“To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write:
The amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the source of God’s creation, says: I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I’m going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I’m rich. I’m wealthy. I don’t need anything.’ Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you: Buy gold purified in fire from me so that you may be rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. Look, I’m standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll eat together.
I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22
The last of the seven letters is sent to the church in Laodicea, which is also in modern day Turkey.
What is interesting about this church is that it was mentioned several times in Colossians, Paul's epistle to the church in the city of Colossae. In it, Paul even mentions a letter to the Laodicean church, which is not included in the bible (some argue that it could be a letter from the Laodicean church). Anyway, this letter is either lost, yet to be discovered or is known but has been renamed.
Lukewarm
Neither hot or cold spirituality is the central point of this letter. As well as an attitude of being well off, not to be needing God.
Which by the way is an attitude and a condition common today, particularly in Western cultures.
Today it is also not uncommon to see huge or even mega churches, many of which are nothing more than country club style establishments. Some have teachings which cater to what their members want to listen to and as far away as from what the Lord wants to tell His people.
Anyway, bible scholars say that the seven letters of Revelations are representations of churches through the passage of time and that the last one, this letter to Laodicea represents the church right before the second coming of Christ.
I read the Word for what it is or for what is in the text than cater to whatever human interpretation is provided, but some interpretations are divinely inspired, so with the guidance of the Holy Spirit these can lead to Godly wisdom and fresh revelation, we believers need in our day and time.
So yes, let those who have ears, listen to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. He is knocking at the door of your heart. Open it.
"When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won’t speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come."
No comments:
Post a Comment