The Church Of Laodicea: Avoiding The Peril Of The Final Church Age

This is our final study about seven church ages. This article will look at the final church age that is represented by Christ letter to Laodicea. Remember that number seven is a number that represents completeness. We have looked at these ages and have seen how amazingly church history aligns with all written words of Jesus Christ as he wrote to these seven churches.  Of course, as we study these things we remember that all of this scripture is applicable to us.  It there is a challenge to change our ways, we should heed that. If there is a promise to be claimed, we can claim that. If there is an exhortation to heed, we should listen.

We began our study by looking at…

• Apostolic Age (Ephesus)

This age began around 33 A.D. and continued to around 100 A.D. While this church age left their first love for Jesus, they were a desired age because of evangelization.

• Persecuted Church Age (Smyrna)

This age began around 100 A.D. and was a time when ten different emperors of the Roman Empire persecuted the church. This lasted until Constantine declared his empire Christian in 312 A.D. Millions of believers were martyred for Jesus Christ during this age.

• Indulged Church Age (Pergamos)

This age began around 312 A.D. and ends in 606 A.D.  Constantine had made all of Rome’s empire Christian. The church was elevated in society and became married to the government.  Governments indulged the church with wealth, and power, and money.   Most churches compromised and began to allow many pagan influences into the church.

These first three church ages seem to end. But interestingly, our next four church ages will continue up until Christ’s return.

• Pagan Church Age (Thyatira)

This age began in 606 A.D. and due to references in our text will continue into the Tribulation Period.  This church age is known for continual sacrifice, rejecting the finished work of Jesus Christ. The church of Rome is dominant during this age.  Many more pagan influences were let into the church.

• Dead Church Age (Sardis)

This church age began in 1520 A.D. and will continue into the Tribulation Period. These are churches that were escaping and coming out of Roman Catholicism.  While having a reputation of being alive, Jesus calls them dead.  They were found incomplete in their deeds because they did not continue their study of the Word of God and their reformations. They also sought favor of the state and became state churches.

• Faithful Church Age

This church age began around 1750 A.D.  and will continue until the Rapture of the church. They have a promise that they will escape the hour of trial coming upon our whole world.  They walked through the open doors and became a missionary church taking God’s gospel around the world again.

The last of these seven churches is the most disappointing.  Jesus compares this church age represented by the church of Laodicea to the horrible feeling of drinking something that is lukewarm. We are going to call this church age a Lukewarm Church Age.

Each name for the letters carries with it a meaning.

• Ephesus means “desired one” because the evangelism was desired.
• Smyrna has the root of the word “myrrh” which is a tree resin used in burial and symbolic of death in the persecuted age.
• Pergamum means “elevated” or “married” describing what happened to these churches when it was elevated in society and married to the state.
• Thyatira means “continual sacrifice” which is a great doctrinal error of the church at Rome.
• Sardis means “escaping ones” describing those who left the church and began to reform.
• Philadelphia means “brotherly love” and what is more loving than going through the open doors God has to share Jesus?
• Laodicea also has meaning. Laos means “people.” Apparently pleasing people rather than God causes this church to be something Jesus wants to spew out of his mouth. People pleasing is something that has hurt this church age. Rather than stand true to the Word of God, this church age has compromised God’s word to make the people happy.

Our final church age will be dominated by churches that seem to have wealth and money and power, but are lukewarm in their relationship to God.

Revelation 3:13-22 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 realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so 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 him, and he with me. ²¹ To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA

Before we jump into looking at all  characteristics of this church age, let us consider the actual church in the ancient city of Laodicea that received Christ’s letter.  This city must have been very wealthy. This was not a coastal city but rather Laodicea was an inland city. It was about 40 miles from Ephesus. It was highly influenced by Greek culture and had a great deal of commerce.  During this period of time there was a thriving trade of making clothes.  Also, there was a medical school that was famous for making eye salve.  A Roman aqueduct brought water to the city.  That water was lukewarm when it arrived. Interestingly enough, other nearby cities had a thermal spring and a cold spring. But the water in Laodicea was lukewarm.  These churches must have had a lot of money to build great buildings.  There are ruins of three ancient churches dating back to the early days of Christianity that can still be seen.  Christ uses all of these things to speak to Laodicea challenging them to repent.

CHRIST DESCRIBES HIMSELF

There is a definite pattern in how all of these letters are written. Each letter begins by referring to a supernatural force of an angel that is there to minister and bring God’s blessing to each church age. Then there is a reference back to the encounter that John had with Jesus in Revelation 1.   Revelation 3:14 says, “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.”   What we find here are three titles for Jesus that are given.  Only one of three titles that Christ uses to describe himself are found in John’s vision in Revelation 1.  That is the first title of “Amen.”

Three titles given to Jesus:

• “Amen” – Most people have been taught and rightly so that amen means “so be it”. When a pastor says something and it is true you say “Amen” or “so be it” but it also carries with it a sense that it is “true”.  You don’t “amen” something that is false. You say amen to the truth, and so it also means “true” and carries with it a sense of finality.  That is why you say amen at the end of a prayer. When Jesus reveals himself as the “Amen” He is revealing himself as the final truth. Someone would say, “I want to know about God.”  Then study Jesus. He is the fullness of all that God has to say to man. He is the Amen, in other words, Jesus is God’s complete and final revealed truth to mankind.  God has nothing more to say to man that was not said in Jesus.

• “…the faithful and true witness” A witness is one who sees and testifies.  This denotes a fact that Jesus sees all and that what he says is both faithful and true.  There is no arguing with Christ’s statements to this church age.  They are true. When people stand before Christ in judgment they won’t be able to find any falsehood or any guile or any hidden motive in what He says.  Everything that Jesus said was true. He is truth personified and He is truth that was lived out.  And not only is He true but faithful.  A faithful witness.  Jesus faithfully witnessed who God is. Jesus was faithful and always will be faithful.
• “…the ruler of God’s creation.” This denotes that he is God’s final authority. He is the ruler. There is no higher court of appeal. What he says is final. The word that is translated here as ruler is also translated as “beginning” or even “first cause”.  In other words, not only does he rule creation. He actually caused creation.  There are many other scriptures that back up this idea.   John 1:3   “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”  That verse definitely tells us that Jesus is the beginning and the first cause of all God’s creation. Colossians 1:15-17  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

These are scriptural and theological descriptions of Jesus.  When you read these titles in reverse order, it is really fascinating. They reveal Jesus as being the following: supreme cause of creation, faithful witness of all of Gods ways, and final authority. He is the Amen. What does that have to do with the Lukewarm Church age?  If any church would understand who Christ is, they could not stay lukewarm.

CHRIST HAS NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA

The Laodicean church age has a horrible distinction that Jesus literally has nothing good to say about this church. There is no commendation.  This is a sad commentary on the relevance and power of this church before Christ’s coming.  He has nothing good to say about it.  A lukewarm church is something to be ashamed of.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in today’s world that are like this church.

WHAT JESUS DID SAY ABOUT OF LAODICEA

• They are sickeningly lukewarm

Revelation 3:15  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.”  It is not that this church doesn’t ever do anything. They apparently have different actions and steps and things that they do. But one problem is that these deeds are not hot, or they are not cold.  If they were hot, they would be “on fire for God.” They would be endued with Holy Spirit fire. To be hot means that there is a certain zealousness that is a part of ones works. To be cold, means that you have no life.  If one is cold toward God, that means that God has no place in your life.

But this church is not hot, not cold, but simply lukewarm.  It refers to a modern church with lots of activities and committees and plans but no power.  2 Timothy 3:5 I believe accurately describes the Lukewarm church age.  It says, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”  This is a church that claims to be blessed of God, they look like a church, but they deny his power.  Here is the thing. Only God can change the hearts of men.  A church that is hot would know that.  There are a lot of churches today, that are caught up in social action. You can get all caught up in politics, but politics doesn’t change anyone. You can march in the street, and picket abortion clinics, and try to do all kinds of things to change society.  You can go on social media and rant and rave about people’s sins.  But social action doesn’t change anyone’s heart. Only the gospel changes people. Only when people come into contact with God are they changed. In this type of church, people are more interested in planning than praying. Rarely would a person be “born again” in a church like this one.

Revelation 3:15-16  “I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  Jesus doesn’t claim this church. He has nothing good to say about them.  They will be spit out of his mouth, if they do not repent.  Think of how many millions of Christians fit this profile.  They claim Jesus. They claim to be a part of the church. They are not hot, they aren’t cold. They are lukewarm.

• They are deceived about themselves

It is one thing not to be right with God and know it. It is another thing to be so completely deceived about who you are that you are not right with God, and you think you are.  So many people in our world think they are okay and they are completely deceived. How do you know they are deceived about themselves? As you read this, you see a description of what that they have about themselves. Then you see a description that Jesus has of them. They are opposites. Revelation 3:17  “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  And then it immediately says,  but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.“  Deception is an evil thing, and these people have deceived themselves.

It is amazing what they point to as a sign of God’s blessing. They point to their wealth.  It is sad that in our world today, there are churches that have so bought into a prosperity gospel that too would say, “Don’t you see how God has blessed me?  I must be right! I must have his favor.”  Money has nothing to do with ones standing before God. Do I think God wants to bless you? Sure! But true Christianity is not about prosperity. You can be rich and on your way to hell.

LAODACIAS DESCRIPTION OF THEMSELVES

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ Many of the Laodicean churches of today are rich.  They have multi-million dollar buildings, they have fabulous architecture. They have technology that is incredible.  They have large congregations (although many of those members are unconsecrated individuals.)  Human beings have great capacities. They can organize, they can build, they can promote, they can teach.  They are so deceived that they do not need anything. This signifies that they are trusting in themselves.

I was at one a part of a program for pastors. This was kind of an interdenominational type of thing. We visited a church and we were able to spend about 15 minutes with their pastor.  He was a slick administrator.  He was extremely proud of what he had been able to accomplish in a short period of time. He looked down on smaller churches almost immediately, thinking that he was doing everything correctly.

When it came to growing the church, it was their “philosophy” that made them successful.  He spoke long and hard about the importance of spending massive amounts of money on advertising. He talked about billboards, and tv advertising.  This was obviously very important to him.  Then he talked about how he started each service out with a secular song.   Every single second of the 60 minute service had to be completely planned out. Everything had to be relevant to the people.  He said, we use maybe one small portion or two of a verse.  We don’t want too much bible.  They had to get the people in and out to have multiple services.  He literally said, people don’t want to be in church their whole day. They want to come in and get it done and that shorter is better. A few weeks later I met someone from that church. He was at our church doing service to a copy machine or something.  His commentary about his own church was: we do God the Father and Son, but we never do God the Holy Spirit.  I cannot imagine a church like that.  They had recently done a survey of church attenders to try to determine how many were from unchurched backgrounds. He didn’t believe his own survey claiming more people from unchurched backgrounds. It was not about how many were saved. It was about growth and how growth brought money for more growth.  I will be honest. I could never attend a church like that.

Jesus spoke in Matthew 7:22-23 of people who were full of religion but didn’t know Christ. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  Could it be that the plight of the Lukewarm church will be the same?

Today, I stand as a humble pastor and say, I need God. Without Him, I can do nothing. I especially need ministry by the Holy Spirit.  In John 16:14 Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, he says, “He will bring glory to me.”  God’s Holy Spirit working in the church is very much needed.

CHRIST’S DESCRIPTION OF LAODACIA

“But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

• “wretched, pitiful”

To be wretched is to be in a deplorable state of distress or misfortune. It means that they are miserable.  This obviously speaks to their future state as well if they don’t repent.  Riches don’t really satisfy the human heart. My wife in her business has taken care of some super wealthy people with home health care, but they were miserable.  Just like wealth doesn’t make you happy. Even so, reading books about self improvement, or how to have peace, or having a positive attitude doesn’t really change the human heart, only Christ can do that. People like this are to be pitied.

• “poor”

True riches are not found in money, or houses, or piling up wealth. To be truly rich is to know Christ. Though rich in material goods, they were poor because they didn’t know Christ.  Mark 8:36  “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”  If a man has wealth his whole life and then dies without Christ, he lived a poor life.

• “blind”

To be blind spiritually means that you are not currently seeing God’s truth.  God’s word speaks of how the God of this world has blinded all minds of those who do not believe the gospel.  This implies that they are missing something very essential, they need to have their eyes opened so that they can see how glorious God’s good news is!

• “naked”

Even though Laodicea clothes itself in religion, and good deeds, in Gods eyes they are missing beautiful robes of righteousness necessary to be right with God. Adam and Eve felt naked in God’s sight as His all seeing eyes penetrate to know the real person.

Isaiah 61:10

“I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Obviously, someone who does not have on the robe of righteousness is not right with God and naked in his sight.

CHRIST’S ADVICE TO THIS CHURCH AGE

Christ counsels this Lukewarm church age of Laodicea to do four things: All of these items are part of a salvation experience.

Revelation 3:18-19  “ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”

 “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,”

It is interesting that Laodicea while being called poor is asked to buy something.  We who know that eternal riches are not purchased with money, but rather with the shed blood of Jesus.  1 Peter 1:7 says our faith is more precious than gold and silver that perish.  There is nothing more valuable than our faith.  Isaiah spoke of buying things with no money.

Isaiah 55:1  Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

This is a reference to salvation. Salvation has been purchased by Christ’s death on the cross. It is not that salvation didn’t cost anything. No! There was a huge price paid, but it was paid for by Jesus.   I am so glad we don’t need money to buy salvation.  The poorest of the poor can pay the price for salvation which is humbling oneself, calling on the name of the Lord and believing in him.

• “I counsel you to buy from me…white clothes to wear

Isaiah 61:10 talks of those clothes we are to wear.

“I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

We know that righteousness is imputed to human beings when they call on Jesus’ name  and are saved. You cannot come into the presence of God without being dressed in these spiritual garments.

• “I counsel you to buy from me…salve to put on your eyes, so you can see…”

It shows that they needed spiritual illumination in order to come to Christ.  Just like God opened up Lydia’s heart to receive salvation. God takes all scales off of one’s eyes as they humble themselves and call upon His name to be saved.

• “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.”

While no one likes to be rebuked, or chastened or disciplined by the Lord, at times it is necessary.  An individual can chafe underneath that discipline and rebuke or grow under it.  What we see here is how much Jesus loves. It is His love that rebukes and disciplines our lives.

• “be earnest, and repent.”

Any lukewarm, materialistic, indifferent church is challenged to repent.  To be earnest means to be serious about it.

 CHRIST’S COUNSEL TO INDIVIDUALS

1. 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 him, and he with me.

How does he knock? I can assure you he has many ways. When you see your bible your grandma gave you. When you talk with a friend who mentions God. When you see things happening in our world and wonder about your future and your mind turns to God. He is knocking. Will you open to Him today?

²¹ To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

 This final encouragement to the church of Laodicea should motivate them to get right. To rule and reign with Christ has to be one of our greatest privileges as true believers.  Open up your ears and let’s not be lukewarm but red hot for God in this day!