TUESDAY
In the sermon this week we focused on two churches. We will cover all of the churches in the devotional, the rest of the week, but we are beginning with the two churches we covered in the sermon.
Although I am not adopting the historicist interpretation of the seven churches, the warnings to the church of Laodicea certainly resonate the most with the American church that we find ourselves in today. So let us begin there.
Laodicea was a wealthy city in Asia Minor, situated on popular trade routes. It was a banking center and famous for its black wool. After an earthquake in AD 60, the city did not accept Roman help but used its own resources to rebuild. Think of it like New Orleans refusing to accept federal funds to help rebuild after a hurricane, in order to show the country that they are wealthy and self-sufficient. Jesus has nothing good to say to this church.
Titus was honored in the city as a son of a god in the city. The gate of the city was dedicated to Emperor Domitian and to the god, Zeus. The Greco-Roman gods were commonly worshipped, along with the Roman emperors in the imperial cult.
Revelation 3:14-22 To the Church in Laodicea
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
Jesus addresses himself as the Amen. This is a reference to Isaiah 65:15 in which YAHWEH refers to himself as the “God of Amen.” This is translated “the God of truth.” Jesus is here equating himself with God. This passage is written to rebuke those who claim to follow God but they are not following his ways in righteousness. This is similar to the Laodiceans, who need to know that God is faithful to his promises, and he will judge righteously.
Jesus is also said to be the faithful and true witness. He is the example they should follow. He is also the “beginning of God’s creation.” The word, here translated “beginning,” is best understood to mean authority and the creator of God’s creation, not that Jesus was the first creation. Creation was made through Jesus (Col. 1:15-20).
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Jesus knows their works and they aren’t good. Jesus wants their works to be either hot or cold. This is a reference to the water in the city. Aqueducts carried water into the city, as with other cities. Water flowing from the nearby mountains would be cold and water flowing from a distance would be hot. Cold water was refreshing and invigorating. Hot water was good for medicinal, cleansing purposes. To be lukewarm is either to be useless or it is to be contaminated. Jesus threatens to spit them out of his mouth. “Spit” is too nice of translation. Vomit is better. This evokes not only a gag reflex but images of Israel’s punishment in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 18:24-25 God tells the people that if they don’t follow the Law, the land will vomit them out of it, i.e., they will be sent into exile. Here, Jesus is saying that if they do not repent, he will discipline them severely or they will not receive their final inheritance, meaning they are not truly Jesus’ people.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
The people claimed to be rich, prosperous and in need of nothing. They were materially wealthy. However, Jesus reveals to them that they are actually wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked spiritually. In the words of Tom Schreiner, “The richness of the Laodiceans indicates that they are assimilating and accommodating the cultural mores of their day and are becoming more like Babylon in their affections and actions…The Laodiceans are complacent, smug, and self-righteous, and they need to realize their desperate condition.”
Yet, as God, the Amen, as the true and faithful witness, as the ruler of God’s creation, Jesus is able to remedy their situation. The solution is to come to him. They are to buy from him. This idea is in Isaiah 55:1 where God calls the people to buy from him wine and milk without price, because it’s free. The Laodiceans are to buy (for free) gold refined by fire—faith revealed in spiritual, inner life character and fruit that is tested by trial and proven to be genuine. They are to “buy” from him white garments—signifying righteousness. They are to put on the righteousness of Christ and live righteously in his strength. Then they will not be ashamed of their nakedness. This is likely a reference to the final judgment. With the righteousness of Christ, they will not be put to shame. Jesus also offers them salve to heal their eyes so that they can see their spiritual poverty through their material wealth.
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
These are not the words of an angry emperor on a power trip. These are the words of the one who loves us and gave himself for us. These are the words of a loving father.
He calls them to wake from their apathy and indifference and zealously repent. He even gives them an illustration. He isn’t kicking the door in and dragging them out by force. He is knocking at the door and waiting for the invite to dine with you. Hearing the voice of Jesus is key. You must hear his voice in these words and open the door. In repentance you open the door and allow Jesus to dine with you in fellowship and intimacy.
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered 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.’ ”
Those who conquer, those who repent and buy from Jesus true faith and righteousness, will rule with Jesus in the new creation. Accepting reproof and discipline while repenting may seem like the opposite of power now, and they are. But in the way of the lamb they are the path to ruling in the new creation with Jesus.
Note that the words of Jesus are the words of the Spirit. They are one and the same.
Reflection
Repent of your self-sufficiency. Confess your desperate need for God in your spiritual and physical life. Buy from him faith that is refined by fire—genuine character that is revealed through trial. Buy from Jesus his righteousness. Clothe yourself in white garments from him. Buy from him ointment to help you see your desperate need for him. Ask him to reveal the pride of your heart.