The Spirit is pointing us to the Lord one more time. This is a description of the church age to John in AD 95, almost 20 centuries ago. Upon inspecting the key churches in Asia Minor, Jesus felt it needful to deal with the seven conditions churches would go through. Originally handed to those churches, it is relevant to us today. From the Lord Jesus Christ through the hand of the Apostle John, we see before us what is meant to be read and listened to. Each letter ended with the statement he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. We need to believe and take heed.
This letter was to the last church. It had been a good church, as were the others. At one time it was on fire for the Lord, but something happened. Think about how you used to be on fire for the Lord. Have you cooled off? Are you barely warm? Jesus said that’s not good enough. This last letter is a striking description of the church in our day, this age’s final hour. It’s not just for “them out there.” It’s for us in here too. Jesus meant it for the heart of everyone. The other churches were in terrible shape; this one was in dangerous shape. It thought it was okay when it wasn’t. It relied on what it used to be.
After the closing of this letter to Laodicea, no more letters were written to the churches. The letters comprise the first three chapters of Revelation. In 4:1 we read about the voice of the trumpet and John is called to come up. This typifies the rapture of the church. We are in a historical moment. We’re blessed to be in the last church age before the coming of the Lord and the end of all things.
The author of this letter is the absolute authority. He is the faithful and true witness. We live in a time of deception wherein even the elect are deceived. The greatest deception, however, is self-deception. It happens when a person thinks he is all right spiritually, but in God’s eyes he is not. Jesus loves us enough to tell us the truth: be zealous and repent. When we think we’re where we should be but aren’t, he tells us the truth.
He is the beginner and sustainer of all things. Jesus is why we’re saved. We’ve had every opportunity to be revived. Just as he is the beginner and sustainer of all, he is also the Omega—the ender of all things. We are living in the final hours.
At sunset, a new day begins for the Jewish people. Their observance of Rosh Hashanah also begins. They celebrate a new year. Pay attention to what Jesus says today. The next thing to happen on God’s calendar is the rapture of the church. Are you ready for the next day? This letter is our opportunity to fix things up. If you’re warm you will be spewed out of his mouth. Jesus knows what we are, each of us. He wants us anything but lukewarm. I ask you this. Is how you appear to be really how Jesus sees you today? Let’s read what Jesus had John write down in Revelation 3:14-22.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
See yourself through the eyes of the Savior. Do you need to do something about what you see? Jesus advises us—I counsel thee—to repent of dilatoriness. He says of all things, don’t be lukewarm. Get over self-delusions. Jesus wants to be part of our lives. He will be if we invite him. Hear what the Spirit is saying to you today.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 