Laodicea - A Disgusting Church
"I know your works: that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
-Revelation 3:15-16
Of all the letters written to the churches in Asia Minor in Revelation, this letter to Laodicea Church is the most scathing. There was no greater indictment against any local church than to be called "lukewarm" because this type of congregation absolutely disgusts Christ.
The city of Laodicea was situated at the crossroads of an important trade route connecting commerce between North/South and East/West. The key mail route of the region found it's stopping point here. Laodicea was a vibrant, prosperous city boasting feats in medicinal eye salve, an abundance of gold deposits, a hub for regional banking, and the production of luxurious black wool. As a matter of fact, when the great earthquake of that time occurred, while other cities were forced to seek out Roman help to rebuild, Laodicea refused aid and chose to rebuild the city themselves, footing the entire bill.
There was much pride and an attitude of self-sustaining power in Laodicea.
Of all that the city could brag about and of all the things it did well, one however was sorely lacking: their water supply. It has been noted historically that the water supply and piping system was so below standard in Laodicea, that visitors who chose to drink 'the city water' would immediately spit it out on the ground due to the pungent odor and grotesque flavor. It was also tepid, lukewarm water, a far cry from the surrounding cities of Colossae (having cold spring water) and Hierapolis (having hot springs).
In his letter of indictment against Laodicea Church, Jesus would use these familiar elements to state His case against them. The message could not be mistaken. Jesus proclaims to them that they were a nauseating church for a couple of reasons (v.15-17):
1) Their membership was "lukewarm", neither "cold nor hot." This was to say they didn't openly reject Christ (cold) nor did they radically live in such a way that they would be seen as 'Jesus freaks' (hot). They were perfectly fine with remaining apathetic and noncommittal to Christ.
With that truth and with the scathing remarks Christ makes just a few verses later, we know that this was a church full of unsaved hypocrites.
2) They were spiritually blinded - they though they were 'good people' who were 'ok with God.' Have you ever heard that before? These are the most difficult people to reach with the Gospel. Not the atheist, not the agnostic, not even someone from a different religious system. The most difficult person to convince of the need for Christ is the one who knows the Gospel and yet refuses to acknowledge his/her sin and the need for Christ's forgiveness. The 'good' person is the most hypocritical person of all, just ask the Pharisees.
In the end, this local church of unsaved, hypocritical membership absolutely disgusted Jesus.
What solution did Christ offer here? (v.18-22)
1) "Buy from Me" - Jesus spiritually countered every bit of their material security.
They were a city of "well-off", prosperous people. Jesus points out that they have the arrogant attitude of "needing nothing." They were sadly mistaken and blind by their own prosperity and comfort. Where they put faith in gold, Jesus offered "gold refined by fire" (spiritual riches of salvation). Where they put faith in luxurious black wool, Jesus offered "white garments (the pure righteousness only He could offer). Where they put faith in medicine, Jesus offered "eye salve" (His Light that could open their spiritually blind eyes).
2) "I stand at the door and knock..." - Jesus loves sinners; it's why He died for all of us on a horrific cross, to bear our punishment for our sins. He calls all to repent and follow Him in faith. The wake up call for Laodicea Church was simple: 'This letter I'm having John write to you is a warning - it's Me knocking on the door of your church. If you respond and let Me in, I will save you. If you leave me knocking, you will die in your sins.' He knocks, but only for a limited time.
The simple question is, how do you respond when He comes knocking?
-Revelation 3:15-16
Of all the letters written to the churches in Asia Minor in Revelation, this letter to Laodicea Church is the most scathing. There was no greater indictment against any local church than to be called "lukewarm" because this type of congregation absolutely disgusts Christ.
The city of Laodicea was situated at the crossroads of an important trade route connecting commerce between North/South and East/West. The key mail route of the region found it's stopping point here. Laodicea was a vibrant, prosperous city boasting feats in medicinal eye salve, an abundance of gold deposits, a hub for regional banking, and the production of luxurious black wool. As a matter of fact, when the great earthquake of that time occurred, while other cities were forced to seek out Roman help to rebuild, Laodicea refused aid and chose to rebuild the city themselves, footing the entire bill.
There was much pride and an attitude of self-sustaining power in Laodicea.
Of all that the city could brag about and of all the things it did well, one however was sorely lacking: their water supply. It has been noted historically that the water supply and piping system was so below standard in Laodicea, that visitors who chose to drink 'the city water' would immediately spit it out on the ground due to the pungent odor and grotesque flavor. It was also tepid, lukewarm water, a far cry from the surrounding cities of Colossae (having cold spring water) and Hierapolis (having hot springs).
In his letter of indictment against Laodicea Church, Jesus would use these familiar elements to state His case against them. The message could not be mistaken. Jesus proclaims to them that they were a nauseating church for a couple of reasons (v.15-17):
1) Their membership was "lukewarm", neither "cold nor hot." This was to say they didn't openly reject Christ (cold) nor did they radically live in such a way that they would be seen as 'Jesus freaks' (hot). They were perfectly fine with remaining apathetic and noncommittal to Christ.
With that truth and with the scathing remarks Christ makes just a few verses later, we know that this was a church full of unsaved hypocrites.
2) They were spiritually blinded - they though they were 'good people' who were 'ok with God.' Have you ever heard that before? These are the most difficult people to reach with the Gospel. Not the atheist, not the agnostic, not even someone from a different religious system. The most difficult person to convince of the need for Christ is the one who knows the Gospel and yet refuses to acknowledge his/her sin and the need for Christ's forgiveness. The 'good' person is the most hypocritical person of all, just ask the Pharisees.
In the end, this local church of unsaved, hypocritical membership absolutely disgusted Jesus.
What solution did Christ offer here? (v.18-22)
1) "Buy from Me" - Jesus spiritually countered every bit of their material security.
They were a city of "well-off", prosperous people. Jesus points out that they have the arrogant attitude of "needing nothing." They were sadly mistaken and blind by their own prosperity and comfort. Where they put faith in gold, Jesus offered "gold refined by fire" (spiritual riches of salvation). Where they put faith in luxurious black wool, Jesus offered "white garments (the pure righteousness only He could offer). Where they put faith in medicine, Jesus offered "eye salve" (His Light that could open their spiritually blind eyes).
2) "I stand at the door and knock..." - Jesus loves sinners; it's why He died for all of us on a horrific cross, to bear our punishment for our sins. He calls all to repent and follow Him in faith. The wake up call for Laodicea Church was simple: 'This letter I'm having John write to you is a warning - it's Me knocking on the door of your church. If you respond and let Me in, I will save you. If you leave me knocking, you will die in your sins.' He knocks, but only for a limited time.
The simple question is, how do you respond when He comes knocking?
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