¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. ¹⁵ ” ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ “

As the Lord allows, this coming Lord’s Day morning I will continue our series of Bible Doctrines with my penultimate message on the subject of Ecclesiology – the Doctrine of the Church. Sadly, the report on the condition of the 21^st Century Church is painful to read and even more painful to live out.

Revelation 2 – 3 is a really interesting passage of Scripture. When John outlines the Book in 1:19 that he is to write about “the things that are…” he is referring to the seven local churches named and described in these two Chapters. I am absolutely convinced that God uses these seven churches for three prophetic purposes:

(1) They are simply seven local churches that existed when John was given The Revelation of Jesus Christ on the Isle of Patmos around 95-96 AD.

(2) They are “typical” of all churches that existed at that time and over the two-thousand years since. If you use the primary characteristics of these churches as “seven categories” or “types” of churches; every church would fall into one of these seven types. This is still true today.

(3) They are a “trajectory” or “road map” of where the predominant church type would go over the life of what scholars call “The Church Age.” That is for a time most churches would be in the category of the first church, then the second, then the third, and on and on.

Sadly, today, most churches clearly fall into the category of “Laodicean” or “end-time” churches. The characteristics of the Church at Laodicea are seen in a majority – indeed, the vast majority – of churches in the 21^st Century.

This then begs the question, “What are the characteristics of the Laodicean, or end-time church?” As we look at these verses, we find these heart-breaking but inescapable answers:

First, since these verses are the very words of Jesus, the true nature and condition of the Laodicean church is known by HIM!

Second, it is clear to any fair minded reader of this Book that the Church at Laodicea is a compromised church. Jesus uses imagery here that is unmistakable. They are, ”neither cold or hot…” This is a sad picture of today’s politically correct so-called “church” that seeks to tolerate everything and stand for nothing!

Third, this is a very prosperous church! They have great physical resources. I know that this is not true of the church in many places around the world, but, it is more true overall than at any time in human history. Even medium to moderate sized churches today have literally thousands upon thousands of dollars in property and monies in the bank.

Fourth, unfortunately the spiritual condition of the church of today is nothing like the physical condition. The harshness of the words Jesus uses to describe them is terrifying… they are, “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Fifth, they are a church called to repentance! Martin Luther was dead on when he stated in the first of his ninety-five thesis, “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said “Repent”, He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” The church at Laodicea – and the majority of contemporary churches – need to repent!

Sixth, in verse 20, we have an unusual and often debated verse that tells this church that Jesus is actually “outside” the church rather than “inside” the Church. It is clear from the context of these verses, as well as the entire teaching of the Scripture, that this promise is to them as a “church” and not to lost people in general. There is nothing about this verse that is untrue about a lost person’s invitation to accept Christ; it just happens that that is not the context of the verse.

Seventh, even in its desperate condition, Jesus still promises true believers that they will receive the promised blessings of God. “He who overcomes…” is (according to 1^st John 5:4-5) synonymous with “a believer.”

So, even in the last days… even in a compromised and compromising church… true believers can expect to receive all of the promised blessings of God! “The Church of Today” is a mess, but God promises to respond to real repentance by coming once again into their midst.

I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side!