Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
selected
articles from:
©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Christ Speaks
to the Seven Churches
And Christ's Message to the
Church in the Twenty-First Century
Part 2
by Matt Costella
©Foundation Magazine, Mar-Apr 2001
Continued from Part 1...
Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29
Unlike the other cities already mentioned in
Revelation chapter two, Thyatira was not a major center of religion or
political power. Rather, it was a small, seemingly insignificant city
known in the first century for its trade guilds and its production of
dye. Yet despite the city's political, social and religious
inconsequence, the Lord issued a specific, important message to the
church at Thyatira, a message that the Church in the twenty-first
century likewise needs to heed.
Christ's Commendation: Christ knew the
works of the believers in Thyatira, and He first commended this
church for its love ("charity"). This agape love
involved an unselfish love for others. Christ knew that these believers
selflessly loved God and their fellow brethren and that this love was
their motivation for service. Second, He commended them for their
service, for He knew that they genuinely desired to help others in need.
The word service in verse 19 means "assistance." Their
compassionate love compelled them to aid needy individuals within the
church. Both a spirit of love and a humble attitude of service motivated
the works of the believers in Thyatira. Third, Christ commended them for
their faith, knowing that they possessed complete confidence in Him. He
understood that their works were accomplished out of a spirit of
steadfastness to His Word and a knowledge that what He said would
certainly come to pass. Fourth, He commended them for their patience. He
recognized that they continued to endure in their work for His name's
sake despite the unpleasant circumstances in which they found
themselves. Finally, Christ commended this body of believers for
continually improving upon its works. Not only did the Savior see their
activity for Him and not only was He aware of the motivation behind
their activity, but He also knew that their works only grew more perfect
as time passed. Rather than slowing down in their service for Christ,
these believers became more productive and motivated as they served the
Lord.
Christ's commendation of the church at Thyatira
in verse 19 should serve as a measuring stick for today's churches.
Bible-believing churches in this present age must evaluate whether they
are serving the Lord out of a proper motivation and continually growing
in Christ and improving upon their service for Him. Sadly, many churches
today are satisfied to simply meet the status quo. Rather than
attempting to do more for their Lord, they try to merely survive by
doing as little as possible. But Christ commends only those churches
that seek to grow and excel in their service for Him as they purpose to
glorify Him out of a pure, loving heart.
Christ's Complaint: Despite His words of
praise for the church at Thyatira, Christ also leveled a serious charge
against this body of believers: It allowed a woman who called herself a
prophetess to remain in the congregation and influence the believers (v.
20). Notice that Christ does not accuse the church of corporately committing
certain sins, but rather, He condemns the church for allowing or
tolerating sin within the congregation. The issue in the church at
Thyatira, like that of Pergamos, was their theological compromise and
refusal to separate from that which was contrary to the teaching of the
Word of God. Such unwillingness to separate from sin and error is
extremely serious in the sight of God. These believers within the church
refused to separate from and discipline, this woman who claimed to have
received extra-biblical revelations (to the extent that she even called
herself a "prophetess") and who induced the believers to
commit fornication and embrace idolatry. This false prophetess claimed
to have received special knowledge of what Christ described as the
"depths of Satan" (V. 24), which led some within the church of
Thyatira to commit immorality and idolatry against the Lord. As in the
city of Pergamos, Satan used sexual licentiousness to destroy the lives
of men and women within the city of Thyatira, clothing such wickedness
in a cloak of religion. This woman's extra-biblical
"revelation" supposedly gave those within the church license
to do that which God had clearly forbidden them to do, namely, to commit
fornication and practice idolatry, causing the believers both physical
and spiritual ruin.
Christ gave this woman a period of time to
repent of her false teachings, but she refused to repent (v. 21).
Consequently, He declared that judgment would fall upon this false
prophetess and her followers. Any who heeded and practiced her doctrine,
even those within the church at Thyatira, would surely die; this
judgment would serve as an outward example of Christ's omniscience and
His lack of toleration for sexual and spiritual fornication and
idolatry.
Christ's Counsel: While this woman did
teach and seduce some within the church, many did not follow her ways;
however, they were guilty of keeping quiet and tolerating her false
teaching. To those who refused to heed her doctrine (that is, to claim
to know "the depths of Satan"), Christ reminded them, "I
will put upon you none other burden" (v. 24). To what was Christ
referring? One must keep in mind that He was writing to those in the
church who had refused to believe in this woman's "advanced
revelation" and follow her licentious behavior. When Christ told
these believers that He would "put upon [them] none other
burden," He was reminding them that they would not receive any
other messages from Him besides that which had been already written by
the New Testament prophets and apostles and that which was currently
being written to them in the form of this epistle. The
"burden" does not refer to trials, for the church would
certainly experience difficulties as they lived in a corrupt, pagan
culture. Nor does the "burden" refer to yet another woman who
would similarly invade the church with false teaching, for God had not
cast the false prophetess upon this church in the first place. This
"burden" refers to additional divine revelation beyond that
which they had already possessed and that which they were receiving from
the apostle John. The word burden is used in a similar manner in
Acts 15:22-29. This text reveals that in the early church, certain
Judaizers were telling believers they needed to keep the Law and
be circumcised. Yet Paul and others declared that they would "lay
upon [the believers in the churches] no greater burden than these
necessary things" (v. 28). While the believers needed to refrain
from being a stumbling block to weaker brethren in the faith (v. 29),
the only requirement for salvation was faith in the Person and work of
Jesus Christ. The Message was settled once and for all.
Christ instructed the faithful, "But that
which ye have already hold fast till I come" (v. 25). He promised
the church that it would not receive any other revelation from God;
thus, they would know that any who professed to have obtained another
message from the Lord was actually a false messenger of Satan. Christ's
Message to the church at Thyatira, and His Message to the Church today,
is complete. The doctrine to which the Church is to adhere is enunciated
solely in the written Word of God, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ to
the apostle John was the last of the Written Word. Like those believers
in Thyatira, the Church today must hold fast to the Word she has already
received until the return of Christ; and accordingly, she must reject
any other message that someone claims to have received from God.
Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis was a city entrenched in worldly,
pagan activity like that of the other cities already studied. Yet the
church at Sardis is unique from the four churches previously addressed
by Christ in that it was completely enveloped by the worldliness that
surrounded it—the church at Sardis could not even be distinguished
from the world! It is extremely important to study and better understand
this church because so many leaders in the present realm of Christendom
are actually exhorting and encouraging today's churches to live like the
world and conform to the lifestyle, attitude and actions of unbelievers.
Fundamentalists today must keep in mind what Christ has to say to a
church that is so similar to many congregations existing in this present
day—churches that fit right in with the world.
Notice how Christ introduced Himself to this
church: "He that hath the seven Spirits of God" (v. 1). The
"seven Spirits of God" likely denotes the ministry of the Holy
Spirit as proclaimed in Revelation 1:4 as well as Isaiah 11:2-3. The
Holy Spirit fulfills many duties, one of which is to guide the believer
into the truth of the Word of God so long as the believer is yielded to
Him (Isaiah refers to the Spirit of "wisdom,"
"understanding," "counsel" and "knowledge"—all
denoting the idea of an acquisition of Truth). The problem in the church
at Sardis centered around its lack of yieldedness to the Spirit, both on
the part of the laity and even on the part of the pastor-notice how the
introduction adds that Christ is the One who has not only the seven
Spirits of God but also "the seven stars." While Christ held
up the pastor of the church in a place of leadership and authority, this
pastor's lack of submission to the will of God caused the church to
plunge into spiritual ruin. Today, Christians sitting in the pews of
Bible-believing churches need to ask themselves whether or not they are
yielded to the will of God and heeding the guiding ministry of the Holy
Spirit in their lives. Likewise, the pastors and leaders of these
churches need to ascertain as to whether they themselves are surrendered
to the will of God and, thus, completely submissive to the leading of
the Holy Spirit.
Christ's Commendation: Like His addresses
to the previous churches, Christ told the church at Sardis that He knew
their works (v. 1). But this time, these words seem to have been uttered
in a completely different tone. Now, Christ's words usher fear and dread
into the hearts of the believers rather than the typical joy and comfort
that comes as a result of knowing that Christ is pleased with a
"job well done. " Christ said nothing commendable concerning
the service of these believers in Sardis. Rather, He stated, "Thou
hast a name that thou livest." The church at Sardis appeared to be
alive on the outside, for it was doing all it could to live up to its
reputation within the community. But notice that this church was void of
any reputation that was praiseworthy in the eyes of Christ. Therefore,
its "name" (v. 1) and notability must have been rooted in that
which was popular with the world rather than that which was pleasing and
acceptable to the Savior.
The worldly society of Sardis apparently looked
at this church and was enthralled with what it saw. It appeared to the
unsaved that this church could meet their perceived needs and give them
the counsel and direction they felt they needed—it was the
"trendy," "alive" and "happening " place
to be. But in reality, this church had nothing worthy of commendation in
the eyes of its omniscient Inspector. Their outward works consisted only
of that which the world found admirable. The church at Sardis apparently
had a reputable name in the world, a reputation that likely brought them
fame, fortune and recognition fro the worldly masses of people around
them. Yet Christ knew the reality of their situation and observed that
they were dead to spiritual things. These believers were more concerned
about their reputation before the world than their reputation before
their Savior. How similar this first-century church is to so many
churches within professing Christendom today. A pragmatic, man-centered
philosophy of ministry prevails in a growing number of Evangelical and
even Fundamentalist churches. Rather than being concerned about honoring
the Savior and remaining true to His Word, these churches attempt to
appeal to the unsaved and find favor with the world rather than with
God.
If one were determined to find at least one
commendable statement about this church, it could be noted that at least
some within the congregation had refused to live and act like the world
(v. 4). Notice how this differs from the churches previously studied—in
those churches, any who compromised or held to false doctrine found
themselves in the minority within the church. But in Sardis, the
believers who did "not [defile] their garments" comprised the
minority of the congregation. The fact that Christ said only "a
few" in Sardis were not defiled reveals that the outward actions of
this congregation were sorely displeasing in the sight of God.
Christ's Complaint: Christ bluntly
proclaimed, "Thou art dead." The believers at Sardis were
inwardly dead. They possessed no living, intimate relationship with
Christ despite the fact that they were His children. Outwardly, the
world looked at this church and saw "success" and
"prestige." Yet any who attended this church and hoped to find
the "meat of the Word" being taught or lived out in the lives
of its members would find no such thing.
It is interesting to note in studying the
church at Sardis that man's view of a "dead" church seems to
be at complete odds with Christ's view of a "dead" church.
Today, men and women believe a church to be "alive" if it
features entertaining messages, moving music, lively drama and
motivational speeches that both Christians and non-Christians alike can
find enjoyable or helpful. They believe a church to be "dead"
if they do not leave a service feeling amused, entertained or
emotionally charged. Yet Christ defines a "dead" church as one
that is comfortable with the world, applauded by the world and steeped
in the ways of the world. In the Lord's eyes, an "alive"
church, on the other hand, is one that faithfully preaches the whole
Word of God and glorifies the Savior through Christ-honoring music and
untainted fellowships. This dichotomy between man's definition and God's
definition is yet another instance in which it is evident that God's
thoughts are not man's thoughts, neither are His ways man's ways (Isa.
55:8-9).
Not only did Christ tell those in the church at
Sardis that they were dead, but He also added, "I have not found
thy works perfect before God" (v. 2). This church was not only
inwardly dead, but outwardly dead as well. In the eyes of Christ, one
cannot be out of fellowship with Him and simultaneously please Him
through any outward works. The unsaved world looked at the superficial
deeds of this church and saw life. God looked at the outward works of
this church and saw utter emptiness. The word perfect in verse
two means "to be complete or fulfilled." While these believers
were most likely "going through the motions" on a regular
basis (meeting each Sunday, praying, etc.), they were busier doing what
they felt they needed to do rather than what God had actually commanded
them to do. Their works were not perfect before God for two reasons:
First, because they were inwardly shipwrecked in the faith, and second,
because they outwardly fulfilled that which was popular in the sight of
the world rather than in the sight of God.
Christ's Counsel: First, Christ counseled
this church to "be watchful, and strengthen the things which
remain, that are ready to die" (v. 2). What "remained" in
this church? Those works that were not perfect before God: their weekly
meetings, their prayers, their offerings, etc. in God's eyes, these acts
were accomplished in vain; but since this church's works did still
exist, the Lord exhorted it to support its outward actions through
inward change so as to make this church at Sardis alive once again. Even
the semblance of true Christianity that still existed would entirely
disappear unless this church changed her ways. This is likewise true for
Christians today on a personal level. Many leave good Fundamentalist
churches to seek "greener pastures" in a New Evangelical or
Charismatic congregation. Usually, however, the "problem" lies
not with the church they left but with their inward attitudes and
spiritual condition. Often, such individuals eventually end up forsaking
anything even pertaining to orthodox Christianity. Remember, this
continually happened to the Israelites of old who coveted the gods and
religions of the nations around them and eventually fell prey to the
snares of Satan. The flesh will never lead the believer to a closer
relationship with his God. Believers must keep their eyes set upon the
Word and will of the Savior, for only then can they experience true joy
and satisfaction.
Christ then exhorted the church to
"remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold
fast, and repent" (v. 3). First, they were to "remember"
God's instructions to them. These believers already knew what was right.
They had previously received and heard God's Word just as they were
presently receiving His Word from Christ Himself through the pen of the
apostle John. Second, they were to "hold fast" that which they
had received and heard. They were to personally heed and apply the Word
of God to their own lives.
Finally, they were to "repent," that
is, change their thinking about Christ and His Revelation to them. As
with the churches at Ephesus (2:5) and Pergamos (2:16), Christ vowed to
destroy the testimony of the local church at Sardis unless it changed
its ways (v. 3). Christ was serious about error and worldliness and did
not want His church to be identified with such wickedness.
Fundamentalists today can easily point fingers
at other churches that clearly fit the description of the church a
Sardis, churches that appear to thrive and gain the applause of the
world but are actually void of true spiritual life. But God desires for
Fundamentalist churches that profess to be true to Him to examine
themselves and determine whether or not they are falling short or
beginning to follow path of pragmatism and spiritual " deadness.
" He wants believers to look within themselves to see if they a
perhaps "alive" in the eyes of others, but in reality, are
actually dead. If true spirituality is found to be lacking, the believer
must heed God's call to the church in the twenty-first century to
remember, to hold fast and to repent. Blessings await the yielded,
sanctified saint (v. 4).
Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
Philadelphia was a city much like its
surrounding cities in that it was plagued by paganism, heathenism,
wickedness and evil men who persecuted the true believers. But how did
the believers in the local church at Philadelphia respond to their
surroundings? It is evident from the Biblical text that they took
advantage of every opportunity they had to serve God and be faithful to
His Word despite their circumstances. As Christ stood in the midst of
the church at Philadelphia and inspected their outward works as well as
their inward motives, He had nothing negative to say to this church. The
church at Smyrna was the only other church to which Christ never uttered
a complaint. Compared to the church at Sardis, the congregation at
Philadelphia was small and seemed insignificant, but remember that
Christ said the large, "successful" church at Sardis was dead
in His sight while this small, unpopular church at Philadelphia was
spiritually thriving.
Despite the similarities between Philadelphia
and Smyrna, the believers in Philadelphia were not dying for the cause
of Christ, as were those in Smyrna. They were suffering persecution, but
not physical persecution to the point of death. So while the church at
Smyrna needed to be reminded that Christ was God who was dead and is now
alive, the believers at Philadelphia needed to hear that Christ was in
complete control of all that was occurring around them. Notice how
Christ introduced Himself to this church at Philadelphia (v. 7). First,
He described Himself as "He that is holy. " This reveals His
character. Christ is completely free from any sin or impurity, and
because He is holy in His very nature, it is impossible for Him to be
anything but holy. Only One who is holy can call the believer to a life
of holiness (1 Pet. 1: 15). Second, Christ introduced Himself as
"He that is true." This reveals Christ's conduct, His actions.
Christ is the Author of all truth (for He is Truth), and all His works
are accomplished in righteousness and justice. The believers in the
church at Philadelphia needed to remember this fact. Third, Christ
identified Himself as "He that hath the key of David, He that
openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth."
This denotes Christ's kingship, His sovereignty and His authority over
not only the Millennial Kingdom yet future but also over all the earth
and over all the churches. It was Christ Himself who both opened doors
of service for the believers in Philadelphia and also closed doors of
opportunity at times. He wanted to remind these saints at Philadelphia
of His holiness, truth and sovereignty.
In verse eight, Christ told the church that He
had specifically set before them an open door of opportunity and
service. This "open door" must have been similar to that which
the apostle Paul had desired when He entreated the Lord for an open
"door of utterance" to proclaim the Word of God (see Col. 4:3
and 2 Cor. 2:12). While the specific "open door" that Christ
set before the church at Philadelphia cannot be deduced from the text,
it is obvious that these believers recognized the fact that the door was
opened and they subsequently did all in their strength to take advantage
of their God-given opportunity.
Christ's Commendation: Christ told those in
this church, "Thou hast a little strength" (v. 8). From the
context, it is clear that this statement denotes the physical
insignificance of these believers in the eyes of men but their spiritual
power and strength in the eyes of God. The church at Philadelphia was
small and insignificant—a remnant within the city—yet they possessed
the necessary strength to accomplish the will of Christ in that city.
This should serve as a warning to Fundamentalist churches today that
seek to place a greater emphasis on numbers and programs than on the
clear, consistent proclamation of the whole counsel of God. Conversely,
it should serve as an encouragement to those faithful churches that are
not large, impressive or influential in the eyes of men but are striving
to be faithful and pure in the ministry to which they are called. God
does not call the church to rely on the power of numbers or seek to gain
political influence or devise social programs. On the contrary, the Lord
is more concerned that the church honor and obey Him in spirit and in
truth as it proclaims the Gospel, teaches the Word and contends for the
Faith once delivered to the saints.
Christ commended these believers for their
fidelity to His Word. Not only did they possess a little strength, but,
He stated, they "have kept My Word." This denotes this
church's adherence to sound doctrine and subsequent obedience to it.
They persistently and consistently obeyed the clear teaching of God's
Word and refused to tolerate error. To "keep" God's Word
involves offensive action (obedience) as well as defensive reaction and
caution (separation) from anything that contradicts God's Word.
Christ then commended the believers at
Philadelphia for not denying His name. This denotes the believers'
inward attitudes—their true love and motivation for service. Not only
did they refuse to renounce their faith when it would have been easy for
them to do so in order to avoid strife and persecution, but they also
labored for Christ for the right reasons. They did not leave their first
love, but rather, they held fast to His name through both good times and
bad. To "not deny [His] name" involves faithfulness to Christ—an
attitude of the heart.
Finally, Christ commended these believers for
keeping the "word of [His] patience" (v. 10). Not only did
those at Philadelphia adhere to the "faith once delivered" in
its entirety, but specifically, they held fast to Christ's command to be
patient unto His coming. They kept Christ's mandate to persevere and
wait for His return—a command that is continually set before the
church throughout the New Testament. Today, believers are likewise
exhorted to stand firm on the truths of the Word of God as they wait for
His coming (Jas. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:28). The child of God is to "occupy,
" or "do business," until the return of Christ (Lk.
19:13).
Christ's Promises: To these
faithful, righteous saints, Christ promised vindication (v. 9). This
verse could possibly refer to an actual historical event to which the
Church today is not privy, but most likely it pertains to the time when
the unsaved will finally know of Christ's love for His Church and
experience His judgment at the Great White Throne. Then, all will
acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah and will know of His love for
those who have believed in Him. For the church at Philadelphia, Christ
outlined the future exaltation of believers and humiliation of
unbelievers.
Christ's second promise to the believers at
Philadelphia was that He would deliver His saints out of the coming
Tribulation (v. 10). This promise is not merely referring to general
testing and persecution, for the saints at Philadelphia (and those in
many other cities throughout the history of the Church) certainly did
experience and continue to experience persecution. Concerning this
deliverance, one must notice that Christ promised to "keep [the
believers] from" a particular span of time: "the hour of
temptation (testing)." One must also understand that this period of
time consists of a great testing that will come upon the whole world in
order to "try them" that dwell upon the earth. Finally, one
must recognize that the believers are delivered "from" (εκ, meaning "from" or
"out of" in the Greek) this span of time, not merely protected
through it. It is evident through careful study of this passage that
Christ is referring to the coming seven-year Tribulation. The church
at Philadelphia possessed the Scriptures and was aware of that which
Jesus and the apostles taught concerning the cataclysmic future events.
But Christ told them they did not need to worry about enduring this
horrible period of time. These believers in Philadelphia, as well as all
believers who have died up to this point in the twenty-first century,
have been delivered from the Tribulation by virtue of their physical
death. But even today, believers can have the assurance that they will
not experience this seven-year period in which God will pour out His
wrath on an unbelieving world. Those saints who are alive at Christ's
coming (the rapture) will be caught up and delivered from this time of
testing that will come upon the whole earth (1 Thess. 4:16-18).
Christ also promised a crown, or a reward, to
those faithful believers who held fast to His Word (v. 11). He exhorted
the saints at Philadelphia to watch for His coming and to "hold
that fast which thou hast" so they would not lose the reward they
had laid up for themselves in heaven. Many of the other churches were to
"watch out" because Christ would come upon them suddenly to
remove their candlestick as a result of their infidelity to Him. But
this "watching" on the part of the church at Philadelphia
consisted of a hopeful expectation rather than a fearful, dreaded
anticipation.
Today, faithful Christians are assured of the
same promises as those given to the Christ-honoring believers in
Philadelphia—they will be vindicated one day, they will be delivered
out of the seven-year Tribulation and they will receive a crown or
reward for their faithfulness to the Savior. The church at Philadelphia
was persistent and faithful in serving Christ, in watching for His
coming and in taking every opportunity He gave them to minister to
others. This church was small and insignificant, yet the power of God
rested upon it. Persistent obedience (action) and faithfulness
(attitude) are the keys to a truly successful church. Fundamentalists
today must sincerely examine themselves and seek to emulate the
obedience and faithfulness of those in the church at Philadelphia. In
doing so, they will glorify Christ in every aspect of their ministry,
meet His approval and enjoy a blessed relationship with their Lord.
Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
Christ's letter to the church at Laodicea
contains a message deeply relevant to today's Fundamentalist,
Bible-believing churches. Oftentimes, this church is unjustly vilified
as an apostate church and is categorized as that which is outside the
bounds of true Christianity. But such was not the case, for the text
reveals that this church at Laodicea consisted of true believers who
were walking afar off from a right relationship with their Savior. The
believers in this church were self-deceived concerning their spiritual
well-being and apathetic about their need to be "lights" and
"witnesses" to those around them. Believers today have much to
learn from the church at Laodicea and must not write it off as that
which they are not or that which they could never become. No, Christians
today must listen to what Christ said to this church and search their
own hearts and lives just as He Himself is inspecting and searching the
hearts and lives of all His children at this very moment.
Like many of the surrounding communities,
Laodicea was a city full of wealth and paganism. It is interesting to
note that the church in Laodicea is mentioned elsewhere in the New
Testament Scriptures. Four times in his letter to the church at Colossae
(a city located only 11 miles from Laodicea) the apostle Paul referred
to the congregation in Laodicea (2:1-3; 4:12-16). Paul was deeply
concerned about the heart condition of these believers and told the
Colossian saints to make sure that his epistle to them would be read to
the church in Laodicea as well. Evidently, by the time John penned
Christ's words to this church, it had already been established for many
years, for when Paul had written his Colossian epistle several years
earlier, the spiritual needs of the congregation in Laodicea were
already obvious to him. Quite possibly, the church in Laodicea had been
a sister church to the one in Colossae.
Notice Christ's introduction to this church (v.
14). First, He introduced Himself as "the Amen." This word, in
the New Testament context, means something that is established, positive
and sure. It is also translated "verily" or "truly"
in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the "Amen." He is Surety
and Truth, the ultimate Authority, the Certainty, the Amen. He is
"the Truth" (Jn. 14:6) expressed in a Person. Second, He
introduced Himself as "the faithful and true Witness." Jesus
Christ is the all-faithful One and the true communication of God the
Father to mankind. Nothing He says to the church is an inaccurate or
untrue representation of the facts. Nothing He says can be challenged or
debated because He is "the faithful and true Witness."
Finally, He introduced Himself as "the beginning of the creation of
God." The word beginning (arch) means
He is the cause or originator of creation. Colossians 1:15-18 relates
this same fact. This statement not only reveals the glory due Christ,
but it also continues to underlie the authority by which His letter to
the church in Laodicea is written.
Christ's Complaint: The Savior wrote,
"Thou art neither cold nor hot" (vv. 15-16). Such a statement
denoted the general spiritual condition of the church at Laodicea.
Apparently, the terms "cold," "hot" and
"lukewarm" describe three different spiritual states in which
God classifies believers. To be cold is to be frozen, lifeless or void
of any activity. To be hot is to be active, zealous and full of life and
vitality. To be lukewarm is to be tepid, to have the name
"Christian " but to actually be indifferent and apathetic to
sound doctrine and faithful witness. To the church at Laodicea, Christ
said He preferred that they would be either cold or hot rather than
lukewarm. The fact that Christ would even admit that He preferred the
church to be cold rather than lukewarm reveals both His extreme
displeasure with lukewarmness and the spiritual peril of those who are
found to be "lukewarm." Because this church at Laodicea was
lukewarm, Christ said He was ready to extinguish any flame that remained
of the candlestick of Laodicea (just as He had promised to do with the
other churches that did not heed His counsel). In fact, their
lukewarmness was so distasteful to the Lord, so utterly intolerable,
that He was ready to vomit the church from His mouth. Obviously, this
church in its tepid state did more to harm to the cause of Christ than
to advance His cause.
The believers in Laodicea believed themselves
to be prosperous (v. 17); they assessed their spiritual state as
"rich, and increased with goods. " But this church was
self-deceived. The believers thought they needed nothing from Christ
because they possessed all the world could offer them. They relied upon
their own efforts, programs and strategies in order to satisfy their own
perceived needs. This self-sufficiency was nothing but lukewarmness in
God's sight. Without doubt, one of the most dangerous delusions that any
Fundamental church can have today is to think itself to "have need
of nothing." For that matter, any self-delusion on the part of a
local church concerning any matter is dishonoring to God and spiritually
detrimental to those within the fellowship.
Christ declared this church to be lukewarm, but
the church, in turn, replied that it was rich and in need of nothing.
Christ then pronounced it wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (v.
17), denoting its true spiritual condition as judged by the omniscient
Christ (notice the word order in vv. 15-17: "thou art ... thou
sayest ... thou art"). These believers were "wretched"—they
were oppressed with a great burden (cf. Rom. 7:24) but did not even
realize it; "miserable"—they were pitiable and full of
misery; "poor"—they were spiritually destitute to the point
of beggary; "blind"—they were void of spiritual discernment;
and "naked"—they did not possess any spiritual glory, light
or outward fruit characteristic of true Christianity. Notice the
contrast between the church at Laodicea and the church at Smyrna: The
Laodicean church was physically rich but spiritually impoverished
while the church at Smyrna was physically destitute yet spiritually
wealthy.
Christ's Counsel: Christ's instruction to
this church was fourfold. First, they were to "buy of [Him] gold
... white raiment ... eye-salve" (v. 18)—Christ exhorted them to
rely solely upon Him for their sufficiency. They needed "gold"
because they were wretched, miserable and poor (v. 17). The gold
represents true spiritual riches and satisfaction that can only be
obtained through refining fire rather than ease and comfort alone. These
believers needed to be different from the world, and such action would
result in the scorn and persecution of the world but true spiritual
blessing from Christ. They needed "white raiment" because they
were naked and needed to clothe themselves not only in the righteousness
of Christ which clothes every believer, but also in the righteousness of
the saints which results from producing spiritual fruit and abiding in
Christ. They needed "eye salve" because they were blind and
could not see things as Christ saw them. These believers were destitute
of wisdom and discernment and needed to realize that only conformity to
the Word and will of God would cause their eyes to be opened. Second,
Christ counseled them to be zealous (v. 19), that is, to be hot rather
than lukewarm. After relying upon God for true spiritual riches and
20/20 vision, this church needed to return to her first love and
zealously serve Him alone. Third, Christ admonished this church to
repent, that is, to change its mind concerning itself and its
relationship with the Lord. Finally, Christ entreated those in the
church at Laodicea to "open the door" (v. 20), a statement
that reveals Christ's patience and longsuffering with those who had
forsaken Him. He desires to fellowship with His children, but He forces
such fellowship upon no one. He stood at the door, hoping that even one
man, woman or child in the church at Laodicea would hear His voice and
open the door and fellowship with Him.
Christ loved the church at Laodicea despite its
apathy and self-delusion, and that is why He rebuked these believers so
severely (v. 19). Yet He hated their spiritual condition. Notice once
again Paul's statement concerning the church at Laodicea in Colossians
2:1-3. He wanted them to realize that true riches are only found in
Christ and that the moment any church thinks itself rich and in need of
nothing, it immediately becomes "wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked. " Yet hope is not lost. Christ is standing,
knocking on the door and waiting for His children to return to
fellowship with Him. He is the Judge and Inspector, standing in the
midst of the churches. He knows the status of every church today, and
although man may deceive himself, he can never deceive the Lord.
Believers must study and heed Christ's words to
these seven early churches, for these congregations mirror thousands of
local assemblies that exist today. Every church must determine where it
stands in the eyes of the great Inspector and judge who knows the
hearts. Such careful introspection can only be accomplished by measuring
oneself against the very words of God found in the Holy Scriptures.
Those who fall short must, even now, "remember, repent, and
return."
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