What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation?
John 16:8 NIV
When He comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
John 16:8 “When he comes, he will show that the world is wrong about sin, about righteousness and about judgment — (Complete Jewish Bible)
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Amen: also means "Let it be so"
“The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” These titles emphasize the Lord’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and power to bring all things to their proper completion (the “Amen”). This was the title used for the Lord in the book of revelation in chapter 3.
Pastor focused his teaching on this chapter where a lukewarm church was being rebuked by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:14-22
"What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation?" Laodicea was the final church that was spoken to in the book of revelation. It was located in ancient Asia Minor and the city was a wealthy, industrious province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley.
In contrast to the other six churches that were spoken to in the book of revelation, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it. Jesus begins the message with condemnation: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”
Laodicean was a lukewarm church. Jesus emphasizes their “lukewarm,” apathetic nature three times. As a result of their ambivalence to spiritual things, Jesus would have nothing to do with them. He would “spit them out,” as the people of Laodicea would spit out the tepid water that flowed from the underground aqueducts to their city. With their apathy came a spiritual blindness; they claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient.
Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.
Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see”
Jesus then notes His concern for His church in Laodicea: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”
The Lord Jesus was warning this church of it's need for Him, though they were blind to their need. He spoke to this church out of love and concern.
Is the modern church similar to the Laodicean church? Have we become so comfortable that we do not know that we are wretched and naked? Are we more concerned with our comforts that we look exactly like the world? No wonder people outside of the church see no difference from those in the church. Have churches become so comfortable with "religious spirits" that they have become legalistic, or worse yet just mimicking any social club, rather then the house of prayer that the Father desires? We need to seek the face of God and repent of our lukewarmness. Let us thirst for the Living God and His righteousness.
It is the desire of Pastor to birth a new testament church that is a house of prayer. Every person is important to the kingdom and you are needed to intercede and reach the lost not just in our community, but the greater city and country and world. Join us this next Sunday at 6:00 AM for intercessory prayer. Help us pray for our world.
Amen: also means "Let it be so"
“The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” These titles emphasize the Lord’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and power to bring all things to their proper completion (the “Amen”). This was the title used for the Lord in the book of revelation in chapter 3.
Pastor focused his teaching on this chapter where a lukewarm church was being rebuked by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:14-22
Revelation 3:
14 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Laodicea, write: ‘Here is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Ruler of God’s creation: 15 “I know what you are doing: you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth! 17 For you keep saying, ‘I am rich, I have gotten rich,[
Revelation 3:17 Hosea 12:9(8)
] I don’t need a thing!’ You don’t know that you are the one who is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked! 18 My advice to you is to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be dressed and not have to be ashamed of your nakedness; and eyesalve to rub on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins! 20 Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. 21 I will let him who wins the victory sit with me on my throne, just as I myself also won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’” (Complete Jewish Bible)In contrast to the other six churches that were spoken to in the book of revelation, the Laodicean church has nothing to commend it. Jesus begins the message with condemnation: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”
Laodicean was a lukewarm church. Jesus emphasizes their “lukewarm,” apathetic nature three times. As a result of their ambivalence to spiritual things, Jesus would have nothing to do with them. He would “spit them out,” as the people of Laodicea would spit out the tepid water that flowed from the underground aqueducts to their city. With their apathy came a spiritual blindness; they claimed to be rich, blessed and self-sufficient.
Perhaps they were rich in material things. But, spiritually, the Laodiceans were in a wretched, pitiful condition, made all the worse in that they could not see their need. This was a church filled with self-deceived hypocrites.
Jesus calls the Laodicean church to repent of its sin: “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see”
Jesus then notes His concern for His church in Laodicea: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”
The Lord Jesus was warning this church of it's need for Him, though they were blind to their need. He spoke to this church out of love and concern.
It is the desire of Pastor to birth a new testament church that is a house of prayer. Every person is important to the kingdom and you are needed to intercede and reach the lost not just in our community, but the greater city and country and world. Join us this next Sunday at 6:00 AM for intercessory prayer. Help us pray for our world.
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