letter to the church at laodiceapsalmstudy.org/testamentnew/27revelation/church07-laodicea.pdf ·...

Letter to the Church at Laodicea

Jim MacGregor AMDG

Table of Contents

LettertotheChurchatLaodicea..................................................................................................1TheLetter.......................................................................................................................................................................3TheSetting.....................................................................................................................................................................3ChurchHistory..............................................................................................................................................................5Jesus’Title......................................................................................................................................................................6Jesusthe“Amen”................................................................................................................................................................................................8Jesusthe“FaithfulandTrueWitness”.................................................................................................................................................10Jesusthe“BeginningofGod’sCreation”.............................................................................................................................................11

Jesus’Commendation...............................................................................................................................................12Jesus’Complaint........................................................................................................................................................12Laodiceathe“Lukewarm”Church........................................................................................................................................................12Laodiceathe“Wretched,Pitiable,Poor,Blind,andNaked”Church.................................................................................15Scripturetellsusaboutsolutionstospiritualwretchedness:.............................................................................18Scripturetellsusaboutspiritualmiseryandbeingpitiable:...............................................................................18WelearnfromScripturewhatitmeanstobespirituallypoorandspirituallywealthy:...........................18WelearnfromScripturewhatitmeanstobespirituallyblind:.........................................................................19Scripturetellsusaboutspiritualnakedness:............................................................................................................19

Jesus’Counsel.............................................................................................................................................................20BuyJesus’Gold,WhiteGarments,andSalve....................................................................................................................................21Jesus’Love,Reproval,andDiscipline...................................................................................................................................................24Jesus’Mandate“BeZealousandRepent”...........................................................................................................................................28RelatedFact:TheActionsofPhinehas........................................................................................................................29

JesusWantsintoOurLives........................................................................................................................................................................32Jesus’PromiseforRepentance................................................................................................................................................................38Jesus’Warning................................................................................................................................................................................................41

Summary.....................................................................................................................................................................41

David Flusser

http://psalmstudy.org/TestamentNew/27Revelation/church07-laodicea.pdf


Jim MacGregor AMDG

ii

Page not used.


Jim MacGregor AMDG


1

1 Charles H. Spurgeon, “457 Charles Spurgeon Quotes,” Accessed July 21, 2017,

https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-author/charles-spurgeon-quotes/#axzz4nU9Fep1A.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

2

2

2 Composite image “Seven Churches of Asia” with caption from http://www.jeffangiegoh.com/wp-

content/uploads/2011/08/SevenChurches.jpeg, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Seven_churches_of_asia.svg/2000px-Seven_churches_of_asia.svg.png, and http://www.eastbrookchurch.org/content.aspx?content_id=378164&site_id=10809.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

3

The Letter “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those, whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:14-22/ESV)

The Setting Laodicea in Phrygia, north of modern Denizli, was located in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia. The city was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC) and was probably similar to Thyatira in constitution and law. However, no more specific information has been preserved. It was situated at a critical point in the road system of the country, a primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East. It was at a crossroads with the route to the south coast from Ephesus, Pergamum, and Sardis. It was a center of commerce. The great road from the west (from Ephesus and from Miletus) ascends due eastwards, until it enters “the Gate of Phrygia.” In the Gate are a remarkable series of hot springs, and warm mud baths, some in the bed of the Meander River and others on its banks. Laodicea was a strong fortress on the line of the great road, but its

serious weakness was dependency for water supply on an aqueduct carrying water from springs about six miles to the south. The aqueduct was underground, but could hardly be guarded long against an attack. If the aqueduct was cut, the city was helpless. 3

Laodicea is mentioned in the New Testament with two other cities in the Lycos River Valley: Hierapolis and Colossae.

For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13/ESV) To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:2/ESV)

3 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,

2001) pp. 180-181, 190, 278. Parts of the aqueduct were above ground. William M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1985) pp. 413-415. Image “Aqueduct at Laodicea” from https://bleon1.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/laodicea-aquaduct_dsc02808.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

4

According to Josephus, Antiochus III the Great deported about 2,000 Jewish families from Babylon and resettled them in Phrygia. 4 Strong circumstantial evidence indicates the there was a large Jewish population at the time of John. The Jewish community was Hellenized and apparently integrated into Laodicean society. They had Greek names. There is no record of racial and religious tension between the Jewish community and other segments of society. “The Jews of Laodicea may have become so integrated with their affluent society that they were indistinguishable within it, perhaps even leaders in its commercial expansion.” 5 The city magistrates of Laodicea later granted Jews freedom of worship. 6 Laodicea was a center of banking, money changing, commerce, and Greek culture. In AD 61, it was devastated by an earthquake; but its citizens were so rich and independent that they refused any help from the Roman government and rebuilt their city out of their own resources. 7

Laodicea was a banking center. 8 It minted its own coins several centuries before Jesus’ time. It was a place of science and literature. John’s remark, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” refers to the material prosperity of the city. 9 John’s remarks have been interpreted as pertaining either to apostasy

in the end times or as simply a warning against shortsighted and superficial faith when people are so enamored of wealth that they lose sight of the Gospel. The city’s and its Christians’ preoccupation with commerce may have saved the church there from persecution. 10

4 Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 12, Chapter 3 (147-149), The Works of Josephus, William Whiston,

trans. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987) p. 317. This may have been around the year 187 BC. Josephus - Titus Flavius Josephus (AD 37 - ca. AD 100) - was a Jewish born Roman historian who recorded, Jewish history from Genesis to his time. Antiochus III the Great (ca. 241-187 BC, ruled 222-187 BC) was a Hellenistic Greek king and the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire. See “Authors and Organizations Mentioned in the Paper and Bibliography.” Antiochus III the Great reigned from 222 BC until his death in 195 BC.

5 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001) pp. 182-184.

6 Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 14, Chapter 10 (147-149), The Works of Josephus, William Whiston, trans. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987) p. 381.

7 William Barclay, The Revelation of John Volume I (Louisvile, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004) p 150. 8 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,

2001) pp. 191-192, 196. Henry Barclay Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John (New York, NY: The MacMillan Company, 1907) pp. lxiv-lxv.

9 W. White, Jr, “Laodicea” in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume Three H-L, Merrill C. Tenney, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1976) pp. 877-879. J. Vernon McGee, “Christ’s Letter to the Church In Laodicea,” Revelation 3, Revelation Chapters 1 - 5 (Thru the Bible) (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995). Downloaded May 9, 2016. from Mantis Software Mobile Phone App. http://mantisbible.com/Support/AboutMantisBibleStudy/tabid/140/Default.aspx.

10 Henry Barclay Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John (New York, NY: The MacMillan Company, 1907) p. lxv. Image of a denarius (Emperor Domitian) minted at Laodicea from http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8206561184_09e1962714_b.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

5

Laodicea was a center of clothing manufacturing, especially of garments made from the soft, violet-black, glossy wool of the sheep that were abundant there, and for mass-produced, inexpensive outer garments. 11

Laodicea was well known for its school of medicine. Its doctors were so famous that the names of some appear on the coins of Laodicea. Two of them, prior to John’s time, were called Zeuxis and Alexander Philalethes. 12 One of the principles of medicine at that time was that some diseases required compound medicines. 13 We shall read more of “For you say, I am

rich …,” “white garments,” and “salve to anoint your eyes” under the topic “Buy Jesus’ Gold, White Garments, and Salve.”

Church History We know little about the church at Laodicea. There is no account of its establishment, but there are certain references to it in the New Testament that may throw some light on its history. There was clearly a relationship between the churches at Laodicea and Colossae. Paul knew of the church and possibly visited it. However, we have no documentation relating to such a visit. The references he makes to the church in his letter to the Colossians are interesting in the light of his indication that Laodicea was some kind of struggle for him (i.e., an anxious concern as to their welfare). 14 It is possible that the letter that he asked to be “read in the church of the Laodiceans” might be his letter to the Colossians. He wrote of having to struggle with the churches at Laodicea and Colossae. There is no evidence that Paul visited either Laodicea or Colossae. 15

Paul’s letter to the Colossians may have addressed some issues that he knew also to be present in Laodicea. He wrote that he struggled for Laodicea: For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:1-3/ESV) He told the Colossians that his fellow worker, Epaphras, … had worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13/ESV)

11 William Barclay, The Revelation of John Volume I (Louisvile, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004) p 150.

Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001) pp. 199-200.

12 William Barclay, The Revelation of John Volume I (Louisvile, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004) p. 51. 13 David Padfield, “Colosse, Hierapolis and Laodicea,” Accessed July 2018,

http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/laodicea.pdf. Image of coin “Zeuxis Philalethes” from https://www.pecunem.com/catalog/pecunem_auction-44_catalog.pdf. Image of coin “Zeuxis Philalethes” from https://www.pecunem.com/catalog/pecunem_auction-44_catalog.pdf.

14 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) pp. 185-188.

15 Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Clinton E. Arnold, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: 2002) p. 277.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

6

He asked that his letter be read also in the church at Laodicea: Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (Colossians 4:15-17/ESV) 16

The following sketchy outline of the origin of the church at Laodicea may be deduced from Scripture: 17

The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from entering Asia (ca. 50). And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. (Acts 16:6/ESV) Paul eventually went to Ephesus (ca. 52). And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. (Acts 19:1/ESV) At the time of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he had not yet visited Colossae or Laodicea (ca. 62 or 63). For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face … (Colossians 2:1/ESV) Paul alluded to the Colossians’ receipt of a letter from Laodicea. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. (Colossians 4:16) Perhaps Archippus, according to tradition, was responsible for the church in Laodicea. … and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house … (Philemon 1:2/ESV)

Jesus’ Title “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” (Revelation 3:14/ESV)

This is the harshest of the letters to the seven Churches. It is distressing to hear how Jesus can speak sharply not only to his overt enemies, but also to Christians who have not followed Him as He intends.

Jesus’ self-descriptive title contrasts starkly with the abject failure of the church at Laodicea that he describes later in His condemnation of the church. Jesus calls Himself the “Amen” meaning that His position is absolute relative to all creation. He is steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. He calls Himself the “the faithful and true witness”

16 Archippus was a disciple at Colossae. He is believed to be the person whom Paul called a “fellow soldier” in his

letter to Philemon (Philemon 1:2). Also, it is probable that the apostle wrote a special letter to the church at Laodicea which has not been preserved. It may have had no perpetual value, as he distinctly charges the church at Colossae that the letter to the church at Laodicea is to be read to them also. Clement, Bishop And Citizen Of Rome (Pseudonym). The Apostolic Constitutions (or Constitutions of the Holy Apostles. Translated by Donaldson, James. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 7. Edited by Roberts, Alexander, Donaldson, James, and Coxe, A. Cleveland. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886. Revised and edited for New Advent by Knight, Kevin. Accessed May 9, 2016. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0715.htm. According to the Apostolical Constitutions, Archippus was ordained bishop of Laodicea by the apostles. The Apostolical Constitutions is a Christian collection of eight treatises that belongs to genre of the Church Orders. The work can be dated from 375 to 380 AD. The provenance is usually regarded as Syria, probably Antioch. The author is unknown, although it is considered to be the same author of the letters of Pseudo-Ignatius, perhaps the 4th-century Eunomian bishop Julian of Cilicia.

17 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7, an Exegetical Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1992) pp. 299-300.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

7

indicating that His absolute position makes Him the truth of everything. He calls Himself “the beginning of God’s creation.” indicating that all things were created in Him - in Heaven and earth, visible and invisible. His total wealth and independence - ownership and rule of all Creation - contrasts with the spiritual poverty of the church at Laodicea and its dependence on worldly wealth. He is the source of life - engaged and loving - whereas the church at Laodicea is lifeless, indifferent, and cool. 18

Paul taught us about Jesus as the “beginning of God’s creation” in these words: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:15-18/ESV)

Jesus’ title demonstrates to us that His title given here is greater than the titles of prophet, priest, and king. Here He identifies Himself as the absolute ruler, controller, and judge of all Creation “from everlasting to everlasting.” 19 By Him all was created (Colossians 1:15-18). As prophet, Jesus is the truth of the Father. He is the Word made flesh, the final word God has spoken to his people (Hebrews 1:1-2, 8). As priest, Jesus is the way to the Father. He is both the sacrifice for our sins and the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24). As king, Jesus is the life from the sovereign giver of life, the eternal Father, who gives life now and in the coming age for eternity (Hebrews 6:5). He is the King whom the Father has already installed in Zion (Psalm 2:6) and the ruler over the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5). 20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:15-18) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. … But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:1-2, 8/ESV) … and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24/ESV)

18 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book

House, 1902) p. 189-196. 19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. (Psalm 41:13/ESV)

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:1-2/ESV) But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children … (Psalm 103:17/ESV) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! (Psalm 106:48/ESV)

20 ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. Bryan Chapell, ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), pp. 1434-1435, Accessed July 2018, http://www.esvbible.org/John+14/. The verses from Hebrews, Revelation, and Psalms relate also to Jesus having the last word in the sense of His kingship and being the “Amen.”


Jim MacGregor AMDG

8

… and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come … (Hebrews 6:5/ESV) “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:6/ESV) … and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood … (Revelation 1:5/ESV)

Jesus the “Amen” “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen …’” (Revelation 3:14/ESV)

In the letter to the church at Laodicea we find the only time that Jesus is called the “Amen” (“The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness”). Earlier in the prolog we read that the letter to the seven churches is from God and specifically from “from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood …” (Revelation 1:5/ESV) 21

”Amen” is the Hebrew and Greek equivalent word for truly (or verily). “Amen” has the meanings of “verily,” “truly,” and “so let it be.” 22 Isaiah refers to God as “the God of truth.” So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten

and are hidden from my eyes. (Isaiah 65:16/ESV)

Jesus told Thomas us that He is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6/ESV)

The term “Amen” usually comes at the end of a prayer indicating that God will surely answer. Jesus made frequent use of “truly.” When Jesus used the term “Amen, Amen …” (i.e., “Truly, truly…”) He indicated the veracity and importance of what followed. There are over ninety instances of “truly” and “truly, truly” in the ESV (Old and New Testaments). All instances of the repeated “truly, truly” are in the Gospel of John. Jesus often prefaced His solemn utterances by “Truly, truly,” and He now reveals Himself as the source of all certainty and truth. 23 John recorded Jesus in his Gospel as repeating the word “truly” -

21 Louis A. Brighton, Revelation (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1999) pp. 98-99. 22 James Strong, “amén,” Strong’s Greek Dictionary, English Standard Version Bible, Accessed July 2018,

http://biblehub.com/greek/281.htm. There are ninety-four instances of “truly” and “truly, truly” in the ESV. All instances of “truly, truly” are in the Gospel of John. Image “Absolute Truth” from http://curationsoft.com/ckeditor/userfiles/Absolute-Truth-Front-1024x585.jpg.

23 Charles Ellicott, “Revelation 3,” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Accessed July 2018, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/revelation-3.html.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

9

“truly, truly” - apparently as an idiomatic way of adding emphasis. Here are some examples: 24

And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51/ESV) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5/ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24/ESV) Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58/ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13:20/ESV) “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” (John 16:23/ESV)

Revelation 3:14 is the only place in Scripture where Amen is a proper name, and it is the name of Jesus. Isaiah 65:16 refers to “the God of truth” (i.e., English translation of the Hebrew “amen”). In Isaiah 7:9 the word “faith” is “Amen” (i.e., English translation of the Hebrew “amen”). In 2 Corinthians 1:20 we read that God’s promises are “yes,” and that in Jesus we find our “Amen” (i.e., English translation of the Greek “trustworthy”). 25 The Lord Jesus is the “Amen.” He has and is the last word. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the One who is going to fulfill all the promises of God, and He lets the Laodiceans know this because that church had ignored Him.

So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth (i.e., “amen”), and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. (Isaiah 65:16/ESV) “And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith [i.e., amen], you will not be firm at all.” (Isaiah 7:9/ESV) For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20/ESV)

Jesus’ title, “the Amen” means that His position is absolute relative to all creation. He is the absolute ruler, controller, and judge of all Creation from “everlasting to everlasting.” He is steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. His absolute position makes Him the truth of everything. All things were created in Him - in Heaven and earth, visible and invisible. He is the source of life - engaged and loving - whereas His Church may often be lifeless, indifferent, and cool. Jesus is the way to the Father. He is both the sacrifice for our sins and the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24). He is the King whom the Father has already installed in Zion (Psalm 2:6-7) and the ruler over the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).

24 These other verses also use the terms “truly” or “truly, truly”: Genesis 16:13; 47:29; Numbers 14:21; Joshua

2:24; 7:20; 1 Samuel 20:3; 21:5; 25:34; 2 Kings 19:17; Job 9:2; 36:4; Psalm 49:7; 66:19; 73:18; Song of Songs 1:16; Isaiah 37:18; Jeremiah 3:23; 7:5; 10:19; 28:9; Daniel 2:47; Matthew 5:18; 6:2; 8:10; 10:23; 10:42; 13:17; 14:33; 18:3; 18:13; 19:23; 19:28; 21:21; 21:31; 24:2; 25:12; 25:40;25:45; 26:21; 26:34; 27:54; Mark 3:28; 8:12; 9:1; 9:41; 10:29; 12:14; 12:32; 12:43; 14:9; 14:18; 14:30; 15:39; Luke 4:24; 9:27; 12:37; 18:29; 20:21; 21:3; 23:43; John 3:3; 3:11; 5:19; 5:25; 6:26; 6:32; 6:47; 6:53; 8:31; 8:34; 8:51; 10:1; 10:7; 12:24; 13:16; 13:21; 13:38; 14:12; 16:20; 21:18; Acts 4:27; 10:34; 1 Corinthians 11:31; 1 Timothy 5:3; 5:5; 5:16; 6:19; 1 John 2:5.

25 The Greek “trustworthy” in turn comes from the Hebrew “amen.”


Jim MacGregor AMDG

10

Jesus the “Faithful and True Witness” “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of … the faithful and true witness …’” (Revelation 3:14/ESV)

This title is a testimony to Jesus’ ability, as God, to produce what He predicts as taught by Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. As a “faithful and true witness” His testimony to the situation in Laodicea was trustworthy. The Laodiceans were probably notorious for saying and doing whatever was necessary to preserve their own wellbeing. In contrast, Jesus spoke the truth. 26

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4/ESV) So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. (Isaiah 65:16/ESV) “… and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.” (Jeremiah 4:2/ESV)

In Jesus are “Yes,” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). In Him there is no conjecture or guesswork. The Greek equivalents of the Hebrew “Amen” are used the following ways. “Amen” refers to the faithful and true witness, who speaks what He knows, and testifies what He has seen (John 3:11). We are to understand the “faithful and true witness” to mean trustworthy (1 Thessalonians 5:24). The word sometimes means trustful (John 20:27; Acts 14:1). By “true witness” we understand that Jesus is not only trustworthy as a witness, but He combines in Himself all those qualifications that a witness ought to possess. The same word is used here for faithful and trustworthy is used in Revelation 3:7, “the true one.” Paul, in Colossians 4:17, implied the three things necessary to fulfill a ministry as a true witness: love of God and neighbor; faith in the Gospel; ministry (“service”) that reflects faith; patient endurance; and, zeal in proclaiming the Gospel. 27 Jesus in His earthly life and His disciples witnessed to the truth of what they said; they possessed competence to relate what they had seen; and, they were willing to do so. 28

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20/ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.” (John 3:11/ESV) He who calls you is faithful [i.e., trustworthy]; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24/ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.” (John 3:11/ESV)

26 Thomas Constable, “Revelation 3,” Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable, Accessed July 2018,

http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dcc/revelation-3.html. Image “Truthful” by Jim MacGregor. 27 We discussed the three things necessary to fulfill a ministry as a true witness in the discussion of the letter to the

angel of the church at Thyatira. 28 Charles Ellicott, “Revelation 3,” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Accessed July 2018,

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/revelation-3.html.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

11

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” [i.e.. trust] (John 20:27/ESV) Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. (i.e.. trusted) (Acts 14:1/ESV) And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (Colossians 4:17/ESV)

Jesus the “Beginning of God’s Creation” “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of … the beginning of God’s creation.’” (Revelation 3:14/ESV)

The “beginning of God’s creation” (i.e., the origin of Creation) in this title of our Lord reminds us of, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1/ESV) The expression “beginning of God’s creation” hearkens back to the times of Moses, the psalmists, Isaiah, and King Solomon. It does not occur in the New Testament Epistles to the other churches, but very closely resembles the language used by Paul in writing to the Colossians (Colossians 1:15-18). The “beginning of God’s creation” means that Jesus was the origination, the primary source, of all creation. By Him - not with Him - all things were made (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:18). By Him creation began. In short, we understand the word “beginning” in an active sense. He has originating power (Acts 3:14). 29

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1/ESV) Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:1-2/ESV) Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. (Psalm 93:2/ESV) The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. (Proverbs 8:22/ESV) So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. (Isaiah 65:16/ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3/ESV) When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. … and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things … (Ephesians 3:4-6, 9/ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers

29 Charles Ellicott, “Revelation 3,” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Accessed July 2018,

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/revelation-3.html.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

12

or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:15-18/ESV) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. (Acts 3:14-15/ESV) … but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high … (Hebrews 1:2-3/ESV)

Jesus’ Commendation Jesus had no commendation for the church at Laodicea.

Jesus’ Complaint “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:15-17/ESV) 30

“Jesus’ words of complaint to the church, and to us, are intended to be heeded, so that we can find our way to sincere repentance.” 31

Laodicea the “Lukewarm” Church “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16/ESV)

Jesus told the church at Laodicea that He wished it were either “cold” or “hot” rather than “lukewarm.” That metaphoric imagery was well understood by the Church at Laodicea. In the first century, and probably before, the city did not have its own source of water. The supply of water from the nearby river was not dependable. Laodicea brought water in by a stone aqueduct from a hot spring located about six miles south of the city. When the water arrived at the city it was tepid and bad tasting. In contrast, the water in nearby Hierapolis (to the north) was hot and medicinally healthy, while that of Colossae (to

30 The church at Laodicea must have later gained some spiritual strength as witnessed by a synod council held there

ca. 363. The Synod of Laodicea approved approximately 60 canons (church laws) pertaining to a variety of topics including the qualifications and duties of the clergy, rules for administering the Sacrament, rules for specific prayers, appropriate places for worship, and may other topics.

31 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) p. 217.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

13

the east) was refreshingly cold. 32 John’s words may have referred to backsliding from faith, practicing the faith weakly, or both. Peter wrote about backsliding into apathy or unbelief.

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22/ESV; c.f., Proverbs 26:11) 33

What a shocking, gross, and startling image! We can imagine Jesus putting the cup to his lips anticipating the taste of a pleasing drink, and then spitting it out on the ground. That cannot mean that lukewarm people will be saved in the end and enjoy the blessings and fellowship of Jesus for all eternity. Clearly, the image of spitting people out of His mouth means that he has found them to be unacceptable and rejects them. 34

The church in Laodicea may have seemed notably successful to the outside observer, and was itself blind to its own spiritual ineffectiveness. … The effect of their conduct upon Christ was like the effect of their own water; no other church was condemned in terms so strong. 35

Jesus levied a severe criticism on the church at Laodicea. They were free of the faults of Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. They had no Nicolaitans, Jezebel, “synagogue of satan,” or “satan’s throne” attacking and persecuting them. They were probably so assimilated into the pagan culture as to not be distinguishable from any other group. Jesus’ Church has no serious trials or conflicts when its members stand apart from the world with its pagan standards. 36 Nobody is evangelical without also being evangelistic. 37 We must be evangelical, believing in the ruin of man on the one hand, and Jesus’ redemption on the other. We must be evangelistic by teaching and preaching the Gospel based on Scripture and the Gospel’s application in our lives. The tepid condition of the Church once drove John Wesley into reforming his church, and drove William Booth into the work that resulted in the founding of the Salvation Army. William Booth is reported to have told a story about a lecturer who said, “If I believed what some of you Christians believe, I would never rest day nor night

32 David Cloud, The Seven churches of Revelation (Port Huron, MI: Way of Life Literature, 2012) p. 107. Accessed

July 2018. http://www.wayoflife.org/free_ebooks/seven_churches_of_revelation.php. Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001) pp. 187-190. Rasmussen, Carl. “Holy Land Photos’ Blog.” Accessed July 2018. https://holylandphotos.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/neither-hot-nor-cold-new-water-inscription-discovered-at-laodicea-revelation-315-and-16/. More architectural and historical information and photographs about Laodicea’s aqueduct may be found at this Web site.

33 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. (Proverbs 26:11/ESV) Image “Lukewarm” from http://www.martusministry.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/JCLittle_caution-luke-warm-water.jpg.

34 John Piper, “How to Buy Gold When You’re Broke,” Desiring God (Messages), Accessed July 2018, http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-to-buy-gold-when-youre-broke.

35 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001) pp. 190-191.

36 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001) p. 191. Henry Barclay Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John (New York, NY: The MacMillan Company, 1907) p. 60.

37 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) pp. 193-194.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

14

telling men about it.” 38 Regarding “evangelistic” we are reminded of Jesus’ words about acknowledging Him:

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:8-12/ESV)

We discussed that the church at Laodicea was tepid and vacillating. We read about those characteristics in Scripture such as the following examples that relate to lukewarmness on the one hand and behaving in a positive, committed manner on the other:

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men …” (Isaiah 29:13/ESV) “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:20-25/ESV) “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (Matthew 5:13/ESV) “… And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38/ESV) “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:30-37/ESV) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25/ESV)

38 William Booth, Quoted in G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians.

Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902. P. 197. This paper, “Jesus’ Words to Seven Churches of Roman Asia,” is not assessing or recommending the Methodist Church and the Salvation Army, but merely presenting this information as an example of some activity that Jesus might have wanted in the church at Laodicea. The same thought may be applied to Luther’s desire to reform the Roman Catholic Church rather than break from it.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

15

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15:5-6/ESV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:3-5/ESV) They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:16/ESV)

We read the following verses that relate to vacillating: “How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? … (Jeremiah 31:22/ESV) 39 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? (2 Corinthians 1:17/ESV) From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (James 3:10-12/ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8/ESV)

Laodicea the “Wretched, Pitiable, Poor, Blind, and Naked” Church “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17/ESV)

We saw that Jesus’ title contrasted Himself with the spirit of the church at Laodicea. He proclaimed His divine wealth and independence, and He shamed this church with the tawdriness (i.e., showiness, cheapness, and poor quality) of its worldly wealth compared to that which He would offer. Compared to Jesus’ splendor its claim of independence and wealth was tantamount to blasphemy. The other contrast is that He is the Source of all life, the infinite energy, the beginning of the God’s creation, whereas the church at Laodicea was lifeless and indifferent. 40

39 The rest of the verse is a prophecy that does not relate to the idea of vacillating. It reads: For the Lord has

created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man. There are three views about the meaning of “a woman encircles a man” in verse 22. They are as follows: a) the view that the verse means the husband and wife relationship between God and Israel; b) the view that the verse somehow pertains to Mary and Jesus; and, c) the view that the verse pertains to both Mary and Jesus and to God and Israel.

40 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) p. 197. Image ““Wretched, Pitiable, Poor, Blind, and Naked”” from http://www.glbbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/wretched.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

16

The Laodiceans prospered materially. That led them to a false sense of security and independence. The expression “I am rich, I have prospered” stresses wealth that came though self-exertion. Spiritually, they did not recognize their great needs. A self-sufficient attitude is dangerous when Christians live lives of ease and enjoy prosperity. 41 The church was flourishing by worldly standards of

the society in which it lived. They saw no need of Jesus’ aid. 42 The statement, “ I need nothing” indicates spiritual self-satisfaction. One author suggests that Christians should take their spiritual temperature.

You can take your spiritual temperature by whether you feel in your heart a great need to seek God in prayer and fasting … To find out whether you are among that number, do not look into your head to see if you think that you are needy. Rather, look at your prayer life. It does not matter what we think in our head, but the test of whether we are in bondage to spiritual self-satisfaction is how earnest and frequent and extended our prayers for change are. 43

Jesus teaches us to care more for spiritual things than for worldly ones. Perhaps we can see His teachings and his letter to the church in Laodicea in both Scripture and modern commentary as quoted below.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21/ESV; c.f., Luke 12:15-21, 33-34; Luke 18:25) And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. … Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:15-21, 33-34/ESV) “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25/ESV)

41 John Piper, “How to Buy Gold When You’re Broke,” Desiring God (Messages), Accessed July 2018,

http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-to-buy-gold-when-youre-broke. 42 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,

2001) p. 195. 43 John Piper, “How to Buy Gold When You’re Broke,” Desiring God (Messages), Accessed July 2018,

http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-to-buy-gold-when-youre-broke.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

17

If we had visited the church at Laodicea in all probability they would have shown us the church premises, they would have told us how much they paid for the property, how much the church cost. They would have said, “Whatever we want, we have. If we require new premises, we build them. We are independent.” Were you to suggest some form of service that would create new spiritual power, they would have been astonished. Were you to propose a mission, their reply would have been, “No, certainly not, we do not want a mission here, we have need of nothing.” Were you to suggest a series of meetings for the deepening of spiritual life, their reply would have been, “Oh no, hold them in some other district, we have need of nothing.” Were you to propose a time of special humiliation and prayer, their reply would have been, “We have no need of humiliation, we have need of nothing.” That was the church’s condition. They needed nothing because they had everything. 44

Jesus’ words to the church at Laodicea characterized the church as follows: 45 The church at Laodicea was wretched. 46 They were in a very unfortunate state. They were oppressed with a burden. They carried the burden of the wealth that they imagined supported them. Their wealth did not help and lift them up. Rather, it hindered and degraded their spirit. We hear of a church being heavily burdened with debt, but Jesus speaks of this one as heavily burdened with wealth. The church was miserable and pitiable. Jesus was moved by love to pity toward them. He commiserated with them. The church was poor as beggars on today’s city streets are. Jesus saw the church as a cringing beggar, having nothing of value. The church was blind. It saw nothing clearly, seeing nothing afar. It s spiritually nearsighted. It had no vision, light, understanding of the salvation story and Jesus’ role in it. It was confined to the shortsighted and narrow limits of worldly prosperity and self satisfaction. The church was naked. It was stripped of the clothing of glory and beauty befitting the church as the Lord’s Bride. This church has no white clothing. Their garments of purple, their jewels, and their gold will become moth eaten and tarnished, and the church will be seen in the light of eternity as having no robe of purified service to cover it - no imputation of righteousness. Jesus describes the church with pity and not anger. He is not angry with the condition of the church, because He knows that he can remedy it. His anger is with their self-satisfaction with their lifestyles and possessions.

Scripture tells us about the characteristics just outlined and their remedies. Jesus wants to help those who are overwhelmed and oppressed by grief over their sins, who are filled with alarm at the wrath of God, and are ready to sink under that great burden. He encourages us to be helpful to one another showing each other the kind of mercy and compassion that He shows for us. Jesus teaches us to care more for spiritual things than for worldly ones. He wants us to be born again so that we see the way He does. He wants to restore us so that we can see by His light. Jesus reassures us that God will see to all our needs - food, clothing, and the like.


House, 1902) pp. 199-200. Paraphrase by Jim MacGregor. 45 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book

House, 1902) pp. 200-201. 46 Oxford Dictionaries, “wretched,” Accessed July 2018ß,

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/wretched.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

18

Scripture tells us about solutions to spiritual wretchedness: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30/ESV) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7/ESV) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28/ESV)

Scripture tells us about spiritual misery and being pitiable: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38/ESV) “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’” (Luke 16:19-25/ESV) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1/ESV)

We learn from Scripture what it means to be spiritually poor and spiritually wealthy: Those [false shepherds] who buy them [God’s people] slaughter them and go unpunished, and those who sell them say, “Blessed be the Lord, I have become rich,” and their own shepherds have no pity on them. (Zechariah 11:5/ESV) Ephraim has [boastfully] said, “Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.” (Hosea 12:8/ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21/ESV; c.f., Luke 12:21, 33-34) “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. … Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:21, 33-34/ESV) And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19:8/ESV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9/ESV) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

19

We learn from Scripture what it means to be spiritually blind: Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind. Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” (John 9:39-41/ESV) 47 “You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” (Matthew 23:26/ESV) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3/ESV) Jesus sent Paul “… to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a

place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:18/ESV) … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints … (Ephesians 1:17-18/ESV)

Scripture tells us about spiritual nakedness: And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. … Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:22-23, 27-28/ESV) And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13/ESV)

We read in Moses and the Prophets about valuing riches and other worldly values above fellowship with God. God accused His people, through Moses, Hosea, and Zechariah, of selfishly caring only for themselves. The verse, below, from Deuteronomy sets the tone with which Hosea and Zechariah later resonated. We are not to trust to our own ways for security and belief that we are without sin. Rather, as Jesus teaches us (Luke 12:22-23, 27-28), we are to trust and rely only on God and His Word.

Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, “I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.” This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. The Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven. (Deuteronomy 29:18-20/ESV)

47 Image “Blind” from https://blogs.theGospelcoalition.org/rayortlund/files/2011/08/2hehlir.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

20

So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God. A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress. Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.” “I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. If there is iniquity in Gilead, they shall surely come to nothing: in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars also are like stone heaps on the furrows of the field. Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep. By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded.” Ephraim has given bitter provocation; so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds. (Hosea 12:6-14/ESV) Thus said the Lord my God: “Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished, and those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord, I have become rich,’ and their own shepherds have no pity on them. For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of this land, declares the Lord. Behold, I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor, and each into the hand of his king, and they shall crush the land, and I will deliver none from their hand.” (Zechariah 11:4-6/ESV)

Jesus’ Counsel “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:18-21/ESV)

Jesus had warned the church in verses 15-17, and now He began to counsel her. He addressed Himself to the church as He saw her, and not to the church as she thought she was. As we read earlier, the church was miserable and pitiable. Jesus was moved by love to pity them. He commiserated with them. He confronted her as her Lord who possesses all that she lacked. He counseled that they have a way to get out of their miserable condition, as do we all individually and as a congregation. 48 God promises us a way out of temptation.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37/ESV) Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32/ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13/ESV)

48 John Piper, “How to Buy Gold When You’re Broke,” Desiring God (Messages), Accessed July 2018,

http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-to-buy-gold-when-youre-broke. G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) p. 205.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

21

Buy Jesus’ Gold, White Garments, and Salve “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” (Revelation 3:18/ESV)

How was the church to buy spiritual gold when they were spiritually bankrupt? Also, the gold is to be “refined by fire.” He promised them heavenly riches and eternal life in exchange for their love of worldly riches. Our salvation and eternal reward are based on faith in Jesus’ atonement and not on our works. 49 Job told of the relative value of gold to wisdom, and then continued to proclaim judgment on himself if he valued gold more highly than wisdom (Job 28:24-40).

“It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.” (Job 28:15-23/ESV)

Many verses address God’s Word and reliability to take care of us are more valuable than gold. Here are a few:

... the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:8-10/ESV) My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. (Proverbs 8:19/ESV)

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1/ESV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3/ESV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10/ESV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44/ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23/ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9/ESV)

49 Image “Gold” from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/GoldNuggetUSGOV.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

22

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3/ESV)

How was the church to buy white garments to clothe themselves when they were spiritually naked? He promised them the kind of clothing representing purity and holiness that we read about in Daniel, the Gospels at His Transfiguration, and His angels after the Resurrection and Ascension. We read about the glorified appearance of Jesus and His resurrected saints, and about the appearance of angels. 50 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a

high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. (Matthew 17:1-3/ESV; c.f., Mark 9:2-3; Luke 9:38-31) 51 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. (Matthew 28:2-3/ESV) And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. (Mark 16:5/ESV) While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. (Luke 24:4/ESV) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes … (Acts 1:10/ESV) As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow … (Daniel 7:9/ESV) Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4/ESV)

It is historically interesting that John uses the term “salve to anoint your eyes.” This is the only instance in the New Testament of the Greek word used here for “anoint” in the sense of “rub in” or “smear.” 52 The word used for “salve” is derived from the word designating

50 Image “White Garments” from https://pastorlesterbentley.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/garment-of-christ-

righteousness.png. 51 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by

themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. (Mark 9:2-3/ESV) Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:38-31)

52 The following New Testament verses in which the English translation uses the term “anoint” refer to applying perfumed substances to the body, but not to rubbing in: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face …” (Matthew 6:17/ESV) When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. (Mark 16:1/ESV) “You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.” (Luke 7:46/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

23

coarse bread that was impregnated with medicines and used as a bandage for sore and weak eyes. Hence, “salve” may refer to a powder used at the medical school in Laodicea. 53

So, how was the church to buy salve to heal their eyes when they were spiritually blind? He promised them help, upon repentance and prayer, in gaining their spiritual sight. Scripture tells us that the Lord opens our spiritual eyes to see Him and His truth.

… the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. (Psalm 146:8/ESV) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped … (Isaiah 35:5/ESV) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to

proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed …” (Luke 4:18/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 61:1-2) 54 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3/ESV) “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:19-20/ESV) … to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 35:5) 55 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then [in the end time] face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12/ESV) 56 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (2 Corinthians 3:16/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 25:7) 57

53 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7, an Exegetical Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1992) p. 315.

Several sources, primarily dealers in ancient coins, indicate that Laodicea was known for producing a famous eye salve as a healing ointment and as a cure for various common eye problems in the Roman Empire. Perhaps John may have used that familiar fact as a physical reference for his spiritual meaning. Matthew George Easton, “Eye,” Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Accessed July 2018, http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/eye.html. According to the dictionary, the word “eye” is also used to mean “generous” as in Proverbs 22:9 and Matthew 20:15. Image “Eye” from https://pastorlesterbentley.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/eye.png.

54 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn … (Isaiah 61:1-2/ESV)

55 … to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:7/ESV) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped… (Isaiah 35:5/ESV)

56 The word “mirror” has been used in this verse over the centuries. It would appear to have the context of a “glass”; that is a glass through which could observe something. That interpretation is reflected in the Douay-Rheims Version and the Geneva Bible and by association with a Hebrew word that is used in rabbinic commentaries in a similar context to mean a glass to look through. The Latin Vulgate translation speculum can mean both a mirror and a device used in antiquity in medical examinations.

57 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. (Isaiah 25:7/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

24

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6/ESV; c.f., Genesis 1:3) 58 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:17-18/ESV) … for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 2:5) 59 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9/ESV)

Jesus’ Love, Reproval, and Discipline “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19/ESV)

In addressing “the angel of the church at Laodicea” Jesus absolutely condemned the church while also showing His love for their members. After expressing disapproval of the church, He then tells them that he will lovingly reprove and discipline them (i.e., scold and correct them). 60 He says this out of His incredible love for the church and for us all. He wants to preserve His Church out of love, and He will not destroy it. Our obedience to God’s Word involves our telling a fellow Christian if we believe he is sinning. That’s a tough mandate. On the one hand, we are not to criticize others when we ourselves have faults. On the other hand, we are to counsel a fellow Christian, lovingly, if that person has strayed from scripturally based morals and ethics. Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy, that Scripture is useful for many things including reproof. He wrote also that it is the Pastor’s duty to point out, lovingly, to someone the error of his ways. In pointing that out he may have had some teaching of Jesus in mind (e.g., as found in Matthew 7:1-5 and 18:15-17) pertaining to a Pastor’s obligation to teach sound doctrine. We see both aspects of this discussion in the verses below.

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1 Timothy 5:20/ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16/ESV) I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will

58 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3/ESV) 59 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5/ESV) 60 Reminder of definitions: Merriam-Webster, “reprove,” Accessed July 2018, https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/reprove. Merriam-Webster, “rebuke,” Accessed July 2018, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuke. Note that Jesus used the word translated as reprove to mean scold or correct - usually gently or with kindly intent. To rebuke, on the other hand, is to criticize sharply.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

25

accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:1-4/ESV) 61 He [an elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9/ESV) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5/ESV; c.f., Luke 6:42) 62 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17/ESV; c.f., Luke 17:3) 63

From reading scripturally based commentary on the idea of reproof we learn that we do a disservice to others if we do not guide one anther:

Reproof is necessary, because “the practice of discipline in the congregation begins in the smallest circles. Where defection from God’s Word in doctrine or life imperils the family fellowship and with it the whole congregation, the word of admonition and rebuke must be ventured. Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin.” 64

Scripture tells us that we not only do a disservice to others if we do not guide one anther, but that we also have a life and death obligation to do so. We may apply God’s instructions to Ezekiel to our Pastors and to ourselves. God likened Ezekiel’s commission to that of a watchman whose responsibility it is to sound the alarm when an enemy approaches. The idea is that the people, upon hearing the watchman’s alarm, will arm themselves and prepare for battle. If the watchman does not sound the alarm, the people and the watchman will be overrun and killed. If the watchman sounds the alarm, and the people do not prepare for battle, the watchman has done his job and may escape, and the people will perish.

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword

61 Note that Paul used both the words reprove and rebuke in 2 Timothy 4:1-4., each with its own meaning. 62 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do

not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:42/ESV)

63 “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3/ESV) 64 Dallas M. Roark, citing Dietrich Bonhoeffer in “The Church’s Life in Christ,” Accessed July 2018,

https://www.religion-online.org/book-chapter/chapter-5-the-churchs-life-in-christ/. Book for sale at http://www.amazon.com/Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Dallas-M-Roark/dp/0876802536. Image “Discipline” from http://studentdevos.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/daily-bible-verse-fear-1024x512.png.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

26

comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:1-9/ESV)

Jesus said to the angel at Laodicea: “Those, whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” That reminds us that He also teaches us this about suffering for His sake, and that the writer of Hebrews also wrote about enduring suffering. As we read about enduring suffering, we also realize that we are reading about courage.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16-22/ESV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began … (2 Timothy 1:6-9/ESV) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:3-8/ESV; c.f., Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11-12) 65

65 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy

8:5/ESV) Nathan the prophet gave David God’s Word about Solomon: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.” (2 Samuel 7:14/ESV) Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17/ESV) Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

27

If we equate “the angel of the church in Laodicea” as also meaning its Pastor we may see it as an evaluation of pastors who are either in error or negligent of the Gospel.

A faithful servant of Jesus Christ, however, will one day hear himself addressed in these words of inexpressibly glad import: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21). A faithful minister must not only avoid being lukewarm or cold, he must be warm. His heart must glow with love of his Savior, Jesus, and of the congregation which his Savior has entrusted to his care, so that he may be able to say with Paul and all the apostles: “Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:13) This is a strange dictum. Paul says that a minister must manifest greater earnestness and zeal than the majority of the members of his congregation may like or approve. 66

We see rebuke as a call back to common fellowship with Jesus. Rebuking is a ministry that relates to God and us. Only God can reclaim a person, but he chooses to work through us. He expects us to speak His Word so that through it He can work to bring sinners to repentance. By confessing we give up our evil, and give our hearts to God. We find forgiveness and fellowship. Receiving forgiveness of sin teaches us that we have reached the end of our personal self-seeking way and are done with self-righteousness. Seeking honor is detrimental to faith. Honor-seeking is self-centered. Faith is Christ-centered. Seeking honor produces resentment by others. 67 We find God’s command to rebuke by instruction in this sense even in the earliest Scripture: “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:16-18/ESV)

Scripture teaches us about Jesus’ and His Father’s love for us. Jesus’ biggest gift to us was of Himself. We learn that His discipline is from love, and that we should ask for blessings that we believe from Scripture that God lovingly wants for us, and not those that only satisfy immediate desires. Rejecting His gift leads to our eternal death. Some examples of Scripture that address this are quoted below.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16/ESV) “… For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:6/ESV; c.f., Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:11-12) 68 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13/ESV)

(Psalm 94:12/ESV) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12/ESV)

66 C.F.W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, William H.T. ,ed. Christian Tiews, trans. (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1929) pp. 248-249, Accessed July 2018, Accessed July 2018. http://scripturemission.com/eBooks/law-and-Gospel.pdf.

67 Dallas M. Roark, citing Dietrich Bonhoeffer in “The Church’s Life in Christ,” Accessed July 2018, https://www.religion-online.org/book-chapter/chapter-5-the-churchs-life-in-christ/.

68 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17/ESV) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

28

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7/ESV; c.f., Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9) 69 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3/ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23/ESV)

Jesus’ Mandate “Be Zealous and Repent” “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19/ESV)

Jesus urged the church to “be zealous and repent” emphasizing urgency and indicating His desire to arouse them from their lethargy. So how far does the church have to travel to return? 70 We remember that Jesus tells us that he is with us always. He is always near and inviting us to recognize His presence and respond to it the way He wants. We are to publicly acknowledge His presence and testify to the Salvation story and His role in it for all of us and for each of us individually. We know from Scripture that God rewards zeal. Here are

two examples: 71 And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. … And the Lord said to Moses, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’” (Numbers 25:6-8, 10-13/ESV) Jesus is our Judge. … waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:13-15/ESV)

69 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark

11:24/ESV) “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9/ESV)

70 G. Campbell Morgan, A First-Century Message to Twentieth-Century Christians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1902) p. 208.

71 Image “Zealous Phinehas” from https://924jeremiah.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/69.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

29

“Christian discipleship is genuine when it arises from a heart and mind transformed by God’s grace …” - by repentance. 72 If we had to repent without God’s help, then we would be helpless. The Scripture teaches that we are dead in trespasses and in sins. A dead person can do nothing; therefore, we need God’s help even in our repenting. The Scriptures are perfectly clear that no man can have eternal life except in Christ, who came to call sinners to repentance. 73 Augustine of Hippo wrote, “God is able, even when no man rebukes, to correct whom He will, and to lead him on to the wholesome mortification of repentance by the most hidden and most mighty power of His medicine.” 74

Repentance is essentially a change of mind about sin, God, oneself, or something else. It means changing our minds and hearts about past or intended beliefs, words, or conduct. Prayer accompanies repenting in the same sense as it accompanies dedicating. It expresses a personal internal transaction. 75

Related Fact: The Actions of Phinehas

Note that the actions of Phinehas were just zeal and did not constitute talking the law into his own hands. This is not a justification for a Christian to judge and punish others on their own. Here are some thoughts on when an individual may be morally right in acting alone: 76

There is a truly extraordinary compelling need for our action (e.g., tens of thousands of people of Israel were dying in a plague, and hundreds of thousands more would die unless drastic action was taken to stop it. We must be prepared to pay the price. The law will not protect us from the consequences of our actions. We must be willing to sacrifice everything including our righteousness. It must be completely against our nature to take drastic actions, and it must pain us no end that we are forced to do so. In other words, if we enjoy doing this, then we shouldn’t be doing this.

Given that Moses commanded the people to destroy the Moabites and their women, Phinehas was acting in accordance with the law.

Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.” (Deuteropnomy 31:15-18/ESV) Human judgment may be flawed.. Do you suppose, O man - you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself - that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:3-4/ESV)

72 ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. Bryan Chapell, ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013) pp. 1274, 1277, 1279. 73 Daniel S. Drews, “Decision Theology in the Light of Scripture.” Presented to the Pastor‑Teacher‑Delegate

Conference, South Central District, Gethsemane Ev. Luth. Church, Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, January 26, 1989, Accessed July 2018, http://www.wlsessays.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/1242/DrewsDecision.pdf.

74 Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Quoting Augustine of Hippo in “Introductory Essay on Augustine and the Pelagian Controversy,” Accessed July 2018, https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/warfield/warfield_augustinpelagian.html.

75 Constable, Thomas. “Talking to God: What the Bible Teaches about Prayer - A Biblical Theology of Prayer,” p. 38, Accessed July 2018, http://www.soniclight.com/constable/prayer/prayer.pdf.

76 Yanki Tauber, “How To Take the Law Into Your Own Hands” (an excerpt from “The Divine and the Human in Torah”), Accessed July 2018, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2235/jewish/How-To-Take-the-Law-Into-Your-Own-Hands.htm, God lauded Phinehas’ action.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

30

God’s Law reveals our sinfulness and moves us to repent. It is like a mirror in which we see the reality of our sinful condition as God sees us. When we see ourselves in the mirror of the Law, we have to pray for the personal integrity and courage to see ourselves as the Law shows us to be, to confess our guilt, and ask God for forgiveness. By confessing and asking for forgiveness we gain renewed hope for and confidence in God’s grace and deliverance. Repentance is the attitude that expresses itself as listed in the following ways.

Confessing guilt: … he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. (Numbers 5:7/ESV) Requesting forgiveness: And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.” (Exodus 34:9/ESV; c.f., 2 Samuel 24:10) 77 Casting oneself on God’s mercy: But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. (Judges 3:9/ESV)

We read early in Scripture that God expects us to forgive others upon their repentance, and that He forgives His people who repent. The chronicler taught about repentance and God’s forgiveness. Isaiah taught us that the Lord exalts Himself by being merciful. John the Baptist and Jesus preached repentance. Jesus characterized God’s forgiveness of us in human terms of how we are to forgive others.

…yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. (2 Chronicles 6:37-39/ESV) Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. (Isaiah 1:27/ESV) Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18/ESV) Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 30:18) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2/ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17/ESV) “… and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:4/ESV)

We also have the example of Job who responded to the Lord with humble repentance. Jesus spoke to us about the joy in Heaven at the repentance of even a single person.

77 But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned

greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” (2 Samuel 24:10/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

31

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’” (Job 42:2-4/ESV) “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10/ESV)

Merely giving voice to repentance and prayer alone are not repentance. We must first have the heartfelt attitude of wanting to turn to Jesus or the words will be hollow and meaningless. “The condition of our heart is more important than the words in our mouth.” 78 Here are some scriptural references to repentance.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. … Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:1-4, 10-12/ESV) For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth. (Jeremiah 31:19/ESV) “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” (Ezekiel 18:31-32/ESV) The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent … (Acts 17:30/ESV)

The Holy Spirit moves us and helps us in the ways that we need most. God forgives us and changes us. We are built up in our faith and are given the desire and ability to become more Christ-like. We are sustained in our eternal life. He speaks and acts through us, through His Word that we share. We can be confident knowing that he is there with us in all situations. As a hymn goes: “Here. He is here. He has blessed us with His presence in this place; we will not be the same.” 79

78 Constable, Thomas. “Talking to God: What the Bible Teaches about Prayer - A Biblical Theology of Prayer,” p.

39, Accessed July 2018, http://www.soniclight.com/constable/prayer/prayer.pdf. 79 The hymn line is from Sandy Patty, “Sandy Patty Lyrics - Doxology Lyrics.” Accessed July 2018.

https://www.lyricskid.com/lyrics/sandi-patty-lyrics/doxology-lyrics.html.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

32

Jesus Wants into Our Lives “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20/ESV)

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” It is startling to realize that the church had excluded Jesus. They had everything they wanted in the church at Laodicea except Jesus. It seems to have prided itself on its diverse audience while excluding Jesus from that audience. His words are first to the church and not to its individual members, many of whom may have been of right spirit. 80 The “door” image may have conjured up a local

reference. The portrayal of a door was common on monuments and tombs throughout Phrygia symbolizing entry into the afterlife. 81 Did Jesus view the church at Laodicea as asleep? Could an earlier Scripture have included the idea of one being “asleep, waiting for the knock? In the Song of Songs we read of the bride who was asleep and did not get up timely to answer her groom’s knock on the door. 82 I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.” (Song of Songs 5:2/ESV) Jesus teaches us to pray without ostentation so that the Father may hear us. Jesus consistently teaches that, although we may open the door when we hear His knock, it is because we hear His voice, and receive and heed His Word that the power of the Holy Spirit works in us. Another teaching tells us that He enters into our lives as our Good Shepherd. Paul, quoting God’s words to Isaiah, taught that He shows Himself to those who do not even want Him.

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:6-8/ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good


House, 1902) p. 208. 81 Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,

2001) pp. 204-205. Image “Tomb of Midas” with Phrygian door motif from http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf7NY2j_rrE/UBQkyi_FN7I/AAAAAAAAA-0/-qOx2tMrdpI/s1600/IMGP3296.JPG.

82 E. W. Hengstenberg, Revelation of St. John, Volume One., Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, trans. (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2005) pp. 192-193.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

33

gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11/ESV) “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep” (John 10:2/ESV) God told Isaiah, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” Isaiah 65:1) 83 Jesus presents the grace of his Father to those who pray. He tells us, that God is of Himself prepared to listen to us, provided we pray to Him, and that His riches are at our command, provided we ask for them. These words imply, that those who are destitute of what is necessary, and yet do not resort to this remedy for their poverty, are justly punished for their slothfulness. It is certain, indeed, that often, when believers are asleep, God keeps watch over their salvation, and anticipates their wishes. 84

Jesus’ words, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” reminds us of His following statement: Jesus said to them [the crowd of five thousand], “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” … No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:35-37, 44/ESV)

The Laodiceans had fallen away from Jesus. They could not “choose” Him. Rather he promised to take the initiative and come to the door to speak to them. If they heard His voice, they would let Him choose them. Jesus told His disciples;

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23/ESV) “No longer do I call you servants, for the servantdoes not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:15-16/ESV)

Paul told the Ephesians: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit … (Ephesians 1:13/ESV)

In Jesus, God, satisfies our spiritual hunger and quenches our spiritual thirst. He is the living water that will satisfy our spiritual needs. As with the manna of the Exodus, we all get an

83 “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek

me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ to a nation that was not called by my name.” (Isaiah 65:1/ESV) 84 John Calvin, “Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13,” Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible, Accessed July 2016,

http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/calvin/cc31/cc31071.htm. Image “Jesus Knocking” from http://www.letgodbetrue.com/bible/heresies/images/not-jesus.jpg.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

34

amount of the Bread of Life - of God’s grace - sufficient for our salvation. None of us is lacking His grace, and none of His grace is wasted. By coming to Jesus we never lack anything we need - either spiritually or physically. We are to work with greater care for that which brings eternal life, and not to let the things of the world capture and enslave us so that we are working for them and not they for us. Jesus is at work in our daily lives. Once we have the Holy Spirit, to provide spiritual fulfillment, we start to grow in the Spirit of the Lord, and we never need any other spiritual sustenance. By His statement “I am the bread of life,” Jesus tells us that the manna of Exodus 16 was a type pointing to Him as the Messiah; that He is God and is the provider of sustenance for His people. However, unlike Israel’s experience in the wilderness where God provided food for the stomach, whoever partakes of Jesus as the Bread of Life will never again know spiritual hunger. Jesus invites us to go after Him for His own sake and not for any worldly benefit or advantage - not for food or drink, not for an improved lifestyle, not for improvements in one’s business. We must come to Jesus and believe in Him to be saved. He tells us so:

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29/ESV)

Eating His body and drinking His blood mean keeping faith in Him as our Savior in order to live. Peter’s answer to Jesus, as ours should be today, was so strong that it still rings in our ear in worship service: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68/ESV) Jesus’ words, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” 85 are addressed to the “angel of the church in Laodicea” as a designation for believers, but not to the unconverted. 86 We find this understanding (i.e., words not addressed to the unconverted) in the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere in Scripture in the context of those who have not heard the Word of God.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14, 15, 17/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 52:7) 87

Jesus’ words, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” address not only God’s Law but also unmerited grace through

85 Note that these words can be misinterpreted by decision theology to mistakenly mean that we acknowledge,

accept Him, and let Him into our loves on our own power. It is the Word and Spirit that come to the door of the hearts of sinners and move them - enable them - to open and accept God’s grace.

86 Daniel S. Drews, “Decision Theology in the Light of Scripture,” Presented to the Pastor‑Teacher‑Delegate Conference, South Central District, Gethsemane Ev. Luth. Church, Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, January 26, 1989, Accessed July 2016, http://www.wlsessays.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/1242/DrewsDecision.pdf.

87 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

35

Christ. The Sermon on the Mount shows how converted Christians are to live. It describes how those who are already following Jesus, or are ready to follow Him (c.f., Matthew 4:18-22 and 5:1), 88 are called to demonstrate the character of God and his kingdom through the character of their lives. 89 The sermon did not judge its audience; however, its audience was probably compelled to judge itself while hearing it. 90 Those teachings are a description of what life looks like for followers of Jesus as they try to be faithful to Him and to the values of God’s kingdom in this world that has not yet been transformed. That is, by prayerfully asking Jesus to help us live as He describes, we receive His unmerited grace. The perfection that Jesus demands (Matthew 5:48) 91 is our heartfelt devotion to God, finding satisfaction only in Him and in nobody or nothing else. Christian discipleship is genuine when it arises from a heart and mind transformed by God’s grace - by repentance. 92 Jesus uses our love for our children as a metaphor to imagine the enormous love that God has for us. He teaches us that the Father is glorified in Him when he answers our prayers. .

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13/ESV) “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14/ESV)

We must be careful not to presume 93 upon God’s forgiveness. Rather, we prayerfully trust in His forgiveness. Presumptuous sins “rank head and foremost in the list of iniquities.” Note that Jewish law provided for atonement for every kind of sin except presumption. “But the person who does anything with a high hand [i.e., presumptuously], whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people.” (Numbers 5:30/ESV) As Christians we have atonement, for presumptuous sins, in the sacrifice of our blessed Lord there is a great and precious atonement, even for presumptuous sins, when we confess our sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9/ESV) 94

88 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother,

casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22/ESV) Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. (Matthew 5:1/ESV)

89 ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. Bryan Chapell, ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway 2013) p. 1275. 90 The Lutheran Study Bible (English Standard Version) Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht, ed. (St. Louis, MO:

Concordia Publishing House, 2009) p. 1577. 91 “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48/ESV) 92 ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. Bryan Chapell. Ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway 2013) pp. 1274, 1277, 1279. 93 Oxford Dictionaries. “presumption.” Accessed July 2018.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/presumption. Presumptuousness is failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. In the context of this paper, it is a form of hypocritical arrogance shown by confessing trust in God and doing things one’s own way anyway without testing if is God’s will. That is, testing if it is an application of Scripture or one’s own “good idea” or “good feeling.” It may be called behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

94 Charles H. Spurgeon, “Presumptuous Sins,” The New Park Street Pulpit, The Spurgeon Archive, Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht, ed., Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht, Ed. , http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/0135.htm. Oxford Dictionaries, “presumption,” Accessed July 2018,


Jim MacGregor AMDG

36

Samuel chastised King Saul for his sin of presumptuousness. King David warned against being presumptuous of God’s forgiveness. Jesus taught His audience and us about presumption of God’s forgiveness. A Centurion stated that he did not presume on Jesus’ presence for healing his servant. Paul warned us about presumption. Even the angels in heaven dare not presume to pass God’s judgment on others.

“For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:23/ESV) Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:13/ESV) “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” (Matthew 3:9/ESV) “Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” (Luke 7:7/ESV) Do you suppose, O man - you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself - that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:3-4/ESV) But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (Jude 1:9/ESV)

Jesus tells us (Matthew 7:7-11) that we can never ask too much. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7-12 convey seven promises to us for accepting His offer to pray: 95

“Ask, and it will be given to you …” “…seek, and you will find …” “… knock, and it will be opened to you” “… everyone who asks receives …” “… the one who seeks finds …” “… to the one who knocks it will be opened …” “… how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

The thoughts in Matthew 7:7-11 have been expressed poetically. 96 Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much.

Other commentaries about Jesus’ gracious forgiveness read like this: It is as though God had said, I am compelled to forgive them their sins, if I would have My law fulfilled by them. I must take away My law entirely when I forgive them; for I see they

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/presumption. Presumption is behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

95 John Piper, “Ask Your Father in Heaven, Desiring God (Messages), Accessed July 2018, http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/ask-your-father-in-heaven.

96 John Newton, “Quotes,” Accessed July 2018, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/380044-thou-art-coming-to-a-king-large-petitions-with-thee.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

37

cannot but sin, and the more so the more they fight; that is, the more they strive to fulfill the law by their own powers. For in the Hebrew (i.e., Isaiah 40:2) “her iniquity is pardoned” signifies that it is being done in gratuitous good-will. So. the iniquity is pardoned; without any merit - even under all demerit - as is shown in what follows, “for she hath received at the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” 97 We would rather be good employees, helpful volunteers, and even generous givers before we give up our secret sins. But the Lord will not be satisfied with any sacrifice except our hearts. When we humble ourselves before him, he is always ready to accept us. 98

In modern times we can see the irony contained in the following analysis of the letter to the Church at Laodicea when compared to the Levitical sacrifices required by God through Moses.

What a contrast this is with the Laodicean condition that is prevalent in the present-day church, where Christ is apparently out of the church and is found standing at individual heart doors and knocking for an entrance. Under the Old Testament economy, the sinner had to make certain sacrifices to get in to God; he did the knocking. Now the Lord Jesus stands outside of individual hearts and knocks. Then, a sinner had to be brought to God; now, God comes to the sinner. 99

From the foregoing quote we get the idea that He has already come to each one of us, and that we need only to open the door to His knock (Matthew 7:7-8; c.f., Luke 11:9-10; 12:36). 100 We trust Jesus for forgiveness. He prayed on the cross for His tormentors and for us (Luke 23:34). Jesus’ prayer for his enemies was the first of seven remarkable statements that He made while on the cross. 101 He interceded for transgressors, as was foretold in Isaiah.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” … (Luke 23:34/ESV; c.f., Isaiah 53:12) 102

Jesus’ prayer and attitude toward us provide the following lessons:

97 Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will. Henry Cole, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library)

p. 207, Accessed July 2018, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/luther/bondage.html. Paraphrase by Jim MacGregor. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2/ESV)

98 Bible Study Tools Staff, Ed. “A Good Requirement,” Beyond Sunday, Accessed July 2018, http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/beyond-sunday-a-good-requirement-11641588.html.

99 Dr. J. Vernon McGee, “The Tabernacle: God’s Portrait of Christ” (Pasadena, CA: Bible Radio Network, 2002) pp. 33-34, Accessed July 2018, http://www.ttb.org/docs/default-source/Booklets/tabernacle.pdf?sfvrsn=2.

100 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8/ESV) Luke 11:9-10 contains the same promise. “… and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” (Luke 12:36/ESV)

101 The seven statements are: And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34/ESV) And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43/ESV) “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27/ESV) “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46;/ESV; c.f., Mark 15:34) “I thirst.” (John 19:28/ESV) “It is finished” … (John 19:30/ESV) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46/ESV)

102 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12/ESV)


Jim MacGregor AMDG

38

Jesus died to purchase and procure for us the forgiveness of sin. Jesus intercedes for all that repent and believe in the virtue of his satisfaction; His blood asks “Father, forgive them.” The greatest sinners may, through Christ, upon their repentance, hope to find mercy. Though they were his persecutors and murderers, he prayed “Father, forgive them.” Jesus pled, “For they know not what they do.” If they had known, they would not have crucified him. If we could be constantly aware of our sin, we would not crucifiy Him daily. If Jesus loved and prayed for such enemies, what enemies can we have that we are not obliged to love and pray for?

Jesus is generous and gracious reflecting what God told Isaiah: Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2/ESV)

Jesus’ Promise for Repentance “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:21-22/ESV)

We are to understand His promise “To the one who conquers” to the church at Laodicea, and to the other churches, and to us in this way. Jesus is the one who conquers, and He will give to those who believe in Him a share with Him in the victory that the Father promised Him. Jesus told the church at Laodicea - and us - that we should adhere firmly to our Christian faith and its confession, to our love, service, and patience, to our refusal to join the World in its ways. “To the one who conquers” also refers to Christians who prayerfully, with God’s help, resist the subtle temptation to adhere to non-scriptural societal values and ethics. The promise is both individually for us who will have “conquered” at our deaths, and also for the Entire Church that will have “conquered” when Jesus comes in Final Judgment. 103 John wrote to this thought in one of his epistles:

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5/ESV)

The promise in Revelation 3:21-22 is in harmony with Matthew, Luke, Acts, and Old Testament prophesies about Jesus’ Throne as illustrated below. 104

103 E. W. Hengstenberg, Revelation of St. John, Volume One, Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, trans. (Eugene, OR: Wipf and

Stock, 2005) p. 164. 104 Rev. C.I. Scofield, ed. The Scofield Study Bible. Notes on Revelation 3 (New York, NY: Oxford University

Press, 1996) pp. 1355-1356.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

39

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28/ESV) “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33/ESV)

“Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne … For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” (Acts 2:30, 34-35/ESV; c.f., Psalm 110:1) 105 “Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,’” (Acts 15:14-16/ESV; c.f., Amos 9:11) 106

We read elsewhere in scripture about God’s throne. 107 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left …” (1 Kings 22:19/ESV) For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. … But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice. (Psalm 9:4, 7/ESV) As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. (Daniel 7:9/ESV)

The “one who conquers” will share Jesus’ throne as Jesus shared His Father’s throne. Jesus mentions two thrones: His throne that He shares with glorified saints (i.e., with us when He receives us) who sit with Him; and, His Father’s throne - the power of divine majesty. Only God and the God-man, Jesus, may sit on His Father’s throne. The promise of sharing His throne climaxes the promises of sharing the throne in an ascending series of glorious promises, which carry the thought from the Garden of Eden to the end times as illustrated below:

105 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1/ESV)

Image “Throne of God” from http://www.youmustknowjesuschrist.com/uploads/4/6/1/0/4610975/6380978.jpg. 106 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and

rebuild it as in the days of old …” (Amos 9:11/ESV) 107 Other references to God’s throne, outside of Revelation, may be found at: Psalm 11:4; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 47:8;

Psalm 89:4, 14, 29, 36, 44; Psalm 93:2; Psalm 97:2; Psalm 103:19; Lamentations 5:19; Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:1; Ezekiel 43:7; Daniel 5:20; Daniel 7:9; Matthew 5:34; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 25:31; Acts 7:49; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 8:1; and Hebrews 12:2.


Jim MacGregor AMDG

40

From the Garden of Eden (“To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.,” Revelation 2:7; c.f., Genesis 2:9); 108 Through the wilderness (“I will give some of the hidden manna,” Revelation 2:17; c.f., Exodus 16:35); 109 Through the temple (“a pillar in the temple of my God,” Revelation 3:12; c.f., 1 Kings 7); 110 To the throne (“sit with me on my throne,” Revelation 3:21; c.f., Acts 15:14-16). 111

Paul taught this in his Epistle to the Ephesians, as did the writer of Hebrews. … even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-7/ESV) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16/ESV)

We may wonder why this glorious promise is made to the least pleasing of all the churches. Perhaps it indicates that God meets the despondency we can have after the sudden collapse of self-satisfied lives by offering love, hope, and faith. We remember what David prayed to God after his sins of adultery and murder: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17/ESV) “The highest place is within the reach of the lowest of us; the faintest spark of grace may be fanned into the mightiest flame of divine love.” 112 Paul wrote that Jesus … raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus … (Ephesians 2:6/ESV) We mentioned what happens after the sudden collapse of self-satisfied lives. Although their religion at Laodicea was an empty thing, Jesus offered hope that will drive away despair as the following verses illustrate. 113 These are examples of contrition, repentance, and forgiveness that we read in Scripture.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18/ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. … The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:10-12, 17/ESV) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3/ESV)

108 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.

The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9/ESV) 109 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they

came to the border of the land of Canaan. (Exodus 16:35/ESV) 110 1 Kings 7 relates the story of Solomon building the Temple. 111 “Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this

the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,’” (Acts 15:14-16/ESV; c.f., Amos 9:11) “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old …” (Amos 9:11/ESV)




Jim MacGregor AMDG

41

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15/ESV) I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Ezekiel 34:16/ESV) “… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13/ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29/ESV) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9/ESV)

Jesus’ Warning “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22/ESV)

The letter to the church at Laodicea ends with a statement admonishing them and us: “‘ … He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. …’” The letter ends on a note of a warning to all seven churches - and his universal Church - to heed Jesus’ words. Most of the letter is an indictment of the church for focusing on material prosperity that led them to a false sense of security and independence. They stressed wealth that came though self-exertion. Spiritually, they did not recognize their great needs.

Summary Jesus’ promise provides a transition to the rest of the Book of Revelation. It reinforces the messages to all the churches that Jesus reigns as the Son of Man and will return to judge and to save. We are to repent and trust in His promise. 114 It sets the stage for the scenes of God’s Heavenly Kingdom, His angels, His saints, and His final conquest of evil in the subsequent chapters of Revelation. 115

114 Louis A. Brighton, Revelation (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1999) p. 102. 115 J. Vernon McGee, “Christ’s Letter to the Church In Laodicea,” Revelation 3, Revelation Chapters 1 - 5 (Thru

the Bible) (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995). Downloaded May 9, 2016. from Mantis Software Mobile Phone App. http://mantisbible.com/Support/AboutMantisBibleStudy/tabid/140/Default.aspx.

letter to the church at laodiceapsalmstudy.org/testamentnew/27revelation/church07-laodicea.pdf ·...

Documents