January 26, 2025 Sun. Message: LAODICEA, THE 7TH CHURCH IN REVELATION

January 26, 2025 Sun. Message: LAODICEA, THE 7TH CHURCH IN REVELATION
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

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Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Rev 3:17 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:

Rev 3:18 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.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20 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.

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh 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.

Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This is a letter to stimulate faith in a spiritually dead church

The Laodiceans had transitioned to self-reliance and man’s direction

Instead of faith in the living God

They had effectively, with their money, wisdom, and resources, left God out of their ministry

Jesus was lovingly trying to knock on the door of their hearts to gain access before it was too late.

Laodicea is located in Phrygia, a few miles west of Colosse.

The city of Laodicea is now a ruin, and while the remains of a large church have been unearthed, there is no active congregation worshipping there.

The city of Laodicea is located in the Lycus River valley in modern-day Turkey. This city held a church that was being "pastored" by John from his home base in Ephesus.

Laodicea is bracketed by two other cities found in the New Testament. Colossae is to the southeast, and Hierapolis is to the north.

Paul, writing his letter to the Colossians, instructs them to share their letter with the church at Laodicea (Col. 4:16) as well as reading the letter he wrote to those at Laodicea (Col. 4:16). Unfortunately, the letter Paul wrote to Laodicea was not retained.
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Col 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

God is a God of order

He always, in each of the seven letters to the churches

Never once addressed the people of the church

It was alsways to the “angel” or messenger of that church

And he was supposed to administer and relay it to the people

God does no have the people of the church vote on it

He leads through His called messenger to guide the people to victory

The Amen references the end, the so be it.

God Himself, the Amen, the final Word on it, the finishing touch

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

The faithful and True Witness

Jesus is without question full of faith, He is faith

As a man He did what the first Adam did not do, remained faithful when pressured

Stayed true in the face of opposition

Showed, witnessed to the world the Father whom no man had ever seen

Now seen in the faithful and true witness Jesus

Isa 50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

Isa 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Isa 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

The beginning of the creation of God

Strongs defines “beginning” as a commencement, or chief of order, time, place, or rank, beginning, corner, magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule

Jesus is not a created being, He is God

He is the one whom God created everything through, the corner

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Again this is a love letter of faith to a faithless church

If you do not believe you have nothing

2Chr 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Good news translation

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created.
Rev.3.14 GNT

Holman standard

“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:“The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says:

Rev 3:14 HCSB

International Children’s

“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea:“The Amen is the One who is the faithful and true witness. He is the ruler of all that God has made. He says this to you:
Rev.3.14 ICB

New Life Version

“Write this to the angel of the church in the city of Laodicea: ‘The One Who says, Let it be so, the One Who is faithful, the One Who tells what is true, the One Who made everything in God’s world, says this:
Rev.3.14 NLV

Young’s Literal

`And to the messenger of the assembly of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the witness -- the faithful and true -- the chief of the creation of God;
Rev.3.14 YLT

1599 Geneva Translation

And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith Amen, the faithful and true witness, that beginning of the creatures of God.
Rev.3.14 GNV

Jesus is the beginning of the new creation, the last Adam
Or the creatures of God
Or the church
The firstborn from the dead

Expanded Bible

“Write this to the ·angel [ messenger; see ] of the church in Laodicea [a city in Phrygia, a mountainous province of western Asia]:“The Amen [Hebrew for “so be it”; here referring to Jesus], the faithful and true witness, ·the ruler of all God has made [; ; the resurrected Jesus], says this [these things]:
Rev.3.14 EXB

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Jesus is always present with us

He is always vitally involved in His Church

Note here again we see works are what Jesus addresses to the church

How do we reconcile a “no works” gospel with this?

Your works, or actions, are a direct result of what you believe

Your works show what is really in your heart

You could also say, Jesus saw their faith or lack thereof when He says I know your works

This reference to cold and hot is not spiritual temperature as many think and teach

Laodicea was in the middle of two cities, Colossea and Hierapolis

One had fresh cold water for refreshing and reviving people

The other had hot spring water for healing

Laodicea tried to funnel these in for their people but it turned out lukewarm when it arrived and lost its value

So Jesus was saying cold is good and hot is good, but lukewarm is not good

The message

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
Rev.3.15-17 MSG

Expanded Version

I know ·what you do [your works], that you are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold [both positive images, alluding to cold refreshing mountain streams and healing hot springs near Laodicea]!
Rev.3.15 EXB

This is a prime example of a people who wanted Jesus as savior and not Lord

This church thought they believed by acknowledgement

But there was no faith since there was no actions of faith

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Spue thee is a nice way of saying projectile vomiting

Douay Rheims Bible

But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.
Rev.3.16 DRA

Rev 3:17 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:

Here is what they really believed and the confession of it

This was a very wealthy city

They had money and a medical school

They confessed because they believed they had accomplished this through their wisdom and strength

Jesus is telling them in His letter they are actually blind, naked and poor

Because they had no faith in the eternal God

All they thought they had will be taken away

Rev 3:18 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.

To buy from the Lord is to cost you something
It costs self to believe God over our physical senses screaming at us
It is required of the victorious Christian
Lukewarm people just take what comes
Faith people demand Satan off their purchased possessions

You should buy gold from Me that has been tested by fire that you may be rich. Buy white clothes to dress yourself so the shame of not wearing clothes will be taken away. Buy medicine to put on your eyes so you can see.
Rev.3.18 NLV

1Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Matt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus speaks to us where we are

The Laodiceans were famous for an eye salve called Phrygian Powder used for healing the eyes in the natural

Jesus says they need help to see spiritually

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

This is a love letter to the church

Jesus is showing His love for them again trying to get them back to Himself

Correction is by the word

I speak strong words to those I love and I punish them. Have a strong desire to please the Lord. Be sorry for your sins and turn from them.
Rev.3.19 NLV

“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
Rev.3.19 MSG

As many as I love, I do convict and chasten; be zealous, then, and reform;
Rev.3.19 YLT

Repentance is a requirement

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].
Rev.3.19 AMP

Gods word trans

I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act.
Rev.3.19 GW

Rev 3:20 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.

This scripture is used primarily today for sinners

But in context I t is the church He is addressing

Jesus was outside the Laodicean church! They had locked Him out!

He is always speaking to us, if we will hear

Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
Rev.3.20 AMP

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh 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.

It seems that we as the church have a responsibilty here

We must conquer or overcome our flesh as Jesus did

Jesus is our example and He overcame by “It is Written”

1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Also it is mentioned in Revelation 12:11

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Faith in action is the only way to conquer or overcome

Faith comes by hearing

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If anyone will hear, He is calling or speaking

To win the victory is to receive the revelation by faith of who Christ is to you and who you are in Him

The Living Bible

I will let everyone who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered.
Rev.3.21 TLB

Names of God translation

Look, I’m standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll eat together. I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Rev.3.20-22 NOG

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh 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.

I will allow the one who has power and wins to sit with Me on My throne, as I also had power and won and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev.3.21 NLV

Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!
Rev.3.20-21 MSG

Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It is up to us, are we hearing the call and responding in faith

Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This is a love letter to a church who had lost their faith for their accomplishments

He is calling them back

Lest they are spewed from His mouth in the end, it is preventable

What will you do?

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