Christ's Comments About the Church at Laodicea

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:15-20 - King James Version)

Verse fifteen begins to describe the condition of this church. Jesus is very disappointed with this church. They are not burning with the fires of revival, evangelism and excitement. Neither is their fellowship a source of spiritual refreshment like a cool drink on a hot day.

They do not fire up Christians to accomplish great deeds for God. Neither do they offer shelter from the problems and troubles of the world. This church did not encourage and did not comfort. They were useless.

Verse sixteen describes Jesus reaction to the condition of this church. We enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee. We also enjoy a cool glass of water or juice. A drink that is neither hot or cold, that is luke warm, most people do not like to drink. Instead they spit it out of their mouths with disgust.

That is what this church was like. Jesus found them to be disgusting. The problem with this church was that they had religion but no power. They were hypocrites. This church was acting like they served Jesus, but their service was insincere, ineffective and unacceptable.

Verse seventeen continues to describe their pitiful condition. The city of Laodicea was very wealthy. Their two chief products were clothes and a special eye ointment. These were sold all over the Roman Empire generating a huge income for this city.

It seems that the Christians in this city were physically well off. They thought that they had all that they needed. However, Jesus saw not their physical wealth but their spiritual poverty. Their relationship with God was superficial. They were in love with the world's goods not God's work.

This church needed to obey the command of Jesus in verse eighteen. Spiritual wealth, clothing and healing come from Jesus.

These spiritual blessings are only available to those who will trust Jesus as their Saviour. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sin. When a person asks God's forgiveness for sin because Jesus died for them and that person makes Jesus Lord of their life, their sin debt is wiped out.

Verse nineteen of Revelation chapter three is Jesus' warning to this church. Jesus will punish any true Christian who refuses to obey Him. He is longsuffering and slow to punish but eventually He will punish.

Verse twenty presents a rather sad picture. Jesus stands outside this church. He no longer has any part in their worship and activities. They have settled for meaningless ritual and powerless worship. They are not ready to let Christ rule in their life. Jesus stands outside this church and offers to fellowship with any individual who will invite Him to be the focus of his or her life.