Christians: What are your thoughts on Revelation 3:14-22 ?

Question

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203:%2014-22&version=49

Answer 1

This church was sleeping rather than working and many Christians are doing that today, thinking they are ok when they aren't doing things they need to serve God and stay in His good grace. How many "go" to church but never do any of the works? The work is left up to the preacher, elders, deacons and others who are busy doing God's work, many times not getting involved themselves. It's easy to be a pew warmer but that alone won't get a person into heaven.

Many times our complacent attitudes get in our way of serving God as we get more involved in our lives and what we want, not realizing or accepting that God has already given us everything we need. If we aren't careful and check ourselves everyday and stay truly repentant, we could end up in Hades with others who never believed in God and our name will be blotted from the Book of Life.

Answer 2

This has nothing to do with a rapture, which is not biblical doctrine. The rapture, and there is no such thing as a rapture, is based on the scripture regarding Jesus' second coming. Jesus will come again. When is not disclosed in scripture with the exception of Matthew 24:36, where Jesus says that no man knows when He will return or when the end time events prophesied will take place. He said God the Father has not even revealed it to the angels. This scripture is taken from the letter to the church at Sardis. God's church was enduring hard times then, and I believe that this was an encouragement to those in that church who were being faithful. It gave them something to look forward to. The essential thing all of us need to do is to read scriptures in context. That gives the true meaning and intent of words and verses. Unfortunately, many do take isolated verses and claim them as universal promises when in fact the promise was made to a specific person or group. Granted, sometimes those promises can apply to us, too, but we can't assume that they do. God the Holy Spirit is the one who will convict individual believers if these verses specifically apply to them.

Answer 3

Of these seven epistiles written by John to the Seven Churches in Asia Laodicea is the last.

Ephesus took the lead to fall away from the Lord by loosing her first love.
Smyrna, was the church under presecution
Pergamos was the church that was married to the World
Thyatira is the church in apostasy
Sardis is the church in Reformation
Philadelphia is the church in recovery and in brother love
Laodicea the Church in Degradation.

These seven church not only were actual churches in these cities but they also show a bird's eye view of Church History.

One thing that I really appreciate is that at the end of each of the speaking of the Spirit to the churches there is a call to the Overcomers in each church situation and also the statement' He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the CHURCHES" Its not just to that individual church but we all need to learn and listen to what the Spirit says to us all.

So the CHurch in Laodicea is the Church in degradation.
She WAS part of who Philidelphia was.. IN that she had brotherly love. Where she cherished the name of the Lord and took no other name but His.. SHe cherished God's word and loved all the brothers. There was no hierachy system in place that divided the believers. THis was her beginning.
But somewhere along the lines she lost all of that and became Laodicea.. the Greek word Laodicea ( because Revelation is prophetic in nature) means opinion, judgement, of the people or of the laymen. SO in essence she lost the brotherly love of Philadelphia and became filled with opinions and judgements of the laymen. When the personal taste and opinion and views rise up in the church.. the Brotherly love goes out the door.
In Philidelphia there was God's blessing.. She is the Only Church that " had her crown " and was urged to " keep it" .. in God's eyes he approved of this church of brotherly love that kept his word and name... And because of this.. God greatly blessed Philadelphia by recovering everything that was lost because of the preceeding churches. So what Laodicea has is riches in the word .. she knows a lot. But what God saw in her was that she was Naked and poor and wretched and blind. Her opinions that killed the brotherly love served to strip her of all that was her substance. She became so wretched yet still feeling that she was superior. In God's mouth she was lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. He would spew her out of His mouth because she lost what was so precious in the eyes of the Lord... and that is.. the enjoyment of all that the Lord is to the CHurch. Rather than Love the Brothers.. she became full of judgement and opinions. Loving and pushing her view rather than taking the way of being just the body with Christ as the administrating leading Head.

We need to learn from this church. Not loose the Lord's name..His word and the Brotherly love. With opinions come the dangereous thing of wanting a name for yourself. Not standing with the word means that you are open to the lies of satan and not lovign the brothers you are no longer burning with the Love of God but have become so undesirable in your stand toward God.

I truly found these epistles to the 7 churches a sobering word to us. May we all have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to Churches.

Your sister
sandy

Answer 4

Well, these aren't really my thoughts, but this comes from a book with what I believe:


3:14 And unto the servant of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith he who hath the final word, who is the faithful and true witness of this word, which word was in the beginning of the creation of God;

John uses the term “the word” in writing his testimony of the mission and works of Jesus Christ (see John 1:1–14). This “word” has been, is, and will always be: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. We were created as social beings that need each other to experience happiness. We gain this happiness in the associations we have with each other.

In verse 15, John places emphasis on the difference between works that are acceptable to God and works which are not. Drinks are either offered “cold,” to cool and refresh the body, or “hot” to soothe and warm it. Any drink that is lukewarm serves no purpose.

When Christ comes again, there will be many who have convinced themselves that they have led righteous Christian lives, only to find out upon listening to what the Lord teaches as real truth (that which is “spued out of my mouth”), that they have done none of the works consistent with the Royal Law of the Father.

It is given to understand that each of the churches in this first section of John’s Revelation is presented with a loving accolade of what it does which is right, followed by a rebuke or that of which it should repent. John demonstrates the love and patience of God, our Father, in dealing with His children.

Christ’s life gave us a sure example that we can exist in this world and keep the commandments of God, doing good to each other always. To have the peace and happiness he has promised, which is what the kingdom of God offers, we must follow his example and do as he did and taught. Simply put, we must do unto others what we would have them do unto us, or we will not be allowed to live in the kingdom of God forever.

In verse 22, John wraps up his figurative explanation of the world (the seven churches) and the sins that cause the most problems in our world (or the seven sins insinuated against the seven different churches).

His purpose was to give a general overview of the state of human affairs upon this earth and give encouragement to those who attempt to overcome Anger, Gluttony, Pride, Lust, Slothfulness, Envy, and Greed—the basic struggles of human nature that are the cause of the unhappiness of humankind. He encourages us to replace human nature with the fruits of the Spirit (“what the Spirit saith unto the churches”), which are Love, Temperance, Meekness, Goodness, Longsuffering, Peace, and Joy.

Answer 5

I believe he is talking to the church during those days which has been established at Loadicea. Jesus rebuked and praised 7 churches in the beginning of revelations. He was particularly harsh with this church because this church was lukewarm and trusted in its riches instead of him. Unfortunately, they did not heed the warning and was removed as a church but I am not sure how it happened.

Answer 6

TO me it seems as they are blind and confused, they think they have everything, and dont know they are lacking GOd in their lives. They say they know God but they really don't know who GOd is, or what GOd's love is.

Revelation 3:14-22

Write this letter to the leader of the church in Laodicia:

"This message is from the on who stands firm, the faithful and tru witness [of all that is or was evermore shall be], the primeveal source of God's creation:

"I know you well--- you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! BUt since you are merey lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!

"You say, 'I am rich, with everything I want; I don't realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

"My advice to you is to buy pure gold from me, gold purified by fire--- only then will you truly be rich. nd to purchase from me white garments, clean and pure, so you won't be naked and ashamed; and to get medicine from me to heal your eyes and give you back your sight. I continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you, unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God.

"Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.

"I will let every one who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered. Let those who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches"

Answer 7

I think it's time for the church to do some repenting, because that's where most of the church is right now, increased in goods. but spiritually getting poorer every day. I pray that the Lord would give us time of refreshings! Zeal

Answer 8

We're to be Either Hot or Cold (i.e. FOR HIM or AGAINST HIM)!!! The Opposite of LOVE isn't HATE, but APATHY (INDIFFERENCE)!!! the Lukewarm Laodecians were "On the Fence", so to Speak! They were also BOASTFUL, PRIDEFUL, ETC... so They'll NOT be WELCOMED by †JESUS† into the KINGDOM!!! If We're LIKE the Laodecians, We'll FIND OURSELVES in the SAME SITUATION They WILL BE!!!

Answer 9

I would agree with 'Jonathan'. We just don't "see" or "hear" what God is saying anymore. WE want to rationalize everything, thinking that God works the same way that we do! We have become just as the church in Laodicia: trying to walk with one foot in the world & the other in God's ways..and we wonder why this "luke-warm" God-fearing position is so burdensome? **sigh**

Answer 10

I think that it means that the Church of Laodiceans is standing with one leg on one side of the fence while the other leg is on the other side trying to take in the world and God at the same time. God says that because of this he will spew you out of his mouth. God wants the Church of Laodicea to return to him. Hope that this helps God bless