The weak versus self-deceived congregation.
The Church in Philadelphia was weak or poor. The members of the Assembly in Philadelphia had little to demonstrate. However, they held on to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus praises the church in Philadelphia for its faithfulness despite its lack of means to show its achievement. In contrast, the Church in Laodicea has achieved much knowledge, teachings, and definition. The assembly in Laodicea was great in its own eyes. However, the assembly in Laodicea did not recognize that it was self-deceived. “Because you say, ‘I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17, NET. Jesus neither criticizes nor condemns the Church in Laodicea. Instead, he pities the members of the Assembly in Laodicea. They think they are something but do not see that they are nothing. Their self-assessment was so great that they could not notice their deficiencies.
Believers in Laodicea’s condition have convinced themselves they have it. They have developed well-thought-out doctrines and teachings, and only they have the correct understanding of the Scriptures. They have decoded and sorted out the prophecies. They lack nothing except the latter rain to enable them to lift- up their achievements in understanding the Scriptures. However, their self-pride has blinded them. The members of the Church in Laodicea could not recognize that all they had achieved was only a half-truth. The most grievous achievement was their attitude of diminishing the all-inclusive sufficiency of the cross of Christ. They thought that their doctrines and teachings qualified them for heaven. They forgot that their qualification is in Jesus Christ only.
Jesus informs the Church in Laodicea that he knows their deeds. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15 – 16, NET. To be hot means to preach and practice the objective truths of the gospel. To be cold means to concentrate on man-made teachings and be in love with themselves. The members of the Church in Laodicea could have promoted what they have learned and achieved but with Christ in the center. However, they promoted themselves without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot dwell in conceited minds. The Holy Spirit dwells only in the minds of those with the attitude of Jesus Christ.
Continued in the next blog.
