|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation” (Revelation 3:14, ESV).
The last letter of the Book of Revelation to the seven churches was written to Laodicea. We’ve heard the phrase “saving the best for last,” but this letter should be the opposite: “saving the worst for last” among all the letters.
Laodicea had extreme wealth (think Aspen or Miami today), and if Laodicea existed in the same capacity today and you were the pastor, you could expect large offerings, as even the believers in the city had money. However, the Laodicea of the first century wasn’t noted for supporting missionary endeavors and ministry to the poor but for spiritual apathy.
Jesus uses one word to describe the Laodiceans, a word only used once in the entire New Testament. It’s a word that describes the lowest of the low in spiritual maturity, a one out of 10 for following the Lord. The dreaded accusation of being…
Lukewarm!
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).
This lukewarmness didn’t arise from false teachers, immorality, or worshipping idols, but self-dependency. Laodicea was so wealthy that, when the city was devastated in 17 A.D., and all the other cities in the region required help from Rome to rebuild, Laodicea went ahead and restored itself.
Self-Dependency = Lukewarm
As Jesus says to them in the letter that He told the Apostle John to write…
For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 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” (Revelation 3:17-18).
I’ve read many commentaries on the Book of Revelation, and the ones recently written usually compare the United States of America with Laodicea, as a warning against our great wealth, which creates self-reliance on money rather than faith. Fortunately, the letter to the Laodiceans gives not just a single word, but a sentence that’s as famous as “lukewarm.”
Read these words of grace slowly…
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 (Revelation 3:20).
Jesus Stands at the Door and Knocks!
In our inadequacies and inconsistencies as followers of Jesus, we should realize that, as Jesus stood at the door knocking for the lukewarm Laodiceans, the same offer exists for us now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Please come back soon.
A Note: Tomorrow is Father’s Day, and I realize that discussing a love that’s “lukewarm” isn’t the best theme for celebrating fathers. As an antidote to the “lukewarm” gloom, click this link and listen to the Ed Sheeran/Shakira song My Wife.