Spiritual Indifference Unto the Church of Laodicea
Some Facts Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 2
It was founded by the Greecian king Antiochus II (261-246 BC) of Syria, who named it after his wife Laodike. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 3
It was founded by the Greecian king Antiochus II (261-246 BC) of Syria, who named it after his wife Laodike. It was populated by him with Syrians and Jews transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 4
It was founded by the Greecian king Antiochus II (261-246 BC) of Syria, who named it after his wife Laodike. It was populated by him with Syrians and Jews transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia. It became a great center of wealth shortly after 133 B.C., when it was made a province of the Roman empire. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 5
In or about the year 60 A.D., the city was nearly destroyed by an earthquake, but its citizens were so wealthy that they could reject the proffered aid of Rome, and promptly rebuilt it at their own expense. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 6
In or about the year 60 A.D., the city was nearly destroyed by an earthquake, but its citizens were so wealthy that they could reject the proffered aid of Rome, and promptly rebuilt it at their own expense. In 1071 the city was taken by the Seljuk Turks; in 1119 it was recovered to the Christians (Catholics) during the crusades, and in the 13th century it fell permanently into the hands of the Turks. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 7
The Amen Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 8
Revelation 3:14 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; Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 9
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,... was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 10
Have you said Amen? Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 11
The Name Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 12
Laodicea signifies the judging of the people, or, according to Cruden, a just people.... Daniel & the Revelation, p. 400 (1897) Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 13
Laodicea λαος (laos) people + δικη (dike) justice or vengeance Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 14
the people λαος (laos) a people δημος (demos) a public assembly οχλος (ochlos) a crowd/multitude Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 15
the people λαος (laos) a people in general εθνος (ethnos) a nation φυλη (phule) a tribe within a nation Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 16
The people who live during the time of God s judgment. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 17
The people who live during the time of God s judgment. The people who receive justice Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 18
The people who live during the time of God s judgment. The people who receive justice A righteous people Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 19
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 20
Its Time Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 21
The message to this church brings to view the closing scenes of probation. It reveals a period of judgment. It is the last stage of the church. It consequently applies to believers under the third message, the last message of mercy before the coming of Christ... while the great day of atonement is transpiring, and the investigative Judgment is going forward upon the house of God, a period during which the just and holy law of God is taken by the waiting church as their rule of life. ibid Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 22
Its True Condition Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 23
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 24
Question: Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 25
Question: What sensation is common to both cold & hot? Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 26
Question: What sensation is common to both cold & hot? Answer: Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 27
Question: What sensation is common to both cold & hot? Answer: Discomfort Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 28
Revelation 3:16-17 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: Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 29
Hot: spiritually zealous Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 30
Hot: spiritually zealous Cold: spiritually destitute Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 31
Hot: spiritually zealous Lukewarm: spiritually content Cold: spiritually destitute Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 32
Are you uncomfortable with your spiritual condition? Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 33
A Heavenly Offer Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 34
Revelation 3:18 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 eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 35
Jesus has afforded us the remedy for all of our character defects, but are we willing to pay the price? Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 36
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 37
Matthew 18:23-27 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 38
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Matthew 25:28-29 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 39
The Conclusion Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 40
Revelation 3:19-22 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. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 41
Hebrews 12:5-13 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 42
Hebrews 12:5-13 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 43
James 4:13-16 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 44
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 45
2 Peter 1:4-8, 10 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 46
2 Peter 1:4-8, 10 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 47
Manuscript 128, (1903) Much excellent labor was bestowed upon the Laodicean church. To them was given the exhortation, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. But the church did not follow up the work begun by God s messengers. They heard, but they failed to appropriate the truth to themselves, and to carry out the instruction given them. The result that followed is the result always sure to follow the rejection of the Lord s warnings and entreaties. Unto the Church of Laodicea slide 48
The End