The church of Laodicea, the last church of God in history, wanders around in misery, wretchedness, poverty, blindness, and nakedness without truly recognizing it. It’s not the condition that’s the problem, but rather a fatally false self-assessment.
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Laodicea – The Last of the Seven Churches
In the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, seven churches are listed in sequence, each of which receives from John an explication of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which he wrote on the island of Patmos. The individual churches are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
The introductory addresses to the church elders in each letter are individual, however. Thus, Jesus Christ praises, rebukes, and admonishes the individual churches according to their steadfastness in faith or their apostasy from the pure gospel.
Since the churches in Revelation are described in a specific order and, due to the postal system at the time, were also delivered in this same order, something fascinating emerges. The respective states of faith of the churches in this described order, as well as today’s view of the past, demonstrate the prophetic aspect. For these churches represent the people of God in its development over the centuries, from the beginning to the present (Info).
Only rebuke left for Laodicea
While the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) receives only praise and encouragement to continue persevering, the situation is completely different for the last church, Laodicea. Only words of rebuke and a final admonition are found in Revelation 3:14-22. The most striking passage is found in verses 16 and 17:
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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:“
The Real Laodicean Problem
What, then, is the problem? One is inclined to see the real problem of the Laodicean church in its actual state. That is, “wretchedness, wretchedness, poverty, blindness, and nakedness.” But this is not really the primary problem. The real dilemma is that it does not recognize the church itself and sees itself in a completely different state. The lack of recognition is the real problem.
This results in a “lukewarm” state. You think you’re on the safe side, believe you’re at peace, believe you don’t need anything else (“hot”), but in reality you’re standing there stark naked (“ice cold”). Another aspect of “cold, hot, and lukewarm” also applies to true faith, unbelief, and hypocrisy (Info).
Lack of knowledge leads to misjudgment
For there is a solution to the conditions of “misery, wretchedness, poverty, blindness, and nakedness,” and this solution should be sought as far as possible. But what good is it if one completely misjudges one’s own condition and therefore does not care at all about eliminating one’s own wretchedness? Anyone who fails to understand this will also fail to seek the urgently needed solution. Ancient Israel also once fell into this “carefree” Laodicean state, Isaiah 42:18-20:
“Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.“
King David recognized exactly what his situation was and also knew the way out, Psalms 70:5:
“But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.“
Jesus Christ made it clear that there is a way out of the dilemma of the actual “Laodicean condition.” It “only” needs to be recognized.
Matthew 5:3:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 13:16:
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.“
Jesus Christ removes blindness
The healing of a man blind since birth by Jesus Christ illustrates the way out of the dilemma, John 9:25;39:
“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.“
After the church of Laodicea was clearly rebuked in the letter, Jesus immediately gave his advice on what should be done about it, Revelation 3:18:
“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 that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.“
Buy gold refined in fire
Gold refined in fire signifies the true gospel, pure and unadulterated. In practice, this means studying the Word of God as it is written. Riches describe faith, infused with the Holy Spirit. This is also comparable to the ten virgins, although only five of them had oil reserves when the bridegroom appeared very late at night. All ten virgins fell asleep, but only half were prepared for the bridegroom’s appearance (Matthew 25:1-13).
Buy white clothes
White clothes represent righteousness. Not one’s own righteousness (not even possible), but the righteousness of Jesus Christ, Revelation 19:7-8:
“ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.“
Using Eye Salve
It’s dramatic when one is struck by blindness. It’s no longer just a matter of unwillingness to recognize the truth; one is already incapable of doing so. But a “sober mind” still tells one where there is a remedy for blindness. In and from Jesus Christ. The practice: In prayer, ask for the (figurative) eye salve so that the blindness will end and the truth can be recognized.
However, these essential necessities are lacking if one perceives oneself as “rich, abundant, and without lack.”
Questionable Pride – Laodicean Evidence
Time and again, especially on social media, church members declare that they are “proud” to be members of a particular church. This isn’t really a better demonstration of their own “Laodicean condition.” Pride is pretty much the last thing a person needs. It merely demonstrates a kind of superiority and a hefty dose of self-righteousness.
As Jesus Christ himself said:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
And also important, Ephesians 2:8:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:“
Humans themselves can contribute absolutely nothing to their own salvation through their own means, abilities, skills, and actions. It is God’s work that transforms the “naked, exposed, poor, miserable, and blind” human being so that they are finally given His(!) “pure and shining” white cloak by Jesus Christ. This is done out of pure love and grace. What, then, is the basis for one’s own pride?
Ergo: Recognize your own condition, buy gold refined in fire and ask for eye healing ointment!
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
