Sunday, December 1, 2013

LAODICEA – WRETCHED, MISERABLE, POOR, BLIND AND NAKED


The final letter is addressed to the body of believers at Laodicea.  Antiochus II built this city for his wife Laodice, and it was originally known as Diospolis, the “city of Zeus.”  The city often experienced earthquakes and was completely destroyed in 60 AD.  It was not far from the city of Colossae. 

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 thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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: 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. 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. 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 Lord identifies Himself to this church as the Amen, the true One, the Creator.  This church needs to recognize that God’s word is just as sure now as it was when He first created the world.

Again, the Lord declares that He knows their works and compares their effectiveness to lukewarm water—neither cold and refreshing or hot enough for comfort or healing.  According to Wikipedia, “The archaeology shows Laodicea had an aqueduct that probably carried water from hot mineral springs some five miles south, which would have become tepid before entering the city.”  Lukewarm water doesn’t taste good.  A lukewarm church does not put a good taste in the Lord’s mouth; He’d rather spit it out.  In fact, the word for “spue” is “emeo,” which means to vomit; it’s where we get our word emetic. 
 
This church considered itself to be blessed because they were rich; they really didn’t see that they had need of anything.  Jesus, on the other hand, sees them as wretched (distressed, miserable), miserable (pitiable), poor (spiritual paupers), blind (mentally—they don’t recognize their condition) and naked (without clothing—the garments of salvation).  This was a church in name only.  I liken this church to the wealthy churches today that provide social functions for the community and humanitarian aid for those in need, but they are really serving self and not God in the process.
Jesus uses the language of money to get the attention of this church and advises them to buy from Him “gold tried in the fire” and submit to His will and testing to earn treasures in heaven; spiritual riches are the true riches of eternity.
1 Peter 1:7 “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….”

To buy white raiment is a reference to the garment of salvation given to all that come to Jesus in faith believing on His finished work on the cross.  In Jesus we are presented righteous before the Father.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

Laodicea was known for its medical school and its production of a special eye salve called collyrium that was used to treat eye diseases.  Jesus advises them to anoint their eyes with the salve of truth declared by the gospel that can make one completely whole and healthy.

It would seem that those in this church see themselves as spiritually healthy.  The Lord reminds them that He rebukes and chastens those He loves.  If you are not feeling His rebuke and chastening in your life, it’s a danger sign. 

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

So take this message as a love letter.  Recognize the truth about yourself; turn your apathy into energy and desire—repent (change your motives, actions and direction). 

God is so merciful!!  This time He pictures Himself standing at the door and calling out to them wanting to come in and fellowship with them.  He is not going to force His way in though.  It is a sad day when God is left standing and knocking at the door seeking fellowship with those in this church.  He wants to see them respond to Him with repentance and faith.  He wants them to see with spiritual eyes and hear with spiritual ears. 

Overcomers are basically promised a spiritual inheritance in Him as was declared by the Apostle Paul.

Romans 8:16–17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

(to be continued…)

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