THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA
15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18) I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.
22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches.
King James Version (KJV) public domain
COMMENTARY
First of all, understand that the word "laodicea" is a compound word meaning, "the rights of the people". Aren't you sick of hearing about the rights of this one or the rights of that one? Militants are demanding their "rights" be honored. And everybody wants something for nothing. However, in recognizing everybody's "rights", God is denied His rights. That alone, is a sad commentary.
Consider this: Last year, the Presbyterian denomination officially solidified their support for homosexual marriage. They join the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allows autonomy to their churches to decide for themselves if they want to allow homosexual marriage.
So, we have homosexual rights, women's right to choose to murder their pre-term babies, the right to commit adultery, the right to divorce, etc. If you are a politician, you have the right to bear false witness, the right to covet, the right to steal and commit murder. Most politicians boast about their church affiliation. Nancy Pelosi jumps to mind when she confessed to being "a devout Catholic" but vehemently endorses abortion.
The Church is commanded to be salt and light; to be in this world but not of this world. Matthew 5: 13) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." What a stinging reproof!" But he adds, 14) "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." (NIV)
And the Church of Laodicea is the last church and it represents the dispensation of grace. No church is mentioned again in Revelation until the last chapter, where John reminds us that the entire Book of Revelation is to be sent to the "church". There is no church (organized gathering of Believers) as such on earth during the climactic events of judgement described in chapter 4 and onward.
The time of grace is quickly coming to an end, dear friend. Have you been washed in the life-saving blood of The Lamb? Please go to our Pathway to Salvation page (click here: https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html) and give your life to The Only One Who can save it. And leave us a comment, so we can walk with you on your journey.
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