Today we are starting a series of messages that I believe we need to study and understand for our time.  The messages that I am going to present are going to challenge some of us – however, please understand that these are messages are coming directly from Jesus Himself.  We are going to study Revelation 3; 10; 12 for the next three Sabbaths, and then there will be two Sabbaths of a break. Then we will resume with Chapter 13 and then close with Ch. 14.

What is the background of this book?

This is an Apocalyptic book. Meaning, it is a book dealing with the events of the last days. It is a prophetic book.

Many people are fearful of the book of Revelation. You do not have to be fearful.  The source of the words written within it is Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:1). Please note that this is an open book (Rev. 22:10). It is a book with blessings. In fact, Rev. 1:3 could be rendered, “Happy is he who reads…” There is a special blessing pronounced upon all who reads, understands, and keep what is written in it.

Yes, it is written in symbols and hard to understand for it cannot be read literally. It is full of Old Testament (OT) quotations, illusions, and imagery. But it is a book that Jesus says that will render us blessings if we read it, and keep what is written in it.

Notice the steps the message passed through to reach us (Rev. 1:1-5, 11, 19):

1. God have it to …
2. Jesus then gives it to …
3. The Angel passes it on to …
4. Then John sent it to the …

All the prophecies and in fact, the whole Bible points to one man, and that is the Man Jesus Christ. The opening line of this book says:

Revelation 1:1 NKJV

¹ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

The whole bible is about Jesus but here is a book that Jesus Himself authored (Rev. 1:1 c.f Luke 24:25, 27, 32).

FACTS

In Rev. 26 of the 39 books of OT are quoted

The 404 verses of the book of Revelation 276 are from the OT

An understanding of the OT helps one understand the imagery and symbols used in this book.

Revelation 1:1 (NKJV)

¹ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

That is, the messages were communicated in symbols. Seeing that John was on the island of Patmos for refusing to worship a human being, what could have happened to his book if he disclosed this message in plain language? The book could have been destroyed. But now in symbols, maybe those reading it would probably think he had lost his mind and worry less about the book.

A little bit about John

John the apostle of Jesus is the writer (His name actually means Gracious).

He was in Patmos, an island that is about 16 square miles, surrounded by the Aegean Sea. During the reign of a Roman emperor – Domitian who claimed divinity. The emperor called Christian’s atheists.

A Jewish scholar Jacques Doukhan says that: Yohanan was sentenced to hard labour in the quarries. He identified himself as a “martus” – Rev. 1:2. He had lost everything and would have been humiliated to the lowest degree. A little bit about John…

To Whom was this book written? And does it have anything to say to us today?

I would like to suggest that the message to the seven churches – and in fact the whole book of Revelation, is a message Jesus wants to communicate to you and to me.

Revelation 1:1c NKJV

¹ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

It was intended to communicate things that were soon going to take place on earth. Compare this with Revelation 1:19.

Revelation 1:19 NKJV

¹⁹ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

God uses imageries, symbols, sounds and many more (like a film) to communicate the movements, the events, the dramatic play, and the spiritual warfare that will continue to occur before the end of all things.

Most of the books in the New Testaments were letters sent by the apostles to various churches or individuals. Christians accept them as the authoritative word of God. Because the book of Revelation is a prophecy (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 19-19) (a prediction of the future), and because in every message sent to the churches, there is an appeal to individuals – these messages, therefore, apply not only to the first recipient but also to all Christians throughout the ages. It can be argued also that they represent separate but progressive epochs of Christian history, stretching up top the second coming of Christ. Take note that also, this is a book filled with symbols.

There were other churches around in the time the ones letters were sent to, but interestingly seven churches are chosen.

FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT THE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES CAN BE TAKEN PROPHETICALLY

Yet, in Revelation, we will later encounter many sevens. Seven is a symbol of perfection and completion. Therefore, we could look at these messages to the churches as being symbolic of a message send to God’s people as well.[1] Furthermore, Jesus calls Himself the “Amen,” according to Jacques Doukhan, “the last word, the fulfilment of all promises, of all prayers.”

The Message to Laodicea

Now, they are seven churches to whom Jesus asked John to send the message. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and finally Laodicea. There were other churches in the area. But Jesus chose these seven. My belief is that these seven churches are symbolic of the seven church periods. And Laodicea represents the church in the last days. Note what some scholars say:

In application to the last church period, the Laodicean period, Jon Paulien has accurately observed that the warning to God’s people in the battle of Armageddon, parallels the warning given to this church in the letters. This is further evidence of the point argued.

According to Ranko Stefanovic “What seems important to keep in mind is that the seven messages have significance for both the local and universal church as well as for individual Christians everywhere and in every time in the history of the church. They are intended for everyone “who has an ear,” who is ready and willing to listen.”

So, what is the message to the church of Laodicea or the end-time church prophetically.

Revelation 3:14–15 NKJV

¹⁴ “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: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Background

 LAODICEA (Λαοδικείᾳ, Laodikeia). Was one of several Greek cities in Asia Minor built by the Seleucids during the third-century bc.

The meaning of Laodicea” is “judging the people,” or “a people adjudged.” The latter appears preferable here.

Christianity spread to Laodicea within a generation of Jesus’ death.  According to some sources, maybe through the evangelistic efforts of Epaphras, the gospel was sent to the Lycus Valley (Col 1:6–7).

Please note that Rev. 3:14 says, “to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write…”

JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE VERY FIRST CHAPTER AS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES (Thus throughout the history of the church).

What does History tell us about Laodicea? – (resource in references)

Received from Rome the title of “free city.”
Had a large Jewish population.
Antiochus the Great transported 2,000 Jewish families
to Phrygia from Babylonia.
Cicero records that Flaccus confiscated a large sum of
gold which was being sent annually to Jerusalem for the Temple (Flacco 28-68).
Its wealthy citizens embellished Laodicea with beautiful monuments including three marble theatres.
Its many buildings include stadiums, baths, temples, gymnasium, a bouleuterion, etc…
But still vulnerable because its water was piped in from the south of the city.

• Destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 60, but it had the wealth and ability to rebuild without the help of the state [TACITUS, Annals, 14.27].
  Three Main Businesses
  Banking centre for the region (riches)
  Black wool market (provided fine garments)
  Ointment for eyes (supposed to help vision)

What does Jesus say:
Rev. 3:14

Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ “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:

The term “amen” means “in truth, most certainly, so be it” (Mounce. 1079; cf. 2 Cor 1:20;

The word AMEN: is also a word put to the end of a word, a conclusion of all prayers. In other words, this is the end of all things. Jesus is coming to the conclusion.

The term the beginning of the creation of God: Does not mean, that He is created, for how could He be created, if He’s the creator of all things.

Col. 1:15-17 “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him, all things consist.”

– prototokos – first in rank. Note: How could He be the creator of all things if He’s created. “The Beginning of the creation of God:” – Not the first of creatures as the Arians held and J.W.’s do now, but the originating source & cause of ALL creation – (Jn 1:1-3; Col 1:16,17; Heb 1:2)

In fact, the word “beginning” can be translated as – beginning or “origin” of all things.

In the days of atheism – Jesus is saying – I am the origin of all things. This message which applies to the church in the last days, starting from about the 1800s, is timely indeed. For it is in these last days that Satan brought about the theory of Evolution.

WHAT ELSE DOES HE SAY?

Revelation 3:15 NKJV

¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Jesus’ intimate

• but he’s confused. Who are we?
• Jesus cannot understand us

Have you ever drunk a hot soda? It tastes bad. Now worse than that Jesus is saying – this Laodicean state is nauseating. The church is apathetic. It’s just there – no warmth, no zeal and no flavour.

Friends this is a sad description.

What does it mean to be hot or cold?

• the Greek indicates that cold here means icy cold and hot means boiling hot.

Luke 18:11 NKJV

¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

• Coldness is referring to sinners. They may be like the tax collector – they are searching.
• Hot Christians realise their need for a Saviour. Thy zealously serving the Lord. They are singing “nothing between my soul and my saviour.”

What about Lukewarm”? What is that?

• Lukewarm Christians just profess the name and see no need for repentance. They go with everything that moves. They could care less about what music they hear and what dress they wear. In fact, they think they are good.

2 Timothy 3:1–3 NKJV

¹ But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV

¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Jesus’ loving rebuke

 Wretched – condemned – a state of helplessness – Respond like Paul Rom 7:24
Miserable – condition if despair – 1 Cor 15:19
Poor – Spiritual poverty is the greatest poverty – Mt
16:26; Lk 12:21
Blind – Ignorance / He is blindest who will not see – 2
Peter 1:9
Naked – a condition of shame / without Christ – 2 Cor
5:2-4

• His council buy from Him.

This message is for those who are in the church friends. This message is for you and me. Not for anyone else.

God is standing my door

The doorknob is inside – and I must open it

We must overcome

• Mercy

In v. 20 – Jesus is pounding to the door. This is the door to a man’s soul. By His love, through His Word, and through His providences, Christ knocks at the door of the emotions; by His wisdom, at the door of the mind; by His lordship, at the door of the conscience; and by His promises, at the door of man’s hopes.

In the words of Pr. Godswill T.K Mensah

• The lord knew their true spiritual condition
  i. They lived in physical comfort – but spiritually they were wretched.
  ii. Others envied their luxuries, thinking they were happy – but spiritually they were miserable.
  iii. They were respected by the world because of their wealth – but spiritually they were poor.
  iv. They boasted of their wisdom–but yet spiritually they were blind.
  v. Their wealth was gained primarily by making clothing – but spiritually they were naked.
  vi. How different Christ’s estimate of them, from
  their own estimate,
  vii. Doubtless there will be many in hell that thought
  themselves to be on their way to heaven.
  viii. Let us daily beg of God that we may not flatter and deceive ourselves in the concerns of our
  souls. – 2 Cor 13:5
  How do we see ourselves?
  What is our true condition?
  What is our need?

APPEAL

Friends you have the doorknob

Friends you have an invitation to buy without silver

Friends you have an invitation in the last days

Friends Jesus wants to save