(Reflections and notes on Jesus’ words to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. Explore the previous parts of this series.)
Let’s get a picture of Laodicea at the time. Situated 40 miles south-east from Philadelphia and 100 miles east of Ephesus where Jesus addressed His first letter. Laodicea had booming economy because it was on a trade route. Known as a banking centre it was known for the production of gold, beautiful textiles for clothing and medical advances including eye-salve that treated eye problems known throughout the region. It was a place for leisure and pleasure. Even Christians in this area had enough to enjoy the affluence. When and earthquake devastated the area they didn’t need help from Rome to rebuild, they were self-sufficient. The place was situated where there was no water, so they constructed avenue of water pipers to bring it into the town. That meant that sometimes the water could be tepid along with minerals that made the water disgusting to drink or use for food preparation. Laodicea was a church that the apostle Paul was concerned about as seen in his request for the letter that was sent to the Colossian church was sent to them as well.
Your Saviour Speaks (vs 14) The three ways in which Jesus presents Himself is not based on any aspect of His appearance, but on the aspects of who He really is. How He is really the Amen – the affirmation of ultimate certainty. He is the only trustworthy one which is why He describes Himself as the one who is Faithful and True. Stating His position as the Beginning of God’s Creation is not to establish Him as created, but establishing His prominence in everything that belongs to the Father – He is the source. In all creation He is the one who is worth being the priority because He is the source. That will help significantly in case certain folks get another impression of who really is the priority.
You Make Me Want To Puke (vs 15-16) Neither cold or hot and as lukewarm ready to be spat out. It’s important to note that when Jesus says He would prefer one or the other, it really does mean that He would prefer His folks to be cold. As the types of water available to the inhabitants had their uses if hot or cold, so saints could be of use for Jesus – even as creation reflects these extremes in different environments. The Laodicean church are not guilty of idolatry or sexual immorality – but by the self-satisfied spirit.
Sick in Self-Sufficency (vs 17) I am self-sufficient, self-satisfied and self-reliant. That state is a wretched one. Those in this position are of no use to anyone. They’re only good to be thrown out. Every time they remark on their material position they expose their spiritual condition. It is a deluded place to be to believe that your position of being self-made, independent and self-sufficient is one that is of worth to God. Jesus points this out in different aspects of their lives whether in their state of dress or their state of sight or their state of genuine wealth. This is the same Jesus after all who pointed out that the great challenge to His lordship was material wealth. It threatens to have mastery over us and it deceived the church in Laodicea. The self-sufficency and self-indulgence left no room to genuinely be dependent on the one who is the faithful and true. Notice that level of delusion – I need nothing. That in essence includes Jesus. This condition leaves a people in a state where they are so poor and destitute and don’t even realise it.
Solutions to the Situation (vs 18) If the problem is self-sufficiency, it should be no surprise that the solution is to turn your back on that self-sufficiency. For every part of the problem, Jesus Himself not just offers the solution, but embodies the solution. offered to each part – don’t look at the things on earth, but seek that which is heavenly. Gold – character that reflects Jesus is found by coming to Him. White garments – purity and righteousness only found in right relationship to Him. Eye salve – only Jesus gives real sight. The sight to see how things really are. See the situation as God sees it. See their lives as God desires it. No more self, but all of Christ.
The Saviour’s Style and Required Response (vs 19) It says something about how much Jesus cares about His church that He takes the opportunity to bring it to their attention. They are still of such value to Him that His love leads to correct and rebuke them. He will give them every opportunity to turn – it is now for them to do the work. The work of repentance is something outlined and the reason to do it is seen in this appeal that Jesus makes.
The Saviour’s Invitation (vs 20) Jesus presents an invitation for deep intimate fellowship. This is not an invitation to unbelievers – this is one being made to those who believe. Not just on an individual basis, but one extended to a community that have placed their trust away from Him. It’s an invitation to return to Him. To return to Him in fullness and receive Him trusting and believing completely finding Him to be the source of all richness rather than the pursuit of the things on earth. It’s an invitation to hear Him and receive Him and to dine with Him and express just how much we really value him. If we really value Him, we will hear Him and look to respond.
The Saviour’s Promise to Conquerors (vs 21) Intimate relationship with Jesus expresses the union with Jesus. That relationship brings us to the place where we truly endure to enjoy. Enjoy that place with Jesus where He is. That place of prominence is dependent on the the place of presence that we have with Jesus. Those that are conquerors because of their love for Him have the ultimate certainty of ruling with Him.
Jesus knows we need Him. Jesus knows that experiencing eternal life and the fullness of it is only available in a loving and faithful relationship with Him. In what He says to Laodicea, listeners should be reminded of their total dependence on Him. Why they need Him so much to see, be clothed and be enriched in what matters now and for eternity. This is countercultural, this goes against the norm of a day that encourages the pursuit of material accumulation and the attainment of true self-sufficiency and independence.
When we see things as they are and just how wretched the human condition is without Jesus, so we will be grateful for all that Jesus is and has done in coming in the flesh, in living the righteous life, in dying on the cross, in rising triumphantly from the grave, in ascending to sit at the right hand of the Father and in offering us access to sit with Him and enjoy true pleasures and riches with Him as we express total dependence.
Questions based on the letter to the church in Laodicea
- What does this letter tell you about the nature of Jesus?
- Why would Jesus wish that the church was cold or hot?
- How does the church overcome the temptation to be self-sufficient?
- How can the church truly embrace the self-awareness that pleases God?
- What can the church do to avoid the criticisms that Jesus addresses to the church in Laodicea?
- What does it mean to dine with Jesus and why it that significant?
- How can the promise to the conqueror actively help the church today?
Recommended Sources
David Treybig on Laodicea as part of the series of seven churches for Life, Hope & Truth
Ray Stedman sermon on The Poor-Rich Church
Commentaries on Revelation 3 by Hank Workman and Brad Boyles of The Warehouse blog
J. Hampton Keathley III writes on the Message to Laodicea for Bible.org
Our Daily Bread’s exploration of Laodicea as part of its series on the 7 Churches of Revelation
David Pawson teaching on Laodicea in his series on the Letters of Jesus
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 