(PART I)
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” – Revelation 3:19, 20
INTRODUCTION
The past several weeks have been very instructive, as we have taken time to go through the most popular set of letters we have in the Bible. We have seen that though these letters were written to a group of churches in the 1st Century in Asia Minor, they are as relevant to every believer in this 21st Century, wherever they might be living in this earth.
These articles are by no means the last word on the different issues raised in their contents. There is so much more to explore, for the improvement of our churches today, and for us as believers individually. Every letter reminded “he who has an ear” to remember the instructions to the churches. I therefore urge that you take time to reflect more on these messages on your own.
Today we come to the last letter to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3. It was written to the church in a place called Laodicea.
History tells us that Laodicea was an important city that was in the midst of two others -Colossae and Hierapolis. Colossae was renowned for its pure springs of cold, refreshing water and Hierapolis for its hot springs, which provided a safe haven for a lot of medical conditions.
Laodicea was well known for its textile and banking industries. These industries were based on the fine black wool the city produced, and the gold that was the main currency of exchange. It also had a medical school where its professors produced ointment for the treatment of ear and eye infections. Its major lack was that it did not have a good source of water. But since the city was wealthy, its citizens did not feel the lack. They simply constructed a special plumbing system to pipe water underground from some hot springs about six miles north of the city. By the time the water flowed down the stone pipes to Laodicea, it was warm and no longer hot.
There were Christians in this wealthy city. And God saw the need to send them a letter. This letter follows the same format as the earlier ones, and has the distinctive features of the church’s description, diagnosis of its spiritual condition, and prescription for their diagnosis. The letter was sent by the same person, Jesus; through the same person, John the Revelator; and addressed to the same person, the angel of the church, or the Pastor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA
Five earlier letters had begun with the introduction of Christ using symbols from the vision in Revelation 1:12-16. But, here Jesus used an introduction that sets the tone for His message: “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:” – Revelation 3:14.
In this brief introduction, Christ covers the beginning of creation to the end, or the Amen. He talks about faithfulness and truth, and how these are the key elements in every witness. Why such a start? What was it about this church that invited such an introduction?
The Apostle Paul carried a spiritual burden for believers throughout his ministry. He visited, wrote to encourage, prayed for, recommended, reconciled, chided, and did all in his power to keep new members focused on their spiritual walk with God. Though Paul had not started the churches in the valley area where Colossae and Laodicea were located, he had spent considerable time in Ephesus about 100 miles away. While there, he got acquainted with Epaphras, the Colossian believer who had taken the gospel to his people and established churches in the area.
Epaphras gave such glowing reports about the zeal of the believers in the Colossae area that Paul’s heart went out to them. Though unable to visit them, he wrote to encourage them while in prison and Epaphras visited with him. Assuring them of his watchful prayer on their behalf, wrote to the Colossians: “I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.” – Colossians 2:1.
Towards the end of that letter, he mentioned having written a letter to the Laodicean church, which he wanted them to exchange so that both churches could have the benefit of both letters: “Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.” – Colossians 4:15,16.
It is from these earlier brief mentions that we get a glimpse into what the Laodicean church was when it started. They had not merely existed, but had practiced their Christian faith in a way that had caught Paul’s attention. They had been blessed with a faithful leader, Epaphras, who worked hard for their spiritual growth and travelled far and wide to get additional resources he used to nurture them. They had started well, much like the Smyrna and Philadelphia churches in the Asia Minor region, which had also been faced with difficulties that threatened their faith, but still managed to hang on to something that the Lord could use.
So, what was the spiritual condition of this church by the time of the Lord’s letter to them?
DIAGNOSIS OF THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF LAODICEA CHURCH
Unlike all the other six churches, the Lord had nothing good to say about this church. Right from the start, He launched straight into their spiritual problem: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” – verse 15.
There was no minority membership to commend, no remnant of faithfulness to encourage, nothing of repute that remained from their conversion. Like the warm water that flowed out of the pipes in their city, the church members had also gone warm spiritually. They had traveled miles in their Christian walk, and had lost their zeal as a result. Flowing through pipes of complacency and compromise, they had become a breed of Christians unfit in name and purpose. Many people detested the tepid water of the city. So did God detest this church that had grown lukewarm.
Already in His mouth, Christ said: “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of My mouth.” – verse 16. God had earlier placed them in His mouth as a testimonial of the power of His salvation and the faithfulness of those who had laboured for their spiritual growth. Those faithful shepherds had died, and the members had proved unfaithful to their legacy.
But that was not even all. This church whose members had once burned with zeal were not aware of their spiritual decline and true condition. Lukewarm from complacency, they then claimed the wealth of their city into their spiritual life and saw themselves as rich, wealthy, and in need of nothing. After all, they had gold, black wool, and produced eye salve for customers far and wide.
Rich in earthly goods they might have been, as citizens of a prosperous city with wealthy neighbours, but in the sight of God they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. The gold that was in abundance in their banks were not enough to buy their salvation. The black wool they spun into many rich garments was the wrong colour and type for their nakedness. And the eye salve they produced had no power to open their eyes to discern the spiritual things of God. They were blind, wretched, naked, and poor, but arrogantly saw themselves as rich and in need of nothing. Alas, so are some of our churches today.
Let us consider the words of the hymn “Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life” authored by Priscilla Jane Owens. It is a challenging song, and yet, in the chorus, it is a song of hope and assurance.
1. Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Refrain
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
2. Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear?
When the breakers roar and the reef is near;
While the surges rave, and the wild winds blow,
Shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?
3. Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
While your anchor holds within the veil.
4. Will your eyes behold through the morning light
The city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
When life’s storms are past for evermore?
To be continued!
Stay Blessed!
Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.