The Church That Nauseates God

Using imagery and illustrations that would hit them right between the eyes and right where they lived, our Lord exposes their spiritual destitution, deception, and desperate condition. In John 9:39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.” Jesus has judged the Laodiceans. Now they know who they really are. They can no longer plead ignorance. Action is now called for. And one thing is certain: Things will not stay the same. Our Lord will make sure of that. Vance Havner puts the issue in plain view:

Smyrna was a rich poor church and Laodicea was a poor rich church. They were blind, shortsighted. They had no vision of God, of their own hearts, of the world’s need. I’d rather be a rich poor Christian than a poor rich Christian! (Repent, 82–83)

REVELATION 3:18-19

According to Mounce, “Sustained irony runs through verses 17 and 18” (Revelation, 111). The arrogant attitude and smug satisfaction of Laodicean Christianity is confronted and countered with counsel that they make specific purchases from Jesus in precisely those areas where they are so certain they have no need. The wisdom our Lord shares is instructive for each and every one of us. Every church should receive this as a personal word. So should every Christian.

Jesus sternly instructs them: “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich.” “From Me,” from Christ, true and lasting riches can be purchased. The currency of that purchase is always the same: faith, trust, radical dependence on Him and only Him. Because gold is often an emblem of faith, some believe the Laodicean church was filled only with unbelievers (MacArthur, Revelation 1–11, 138). This is certainly possible, but I would suspect the church had both believers and unbelievers, and the cure for their spiritual poverty is the same. First comes faith for salvation; then follows faith for sanctification. As Paul said in Romans 1:17, salvation is “from faith to faith.” Hebrews 12:2 says that we should keep “our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith.” We need the spiritual wealth that comes only by constant and abiding faith in Jesus. Such wealth, unlike earthly riches, will endure forever. Day by day we must renew our faith in the Lord Jesus for everything we need.

Next, Jesus tells the church they need “white clothes so that [they] may be dressed and [their] shameful nakedness not be exposed.” In contrast to the beautiful glossy black wool the Laodiceans were so proud of, Jesus offers a garment of white that will cover the shame of their nakedness. White clothes symbolize the imputed righteousness of the Savior and the righteous acts of the saints (see 3:4-5,18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9,13-14; 19:8,14). That this is a recurring theme in Revelation tells us how important it is. Nakedness in the ancient world was a sign of judgment and humiliation. To receive fine clothing was a symbol of honor and acceptance. Laodicean Christians walk about spiritually naked, completely unaware of their humiliation and need for the pure white righteousness that is available only in Jesus (Mounce, Revelation, 111). Before the One whose “eyes are a flame of fire” (1:14), we are stripped naked and exposed for who we really are. We dare not stand in the filthy rags of our own righteousness and good deeds. We desperately need the righteousness of Jesus.

We also need to buy from Christ “ointment to spread on [our] eyes so that [we] may see.” Laodicea was famous for its eye salve called “Phrygian Powder.” But ironically, the Laodicean church was blind to its spiritual condition. Only the great physician had a cure for their sightlessness. The blindness of their self-deception could only be remedied by the healing ointment made available by Jesus (Mounce, Revelation, 111). Such healing comes from looking to Him in the gospel and into His Word for instruction and wisdom (see 2 Tim 3:16-17).

Honest evaluation is essential for spiritual restoration. Spiritual compromise and complacency are “spiritual cataracts” that shut out the light of spiritual sight. Regularly, daily, we need to ask the Lord—in prayer and by the Word—“Show me my true spiritual condition. Reveal to me my spiritual blind spots and areas of sin where I no longer see. Help me, Lord, to see myself as You see me!”

Next comes a somewhat encouraging part of Christ’s discipline: “As many as I love . . .” Amazingly Christ loves Laodicean Christians and churches. Their sin does not quench His love. “. . . I rebuke and discipline,” says the Lord Jesus. Christ corrects and disciplines, as with a child, those He loves.

This echoes Proverbs 3:11-12 and Hebrews 12:5-11(see also 1 Cor 11:32). Love is never cruel, but it can be tough. Discipline that educates and brings about repentance and change is what our Lord extends to Laodicean churches. If we reject His discipline, He will spit us out. If we receive it, He will come in and stay with us as the next verse beautifully promises.

Our expected response is crystal clear: “Be committed [ESV, “zealous”] and repent.” Be fervent, and turn now and daily. Keep on, with fire in your soul, turning from sin. Turning from sin once is not enough. It must become the daily practice and habit of our life. A community of daily repenting sinners characterizes a healthy church and healthy Christians.

REVELATION 3:20-22

These verses are an appropriate conclusion not only to the letter for the church at Laodicea but to the letters for all the seven churches. Yet it is specifically and definitely right for this church. What does Jesus say? How does He challenge them?

“Listen,” Jesus says. It is a simple imperative: Look! See! Take note! Wake up! “I stand at the door and knock.” Jesus has taken a position outside the door of the church and will remain there knocking and knocking; graciously and patiently waiting. “If anyone”—what an amazing promise! Just one, anyone—“hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.” It appears only one humble, receptive, repentant sinner is necessary to spark revival within a local church. The Master is calling. Are we listening? Are we willing to welcome Him back into His church?

The debate over whether this verse is to be exclusively applied to a local church and not an individual sinner is really unnecessary when the verse is taken as a whole. It should be recognized that the church and its individual members are being addressed. I doubt, however, it is inappropriate imagery in application to any sinner with whom Christ seeks table fellowship.

In the Middle Eastern world, an invitation to share a meal was characteristic of hospitality and the occasion for intimate fellowship with family and close friends. For believers, enjoying table fellowship in communion (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; 1 Cor 11) with Jesus and spiritual brothers and sisters is a foretaste of a future table fellowship in the messianic kingdom and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:1-10). It is hard to imagine any follower of the Lamb rejecting this magnificent invitation to dine at the table of the King (Mounce, Revelation, 113–14).

Jesus promises the one who is a “victor,” an overcomer, a conqueror, the privilege of sitting with Him on His throne, just as He has sat down with His Father on His throne (v. 21). To sit “with” Jesus means any and every blessing we receive in kingdom life we receive by virtue of our union with Christ. Our joint reign with King Jesus rings throughout Revelation (1:6,9; 2:25-27; 5:10; 20:4-6) as well as the whole New Testament (Matt 19:28; Luke 22:28-30; Rom 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12). And we are victors because of the victory He won. As the Son shares the throne of His Father, we share the throne of the Son (Johnson, Revelation, 1983, 65). It is astonishing! Because of our union with the victorious Lamb, we not only get heaven; we also get a throne.

“Anyone who has an ear”—individuals and churches—“should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” This is a word for all of us. Are we listening?

A church (or a Christian) must be careful not to lose its first love (Ephesus). It must trust God in the midst of suffering (Smyrna). It must not compromise its doctrine (Pergamum). It must not waffle on its morality (Thyatira). It must be on guard against spiritual deadness (Sardis). It must walk through open doors for sharing the gospel (Philadelphia). It must avoid at all costs becoming lukewarm in its passion for Jesus (Laodicea).

Revival is both an individual and a church matter. God deals with people one person at a time. He deals with churches one church at a time. Sometimes, like Laodicea, we have everything in our life and in our church except the Lord Jesus. God forbid that that would be true of us, of you, or of me! Dr. Havner puts it all in context: “The big question today is not ‘Is God speaking?’ The really big question is, ‘Are you listening?’” (Repent, 102).