Tag: Laodicea

Take the 7 Churches of Revelation Quiz

The compelling messages from Jesus Christ to the seven churches in the book of Revelation are below. To take the quiz, review the description of the seven churches below, then choose two of them that best describe your church. Better yet, share this quiz with the leaders of your church, then ask them what does this mean for their church and its future?

Finally, take the quiz or your own spiritual life, and ask if you are comfortable with the results?
___1) The Loveless Church (Ephesus) – “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:4-5

___2) The Persecuted Church (Symyrna) – “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10

___3) The Compromising Church (Pergamos) – “But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Repent, or I will come to you and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14-16

___4) The Corrupt Church (Thyatira) – “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:20-22

___5) The Dead Church (Sardis) – “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” Revelation 3:1-3

___6) The Faithful Church (Philadelphia) – “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11

___7) The Lukewarm Church (Laodicea) – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich…” Revelation 3:14-18

To God be the glory LifeintheSpirit.net
Source of image: Pexels

ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAGEDIES OF ALL TIMES

One of the greatest tragedies of all time is the many people who believe they are going to heaven when they die, but end up in the Lake of Fire:

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

Here are four warning signs that we all should watch for, described as questions the Lord may ask us when we stand before Him after we pass from this earth:

Warning Sign #1: UNIVERSALISM – EVERYONE IS GOING TO

HEAVEN

“You believe everyone is going to heaven, even those who refuse to repent of their many sins and also reject Me – God the Father, My Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You do not know Me, and have no place in the Kingdom of Heaven:”

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

Warning Sign #2: UNFORGIVENESS

“You refused to forgive (this person) in your life, so why should I forgive you? My Son Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6:14-15”:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Warning Sign #3: UNREPENTANCE

“You worship other gods, such as wealth, status, pleasure, lust, and power, and are unrepentant. Why should I let you bring your sin and idolatry into heaven which is holy and without sin?”

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Warning Sign #4: LUKEWARMNESS

“You belong to the Church of Laodicea, a church known for comfort, prosperity, wealth, and leisure; a lukewarm, spiritually stagnant, church in the midst of people with great physical and spiritual needs. Why should I let you in while your soul is polluted with the world and worldly desires?

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth (reject you with disgust).” Revelation 3:14-16 MSG

These warnings follow the post “Each of Us is Going to Court” (https://tinyurl.com/EachGoingtoCourt), which describes how each of us will one day pass through the veil of death and be judged by the sovereign, living God of the universe in the Great Courtroom of Heaven:

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12

The warnings are particularly relevant when we reflect on this sober warning that few there are that find the narrow gate and path which leads to heaven:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

So let us reach out to those who come across our path with the love and truth of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

To God be the Glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

Welcome to Laodicea – a Story for Today’s Church

Photo of the actual church of Laodicea, Asia Minor

Photo by Torsten62 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

It is the year 56 AD, and we just left our home in Antioch, headed for a weekend in Laodicea, known for its beautiful setting on the Lycus River, mild climate, and prosperous economy. As we approached the city, we saw a large sign that says: “Welcome to Laodicea – City of Comfort and Prosperity – come for a visit, stay for a lifetime.”

We love coming to Laodicea, also called “The City of Zeus”, because of its many attractions – beautiful monuments, temples to many gods, theaters, and baths.  Founded in 261 BC, Laodicea is located on a strategic trade route, is the center of thriving trade in black wool, and is known for its embrace of the arts, science, and literature.

On Saturday evening, after dinner at an open-air restaurant on the main plaza, we took in a theatrical performance in the magnificent stadium. Although it was thoroughly pagan and often risqué, the performance was dramatic, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely, as did the other theater goers.

On Sunday, we went to the local Church of Laodicea for worship service. Although the building was beautiful and well adorned, we couldn’t help seeing the many beggars and homeless people nearby, who seemed to be in great distress and need. We even recognized some of the churchgoers from the theatrical performance the night before, including the pastor.

We were impressed with the beautiful historic church, how well dressed the members were, and the melodic sound of music coming from the choir. We concluded that they must have God’s favor, to have such opulence and splendor in their church and church service.  The message was comforting, how God loves us all and wants us to be successful and happy, all to His glory of course.

They invited us to stay for their monthly luncheon after the service, and we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and fine fellowship. The luncheon was just about over, when one of the church leaders came in and announced that he had just received a letter from the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, just 140 miles to the east. We all knew that John was close to Jesus and was even called “the apostle whom Jesus loved”, so we were excited, looking forward to a message of encouragement and love.

The church leader stood up and quieted everyone down to read this message from Jesus Christ to the church of Laodicea, through the apostle John (Revelation 3:15-19). He read in a somber but loud voice:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, BECAUSE YOU ARE LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’— and DO NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE WRETCHED, MISERABLE, POOR, BLIND, AND NAKED…  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore BE ZEALOUS AND REPENT!”

There was complete silence in the room for a few minutes as the gravity of the message given from Jesus’ most beloved disciple started to sink in. Although some murmuring was heard, at the same time we could hear soft weeping as other members’ hearts were broken by this convicting word from the Lord. Soon the weeping grew louder and “Lord forgive me” was exclaimed by many in the room. We too were convicted of our fleshly desires and worldliness, and cried out to the Lord for mercy. We realized that we witnessed a spiritual breakthrough in the Church of Laodicea and that it would never be the same.

The application of this story and this Word from the Lord is obvious and direct. If Jesus Christ was to speak to your church about your spiritual condition today, what would He say? Would He commend you for our spiritual purity and good works to all in spiritual and physical need? Or would He chastise you for the ways in which you have departed from Him and His righteousness, embraced the traditions of men, and succumbed to the temptations of the world, the lure of the flesh, and the lies of the devil?

Let us examine our hearts, repent of all sins to be spiritually clean, and draw close to the Lord for comfort, guidance, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. And let us become bold witnesses to all He brings across our path, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net