The epistle to the Laodiceans is not pure reproof. Against the backdrop of dismal decline the Lord proffers two superlative promises to individuals.
Laodicea was about 15 miles north by northwest of Colosse, and the two churches received and interchanged Paul’s letters. Colossians contains the apex of the apostle’s teaching on the Person of Christ, unless we are assured that he also wrote to the Hebrews. Laodicea had this ministry also.
It seems clear that the failure in Laodicea was not primarily doctrinal. The Ephesians also had Christ-exalting ministry from the pen of Paul, but 35 years later they had left their original love. They were at risk of losing their testimony (Rev. 2:5). The Laodiceans were lukewarm in their love for Christ. Their peril was to be spued out of His mouth.
Laodicea may have been quite orthodox. In Pergamos there were fraudulent teachers, disseminating the doctrine of Balaam. In Thyatira, they tolerated that woman Jezebel, to teach and seduce God’s servants to fornication and idolatry. Laodicea was not dead, as Sardis. Nothing is said about doctrinal error in Laodicea. It was a matter of the heart. A person can be both orthodox and lukewarm. The Lord has a message for all such.
The seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 correspond to existing churches today. We believe they also portray epochs of Church history. Broadly speaking, we are in the Laodicean period.
Your assembly and mine might be appraised as Philadelphian by the Bishop of souls and the Monitor of the seven churches. If so, thank the Lord! But, chronologically, we are at the terminus of the Church Age. It is naive to presume that we are immune from its contagion. We are swayed, even brainwashed, by what we see and hear in life around us, and view on the screen. Coldness is the result of iniquity abounding (Mt. 24:12).
How many believers do you know who are hot, boiling hot? Or “on fire for God”? Apollos was fervent in spirit (“fervent” from the same root as “hot,” Thayer).
Ever hear of anyone declining a promotion in business because he or she preferred to assist in the local assembly? Or turning off the football game to devote an hour to Bible study? Or refusing to take sleeping pills so he or she could have more time during the night in intercessory prayer? Or exchanging a game of golf for tract distribution? Perhaps a few, but scarcely typical of Christians today. Some assemblies of men highly successful in business are declining, closing down, or employing a “full-time elder” to do the work.
Neither cold nor hot. Either is better than being lukewarm. This word is not found except here in the New Testament or the Septuagint, but is common enough in early Church writings. In classical Greek it was used of foul-tasting water, which would cause vomiting (Arndt and Gingrich).
Could we say that for most of us there are four kinds of motivation: business, family, pleasure, Christ? I heard it said in a quite spiritual setting, that one’s first responsibility is to the family. What did the Lord mean, the One who gave His all, when He said only family-haters could be His disciples (Lk. 14:26)? The family decidedly should be ahead of business or pleasure. May the Lord help us all in assessing our responsibilities!
Laodiceans are rich and getting richer, with no perceived needs, but still coveting more things (Rev. 3:17). The man in the parable was planning to lay up much goods for many years. He would take it easy, eat, drink and be merry. I saw a bit of folk philosophy displayed in a store window on Broadway, New York City: “Money is not the only thing in life, but it’s far ahead of whatever comes in second place.”
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of all God’s creation, has a different evaluation: miserable (not at all happy); pitiable (not leaders in the community); poor (in eternal wealth); blind (to heaven’s glories and the beauties of Christ); naked (should be ashamed in their purple and fine linen).
So He had words of admonition. The sumbouleuo, literally to counsel together, suggests mutual consultation rather than a divine command. But how do poor people buy anything, especially fine gold? Our only real asset is time, and we all have the same amount every day. It is a sin to waste it on temporary pleasures. You can get real gold and become rich in heaven’s securities. Fine white linen can be gained by righteous acts (Rev. 19:8). What kind of eyesalve will heal blindness?
To the Jews there was no beauty that they should desire Him. He can open our eyes to appreciate His glories.
This stinging rebuke is evidence of His magnificent love (Rev. 3:19). Chastening is never joyous but grievous. Love leads to scolding and chastening to zeal and repentance. (Zeal is from the same root as hot, vv. 15-16.)
A sorrowful scene? Against this backdrop the Lord of the churches made two of the most exalted promises of Scripture:
1. I will come in and sup with you. The Son was invited to sit at God’s right hand (Ps. 110:1). After His resurrection, He did just that (Mk. 16:19). Yet He stood up in indignation when the ferocious rabble gnashed on His dedicated servant with their teeth (but He did not prevent them from murdering Stephen). Again in Revelation 3:20 He is standing, and knocking. What does He want?
On the mountain He promised His disciples that God would answer their prayers if they would ask, seek, and knock. Two of these words are used of the Father and the Son. First, the Father seeks (present continuous tense) worship from true worshippers. This is extraordinary: the Father, eternal, omnipotent, the infinite Source of all universes, is seeking for something which I can provide: true worship in the spirit! Not on Lord’s Day only, but daily, hourly. I would love to know more of this. The Father seeks it.
In our verse, His knocking is just as marvelous. The Son came from heaven to save us (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 5:43; 16:28). Sinners are invited to come to Him (Mt. 11:28; Jn. 6:37; 7:37). It is normal for us to come to Him in prayer. Here He comes to us, and stands!
You knock at a door when you want something (Lk. 13:25; Acts 12:13). What does He want? You will concur that this verse has far wider application than to the unsaved. The Son undoubtedly wants to come into the believer’s life in a more abundant way. Positionally He is in us (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27), but in daily life, Laodiceans are altogether self-satisfied.
So this is the situation: Christ standing and knocking. There are also two conditions. One must hear His voice, and open the door to Him. But the promise is threefold: i) I will come in; ii) I will sup with him; iii) he will sup with Me.
Consider this word “sup,” found 20 times, noun and verb. It is used of feasts (Mt. 23:6); the main meal of the day (Lk. 17:8); of the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:20); of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). Here it is not the Lord in resurrection eating literal food, nor His supplying our needs. It is mutuality: I with him, he with Me. He craves fellowship, communion, sharing His joys with one who loves Him. And it is to be reciprocal.
What are His current joys? His delight and meat is still to do His Father’s will (Ps. 40:8; Jn. 4:34). He rejoices over each contrite sinner (Lk. 15:5-6). The celestial Bridegroom must look forward with joyous anticipation to the wedding day. I asked a young man, recently engaged, “When is the wedding?” He said, “In ninety-three days.” The Son said He did not know the day or the hour, but He is surely anticipating it with joy.
When we meet with friends for a meal, we talk about each others’ joys and difficulties. We can share with the Son concerning His vast work today. The Son is interceding for perhaps a hundred million believers in the world. He is purifying and perfecting His Bride to present her to Himself without spot or blemish. He is yearning for the fullness of the Gentiles when the number of believers will make His Church complete. We can share in these things, and manifest our concern when we commune with Him.
The Lord is called the Man of Sorrows, especially when He was bearing our griefs. He still has cause for sorrow, at the unbelief of His people (Mk. 3:5; 9:19; 16:14; Lk. 24:25; Heb. 3:10). It is written that He feels with His people in their troubles (Isa. 63:9). Can we share with empathy in His present sorrows?
He is interested in our joys and problems. Keep telling Him what you have been doing, both good and bad. He wants to sup with you, to share your ordeals and triumphs every day. He asks, “What can I do for you?” (Jn. 15:7). We ask Him the same (Jn. 2:5). The disciples told the Lord everything they had done and taught (Mk. 6:30; Lk. 9:10). Remember it was at supper that John leaned on Jesus’ breast.
This concept of mutuality may be seen also in His command and promise, “Abide in Me and I (will abide) in you.” He who sows and he who reaps will rejoice together.
“He and I in that bright glory
One deep joy shall share;
Mine to be forever with Him,
His that I am there.” –Tersteegen
Why not start now?
2. The overcomer will sit with Me. The second preeminent promise to those who live in the Laodicean age is in verse 21. The Victor-Son is no longer standing, He is sitting with His Father on the throne. Lucifer wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God. Mrs. Zebedee’s ambition was that her two sons would sit one of each side of the King. The Lord explained that the privilege of proximity to Him was reserved for those chosen by the Father. He did promise the apostles that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the tribes of Israel (Lk. 22:30). They will also eat and drink at His table in His kingdom. We can sup with Him right now!
In the hours of His trial, the Lord was sustained by Jehovah’s guarantee that He would sit at God’s right hand. The apostles underscored this position in their writings: God displayed the exceeding greatness of His power when He set Christ at His own right hand in heaven (Eph. 1:19-20). He still sits there (Col. 3:1). After making purgation for sins, He sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high (Heb. 1:3). Our High Priest endured the cross, despised the shame, offered one sacrifice for sins forever, and sat on the right hand of God (Heb. 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). Angels and all spiritual powers are subject to Him.
This His most lofty honor He will share with some mortals. These are the ones who overcome the tendencies which typify the present Laodicean age: such as apathy, self-love, and complacency. Christ overcame the world (Jn. 16:33). He prevailed (same word) to open the seven-sealed scroll (Rev. 5:5). Young men are strong and overcome the Wicked One (1 Jn. 2:13). The brethren, not loving their lives unto the death, overcome the Accuser (Rev. 12:11).
It is a long jump from Laodicean smugness to martyrdom. Perhaps it is not so far from the Ephesian loss of first love to Laodicean half-and-half. The Lord contemplates here that some will overcome. His promise to us is more sharing, mutuality–eternally!
We should hear and heed what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The Son is speaking in these messages. If we hear His voice, and open to Him, we will sup with Him in close intimacy. If we overcome, we will sit with Him on the throne. Present reward: daily fellowship with the Son. Future reward: eternal nearness to the Son.