is the assurance (‘the Lord do so: the Lord perform his words’) that the Father will accomplish the mystery of his will. (Eph.1) For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Cor.1:20)

 

15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph.3:21) God will be glorified by his church and this will entail pruning. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit… If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn.15:2, 6) We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor.11:32) This church had grown lukewarm; when iniquity begins to abound the love of many wax cold (Mt.24:12). They are in the “waxing” stage of leaving their first love. To wax is to grow in volume or duration, toward full development. As iniquity increases our love of Christ decreases as does our love of the brethren. (1 Jn.4:20-5:2) We are supposed to love God with all our hearts and ”love one another with a pure heart fervently” and “have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Pt.1:22, 4:8). Christ associates himself with his brethren- “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Mt.25:40, Ac.9:4-5) We will slowly lose our care and concern for our brethren as we wax cold. We will not bear one anothers burdens so fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal.6:2). We will bite and devour one another in bitterness and strife. (Gal.5:13-16) Anger, wrath and malice will become common with unforgiveness (Eph.4:30-5:2). We will bless God with our mouth while cursing our brother. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (Jam.3:5-11)

 So then if we will not choose to repent of leaving our first love, Christ will spue us out of his mouth. We will then be cold altogether. And he would rather us be hot or cold. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Mt.6:24, Lk.16:13) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Lk.6:46) We had better give the more earnest heed to what the Lord has spoken for “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation”? (Heb.2:1-3) Many entangled in the world and iniquity and then overcome will not hear this rebuke (Mk.4:19, 2 Pt.2:20). And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven. (Dt.29:19-20, Rev.3:5)

 

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:

 

 Surely this applies to others and not me for I am spiritual; I see (Jn.9:39-41). Those who are spiritually blind of course will not recognize that they are. Rather they will compare themselves among themselves and measure themselves by themselves and conclude they are more zealous of the religion, and more consistent than their fellows. (2 Cor.10:12,1 Cor.4:3-4) Indeed we need faith in the operation of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts to reveal our true standing and growth level. (Rom.8:26-7) This church had reached a level of self-delusion that they esteemed themselves as spiritually successful because they were financially prosperous. They supposed that gain was equivalent to godliness, an error permeating our church culture today (1 Tim.6:3-11). They considered that they were living in the promised land of prosperity because of the financial gains they had acquired. They began to consider that the cause of these gains was God rewarding them for their great faith. They lacked tribulation and trials because they had achieved a high level of spirituality, so they thought. Our entire country while bankrupt with trillions in massive debt believes we have great wealth because we can borrow and spend money newly created from nothing. We spend dross like it is silver (Isa.1:21-3) and the people and the rulers love to have it so.

 This church has been swept away in this delusion as well. But whether they had actual financial security and not falsely bid up currency denominated assets is immaterial. Because God told Israel that he was going to humble them through tribulation and trials in the desert until he brought them into the land of promise and once they were there he warned them of the dangers of financial prosperity. (Deut.8) “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments…” (v10-11). “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” (v17) The danger was as it always is with riches, self-reliance. Trusting in ourselves. Paul warned, “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;” (1 Tim.6:17) It was not random when Christ rebuked the Pharisees “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Lk.16:13) For we see their response “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” (v14) He proceeded to tell them of the account of the rich man going to hell (v19-31). Jesus instructed the disciples after the encounter with the rich ruler (Mk.10:17-25) “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (v24) Those who take their ease, eating and drinking, surfeiting (Lk.12:19, 21:34) are not fit for the kingdom of God. (Lk.9:57-62) Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (Lk.17:32-3) There are those who love their family more than the Lord Jesus Christ who are not therefore worthy of him; (Mt.10:32-39) who even now as they read the words of Christ recoil in unbelief and disdain instead of crying “God be merciful to me a sinner”.

 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. (Prv.13:7) He that trusteth in his riches shall fall. (Prv.11:28) This church while flattering themselves of their spiritual maturity were utterly infantile. They should be teachers of spiritual things, but they could not be weaned from the milk or drawn from the breast. (Heb.5:11-14, Isa.28:9) In our day they would be selling teaching series in book and CD, broadcasting their sermons on TV and radio, yet the material was wrong, misplaced and imbalanced. It was dross mingled with silver. They could have had bible commentaries, and study helps and guides to no end and be completely deficient in spiritual revelation (Eph.1:17-19). Not only deficient but incapable of even feeding themselves and totally helpless. Jesus said they were miserable and wretched. They were spiritually as Job was physically. They were spiritually crippled and lame; spiritually blind and naked. Instead of crying “Lord, what must we do?” they boast “I thank you I am not as other men are.” They spiritually were laying impotently beside the pool of Bethesda as beggars all the while thinking they were rich. (Jn.5:2-3) They had become blind leaders of the blind. (Lk.6:39) Preaching and teaching words to no end and yet absent the gospel of Christ. (1 Cor.15:1-4,2:2, 2 Cor.4:5, Gal.6:14) For the leaders of this people cause them to err.

 

18-19 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

 Christ grants repentance here and invites them unto true riches. His counsel is directing them unto taking up their cross and denying themselves and following him more closely. There are manifold temptations awaiting them that they were avoiding through compromise (e.g. Gal.2:12-3, 6:12). They had forgotten that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Pt.1:7) The Lord desires to refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zec.13:9) Christ, moved with compassion offers to cover the shame of their nakedness with raiment of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work. They have no works of righteousness that will survive his judgment seat (Rev.19:8) and are walking into eternity with great shame awaiting them should they turn away his offer. The Lord has ointment for their blindness should they apply it to themselves. Imagine the blind man after Jesus spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay and instructed him to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”. (Jn.9:5-7) Would he have came back seeing had he disregarded Christ’s instruction? Nay, rather he would have remained in gross darkness. This church is wasting away their space of repentance walking blindly and confidently towards the precipice of eternity.

 But because Christ loves us, he rebukes us and chastens us. Our backwards church pop culture thinks of this in the reverse; that rebukes and chastening are bad, impugning the character of the Lord. But as God told Israel through Moses “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.” (Dt.8:5) And even further back in the time of Job they knew that “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:” (Job 5:17) And even the apostle spoke to us “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb.12:6) My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons. (Heb.12:5-8) Let the Lords rebuke produce the right spirit in us. That we sorrow after a godly sort, that carefulness is wrought in us, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Cor.7:11) Would to God that we despise not the chastening of the Lord not faint at his loving rebuke, that we endure chastisement. (Prv.3:11) There is great wisdom to be found in the rod of his correction. Yea, he that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. (Prv.13:24,19:18) The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. (Psa.118:18) For when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor.11:32) The Laodiceans had become as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke (Jer.31:18) sliding back as a backsliding heifer, filled with their own ways. (Hos.4:16, Prv.14:14) Their backslidings were many (Jer.14:7) yet they were implored to return unto the Lord for his healing (Jer.3:12,14,22). I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (Hos.14:4)

 

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.

 

 How will this church respond? How will we? The Lord’s call is not just to the church as an assembly but each individual in the assembly- ‘any man’ who hears or listens and opens the door Christ will sup with that man. Notice the conditional ‘if’. As with the first instance with Cain “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” (Gen.4:7) And consistently through the scriptures the Lords ways are always equal, (Ezk.18:25-9, 33:20) his balances are always just (Lev.19:36, Prv.11:1, 16:11). His word is true from the beginning (Psa.119:160). Why then would someone not turn to the Lord and fellowship with him in his great mercy? Why would someone not call upon him while he is near and seek him while he may be found? (Isa.55:5-6, Ezek.18:31,33:11) We can eat and drink at his table in his kingdom (Lk.22:30, Mt.26:29). One is reminded of the account in Luke 14 when the Lord likened the kingdom of God unto a certain man made a great supper, and bade many. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. And the Lord responded in anger 'I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper'. (Lk.14:16-24) Who did make it to the supper? The poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. (Jn.9:39-41)

 

21-2 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

 The final call to overcome carries with it a promise of a co-regent position in his kingdom. This has been the theme through these 2 chapters in Revelation, an eye towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil.3:14) The exceeding precious promises of the glorious resurrection unto eternal bliss in his kingdom. There is nothing in the sufferings of this present time worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom.8:18) Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor.2:9) The increase of his government shall never end (Isa.9:7). If we suffer, we shall also reign with him Paul declared. (2 Tim.2:12) Jesus Christ, the very form of God became a partaker of humanity, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil.2:6-11) Christ sat down at God’s right hand in the heavenly places; far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph.1:20-23) We are invited to sit with him and reign forever.

  Would to God that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints and the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. (Eph.1:17-19) May God give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; may we have ears to always hear what the Spirit saith. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.