7 Churches of Revelation: Laodicea 

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 3:14-22:  "And to the angel 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 spew you out of My mouth. 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me. 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.''  

Jesus is the Faithful and True Witness. He is the Beginning, the Source of the creation of God. John 1:1-3 “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 nothing was made that was made.” 

God looks at our hearts and not on physical appearance Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” 

Because He looked at the heart of the people in Laodicea, the Lord saw that they were lukewarm. They had become complacent. 

“The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. Colossae was known for its cold, refreshing mountain springs. Laodicea, on the other hand, had a bad reputation when it came to water. It was renowned for its dirty, lukewarm water, which visitors almost immediately spat out after tasting. In light of this, we can see that both “hot” and “cold” were considered to be good, while the dirty lukewarm of Laodicea was of no benefit.” (www.eteacherbiblical.com.) 

Laodicea was a wealthy, wealthy city. It was a textile manufacturing and financial center. The city was also known for its medical centers which manufactured salves for the eyes and ears. Jesus refers to all this when He tells them to buy refined gold, the wealth of redemption and communion with the Father. He desires that they be clothed in the purity of righteousness. The people were becoming rich from the manufacture of medicine for their physical eyes, but were poor in spirit because their spiritual eyes were closed. 

In spite of all this, Jesus loves the church and wants the best for them. It is His love that brings Him to rebuke them. It is His love that brings Him to rebuke us. He is knocking at the door of our hearts. It is up to us to open the door. 

Proverbs 16:2 “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.” 

 

 7 Churches of Revelation: Philadelphia  

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 3: 7.  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, `These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens'':  know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'' 

The city has had a number of names through its existence. "Philadelphia" honors Attalus II who was honored for his loyalty with the nickname Philadelphos, literally one who loves his brother, by his elder brother. 

Brotherly love in the biblical sense is an extension of the natural affection associated with near kin, toward the greater community of fellow believers, that goes beyond the mere duty.   

Luke 10: 25-29  And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'' He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'' So he answered and said, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and `your neighbor as yourself.'  And He said to him, "You have answered righhtly; do this and you will live.'' But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?'' 

Like the lawyer, we want to inherit eternal life and we often think that following a prescribed procedure is what is required.  He was willing to help his neighbor but unwilling to love someone who was not a neighbor. 

Jesus answered, (Luke 10:30-37) 30.  Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'' And he said, "He who showed mercy on him.'' Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.'' 

In other words, don’t be concerned about who your neighbor is.  Be concerned about being a neighbor.  Don’t be concerned about who your brother is.  Be the brother. 

John 13: 34-35; "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'' 

 
Because of their love, the church of Philadelphia had an open door.  Jesus not only possessed the key to the blessings of the Kingdom; He is the key. Jesus was the center of their worship. 

The church had only a little strength. Their strength was small, but that wasn’t a problem because God’s strength is more than sufficient to bring the members of the synagogue to satan to their knees.  

2 Corinthians 12: 9.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

Jesus praised the church because they have kept the word of God.  It is impossible to keep the word of God if we don’t know the word of God. 

Psalm 119: 11-12: Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” 

The Body of Christ, in unity, comprises the Temple in the world today.  The pillars, the support of the Temple, are those who keep sincerely the Word of God in loving one another.