The Church: To The Church Of Laodices

    And to the messenger of the church of the Laodiceans write. These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:14-16

    Laodicea was a wealthy city governed by Rome and the Laodicean church was very affluent as well. When the city was decimated by a powerful earthquake the Laodiceans refused Rome's help to rebuild because of their great wealth. The only downside to living in this great city was the water, piped in from afar from tepid mineral pools it not only smelled horrible, it tasted awful and was at best, lukewarm.

    When Jesus told the church that they were lukewarm and that their spiritual condition was about to make Him vomit they knew exactly what He was talking about. There is nothing worse than something lukewarm or half-hearted and the Laodiceans were just that: halfhearted, complacent and comfortable in their Christianity. So it is today the so-called people of God have grown cold and dark in their Devotion and have opened themselves up to the pollution and lusts of the world. It is fashionable to go to church but it is not politically correct or acceptable to be the church. At best the western church has become a social club for the rich and famous, a place to meet and greet, but to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory: never!

    The world desperately needs a Savior and the only messenger of the gospel, the church has refused to go, instead they entertain themselves with self help gurus and false prophets, singing and dancing to the beat of the world's drum only to sink further in darkness. Always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, they refuse to allow Jesus to be Lord over them and continue in their rebellious ways only to someday perish in their many deceptions.

    They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water. Clouds carried by a tempest for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. II Peter 2:13-17

WEALTHY AND IN NEED OF NOTHING

    "Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." Revelation 3:17,18

    In many of the western churches and even in many third world countries wealth is a gage for spiritual prowess and superiority and it was no different in Laodicea, they were rich and increased in goods, but spiritually they were bankrupt! The modern day prosperity gospel has polluted the church with get rich quick schemes and the deceptive practice of give to get, sow a Cadillac, reap a Rolls Royce.

    The truth of the matter is this, in most cases great wealth leads to complacency and an apathetic outlook in regards to the real mission of the church and its mandate to GO! Throughout the scriptures God warns that great wealth can possess one's heart and draw him away from the faith. Jesus even stated that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom and the apostle Paul warned that to suppose that godliness is a means of gain was a great deception and to withdraw from such. He also exhorts Timothy to be content with food and clothing because naked we entered this world and naked we shall go out.

    Jesus approached the"Rich Young Ruler" with the call to give up his inherited wealth and to come follow Him, but the boy was unable to let go and lose all for the Lord, but instead went away grieved to face a Christ-less eternity. It is a dangerous and very foolish thing to choose the wealth of this present world only to lose one's soul in Hell! Jesus warned the Laodicean church that their wealth had their heart and to repent and to seek after the true riches of eternal life and to anoint their eyes that they might see the truth and be set free.

    But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Timothy 6:9,10

KNOCK, KNOCK!

    "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

    Contrary to popular belief this is not a salvation scripture to invite Jesus into our heart, it is a Message to the church of Laodicea who had defected from His presence and served the god of wealth and pleasure instead of allowing the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to rule in their body. Jesus being King of all kings and Lord of all obviously doesn't have to be invited into a church with the supernatural ability to just walk through the wall and enter as He pleases, but that is not His nature or character. The Lord Jesus must be allowed access to His own people in order to lead and guide them into all truth, He will by no means force Himself upon a body in order to be their Lord.

    We talk about Him and sing about Him and claim to be His children, but to let Him be Lord over us or give Him the right to lead our churches, never! First of all we want someone we can see and touch and show off to the rest of the world that we have a king over us, a well trained CEO, a PhD with the ability to eloquently speak smooth words to the congregation never offending them and giving in to all their wishes. Just like Israel when they demanded a fleshly ruler, God gave them Saul, a tall handsome man who ended up failing miserably by disobeying the Lord's commands to destroy the enemy and died in battle after consulting a witch.

    So, the church of today has a choice to make, either continue in their rebellion to God, or choose to repent and make Jesus Lord and obey His commands! Please the world or please Him who died and rose again for us, the choice is simple to hear but hard to accomplish in that Jesus will not be one of our gods. He is either Lord of all or Lord or Lord of nothing, there is no middle ground, no fence to ride, no fire insurance for fleshly children trained in greed, only a sellout for the King of all kings and Lord of all Lords!

    "To Him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame 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

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
   Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ