Laodicea, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
The lukewarm church....
Please get a clear picture of the situation of the church in that era. The church back then was made up of believers meeting in their homes, not a church building as it is in today's society. Today, all too often in organized religion, there is more focus on money and buildings than on God's Word and discipling believers. Laodicea was a wealthy city and the church (meaning the believers) was also wealthy. What the Laodiceans could see and purchase (the carnal) became more of a priority than what was unseen and eternal. Sad to say, there isn't much difference between then and now. Wealth, luxury and ease can cause people to feel confident, satisfied and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or how much wealth you gather, you have nothing if you do not have a close relationship with the King.
The city was very proud of its cloth and dyeing industry, but the Lord told them to purchase white garments from His (His righteousness). Also, Laodicea prided itself on its precious eye salve that healed many eye problems. But the Lord told them to get medicine from Him to heal their eyes so they could see the Truth. And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” The Lord Christ was presenting to the Laodiceans that the true value wasn't in material possessions, but obeying His Word. That is the right relationship. Their possessions and achievements were valueless compared to the everlasting future of Christ the Lord's Kingdom. The Lord made this statement, Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. The ambassador Paul made this statement: But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Notice he says that we will not be condemned with the world. If you are a son, expect to be disciplined. Again, Paul made it clear to the Hebrew believers. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Again, the Lord stated "to him that overcome" they will sit with Him on His throne. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Always remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord God's Word.
John 9:39 Proverbs 3:11-12 I Corinthians 11:32 Hebrews 12:5-11 Revelation 20:4-6
~~W.R. Luchie
Please get a clear picture of the situation of the church in that era. The church back then was made up of believers meeting in their homes, not a church building as it is in today's society. Today, all too often in organized religion, there is more focus on money and buildings than on God's Word and discipling believers. Laodicea was a wealthy city and the church (meaning the believers) was also wealthy. What the Laodiceans could see and purchase (the carnal) became more of a priority than what was unseen and eternal. Sad to say, there isn't much difference between then and now. Wealth, luxury and ease can cause people to feel confident, satisfied and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or how much wealth you gather, you have nothing if you do not have a close relationship with the King.
The city was very proud of its cloth and dyeing industry, but the Lord told them to purchase white garments from His (His righteousness). Also, Laodicea prided itself on its precious eye salve that healed many eye problems. But the Lord told them to get medicine from Him to heal their eyes so they could see the Truth. And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” The Lord Christ was presenting to the Laodiceans that the true value wasn't in material possessions, but obeying His Word. That is the right relationship. Their possessions and achievements were valueless compared to the everlasting future of Christ the Lord's Kingdom. The Lord made this statement, Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. The ambassador Paul made this statement: But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Notice he says that we will not be condemned with the world. If you are a son, expect to be disciplined. Again, Paul made it clear to the Hebrew believers. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Again, the Lord stated "to him that overcome" they will sit with Him on His throne. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Always remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord God's Word.
John 9:39 Proverbs 3:11-12 I Corinthians 11:32 Hebrews 12:5-11 Revelation 20:4-6
~~W.R. Luchie
