Book of Revelation Part 9 Revelation 3:14-22

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1 Book of Revelation Part 9 Revelation 3:14-22 The Church in Laodicea A city in Asia Minor miles Southeast of Philadelphia 11 Miles West of Colosse Paul talks about them to the Colossians Colossians 4:13-16, I vouch for him (Epaphras) that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 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. Founded by Antiochus II, a Seleucid king - Reigned from BC - Named after his wife Laodice (who later poisoned him) Originally built as a strong garrison on the eastern trade route A centre of Hellenic Culture (Roman/Greek - Many gods and demi gods) 190BC it became a great, wealthy center of industry A financial Mecca (home of the millionaires of the day) - Laodiceans were so rich and self-reliant that they were all but unbearable Entertainment was a major industry (theatres, a stadium) Famous for its production of Phrygian Powder, a remedy for weak eyes When an earthquake in AD 60 leveled the city, they recovered without any outside help from Rome or neighbouring cities - Tacitus writes, The same year Laodicea, one of the most famous cities of Asia, having been prostrate by an earthquake, recovered herself by her own resources, and without any relief from us.. Though a struggling church at the time of this letter, it became a hub for Christianity by the 4th century - In 361AD one of the councils determining the canon of the New Testament was held here - Today, no Christians are represented in Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22, To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 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 that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The Description of Jesus Vs. 14, These are the words of the Amen Amen = Hebrew Amane = Properly Firm; Trustworthy - Said by the One who doesn t just speak the truth but IS the Truth Amen (Traditionally = so be it = I agree ) - People often say amen after a prayer as a benediction, What you prayed, let it be a reality Jesus uses it at the beginning of the letter to say, I am the reality, What I am about to tell you is the reality whether you agree or not. Vs. 14, the Faithful and True Witness Jesus never fails! 2 Timothy 2:13, If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. - Even in the midst of unfaithfulness, Jesus remains faithful Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Note in these scriptures that Jesus faithfulness includes the process of your perfection - Jesus doesn t just rebuke, He s says, Let Me help you in the recovery No one else can claim this. No one else has a perfect track record of faithfulness. - Therefore, Faithfulness becomes hard to believe, perhaps that is why Jesus bookends it with The Amen and True.

2 To be a Witness, 3 things are necessary: 1. To have seen the events with His own eyes (Jesus, The First and Last not only sees what has happened, but He sees what will be) (Think about what Jesus has seen: Heaven, Hell, the Spirit realm, Creation, the edge of the galaxy, the inside of a womb, people: the proud, the humble, the hateful and the lovers) 2. To be competent to relate it for others (Jesus, The Amen, the Faithful, the True is qualified) 3. To be willing truthfully to do so (The information needs to be important enough for the witness to testify) Vs. 14, the Ruler of God s creation Jesus makes Himself one with Creator God. - This drove the Orthodox Jews mad (it still does) John 10:30-33, I and the Father are one. 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me? 33 We are not stoning you for any good work, they replied, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God. When Jesus makes these statements, He cannot be taken as just a Good Teacher, or a Good Prophet - 3 Choices: Lunatic, Liar or Lord Ruler : King James uses Beginning - This has caused confusion in the past. - Was Jesus Created? Since Jesus was the part of God that would come as a man to redeem them, was He an idea that was Created at Creation (being otherwise unnecessary)? - Absolutely Not! - The Greek Word used here is arche (arky): - A Commencement, or Chief. Beginning, Corner, At the First, Magistrate, Power, Principality, Principle, Rule - Therefore, this is declaring that Jesus is the Cornerstone of all Creation. He is not only the Ruler, Creation rests upon Him! - Think about these scriptures in light of that: John 1:3, Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Isaiah 9:6-7, For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Commendation Vs. 15, I know your deeds Are you getting the point: Jesus knows! - He has said this in one way or another to all of the churches so far: - Brings Peace, Comfort and Caution and Rebuke all at the same time! * In this letter, there is no Peace or Comfort in this phrase for the Laodiceans Rebuke Vs. 15, you are neither hot nor cold This was concluded by their deeds - Deeds control the spiritual temperature of a believer You are saved by Faith and not by Deeds, but it s your Deeds that prove your Faith - If you truly have Faith in Gravity, you will stop walking off of tall buildings James 2:14-19, What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. - You are saved by Grace and not by Deeds, but it s Grace that motivates you to Good Deeds Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. - Faith doesn t just change your Deeds, it changes the Reason you do what you do - Grace displays the relationship that Jesus wants to have with you. Jesus did EVERYTHING to pay the penalty for your sins. His motivation was Love and Relationships (Remember the letter to Sardis, Walk with Me ) - Also, Remember the letter to the church in Ephesus. Their Deeds were Hot but they had still forsaken their First Love

3 The Greek words for Hot and Cold are in the masculine not the feminine tense. - If it was in the feminine tense it would have referred to the Church - Because it is in the masculine tense, it is referring to the Angel or Messenger of the Church - Pastors are responsible for the spiritual temperature of their Church! Vs. 16, because you are lukewarm Once again, Jesus says, If you, Then I - Cause and Effect; You reap what you sow; Your Will is ultimately in charge of your destiny - Lukewarm is an undesirable state: - When cold drinks are warm and there is no ice to cool them down undesirable - When hot drinks have lost their steam undesirable - Their Deeds are Lukewarm: - I don t hate people; they just don t like being around certain people. - I see the needs, but because I can t fix everyone, so I don t help anyone. - I don t sin, but I don t read my Bible. - I pray, but I m too busy to go to church. - I don t like what my friends do, but I tolerate it because they are my friends. - God can have my time, but I don t want Him to have my money. - God can have my money, but I don t want to give Him my time. - I love people, but I love pornographic websites. - I talk to God throughout the day but I don t devote time to Him - I devote 30 minutes every day to God, but I don t talk to Him throughout the day. - They aren t completely void of Christian activity, but they are sitting on the fence - One foot in the world, One foot in the church The Church in Laodicea was in a rich society amongst people who lived for entertainment - Perhaps, the church delved into the entertainment bending some morals along the way - Perhaps, the church spent more time entertaining then in serving Vs. 16, I am about to It is an imminent event, but it may not happen - It is a Call for Repentance! - If you continue to be lukewarm, Then I will reject you - If you Repent, Then I will receive you Remember Jezebel (Thyatira letter), I gave her time to Repent - Jesus is patient but there is a limit. Fair Warning! Vs. 16, spit you out of my mouth Lukewarm is undesirable The Message, You re not cold, you re not hot far better to be either cold or hot! You re stale. You re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. Jesus uses a disgusting analogy on purpose - People spit when the contents of their mouth are disgusting - Spitting is a rejecting (or ejecting) of the contents - Once a liquid is spat out it is useless. It cannot be rescued. Luke 14:34, Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. - A Christian that doesn t persevere or continue to overcome is good for the manure pile! Throughout the New Testament there are warnings that if you carry the Name of Jesus, you represent Christ Himself - Christians can harm the integrity of Christ by Claiming His Name but not living like Believers - Jesus can t risk this poor representation. He will reject them so that others may be rescued. * We must all Finish Well.for Jesus Name s sake Vs. 17, You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. Here Jesus exposes the true identity of the cause of their being lukewarm - Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state - NOTE: Riches and Wealth were not the crime; it was the illusion that they no longer needed Jesus anymore

4 Luke 12:16-21, And he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops. 18 Then he said, This is what I ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I ll say to myself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. 20 But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? 21 This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God. - Wealth isn t the issue; Being poor in God is the issue You say - not reputation this time but your own self evaluation is inaccurate Money and Wealth create the illusion that you are secure - But these are only valuable as long as other people think they are valuable - Depressions and Recessions expose this: Money looks the same, but the Value changes How? Where? In the mind s of men! The issue isn t wealth, it s feeling self sufficient - I know poor people who don t have a perceived need for God. They are guilty of being Lukewarm as well. Throughout the ages, however, Riches and Wealth have been the agent that have lulled people to sleep in Christ. 1 Timothy 6:10, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:9, Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Human Instinct: If you don t NEED God, you won t WANT God - Riches and Wealth relieve you of NEEDS - Trials, on the other hand, reveal your NEED NOTE: There is no sign of persecution of the church in Laodicea - Could this be why God is doing more powerful things today in other harsh countries, yet seems so absent in North America? True Christians understand this when you are truly in love with Christ and connected to Him: Philippians 4:12-13, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want Vs. 17, But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Jesus introduced Himself as the Amen - It s not your opinion that s truth, it s mine - Jesus says, Our opinions of your spiritual state are different: But My opinion is the Amen (Truth) Wretched = a very unhappy, unfortunate, poor state - There are happy poor people in the world. Wretched is reserved for the unhappy poor. Pitiful = very small or poor - This is also an observation word. You are to be pitied even if you don t pity yourself. Poor = Complete Opposite of their boasting - Whatever is seen is temporary; Whatever is unseen is eternal: - In contrast, Jesus saw the earthly poverty of the Church in Smyrna but declared that they were Rich! (Rev 2:9) Blind John 12:40, He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn and I would heal them. - Sin results in a numbing effect: Their blindness reinforces their wretchedness and pity 1 John 2:9-11, Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

5 - This scripture reinforces the Lukewarm life resulting in Blindness - You cannot claim something you don t have: - Patience; Kindness; Gentleness; Loving; Humble - In fact, others must see the quality before you can claim it Galatians 6:3, If anyone thinks they are something when they are nothing, they only deceive themselves. Naked - A sign of Poverty: Another way of saying, You aren t rich, you are poor! - Add Blindness to this: You don t even know when to hide your shame - Clothing wasn t part of the original Creation Plan - When sin entered Creation, clothing became necessary - In Revelation, clothing is symbolic of their spiritual condition: - Soiled (The Church in Sardis) = sinful - White = Righteous (Jesus was wearing white while reciting this letter) - Naked = sinful and disgraced (probably because they were once clothed in white) - Naked = Embarrassingly poor Paraphrase the verse: You are poor, miserably poor, everybody sees it and it s pathetic because you don t see it; your so poor it s embarrassing! Promise Vs. 18, I counsel you Jesus will never force you to Him or to Repentance. Vs. 18, to buy from Me gold refined in the fire Jesus is about to speak their language! Money! 1 Corinthians 3:12-14, If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved even though only as one escaping through the flames. - Not only will the earthly riches be destroyed; the heavenly riches will be refined! Refined = Pure, Perfect, Valuable! - Eyes of blazing fire - judgment proof! - Foot of burnished (red hot) bronze (brass) - sacrifice paid! Vs. 18, so that you can become rich Greek word used here for Rich = increased in goods, enriched! - Indicates that they will, in the greater reality (spiritual reality), be richer than they thought they were in the natural. Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - And where your heart is, your treasure will expose it Vs. 18, and white clothes to wear White = Righteous - Right standing with Christ is the ultimate goal of Life! Everything else is secondary Since Jesus is wearing White, this is a comment of Relationship! - We will be dressed the same; co-heirs with Christ! - The fact that Jesus doesn t wear something more regal or more white, yet we know how powerful and matchless He is: It is a testament to the Position and State we will be in in Heaven! Vs. 18, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness Notice that there is no Process: - When you turn your eyes towards Jesus and Repent, you are instantly CLEAN and CLOTHED!

6 God said to Adam and Eve, who told you you were naked? - The knowledge of Good and Evil exposed their nakedness Vs. 18, and salve to put on your eyes Jesus knew the Laodicean s would recognize this term and how valuable it was: - They were famous for making Phrygian Powder - They made money off of the need for Good Eyesight Jesus is saying, I made a salve better than yours that will expose the craving for money that your salve has caused Vs. 18, so you can see Jesus restores everything! - You are Rich - You are Clothed - You can See - And everything is exponentially better in quality and endurance than what you had previously acquired yourselves Jesus wants to open your eyes to His Heart and His Will. To see what He sees! From Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible : The Holy Spirit s unction, like the ancient eye-salve s, first smarts with conviction of sin, then heals. He opens our eyes first to ourselves in our wretchedness, then to the Saviour in His preciousness. Look at the theme Paul gives to the Colossians in a letter intended also for the Laodiceans: Colossians 2:1-3, 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. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Jesus had been calling them for a while Exhortation Vs. 19, Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline There it is! Word for word! The motivation is LOVE! - Remember the premise of Revelation Chapter 1: Jesus introduction - no matter what it sounds like, my motivation is my Love for you! This is reinforced throughout the Bible Hebrews 12:7-8, Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Reinforces the problem with Laodicea: - Because they were self-sufficient and had no perceived need of God - not discipline, they were about to become illegitimate children; spat out of Jesus mouth Vs. 19, So be earnest and repent Again, Jesus always gives us the opportunity to Repent, but there is a limit to that invitation: - So be earnest don t delay! Hebrews 3:8, Today, if you hear His Voice, do not harden your hearts. Vs. 20, Here I am! Ultimately, this is the invitation. This is the Prize! Jesus is the Ultimate goal of Life! Jesus is the Reason you are on this planet! - After every Rebuke, Jesus adds a Future Excitement if there s repentance Vs. 20, I stand at the door and knock Jesus referred to the door in His letter to the Church in Philadelphia as the Salvation - Here, Jesus is saying, I didn t just give you the door I m also standing at it, knocking, trying to get you to open it! - The relentless pursuit of God for Humankind since the Creation of the World is remarkable! Vs. 20, If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door Again, it starts with you! If you, Then God. Your Will is the only thing standing in the way The door is Salvation - on the other side is Heaven (Rev 4); The keys of David

7 Vs. 20, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me. Hear the Relationship and Anticipation and Excitement in Jesus towards Humankind! Vs. 21, To the one who is victorious Again, the recurring theme to Persevere to the End! Vs. 21, I will give the right Fighting for our rights on this planet causes unforgiveness: - You can t treat me that way - You can t take that away from me - You can t demote me without cause - You can t take my position from me - You can t treat my possessions that way * which all lead to cutting of Love from the offender * which makes you wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked Letting go of your earthly rights means deserving your Rights in Jesus Vs. 21, to sit with Me on My throne Compare this to your list of earthly rights no comparison! - Laying down your earthly rights can look a humiliating Demotion but it s really a victorious Promotion! Similar to wearing the same White robe as Jesus, the victorious ones will sit on His Throne - NOTE: Not beside His Throne or bowing before it ON IT! - Reinforcing again that believers are Co-Heirs with Christ There is MUCH at stake - There is no middle ground - That is why Jesus really wants people to decide whether or not we are truly willing to follow Him: Luke 14:25-35, Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters yes, even their own life such a person cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. 28 Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, This person began to build and wasn t able to finish. 31 Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be My disciples. 34 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. - Jesus wanted us to connect this teaching with His letters... He who has ears, let them hear! - See the call to persevere to the End! To Finish well! - Have you truly considered what it means to Follow Christ? - Friendships? - Careers? - Possessions? - Social Status? - Laying down your Rights? - Loving Unconditionally? - Sin? Vs. 21, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His Throne Jesus isn t asking us to do anything that He didn t do Hebrews 12:3, Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Vs. 22, Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 1:3, Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.