Laodicea and Spiritual Blindness: A Call to Action
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The Laodicean Church, as depicted in Revelation 3:14-22, embodies spiritual complacency and arrogance, marked by self-reliance on wealth and ignorance of its wretched state. Jesus warns of the dangers of this “lukewarm” condition, urging repentance and emphasizing the necessity of recognizing one’s dependence on Him for genuine righteousness.
The prophecy of the Laodicean Church is found in Revelation 3:14-22. The Laocidean Church is known as “The Lukewarm Church”.
“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 vomit 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.”
Laodicea is charged with being so spiritually blind they bask in their wealth (Revelation 3:17), needing Jesus for nothing and unaware of their condition. In that verse Jesus quotes the church as saying, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” Does that sound like today’s prosperity gospel-laden churches, or what?!
“Your Best Life Now”
“It’s Your Time”
“How to be Happier 7 Days a Week”
“Become A Better You”
This church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. Jesus charges them with being naked, a symbol of worthlessness and shame, having no garment of righteousness on them to cover themselves! They are charged with being lukewarm, apostate, naked, worthless, unrighteous, rich, so rich they rely on the power of money and exclude the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit! This spiritual condition is an abomination to a holy God.
Serious, serious stuff. Before you embark on the latest fad infiltrating your church, before you buy a book telling you Jesus will make you rich, before you accept a jet setting preacher’s words in the latest book saying if you ‘give big, you get big’, THINK! Laodicea is an unsaved church, Jesus is outside, knocking to get in. They are proud and about to receive a blistering rebuke from a Holy God.
Our holy God will vomit any church like Laodicea out of His mouth. Read Revelation 3. For these sins and for all the sins of the world done in His name and out of His name, the world will be judged. Think on this: our position before a holy God is low, He raised us up with His blood. Honor that blood, honor that cross, fight for your church! Fight for your faith!
