NOTE–The last church addressed by Jesus was in Laodicea, a wealthy city situated on a major trade road. It was famous for its woolen manufacturing industry, its banks (which held a vast quantity of gold); and a medical school which produced eye salve.
The prosperity of Laodicea filled its citizens with self-sufficiency. Around A.D. 60, when an earthquake destroyed the city, the citizens declined an offer of assistance from Rome, claiming to have all they needed to do the job. Since the city lacked water, it was supplied through an aqueduct that came from the hot springs at Hierapolis. The source was distant from Laodicea, so the water became lukewarm by the time it got there
How did the self-sufficient spirit of the city pervade the Laodicean Christians?
Revelation 3:14-17 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of
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:
NOTE-Jesus did not rebuke the Christians in Laodicea for a serious sin, such as heresy or apostasy. Rather, their problem was complacency leading to spiritual lethargy. Like the water that reached the city, they were neither refreshingly cold nor hot, but lukewarm.
They claimed to be rich and in need of nothing; yet they were poor, naked, and blind to their spiritual condition.The church in Laodicea symbolizes the spiritual condition of God’s church near the close of this earth’s history,
So, what is Laodiceanism?
What are the actions which Laodiceans perform?
1. Abuses God-given privileges?
NOTE–Selected Messages, book 1, p 357-–The True Witness says of a cold, lifeless, Christless church, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thouwert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15,16).
Mark the following words: “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” (Revelation 3:17).
Here is represented a people who pride themselves in their possession of spiritual knowledge and advan-tages. But they have not responded to the unmerited blessings thatGod has bestowed upon them. They have been full of rebellion,ingratitude, and forgetfulness of God; and still He has dealt with them as a loving, forgiving father deals with an ungrateful, wayward son.
They have resisted His grace, abused His privileges, slighted His opportunities, and have been satisfied to sink down in content-ment, in lamentable ingratitude, hollow formalism, and hypocritical in sincerity.
With Pharisaic pride they have vaunted themselves till it has been said of them,“Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”Has not the Lord Jesus sent message after message of rebuke, of warning, of entreaty to these self-satisfied ones? Have not His coun-sels been despised and rejected?
Have not His delegated messengers been treated with scorn, and their words been received as idle tales?Christ sees that which man does not see. He sees the sins which, if not repented of,will exhaust the patience of a long-suffering God.
Christ cannot take up the names of those who are satisfied in their own self-sufficiency. He cannot importune in behalf of a people who feel no need of His help, who claim to know and possess everything.The great Redeemer represents Himself as a heavenly merchant-man, laden with riches, calling from house to house, presenting His priceless goods, and saying, “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, andrepent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
Affections attached on the earth
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3. Aids enemy in weakening and [discouraging those building up God’s work }(fireman fighting the firemen)
NOTE-Testimonies, vol 4, pp.87—They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests; but they hold aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly personal interests demand it.
The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts; of such it is said: “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.”Faith and love are the true riches, the pure gold which the True Witness counsels the lukewarm to buy.
However rich we may be in earthly treasure, all our wealth will not enable us to buy the precious remedies that cure the disease of the soul called lukewarmness. Intellect and earthly riches were powerless to remove the defects of the Laodicean church, or to remedy their deplorable condition.
They were blind, yet felt that they were well off. The Spirit of God did not illumine their minds,and they did not perceive their sinfulness; therefore they did not feel the necessity of help.
4. Allows children to form careless, demoralizing habits–Testimonies, vol 7, p 66-67.
5. Allows children to make friends with wrong influences–Testimonies, vol 7, p 66-67.
6. Allows themselves to think that wisdom and knowledge can be found some where other than in God– Colossians 2:4.
7. Allows trials to separate them from Christ–Notebook Leaflets, p 99.
8. Allows filthy communication to come out of mouth–Colossians 3:8.
9. Also referred to as, and fulfills description of, the foolish virgins–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 419-420.
10. Are asleep–Selected Messages, book 1, p 196.
11. Are angry and full of wrath–Colossians 3:8.
12. Are blasphemers–Colossians 3:8.
13. Are fornicators–Colossians 3:5.
14. Are idolaters–Colossians 3:5.
15. Are not humble of mind–Colossians 3:12.
16. Are not kind–Colossians 3:12.
17. Are not longsuffering–Colossians 3:12.
18. Are not meek–Colossians 3:11.
19. Are not merciful–Colossians 3:12.
20. Are not renewed in knowledge of Christ–Colossians 3:10.
21. Are not thankful–Colossians 3:15.
22. Are unclean–Colossians 3:5.
23. Associates with world–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 221-222.
24. Backslidden upon health reform–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 269-274.
25. Backslides–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 966; Review and Herald, vol 2, p 615-616, vol 3, p 181-182.
26. Becoming conformed to world–Experience and Views, p 26 (1854).
27. Beholds things in a perverted light as Satan would have them see–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 961.28.
Believes they are so sanctified that it is impossible to sin--Review and Herald, vol 1, p 194.29.
Careless of own spiritual welfare–Australasian Record, p 477-479 (4-15-12).30.
Carries the dress question to extreme–Spiritual Gifts, book 2, p 222.31.
Carries truth with indifference–Periodical Resource Collection, vol 2, p 536-538.32.
Character formed mostly of self with little of Christ--Bible Commentary, vol 6, p 1101.33.
Cherishes thoughts of self-exaltation–Manuscript Release, vol 18, p 193.34.
Children not obeying parents in all things in the Lord–Colossians 3:20.35.
Children not pleasing the Lord–Colossians 3:20.36.
Christ-less–Selected Messages, book 1, p 357.37.
Cold and formal like the others–Early Writings, p 107.38.
Cold and lifeless–Selected Messages, book 1, p 357.39. Conformed to world–Early Writings, p 107.40.
Corrupt in faith–Series B#7, p 13.41.
Corrupt in principle–Series B#7, p 13.42.
Covetous–Review and Herald, vol 1, p 363; Colossians 3:5.43.
Deceived in self–Pamphlet #138, p 47.44. Deceptive–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 962.45.
Deficient in fervent devotion–Testimonies, vol 4, p 87.46.
Depends on own wisdom–Signs of the Times, vol 3, p 83.47.
Depends upon human capabilities–Manuscript Releases, vol 18, p 193.48.
Destitute of Holy Spirit–Periodical Resource Collection, vol 2, p 536-538.49.
Discerns mote in eyes of others, but not the beam in own eyes–Testimonies to Ministers, p 296.50.
Dishonoring God–Series B#7, p 13.51.
Dissatisfied with God’s work–Life Sketches, p 329 (1888).52.
Does not acknowledge Christ’s voice–Revelation 3:20.53.
Does not admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs–Colossians 3:16.54.
Does not allow the word of God to dwell in them–Colossians 3:16.55. Does not appreciate great light and many opportunities–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 961.56.
Does not battle nobly with tribulation, danger, trials, tests, and provings of God–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 275.57.
Does not bear decided testimony in favor of health reform–Manuscript Releases, vol 1, p 281.58.
Does not bear decided witness in favor of truth–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 962; ManuscriptReleases, vol 1, p 281.59.
Does not care to unite with certain ones in faith–Testimonies, vol 8, p 104.60.
Does not carry out God’s instruction given them–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 964.61.
Does not closely follow principles of faith–Testimonies, vol 4, p 87.62.
Does not communicate light to others–Pamphlet #39, p 9.63.
Does not comply with conditions of God’s word–Signs of the Times, vol 2, p 318-319.-3-64.
Does not continue in prayer–Colossians 4:2.65.
Does not cultivate the graces of the Spirit in the life–Pamphlet #39, p 9.66.
Does not diffuse light to others around them–Pamphlet #39, p 9.67.
Does not do works of Christ–Series B#7, p 13.68.
Does not follow instructions in John chapter 17–Loma Linda Messages, p 86.69.
Does not forebear one another–Colossians 3:13.70.
Does not forgive those who have a quarrel against them–Colossians 3:13.71.
Does not fully understand the mystery of God–Colossians 2:2.72.
Does not give a distinct warning to others–Testimonies to Ministers, p 296.73.
Does not give truth to others–Selected Messages, book 2, p 92; Faith I Live By, p 306.74.
Does not have an open ear–Revelation 3:21.75.
Does not have child-like trust in God–Manuscript Releases, vol 18, p 193.76.
Does not have eyes anointed with heavenly eyesalve–Revelation 3:18.77.
Does not have gold tried in the fire–Revelation 3:18.78.
Does not have graces of Spirit–Manuscript Releases, vol 18, p 193.79.
Does not have the power of God–Notebook Leaflets, p 99.80.
Does not have whole-hearted obedience to God–Manuscript Releases, vol 7, p 264.81.
Does not have zealous repentance–Pamphlet #39, p 9.82.
Does not hear what Holy Spirit is saying–Revelation 3:22.83.
Does not inquire with sincere hearts as to God’s will–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 381-382.84.
Does not know how to give an answer to every one who asks–Colossians 4:6.85.
Does not know what pure religion is–Series B#7, p 13.86.
Does not labor with God–Pamphlet #39, p 9.87.
Does not love one another, including unbelievers, as Christ does–Pamphlet #138, p 47.88.
Does not manifest charity–Colossians 3:14.89.
Does not manifest disinterested benevolence–Review and Herald, vol 4, p 105-106.90.
Does not manifest zealous efforts to overcome–Pamphlet #39, p 9.91.
Does not obey truth in a way that world see’s that they have been with Jesus and has learned of Him–Periodical Resource Collection, vol 2, p 573-575.92.
Does not open hearts door to Christ–Revelation 3:20.93.
Does not overcome as Christ overcame–Revelation 3:21.94.
Does not perceive sinfulness–Testimonies, vol 6, p 77.95.
Does not pray earnestly–2RH 381-82, Pamphlet #39, p 9.96.
Does not pray for the messengers of the Lord–Colossians 4:3.97.
Does not pray thoughtfully–Pamphlet #39, p 9.98.
Does not realize that all heaven is interested in progress of our getting ready–Review and Herald,vol 2, p 307-308.99.
Does not realize that Christ is coming soon–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 307-308.100.
Does not realize that we are living on the very borders of heaven--Review and Herald, vol 2, p 307-308.
-4-101. Does not redeem the time–Colossians 4:5.102.
Does not reflect God-given rays to others–Manuscript Releases, vol 15, p 92.103.
Does not respond to unmerited blessings–Selected Messages, book 1, p 357.104.
Does not search the Scriptures–Pamphlet #39, p 9.105.
Does not shed a tender warmth and a love to others–Pamphlet #39, p 9.106.
Does not show zeal proportionate to great truth accepted–Southern Watchman, 2-27-02.107.
Does not sing with grace in hearts–Colossians 3:16.108.
Does not speak with grace or being seasoned with salt–Colossians 4:6.109.
Does not sup with Christ–Revelation 3:20.110.
Does not tax mental powers–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 307-308.111. Does not teach children line upon line, precept upon precept in God’s word–Testimonies, vol 7, p66-67.112.
Does not trust God implicitly–Signs of the Times, vol 2, p 318-319.113. Does not understand simplicity of faith–Signs of the Times, vol 2, p 318-319.114.
Does not walk in light–Review and Herald, vol 2, p 363-364.115.
Does not walk in wisdom towards unbelievers–Colossians 4:5.116.
Does not watch with thanksgiving–Colossians 4:2.117.
9.125. Exhibits malice–Colossians 3:8.126.
Expresses hypocrisy–Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 962.127.
Expresses hypocritical insincerity–Selected Messages, book 1, p 357.128. Fails to follow clear light of truth–Review and Herald, vol 5, p 99-100.129.
-5-137. Given great light, but does nothing with it–Selected Messages, book 2, p 92.138.
NOTE--The message to the Laodicean…comes home to those who do not apply it to themselves” Council to Writers and Editors, p 99.
In this Laodicean condition we cannot be used of God (see Periodical Resource Collection, vol 2, p 536-538), and hence we will not receive the seal of God (see Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 963). And if we refuse to leave the church and the condition of Laodicea, then we are no better than Babylon, and hence we will receive the plagues of God’s wrath(see Manuscript Releases, vol 19, p 176)!
How may the lukewarmness of soul of the Laodiceans be overcome?
Revelation 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”.
NOTE-Nothing short of personal response to God’s pleadings can shake the Laodicean lethargy that now grips the saints. “Buy of me gold.” This speaks of a priceless personal experience with Christ that improves with testing. “White raiment” is the character of Christ with which we are to be clothed. “Eyesalve” is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit which deepens spiritual insight.”Buy of me” and “anoint thine eyes” are action phrases.Inspired by the Spirit, we must take those initiatives that will invoke the power of God in our behalf. Christ-motivated action is one of man’s most effective forms of prayer.
What wise counsel from Amos can challenge those living in the last days?
Amos 4:12.Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
NOTE–Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 332–In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John [the Baptist] is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord…. Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God’s word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully.
What timely advice concerning last-day needs of the church does Jesus give?
Luke 21:34,36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
NOTE–Testimonies,vol.1, p. 151–word of God has been neglected. In that are the warnings to God’s people which point out their dangers. But they have had so many cares and perplexities that they hardly allow themselves time to pray.
There has been a mere empty form without the power. Jesus prayed, and, oh, how earnest were His prayers! And yet He was the beloved Son of God! If Jesus manifested so much earnestness, so much energy and agony, how much more need for those whom He has called to be heirs of salvation.
NOTE-The Signs of the Times-1886-Watchfulness and Prayer–Luke 21:34,36-In the solemn language of this scripture, a duty is pointed out which lies in the daily pathway of every one, whether old or young. This is the duty of watchfulness, and upon our faithfulness here our destiny for time and for eternity depends.
We are living in an important time. When in 1844 the message was proclaimed, “Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come,” that announcement stirred every soul to its very depths. A deep solemnity rested upon all who heard it.
How earnest we were to show our faith by our works, and to have our words and actions make a favorable impression on the world. More than forty years have passed since that time, and we are that much nearer the close of the Judgment and the coming of the Son of man–“nearer the great white throne, nearer the crystal sea.”
To-day angels are watching the development of character; and soon our lives will have to pass in review before God. Soon we shall be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and over against our names will be recorded the judgment rendered. And we shall receive the crowning gift of eternal life or be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. We may be unwilling to examine ourselves closely now to see what our spiritual condition is, and whether our hearts are being suitably impressed by the testing message of truth; but that will not make any difference with the work of the Judgment. Its decisions will be rendered just the same; and when the “Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels,” “he shall reward every man according to his works.”
“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” How many there are who are bereft of their reason, as much intoxicated with the cares of this life as is the drunkard with his liquor.
NOTE -Ministry Magarazine–is the church that finishes the work of God. It must be, for there is no eighth church. No one should feel any stigma about being a part of Laodicea–it is impossible now to be anything else. The trouble we face does not lie in being Laodicean but rather in suffering from the disease of Laodiceanism.
What is Laodiceanism? Is it being lukewarm? Is it saying “I am rich . . . and have need of nothing” ? Or is it the lack of the gold, eyesalve, and white raiment? I have news for you: it is none of the above. These are symptoms of Laodiceanism–very serious symptoms, but they are not the disease.
The essence of Laodiceanism is that the church does not now have the intimate relationship with Christ that He urges upon it (see Rev. 3:20). If it had such a relationship, why the invitation? This invitation is all-inclusive. No one can leave himself or herself out. If you claim to be a Christian, then you must grapple with Christ’s challenge.
The message to the seventh church is twofold. Its primary focus reveals who is responsible for the condition of the church. Each message begins with the words “Unto the angel.” According to Uriah Smith this angel represents the leadership of the church: its administrators, pastors, and ancillary workers. Historically, God has sought to lead His people through a “called ministry.” As the leadership goes, so goes the church.
As a pastor I have taken this message very personally. It is unsettling, to say the least, to have my Saviour lay at my doorstep the responsibility for this most serious condition. But as I have examined my own life in the light of Revelation 3:20,1 must confess that I have been less than faithful.
Ambassadors of Christ 