Bible Studies
The Message to the Church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. Throughout this week we have been studying the messages to the seven church of Asia in Revelation 1, 2 and 3. 2. Each of these congregations faced its unique challenges. Most of them, though commended for various strengths, had their weaknesses. 3. As the Lord spoke to them He did so in love and compassion. He communicated with grace reproving them where reproof was necessary in order for them to experience the life that He wanted for them. It is not gracious to withhold rebuke and allow people to die. 4. We have observed a pattern in the letters.a. The Lord identifies Himself with language borrowed from chapter 1.
b. Commendation.
c. Condemnation and call to repentance.
d. Promise to those who overcome.
e. “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
5. Tonight we consider the message to the church at Laodicea.Discussion:
I. The identification. “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this.”A. The Amen, the faithful and true Witness.
1. May be an allusion to Isa. 65:16.
2. “Amen” is from the Hebrew,meaning, “to be firm, steadfast” and as akin to the Hebrew word for “truth” (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20). Thus the three phrases, the Amen, the faith and true Witness go firmly together.
3. The faithful witness goes back to 1:5. Isa. 43:10-12 presents Israel as God’s witness. God’s servant (the Messiah) of Isaiah is the representative witness of all Israel. This text may be the background of Jesus being identified as the witness in this text. Note also Psa. 89:27, 37.
B. He also identifies Himself as “the Beginning of the creation of God.”
1. I suppose it is natural to think of Gen. 1 any time we think of “the beginning of creation.”
2. But the Book of Revelation focuses on a new beginning—a new heaven and a new earth (chapters 21 and 22).
3. Chap. 4 presents God as creator. Chapters 5 and following presents Him as creator of a new beginning through the Lamb.
4. Note Isa. 65:17. If 65:16 is connected to “faithful and true witness” then it is interesting that v. 17 refers to the God of truth creating “new heavens and a new earth.” Note how Isa. 65:16-17 dovetails with the same theme in Revelation.
5. This is certainly not a theme foreign to the N.T.
a. Col. 1:15-20 presents Jesus as the firstborn of all creation.
1) It is not saying that He was created like Adam was created.
2) But it is saying that He occupies the position of preeminence as the first-born of the ancient world did. He is superior to thrones, dominions, rulers, etc. (v. 16).
3) He is the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead, so that He has first place in everything (v. 17). Note. Rev. 1:5.
b. 2 Cor. 5:14-17 alludes to a new creation.
c. Eph. 2:10 says we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.
d. The resurrection theme of Rom. 6:4 where we are raised to walk in newness of life is reflective of the same new beginning.
e. Gal. 6:15 says, “Neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
C. G. K. Beale (N.T. Biblical Theology, pp. 336ff) says, “This passage (Rev. 3:14) is one of the most explicit texts in the N.T. that interprets Jesus’ resurrection as new creation.” He presents a number of powerful arguments to this effect.
D. I am convinced that the reference to Jesus being the “Beginning of the creation of God” is a reference to Him being the force behind (the beginning, source, origin of) the new creation. This new creation stems from His resurrection. It is associated with the Messianic kingdom as reflected in the church and extending into the new heavens and new earth. It is His faithful witness communicated through His promises that is fulfilled in this new creation. Thus, the one speaking to Laodicea is the one who has promised a new creation and is the actually beginning, i.e., origin, source, or force behind it.
II. There is no commendation for this congregation only a charge to repent of their lukewarmness (And isn’t their lukewarmness incredible in light of what the Lord has initiated for them?).A. At nearby Hierapolis (6 miles N from Laodicea) there were hot springs. The Laodiceans were well acquainted with lukewarm water.
1. The Lord says, “I will spit you out of My mouth.”
2. The more graphic translation, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
B. They said they were rich, wealthy and needed nothing.
1. Tacitus says that a serious earthquake struck the city in A.D. 60 but the city was rebuilt with private funds from the citizens (Annals XIV, 27).
2. Laodicea was widely known as a banking center and the business of money changing.
3. Jesus said, “You are wretched, miserable, and poor.”
C. There was a famous school of medicine located 13 miles from the city. The school developed an eye medicine known as Phrygian powder.
1. They thought they could see.
2. Jesus said, “Buy from Me eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.”
D. The city was known for its wool made from the coats of black sheep.
1. They thought they were clothed with fine garments.
2. Jesus said, “Buy from Me white garments so that you may clothe yourselves and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed.”
E. Hailey, p. 156 says, “The city’s easy and opulent life made it an appealing retirement center for the wealthy.” You can imagine them relaxing in the hot springs, enjoying the opulence. Hailey observes, “Because retired persons often conclude that they have served their purpose and reached their goal in life, they consequently become lukewarm to the issues facing society.” Has this not only become their way of life, but their way of operating in the church? On the other hand, maybe they are so involved in their businesses and their productive affairs that they neglect the work of God and became lukewarm. Whatever has led them into this circumstance they need to change.
III. The Lord loves them and thus reproves and disciplines. He wants zealousness and repentance.A. Reproof is hard for most of us to take, but when we recognize that it is the mark of God’s love for us and that He is trying to save us, maybe we can see it differently (Heb. 12:5-11).
B. Let us take our reproof from these letters to these churches and tonight particularly from the church at Laodicea.
1. Let’s not retire to lukewarmness.
2. Let’s not become so involved in our businesses that we neglect the new creation that the true and faithful Witness has told us about and has died to procure.
3. Let us be rich in the things of God. Let us see His plan. Let us cloth ourselves in the white garments that we buy from Him.
IV. One of the marks of great wealth is feasting. This text refers to Jesus coming and dining with us (v. 20).A. This is a theme right out of Isa. 25:6-9.
B. It is continued in the N.T. (Matt. 22:1-14; Lk. 15:23).
V. He refers to our sitting with Him on His throne.A. Will it be like sitting in Daddy’s chair? Will it be like a child sitting in the big tractor seat? I am sure my childish images cannot compare with the experience.
B. How can we be lukewarm when sitting with Him on His throne is the expectation?
Conclusion:
1. He who has an ear let him hear. 2. Let us not be lukewarm but zealous for the new creation.
