Introduction:
We are now to our final congregation addressed in Revelation chapters 2-3.  This one is unfaithful, and has a difference from all the others.  Christ commended all the other unfaithful congregations for some things they did right (that does not mean those good things made them right - James 2:10 and II John 9).  The church of Christ in Laodicea has no commendation from Christ.  

Text: Revelation 3:14-22

I. Historical Facts About the City of Laodicea

A. The city of Laodicea was located in the Lycus River Valley together with Hierapolis and Colossae.  This valley is a natural route of travel from east to west.  It was 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia.

1. The city was founded in the third century BC by Antiochus II and was named after his wife “Laodice”.  
2. This city was known for producing a type of black wool cloth from the sheep they had and this put them in the clothing business.  It also manufactured a type of ointment used for eye diseases.  
3. This city was known for its wealthy citizens.  Bankers and all types of rich folks lived there.
4. This city was lacking terribly in an adequate water supply.

a. This city some hot springs that emitted lukewarm water.  From evidence of mineral deposits in their aqueduct system some scholars have concluded these hot springs to be their primary water source.  

5. Laodicea was the banking center of Asia Minor having much gold there.
6. This city also had a medical school.

B.  In AD 60 the city was devastated by an earthquake.

1. They were so wealthy and proud that they declined Roman assistance and rebuilt the city themselves during the reign of Nero.
2. This pride and self-wealth also played in the church.

C. Paul addressed this church through the letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians 4:16).

A. Christ is the “Amen” – what he says will be; follows with the next statement that Christ is the “faithful and true witness” – there is no unfaithful part of him and as true witness he is truth:

1. Christ is the truth John 14:6.
2. The record proves that Christ is true and so are His words John 19:31-37. 

B. He is “the beginning of the creation of God” – the originating source of creation:

1. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1.
2. Some would have you to believe that this creation period included the creation of Christ and they use Revelation 3:14 to try and justify their claim.
3. However the Bible teaches that Christ:

a. As always been Micah 5:2
b. Will always be: Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
c. Created what we see John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:13-18, Hebrews 2:9-10, and Hebrews 11:3.

4. Revelation 3:14 is simply stating that Christ is the CAUSE of the creation… As Thayer put it “…that by which anything begins to be…”

A. The brethren in Laodicea were just like their water “lukewarm”.  

1. Not cold (completely dead)
2. Not hot (completely alive)
3. They were lukewarm (doing some work, but not all work). 

B. As lukewarm water is not good (water the town had as a supply), neither is the condition of the church.  It is sickening to the Lord so much that he wants to “spue” [vomit] them out of His mouth.

1. You cannot serve God half-heartedly:

a. Mark 12:28-30 

2. You cannot profess God without confessing God in words and deeds:

a. Titus 1:16 
b. Luke 6:46 

3. You cannot be of God and of the world:

a. One master not two: Matthew 6:24 
b. I John 3:8-10 
c. Romans 12:1-2 
d. Matthew 12:30 

C. Lukewarm preaching is what many brethren like to hear today {note the following FEW examples}

1. They do not want extreme false doctrines:

a. All denominations will be saved
b. Instrumental Music
c. Sprinkling is OK
d. OK to walk around with NO clothing on 
e. OK to be a drunk
f. Let brethren do whatever they want without saying anything to them
g. You do not need Bible Authority for anything

2. Neither do they want “hot” preaching (II Timothy 4:2).  They don’t want to hear:

a. There is only ONE church, and only that ONE church is made up of the saved (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23, Acts 2:47, Ephesians 5:23, and Romans 16:16).  Denominationalism is sinful (I Corinthians 1:10-13). 
b. Preaching against Instrumental Music showing that only singing is authorized in the N.T. (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Acts 16:25, I Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12, and James 5:13).
c. You MUST be immersed to be saved (Romans 6:1-6, Acts 2:38, etc.)
d. You MUST wear modest apparel (Exodus 28:42 and Genesis 3:7; 21).
e. You cannot drink alcohol even in a social setting (I Peter 4:3).
f. You must discipline EVERY brother that walks disorderly (Romans 16:17, II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15).
g. You need Bible Authority for EVERYTHING (Colossians 3:17).

A. V.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:”

1. Physical wealth means nothing towards salvation (Luke 12:15-23 and Luke 16:19-31).
2. Physical wealth is sometimes a set back for ones salvation:

a. I Timothy 6:6-11
b. Matthew 19:16-24

3. Our treasures should be put towards Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
4. Happiness does not come from worldly gain – cf. Psalms 144:15 
5. We must always recognize that God is the provider of all things we need and give glory to Him not ourselves.  Because of their lack of understanding this fact the brethren in Laodicea were blind to their spiritual condition.  
6. Notice what James wrote: James 2:1-10.
7. II Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

B. V. 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.”

1. Christ counseled [advised] them to:

a. Buy of Him gold tried in the fire – the type of faith that withstands and endures (I Peter 1:6-7).
b. White raiment –the clothing of purity (Revelation 3:5).
c. Eyesalve - they were known for the ointment that helped physical vision now they need spiritual vision (Acts 28:25-27).

A. V. 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

1. Hebrews 12:6-13

B. V. 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.”

1. God has always been willing to accept His people and grant them blessings if they obey (Isaiah 1:18-19).

a. Christ gives the Parable of the Lost Son that teaches God wants those who leave the fold to come back and what a great rejoicing there would be when one does return to the household of God (Luke 15:11-32).
b. But, one has to come to realize their sins as the lost son did and repent of them.

2. This passage written to CHRISTIANS shows that Christ is there not wanting any to perish (II Peter 3:9).

a. But, there will be a time when the knocking will cease (II Peter 3:10).

Conclusion (V. 21-22): 
“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.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
 

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.