Church of Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church
6. The Church of Laodicea - Rev 3:14-22
Rev 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the ruler of God's creation.
Rev 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are
wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so
you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Rev 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat
with that person, and they with me.
Rev 3:21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat
down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Rev 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the ruler of God's creation.
Rev 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are
wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so
you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Rev 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat
with that person, and they with me.
Rev 3:21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat
down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
After searching the internet for pictures of
The ruins of the church of Laodicea I came across these picture and they all were posted as being the ruins of the church. I not sure which one really is the ruins but it gives you an idea.
The ruins of the church of Laodicea I came across these picture and they all were posted as being the ruins of the church. I not sure which one really is the ruins but it gives you an idea.
History and background of Laodicea
Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities. The city was known for its banks, its manufacture of a rare black wool, and a medical school that produced eye salve. Laodicea lay at the juncture of two major trade routes between Rome and the Orient. The main road from Ephesus on the coast into Asia ran through Laodicea, as did the route from the capital of the province in Pergamum to the Mediterranean coast. The city had a poor water supply. A six-mile long aqueduct brought water to the city from the south, so by the time it reached the city, the water was lukewarm. The city was a center for the imperial cult as well as for the worship of Asclepius (god of healing) and Zeus (chief of the gods). The city also had a fairly large Jewish population.
The church may have been founded by Epaphras (see Col 4:12). It is not known whether Paul ever visited the city, although he did write them a letter, and the letter to the Colossians was read by the Laodicians (Col 4:16).
To this church, Christ is described as the Amen—the faithful and true witness. The word “amen” signals an acknowledgment of something true and binding. Christ was true and faithful, but the Laodiceans were not. They were rich and powerful, but they were not “faithful and true.”
The Problem with the Church
Laodicea’s spiritual works are described as neither cold nor hot (3:15-16). This may refer to the water supply available in Laodicea and two nearby cities, Hierapolis and Colossae. Hierapolis was the site of hot, spa-like waters, used for medicinal purposes. Nearby Colossae was known for its cold and pure drinking water. But the waters of Laodicea were considered nauseous and undrinkable, not useful for any meaningful purpose. Like the city’s water supply, the church is useless in its service to the Lord, and Christ is about to spit it from his mouth.
Like the church at Sardis, Laodicea had been bitten by the bug of complacency. But this church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. It was the only church Christ did not commend for anything. Tragic, indeed!
Laodicea was an important commercial, educational and administrative centre whose citizens were secure and prosperous, lacking nothing. Sadly, the spirit of self-satisfaction among the people at large was found equally in the church. This church has no accusation of idolatry or immorality brought against it, yet it receives the strongest condemnation of all seven.
The Laodiceans not only thought they had all they needed, but they believed their prosperity had resulted from their spirituality. Actually, they were lacking in spirituality. Because of their reliance on material things, they could not exercise genuine faith in God. Nor could their lives witness to the total satisfaction that Christ brings. Christ introduces himself as the one who is faithful, the true witness, the creator with authority over all material things. He tells them plainly that he finds their comfortable spiritual pride repulsive (14-16). He urges them to see themselves as he sees them, as spiritually poor, blind and naked. They must realize that Christ alone can produce truly spiritual qualities in their lives, and he can do this only when they turn from their sins and humbly seek his help (17-19).
The Laodicean church was spiritually blind. Its members thought they could see – thought that they were rich and without any needs. But Christ counseled them to apply a spiritual eye-salve so that they could see how far they had fallen. They needed to be zealous and repent (3:19).
Promise to Laodicea
In the letter, Christ used a metaphor of himself standing at the door and knocking on the minds and hearts of the smug Laodiceans.
Someone or something standing by a door is a well-known biblical metaphor. Jesus used the door metaphor in the context of his disciples’ urgent need to stay spiritually alert (Mark 13:29). James pictured Christ as the Judge standing at the door (5:9). Jesus spoke of his disciples as waiting expectantly for the master so they could open the door to him (Luke 12:36).
The image of Christ standing outside and knocking may also imply that the Laodiceans have locked him out of their church! But the metaphor is also a symbol of promise. Christ is waiting outside, hoping the Laodiceans will be open to his correction and change their ways. If they do, he will come in and share a meal with them (3:20). The fellowship meal figures prominently as a symbol of togetherness with Christ in the kingdom (19:9).
This leads easily to the final promise – a place on Christ’s throne, the symbol of his ruling authority (3:21). If the members of the church repent, they can eat and drink at Christ’s table in his kingdom and sit on thrones of judgment (Luke 22:30).
Summary
Christ still loves his people and asks them to welcome him into every part of their lives. Even if the church as a whole ignores his request, those individuals who open their lives to him will know the joy of constant fellowship with him. If they share their lives with him now, he will share his glory with them in the future
To summarize, in chapters 2 and 3 we have seen the deep spiritual problems in the church, at least in the Roman province of Asia at the end of the first century. The cares of this life, the penetrating power of the society around the members and wrong spiritual attitudes have blocked out the church’s view of Christ to one degree or another.
Summary of the Letters to the Churches
Church in Ephesus
• PRAISE: I know that you do good deeds, and work hard. You are patient and cannot stand evil. You condemn those
who do wrong and hold false teachings to the fire.
• CONDEMNATION: You have left your first love - the core of the gospel.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Remember where it is that you have fallen from, repent and go back to the original teachings.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the paradise of God.
Church in Smyrna
• PRAISE: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich)
• CONDEMNATION: Nothing !!
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Don't fear your suffering - Satan will torment you and you will be tried. Be faithful unto death
and you will have the crown of life...
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: He that over cometh shall not be hurt by the second death (and will have eternal life).
Church in Pergamum
• PRAISE: You live where Satan lives, yet you never renounced me.
• CONDEMNATION: But I have a few things against you, your teachings pollute your people both spiritually and socially
with unacceptable pagan practices.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth!
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a
white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
Church in Thyatira
• PRAISE: I know your deeds, your love, your charity, faith and service. You are doing more of these things than you
ever have!
• CONDEMNATION: While on the outside, you appear as a model church, you are rife with corruption and corrupt
teachings, from deep within. You have committed adultery against me with your idol worship.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Repent now or I will cast you into great tribulation.
• Challenge to Believers: To those who are faithful within, rejecting the false doctrines, hold fast till I come.
Church in Sardis
• PRAISE: I know your deeds - your name carries much recognition among men ...
• CONDEMNATION: But now you are dead.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Remember your beginnings, return to them and repent. You are not paying attention to my
Word and you need to wake up!
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: He that over cometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot
out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Church in Philadelphia
• PRAISE: You may not be the biggest group, but I know your works and your teachings. Even without strength or
power, you have kept My Word and not compromised My name.
• CONDEMNATION: Nothing !!
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: I am coming quickly. Hold onto what you have.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: Him that over cometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go
no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Church of the Laodiceans
• PRAISE: Absolutely Nothing !!
• CONDEMNATION: You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other but because you have
no redeeming qualities whatsoever, I will spit you out of my mouth into the tribulation. You say that you are wealthy and
in need of nothing, but what you don't realize is that you are truly wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: You need to start concerning yourself with eternal riches and not earthly ones, humble
yourself about your sins and open your eyes to My truth before its too late.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that over cometh 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
Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities. The city was known for its banks, its manufacture of a rare black wool, and a medical school that produced eye salve. Laodicea lay at the juncture of two major trade routes between Rome and the Orient. The main road from Ephesus on the coast into Asia ran through Laodicea, as did the route from the capital of the province in Pergamum to the Mediterranean coast. The city had a poor water supply. A six-mile long aqueduct brought water to the city from the south, so by the time it reached the city, the water was lukewarm. The city was a center for the imperial cult as well as for the worship of Asclepius (god of healing) and Zeus (chief of the gods). The city also had a fairly large Jewish population.
The church may have been founded by Epaphras (see Col 4:12). It is not known whether Paul ever visited the city, although he did write them a letter, and the letter to the Colossians was read by the Laodicians (Col 4:16).
To this church, Christ is described as the Amen—the faithful and true witness. The word “amen” signals an acknowledgment of something true and binding. Christ was true and faithful, but the Laodiceans were not. They were rich and powerful, but they were not “faithful and true.”
The Problem with the Church
Laodicea’s spiritual works are described as neither cold nor hot (3:15-16). This may refer to the water supply available in Laodicea and two nearby cities, Hierapolis and Colossae. Hierapolis was the site of hot, spa-like waters, used for medicinal purposes. Nearby Colossae was known for its cold and pure drinking water. But the waters of Laodicea were considered nauseous and undrinkable, not useful for any meaningful purpose. Like the city’s water supply, the church is useless in its service to the Lord, and Christ is about to spit it from his mouth.
Like the church at Sardis, Laodicea had been bitten by the bug of complacency. But this church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. It was the only church Christ did not commend for anything. Tragic, indeed!
Laodicea was an important commercial, educational and administrative centre whose citizens were secure and prosperous, lacking nothing. Sadly, the spirit of self-satisfaction among the people at large was found equally in the church. This church has no accusation of idolatry or immorality brought against it, yet it receives the strongest condemnation of all seven.
The Laodiceans not only thought they had all they needed, but they believed their prosperity had resulted from their spirituality. Actually, they were lacking in spirituality. Because of their reliance on material things, they could not exercise genuine faith in God. Nor could their lives witness to the total satisfaction that Christ brings. Christ introduces himself as the one who is faithful, the true witness, the creator with authority over all material things. He tells them plainly that he finds their comfortable spiritual pride repulsive (14-16). He urges them to see themselves as he sees them, as spiritually poor, blind and naked. They must realize that Christ alone can produce truly spiritual qualities in their lives, and he can do this only when they turn from their sins and humbly seek his help (17-19).
The Laodicean church was spiritually blind. Its members thought they could see – thought that they were rich and without any needs. But Christ counseled them to apply a spiritual eye-salve so that they could see how far they had fallen. They needed to be zealous and repent (3:19).
Promise to Laodicea
In the letter, Christ used a metaphor of himself standing at the door and knocking on the minds and hearts of the smug Laodiceans.
Someone or something standing by a door is a well-known biblical metaphor. Jesus used the door metaphor in the context of his disciples’ urgent need to stay spiritually alert (Mark 13:29). James pictured Christ as the Judge standing at the door (5:9). Jesus spoke of his disciples as waiting expectantly for the master so they could open the door to him (Luke 12:36).
The image of Christ standing outside and knocking may also imply that the Laodiceans have locked him out of their church! But the metaphor is also a symbol of promise. Christ is waiting outside, hoping the Laodiceans will be open to his correction and change their ways. If they do, he will come in and share a meal with them (3:20). The fellowship meal figures prominently as a symbol of togetherness with Christ in the kingdom (19:9).
This leads easily to the final promise – a place on Christ’s throne, the symbol of his ruling authority (3:21). If the members of the church repent, they can eat and drink at Christ’s table in his kingdom and sit on thrones of judgment (Luke 22:30).
Summary
Christ still loves his people and asks them to welcome him into every part of their lives. Even if the church as a whole ignores his request, those individuals who open their lives to him will know the joy of constant fellowship with him. If they share their lives with him now, he will share his glory with them in the future
To summarize, in chapters 2 and 3 we have seen the deep spiritual problems in the church, at least in the Roman province of Asia at the end of the first century. The cares of this life, the penetrating power of the society around the members and wrong spiritual attitudes have blocked out the church’s view of Christ to one degree or another.
Summary of the Letters to the Churches
Church in Ephesus
• PRAISE: I know that you do good deeds, and work hard. You are patient and cannot stand evil. You condemn those
who do wrong and hold false teachings to the fire.
• CONDEMNATION: You have left your first love - the core of the gospel.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Remember where it is that you have fallen from, repent and go back to the original teachings.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the paradise of God.
Church in Smyrna
• PRAISE: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich)
• CONDEMNATION: Nothing !!
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Don't fear your suffering - Satan will torment you and you will be tried. Be faithful unto death
and you will have the crown of life...
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: He that over cometh shall not be hurt by the second death (and will have eternal life).
Church in Pergamum
• PRAISE: You live where Satan lives, yet you never renounced me.
• CONDEMNATION: But I have a few things against you, your teachings pollute your people both spiritually and socially
with unacceptable pagan practices.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of
My mouth!
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a
white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
Church in Thyatira
• PRAISE: I know your deeds, your love, your charity, faith and service. You are doing more of these things than you
ever have!
• CONDEMNATION: While on the outside, you appear as a model church, you are rife with corruption and corrupt
teachings, from deep within. You have committed adultery against me with your idol worship.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Repent now or I will cast you into great tribulation.
• Challenge to Believers: To those who are faithful within, rejecting the false doctrines, hold fast till I come.
Church in Sardis
• PRAISE: I know your deeds - your name carries much recognition among men ...
• CONDEMNATION: But now you are dead.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: Remember your beginnings, return to them and repent. You are not paying attention to my
Word and you need to wake up!
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: He that over cometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot
out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Church in Philadelphia
• PRAISE: You may not be the biggest group, but I know your works and your teachings. Even without strength or
power, you have kept My Word and not compromised My name.
• CONDEMNATION: Nothing !!
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: I am coming quickly. Hold onto what you have.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: Him that over cometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go
no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Church of the Laodiceans
• PRAISE: Absolutely Nothing !!
• CONDEMNATION: You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other but because you have
no redeeming qualities whatsoever, I will spit you out of my mouth into the tribulation. You say that you are wealthy and
in need of nothing, but what you don't realize is that you are truly wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
• ADVICE TO LEADERS: You need to start concerning yourself with eternal riches and not earthly ones, humble
yourself about your sins and open your eyes to My truth before its too late.
• CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS: To him that over cometh 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
