15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered 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.'"
DESCRIPTION:
- Destination is Laodicea
- The name means "people ruling"
- Tatford writes that the Laodiceans had a reputation for saying and doing whatever was necessary to preserve their own wellbeing
- Also very susceptible to earthquakes but declined Roman assistance to rebuild the city to do it themselves using their own wealth
- The wealth of the inhabitants created a taste for the arts of Greeks. Also, science and literature were important. A large medical school was established there. Very considerable trade at a major cross-road
- Known for raven black wool production
- A special salve was developed for the eye and another treatment for the ear
- City ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury
LITERAL
/ UNIVERSAL
- What is the point of the description of Jesus?
- Jesus is described as the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation
- This church is in contrast to Jesus' name. They are neither faithful or a witness, and they believe that they ruled over God's creation
- What do we learn about the church from the commendations?
- This is the only church among the seven that receives no commendation from God
- What do we learn from the condemnation, first their temperature?
- They are neither hot nor cold in their love for God. They were apathetic. They didn't really care
- Interesting Laodicea received their water from a spring 6 miles away that traveled by aqueduct and it arrived lukewarm
- Next door neighbor, Hierapolis had hot, spring water that was valuable for its medicinal effects
- Nearby Colossae had cool water that was refreshing as a beverage (Hemer)
- God disputes their opinion of themselves (rich and not needing anything). What does God call them?
- Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (these all refer to their spiritual condition). They probably were wealthy but God is not commenting about their wealth
- What does God tell them that they need, and what does it mean?
- Gold refined in fire. Character qualities and a spiritual witness
- White clothes to wear. In scripture this usually refers to righteousness that a believer receives when he comes to Christ
- Plus, they are naked which means that they did not have any clothes
- I disagree with certain authors who believe this letter was written to a Christian church. Most of the language suggests otherwise
- Salve to put on your eyes so that you can see. A believer can see but an unbeliever cannot see. These are not believers (in my opinion)
- God tells the people
- He rebukes and disciplines those he loves (could be suggestive of a believer but God loves the world)
- They need to repent (an unbeliever also needs to repent)
- Jesus calls them to enter into a relationship with him by opening the door to their life (or heart). These last two sentences sound like a salvation call and not a return to faith
- The promise is "to sit with Jesus on his throne"
- Only a believer can rule with Jesus in the millennial kingdom
- This church needs to believe
PROPHETIC
- For the purpose of the historical-prophetic interpretation, Laodicea is the "Church of the Apostasy" and covers the period of AD 1900-present
- The Philadelphian time period was a great time for the church, but this last church is not so good
- Apostate means to leave something that was previously held
- This is the western church today, apathetic, not believing they have any need, not on fire for the Lord, nor necessarily cold to spiritual things, just not wanting to get too close. The church though is blind, poor, and naked. In other words, the church or Christendom is made up of mostly unbelieving churches
- Paul taught that in the latter days, apostasy would come first
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
- 1 Timothy 4:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
- 2 Timothy 4:1–4 (ESV) — 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
- This is clear the church
- A number of major trends in this century has hastened this departure
- Questioning of the scripture as not inerrant (movement began in Germany)
- Interpret bible doctrines in light of natural law and human reason
- Evolution weakened the confidence in scripture (life from random chaotic events), although without reason
- An unnatural break between science and religion
- Mocking of religion by the elite; 2 Pet 3:3-7
- Commentary:
- Bennetch takes a softer view to the church
- "Faith that accepts the good gifts of God represents the purchase price. Three boons the Laodiceans need to request from the exalted Head for the sake of restoration to fellowship, according to the pronouncement: wealth, dress and sight, which the world could not give. Individually the three may symbolize: faith active in good works, a character unspotted by sin, and spiritual discernment. These gifts were needed to remedy the three failings of Laodicea: fruitlessness, worldliness and blindness." (Bennetch, J. H. (1939). The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Bibliotheca Sacra, 96, 362.)
- APPLICATION: We need to recapture the heart of the Philadelphian church in terms of how God can use us to change nations and a people. We need to make sure we don't fall in love with the world and the things of the world and become apathetic toward God. God wants to use us. But God can only use those who have his clothes, his riches, and his vision for the world
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