Laodicea, Its Believers' Characteristics
The lukewarm church.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 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. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia during Roman times. It was widely known for its banking establishments, medical schools and textile industry. But the city always had a problem with its water supply. At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs. By the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool, only lukewarm. The believers had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city.
Have you ever had lukewarm water? It makes a very disgusting drink, especially if you just came out of the hot sun. The believers in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. Believers in that city didn't take a stand for anything. Indifference led to idleness. It is just like today's society. They attend their brick and mortar church on Sundays and Wednesdays and call it being faithful to the King. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in name only, self-stated believer, who who believes he is self-sufficient.
The believers in Laodicea supplied neither healing for the spiritually sick nor refreshment for the spiritually weary. Have you noticed what the Lord Christ stated? "I will vomit you out of My mouth." My advice to all who claim to be Kingdom citizens is don't follow the Lord Christ halfway. Believe me when I say, you will have to answer for your life. Read and study His Word every day. Give Him the time He deserves in your life. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
There are so many leaders who are financially secure, and we think that they own what they have, but in reality God only gives us access. He owns it all. We are merely stewards--good or bad--of His possessions. The leaders at Laodicea took great pride in their financial wealth, an extensive textile industry and a famous eye salve. Just as in today's society, some believers falsely assume that numerous material possessions are a sign of the Lord Jesus' spiritual blessings. Now, where do you think they got that from? Laodicea was a wealthy city and the members of the church were also wealthy. They were full of the world, comfortable and feeling self-sufficient. They thought they were doing just fine without Him. Their church was a religious ritual. They felt no hunger or need for God. They felt no conviction to obey Him or spread the Gospel. They were content, complacent and disgustingly lukewarm.
Continue to part 2
Revelation 3:14-22 I Corinthians 6:19-20
~~W.R. Luchie
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 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. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia during Roman times. It was widely known for its banking establishments, medical schools and textile industry. But the city always had a problem with its water supply. At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs. By the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool, only lukewarm. The believers had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city.
Have you ever had lukewarm water? It makes a very disgusting drink, especially if you just came out of the hot sun. The believers in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. Believers in that city didn't take a stand for anything. Indifference led to idleness. It is just like today's society. They attend their brick and mortar church on Sundays and Wednesdays and call it being faithful to the King. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in name only, self-stated believer, who who believes he is self-sufficient.
The believers in Laodicea supplied neither healing for the spiritually sick nor refreshment for the spiritually weary. Have you noticed what the Lord Christ stated? "I will vomit you out of My mouth." My advice to all who claim to be Kingdom citizens is don't follow the Lord Christ halfway. Believe me when I say, you will have to answer for your life. Read and study His Word every day. Give Him the time He deserves in your life. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
There are so many leaders who are financially secure, and we think that they own what they have, but in reality God only gives us access. He owns it all. We are merely stewards--good or bad--of His possessions. The leaders at Laodicea took great pride in their financial wealth, an extensive textile industry and a famous eye salve. Just as in today's society, some believers falsely assume that numerous material possessions are a sign of the Lord Jesus' spiritual blessings. Now, where do you think they got that from? Laodicea was a wealthy city and the members of the church were also wealthy. They were full of the world, comfortable and feeling self-sufficient. They thought they were doing just fine without Him. Their church was a religious ritual. They felt no hunger or need for God. They felt no conviction to obey Him or spread the Gospel. They were content, complacent and disgustingly lukewarm.
Continue to part 2
Revelation 3:14-22 I Corinthians 6:19-20
~~W.R. Luchie
