Letter to the Church in Laodicea
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 14) By now, the congregation of Laodicea had heard all the words spoken by Christ to each of the other six churches. Now it was their turn to hear Jesus’ message to them. It was likely a nail biting moment for each of them. The letter to the church in Laodicea was about to grab their full attention.
Laodicea being the southern most city of the seven that Christ personally addresses in each of His letters, sat near the banks of the Lycus River. It was a city filled with wealth but as Christ is about to point out, it was spiritually bankrupt.
The city was known for manufacturing two items that were in great need in those days, wool and sandals. The people of the congregation of Laodicea lacked very little but the one thing that was missing in their lives was Christ.
Lukewarm Faith
(Verse 15-16) Colossae was the sister city to Laodicea. Paul wrote letters to both of these cities. But his letter to the Colossians was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be included in the Bible and not the other. Laodicea received nothing more than a mention.
“After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16)
“I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:1-3)
In this verse, Jesus uses the cities geographical positioning as a metaphor to their distasteful spiritual condition. The high mountains that gazed down upon the city of Laodicea provided cool mountain springs of water to the city of Colossae. The springs of Hierapolis provided hot therapeutic water to it’s citizens.
When you combine the two, you get a distasteful lukewarm water. This was the water that was fed to Laodicea through the aqueduct that came into the city.
Jesus had wished that the congregation of the church in Laodicea was hot or cold. But it was neither. It was an unsatisfying lukewarm and Jesus was about to spit them out of His mouth. These are the harshest words that Jesus had spoken to any of the seven churches.
Laodicea Congregation Was Rich But Poor
(Verses 17-18) The congregation of Laodicea was wealthy and they had everything they needed. All their worldly desires were met because of their richness. Therefore, they felt comfortable and secure in their religious faith.
But Jesus explains to them that they’re actually, ‘wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” In other words, their spiritual state was in need of a savior that their wealth could not buy.
He invites them to a strong faith without sin so that they may be rich in spiritual things so they can wear the white clothes of the saints.
The white clothes are a symbol of holiness and righteousness as seen being worn throughout Revelation.
“Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.”
(Revelation 4:4)
“Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”–Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people. (Revelation 19:8)
“The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” (Revelation 19:14)
Also out of Laodicea came an eye salve that they exported throughout the region. There is no real evidence of its effectiveness in soothing or healing. Jesus references eye salve as a rebuke to the congregation indicating that only He can provide real eye salve to heal their spiritual blindness to their sinful condition.
He Disciplines Those He Loves
(Verse 19) It’s often difficult when we’re on the receiving end of a rebuke to see it in a positive light. It’s important that we’re reminded that God disciplines those He loves.
“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
(Hebrews 12:5-6)
“because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:12)
(Verse 20) He finishes by reminding the congregation that He’s not far off but nearby and ready for anyone who’ll open the door to Him.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
(John 14:20-21)
A Final Reminder of Victory for the Church in Laodicea
(Verses 21-22) Jesus leaves His lukewarm believers with one final exciting reminder. The ones who are victorious in spiritual things of God will reign with Him when He returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom. Let that sink in for a moment. As true believers and followers of Christ, the day is fast approaching when we will rule with Him.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
(Romans 8:17)
“Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;”
(2 Timothy 2:11-12)
“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4-6)
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