October 16, 2016
Evening Service

Revelation 1:10-11  I came to be in the Spirit in the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  (11)  saying, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.” Also, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

 

We have made our way to the seventh and final church of Revelations.   We have read about the church at Ephesus being commended for their labor and works but reprimanded for leaving their first love.  Smyrna was commended for being faithful in the midst of great trials, but warned that their tribulations were not over and were exhorted to remain faithful unto death.   Pergamos was commended for being faithful in the midst of many pagan religions but they were reprimanded for letting some of that teaching into the church.  Thyatira had many great works and loved well, but they also allowed some false teaching to be part of the church.  Sardis was warned not to become complacent or overconfident and to strengthen the things they could control.  The city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, was encouraged to hold fast for the Lord is coming soon and no one or thing can stop Him.  This brings us to the final church of Laodicea.

Laodicea-   Its name means either “the people ruling” or “the judgment of the people.” It is a city in the Roman province of Asia, just as our other six churches, and it was located almost directly inland to Ephesus.  It was an important cross-road city along the main routes that led west to the ports and north to Pergamos.  The city was extremely prosperous and a commercial center.  Their disadvantage was that they had no permanent supply of water.  Water was piped in from a hot springs that was a good distance from the city so when it arrived it was no longer hot, but only lukewarm.

Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things:

·         The letter also begins with a different description of Jesus.  Amen at the end of our prayers basically means “let it be so” or “let it be established.”  In this case “The Amen” means truth, firmness, confidence, and trust; all of which describe Jesus perfectly.

·         The faithful and true witness embodies who Jesus is as He is able to and does fulfill all the promises He makes.

·         He is also the “Head of the creation of God.”  Paul explained this to the Colossian church as he is speaking of Jesus:

 

 Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation.  (16)  For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.

 

Do we fully trust Jesus as our source of truth, faithfulness and creation?

Do we all too often try to work things out according to our plan rather than saying; “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

 

Revelation 3:15-16  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.  (16)  So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

·         This is probably the most memorable statement in these seven letters we have studied.  We all know what it is like to drink lukewarm water.  It can be nauseating to the one who partakes of it.  The description fits very well with the church here.  They were neither on fire for God, nor were they indifferent to Him.

·         It is that type of Christian that is nauseating to the Lord.  Their relationship with God seemed to be fine from the outside, but inside it is stagnant and stale.  One is simply going through the motions without any true love or commitment.

 

Have you ever allowed yourself to fall into that state of complacency and indifference; as life is so good who really needs God?

 

Revelation 3:17 Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,

·         This certainly describes our society today here in the United States.  If we have some money and some material things, just like the “American dream” calls us to, then we find ourselves self-sufficient and in no need of God in our lives.

·         In reality that state is the most miserable of all.  They are in great need and don’t even realize it.  It would be better for them to be at either extreme; away from God and knowing it or close to God and cherishing it.  It is hard to convince someone who has no real needs to seek after a close relationship with God until it is revealed to them that we are only complete, happy and fulfilled in Him. 

 

Isn’t it true in your life that when times are toughest God is closest?

Our biggest challenge in our society may be to be more like Paul:

 

Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

Revelation 3:18-19  I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.  (19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.

 

1 Peter 1:7  so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

 

·         It is by the trying of our faith that we are able to grow deeper in our faith.  We quickly learn what a struggle it is to live a life of righteousness.  We learn the fact that we need a Savior because we cannot do it on our own.  Our vision is quickly changed from our small distorted view of the world to God’s perfect view.

·         We finally realize that “all things” are good for us even the bad things. It is because He loves us that He chastens us and allows trials and troubles to enter into our lives; allowing them to draw us closer to Him.

 

Are we open to God’s chastisement and enduring trials to grow in Him?

Are we thankful for them?

 

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.

·         What a vivid picture this paints.  Jesus standing at our hearts door patiently waiting to be invited in.  In the famous picture that depicts this scene one quickly notices that the door has no knob on the outside; it must be opened only from within.  The invitation to dine with Him is for “whosoever will.”  We have to see the need for God in our lives and have the desire to repent and make changes in our lives.  It is our choice to open that door.

·         In the view of these churches representing an age of the church, we can certainly see this one being the age we live in.  God is at the door trying to be part of the professing church that leaves Him out of their fellowship.

 

When God knocks, do we quickly open and follow Him?  Or do we try to ignore His call and hope He soon goes away?

 

Revelation 3:21  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.

·         The promise to the overcomer this time is that we get to share in the glory of Christ’s throne and reign with Him.  We must humbly endure suffering, trials, and chastisement esteeming them nothing compared to our reward.

 

Is your vision set simply on the here and now, or are you looking at the hope of eternity?

 

Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

·         Are you listening to the many things Christ is trying to tell the church and to us individually?  It is the overcomer who not only hears, but acts upon it.

·         God is calling His church and each of us individually to a closer more intimate walk with Him. 

 

Are you listening?  Are you doing anything about it?

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and the challenges it puts forth in our lives.  May our lives be found to be hot and pleasing in Your mouth.