by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Forerunner,
"Bible Study,"
September 4, 2024
Few Christians in the church of God wish to be associated with "the church of the Laodiceans." Understanding these prophetic letters from an "eras" perspective, among the seven churches, Laodicea comes last before the return of Christ, and its attitudes appear dominant today. The Philadelphia attitude seems to be receding from the scene, leaving only patiently enduring individuals scattered through many church groups. Perceptive minds can discern hints of the other churches' attitudes and works here and there across the greater churches of God.
So, what is so bad about Laodiceanism that everyone wants to avoid it? Why is Christ, the Head of the church, so angry with this particular church? The answer is simple: Laodicean Christians have an infectious spiritual malaise that, if left to fester, will seriously jeopardize their eternal life! With this detrimental attitude dominating the times, those who desire to please God must now contend for their spiritual welfare or succumb to Laodiceanism. This study will examine this seventh church and its implications for all Christians.
1. Christ calls Laodicea "lukewarm." Where does this condition originate? To whom does it apply? Revelation 3:15-16.
Comment: For what it is worth, Herbert Armstrong said he first noticed Laodiceanism in the church in 1969, describing it as sincere, zealous Christians beginning to cool off. A feeling of "we will automatically qualify for the Place of Safety and the Kingdom of God simply by being in the church" began to affect God's people.
Christ describes this attitude as being "neither cold nor hot" in faithful devotion to Him and growing in grace and knowledge. Further, He says it is so distasteful to Him that He threatens to vomit such people out of His mouth! Usually, this lukewarm attitude affects people who become distracted by this world and become complacent about God's calling and spiritual maturation, telling themselves that they do not need additional growth in righteousness. All Christians, even ministers, need to guard against such self-satisfied thoughts.
2. Can a person believe he is spiritually sound when he is actually Laodicean? Revelation 3:17; Hosea 12:8.
Comment: Part of the problem for those who believe they have a Philadelphian attitude is the assumption that a Philadelphian Christian "has it made" spiritually. Such people usually believe that the Worldwide Church of God equated to the Philadelphia era of the church, and it was Christendom's Golden Age. In addition, they think those who lived within it had God's fondest affections, and simply being a part of it guaranteed a spot in the Place of Safety and a high position in God's Kingdom.
Exalting the era and proudly counting oneself in its ranks create complacency and poor, biased judgment of oneself as a true spiritual giant. Some still consider themselves Philadelphians and mark those in any other church group as Laodiceans. This is a dangerous spiritual position to take.
3. What does this approach indicate? Revelation 3:17.
Comment: Just as with those in Sardis, Laodiceans are completely self-deceived (Jeremiah 17:9). Their view of their spiritual state is diametrically opposed to what Jesus Christ thinks of them. Laodiceans believe they are okay; they generally do not realize they are Laodiceans. In most cases, they consider themselves Philadelphians and thus in good standing with God. They believe everyone has been asleep but themselves, yet Christ says of the ten virgins, those who wait for the Bridegroom to come, "They all slumbered and slept" (Matthew 25:1-13; emphasis ours)!
As mentioned, a major characteristic of Laodiceanism is utter self-deception. Each of us must look carefully into the Word of God for a true test of our spiritual condition (James 1:22-27), not presuming our evaluation of ourselves is the same as our Savior's. He is the ultimate Judge.
4. How do we know the church has lapsed into Laodiceanism? Revelation 3:16-17.
Comment: Christ's grotesque use of vomit spewing from His mouth captures the violent and repulsive scattering of the church as He destroyed and scattered Israel and Judah (see, for instance, Lamentations 2:1-8). No part of His church has escaped the scattering of God. We have all sinned and come short of His glory. None have been righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10-23)!
Among the curses for following the Word of God improperly is scattering and withdrawal of blessings (Deuteronomy 28:15-47; Leviticus 26:33). Some still claim God is blessing them greatly, but it is unwise to suppose material prosperity—like the Laodiceans had—is always God's reward for faithfulness. In the Laodiceans' case, God judged these wealthy people to be "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked"!
The scattering continues and will do so until God is satisfied that repentance has been achieved. God's objective is to show us that we are still far too complacent, not having turned to Him wholeheartedly, but insincerely (see Jeremiah 3:6-10).
5. Can anyone in the church today honestly deny his participation in the rebuke and chastening of the Lord? Revelation 3:17-19.
Comment: Fundamental to the Laodicean's problem is that he does not even grasp that he is one! Oftentimes, he never seriously considers the possibility. He really believes he is a Philadelphian. Blind to his nakedness, a biblical symbol of lack of righteousness, he is instructed to salve his eyes so he might see. This should cause anyone who considers himself a Philadelphian to take a long, hard look at himself in the light of Scripture. Could we be deceiving ourselves about our true state? Jesus Christ says, "Yes!"
It is somewhat paradoxical, but in this day of scattering and chastening, if we think we are of Philadelphia, we are probably Laodicean. Yet, if we think we are Laodicean, we may be waking up and beginning to see our faults. If we do something about them, if we are learning and growing from our fiery trials, we will be accruing real spiritual, heavenly treasure and donning garments of true righteousness.
6. Do we hear the analysis of the One who can read the thoughts and intents of the heart? Do we hear His voice? Revelation 3:20; Isaiah 52:1-2, 11.
Comment: Laodiceanism is not the end of the world. It can be overcome. Christ is knocking at the door. Those who wake up to what He writes in these letters, who really hear Him and overcome spiritual blindness, nakedness, and self-deception, will sit with Him on His throne in His glorious Kingdom!