We conclude this series of looking at the seven churches of Asia, which were presented using a phrase from a movie several years ago. This phrase, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” seems to fit most of these churches. However, when we come to the church in Laodicea, we changed the title and created new “words” to describe it. There was nothing good to be found in this church.
The city of Laodicea. It was not a well-fortified city, but when Rome brought peace to the city, it became a rich city and a center of the financial area around it. It was a center where garments were manufactured that were worn in much of the Roman Empire. It was also a city famous for eye salve which brought healing. Needless to say, it was a city that reflected its grandeur and glory.
The church in Laodicea, neither “hot nor cold.” In His opening words Jesus describes this church and its lukewarm service to Him. There was no major false doctrine which flourished there. There were no major false teachers. It was a church which still assembled, but assembling was the extent of its spirituality. Tragically this describes many churches today and far too many members of the church. Read His words carefully.
“I could wish that you were cold or hot. So that because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Read them again. The Lord would rather a Christian be cold—one who has totally left the Lord—than one who comes to worship or serves Him when it is convenient to come.
The Lord’s response to such level of devotion is that Christians like this make Him so sick that He is ready to vomit them out of His mouth. Read His words again and soberly apply them to your devotion to Him.
The church in Laodicea did not see themselves as He saw them. They were satisfied and foolishly thought they were rich, well-clothed, and had no need to find ointments for their eyes. Jesus said that they said, “I am rich, I have become wealthy and have need of nothing.” Jesus said, “You are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked” (3:17). He then offered them true riches, white heavenly garments to cover their nakedness and salve for their spiritual blindness.
The letter to this church closes with a picture of Jesus standing and knocking at the door of this church that had everything except Jesus. Today He stands at the door of the entrance to the heart of every lukewarm Christian, knocking and wanting to gain entrance. Never lose sight of the fact that the handle to open the door is on the inside of your heart!
