- The Church of the Laodiceans
Christ - the Church of the Laodiceans Lukewarm
Welcome to today’s Revelation Bible Study, we are at the final letter, to the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans. Today’s reference is Revelation 3:14-22.
“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. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot,” Revelation 3:14-15.
Christ Jesus continues to reiterate that he is aware of all the behaviors of the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans. Additionally, he expresses a desire towards the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans; he wished he were either hot or cold. Christ has this same wish for each Believer. He wants us to completely believe his Word. I pray that you are not as the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans, lukewarm, but with a resolve to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth,” Revelation 3:16.
Like a pleasant brew, we always desire to be in the mouth of God. Being lukewarm has a consequence similar to being cold. We don’t want the Lord to eliminate us but cherish us.
Christ: Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans Ignorant of his Poverty
“Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,” Revelation 3:17.
The angel of the Church of the Laodiceans thought that because he is wealthy “and has need of nothing” everything was OK. Nevertheless, Christ Jesus tells him of his dilemma. The angel of the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans maybe OK physically but Christ says, spiritually he is in a deplorable state and ignorant of it because he “wretched”, “miserable”, “poor”, “blind” and “naked”. Our ways are not the Lord’s ways. Are you in the Lord’s Way? Alternatively, are you like the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans?
“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, Revelation 3:18.
Ultimately, Christ Jesus has the solution to our sorry situations. If the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans accepts the “counsel” of Christ, he would experience spiritual riches and renewing. Believers are rich because we accept the advice of Christ. Failure to accept the counsel of Christ is death and stagnation. Have you accepted the words Jesus for your life? Believe him and do his commandments and you too shall be rich in Christ.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent,” Revelation 3:19. Christ expresses his love for the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans. He rebukes and chastises with his words. Nevertheless, he encourages all Believers to “repent” if they find themselves in similar state as this angel.
Christ Knocks on the Heart Door of the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans
“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, Revelation 3:20. Christ Jesus is the consummate gentleman for he will not impose himself on any man’s will. “The door” could be your heart. By knocking on your heart’s door Christ is asking you to believe his words. He will not enter until you open to him.
If you open the door by believing in Jesus Christ, he will come into your heart and feed you with enlightenment, with illumination that he is God whom became man to save him form sins. Jesus is your salvation. Christ knocks on the heart of the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans and all Believers because he wants you to believe and let him in.
“To him that overcomes 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, Revelation 3:21.
Christ Jesus dictates his final testimony to the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans and to all Believers. No person wants to be in the valley of indecision like the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans. He was uncertain whether he should believe or not believe the word of God. Today he believes and another day he does not. Believe the Word of the Lord that Jesus spoke with all your heart. Accept his counsel, believe his words, and inherit eternal life. A double minded person cannot receive anything from the Lord God because he does not demonstrate any faith in Him.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, Revelation 3:22.
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