FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to give a stern warning to the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is my responsibility to write these blogs out of a heart of Agape Love. One of the most unloving things I could do is to withhold a warning given that we are in the final days of the last days. Those who pursue Godliness and Holiness and give their talents and energy to HIS Kingdom are “awake” and the “time of wrath” will not overtake them as a thief.
I am skipping over the church at Philadelphia for now. Jesus gave the church at Laodicea a stern warning similar to the church at Sardis.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 3:
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My Mouth.
To vomit means: to reject with extreme disgust, especially of a hypocritical behavior; being cast out due to impurity such as immoral practices!
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.
Jesus rebukes Laodicea for being lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — and calls them to repent and become Spiritually zealous while there is time.
They were lukewarm — not fully committed to Christ; spiritually self-sufficient (“I am rich… I need nothing”) but actually wretched, poor, blind, and naked spiritually. They were comfortable materially, but lacking true spiritual life/
Jesus tells them to:
Buy gold refined by fire → true faith
Wear white garments → righteousness/purity
Apply eye salve → spiritual sight
Be zealous and repent
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”
Jesus is outside the church, inviting individuals to let Him in.
Jesus is outside the door meaning the church was religious, but He was not truly welcomed in their lives. He is knocking meaning He is seeking fellowship, not forcing entry. Anyone who hears and opens shows us that this becomes personal, not just corporate. Individuals must respond. He will come in and dine is symbolic of a close relationship, communion, and fellowship.
What was the point? They had religion. wealth, and church structure, but they lacked real intimacy with Christ — so He’s pictured outside.
In essence, “ You’re acting like a church, but I’m not truly welcome.”
“If anyone personally opens their life to Me, I will come in and restore fellowship.”
This is the only church where Jesus is pictured outside, not inside.
It shows lukewarm Christianity without relationship.
The promise to overcomers is that they will sit with Christ on His Throne and
Share in His authority and victory.
Laodicea represents comfortable Christianity — wealthy, religious, but spiritually indifferent. What should you do? Repent, regain Spiritual zeal, and invite Him back into true fellowship.
How many churches fit into this category today? Sadly, there are many.