laodicean church today

HISTORY Laodicea was founded in 3rd C BC as a Hellenistic town after the death of Alexander the great. Click here to get the app! If you are outside the U.S. You turn to chapter 12, and it says, “They overcame him through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”. In all the seven letters, the cities to which the messages were addressed give remarkable clues as to the trials and difficulties besetting the Christians residing there. Tom: It’s amazing. Laodicea was but one of seven churches in western Asia Minor at the time that Christ gave the message of the book of Revelation to John on the island of Patmos. The Berean Call is available by paid subscription . The members needed to buy true riches in th… But remember in Acts 20, Paul calls the elders from Ephesus and he warns them. You look at the property, look at the churches that there are today, some of the megachurches, you have all the…some of them look like…. They are seeking worldly riches in the name of blessings showing-off how blessed they are but in reality they are poor, miserable and naked. … To begin with, He instructs the Apostle John to tell them, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. They existed at that time. All rights Reserved. This church does describe an attitude that we see so prevalent in our world today. Dave: Right. Many parts of the Christian Church have undergone big changes, even in the last 30 years. Send us a message to add or change your paper mail address. I wish you were either one or the other! There is no commendation. It is the Church of Laodicea who had no vital part in the work of God today even though they live today and are part of the generation which will see Christ return (What is the Laodicean Church? Where does this condition originate and to whom does it apply? She is confident of her own strength and wisdom, while mingling anti-Christ falsehoods with the truth of the gospel. Now, Contending for the Faith. But in Laodicea He must work with individuals; But this church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. It represents the “church” of our own time. The church of Laodicea is the last of seven churches addressed in Revelation. Also, in His admonition of the churches, Jesus seems to be indicating that salvation is based upon overcoming, related to the believers entrapped by some issue. In the current church age, the Laodicean age, most Christians do not realize Christ is outside, knocking on the door trying desperately to get into the church. God speaks of this lack of judgment in terms of their courtship, their relationship, with Him. I think that you probably could look around the world today and say I think we’ve got all of them on this earth. Now, as to whether these churches… Is this laying out a progression of the church, the history of the church? They seem blessed, wealthy but in reality they are miserable, poor and blind, Rev 3:17: Because you say, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, They value worldly blessings and wealth more than spiritual blessings and wealth, Prosperity gospel is leading millions to hell, Their worldly material wealth has no eternal benefit and Jesus says unto them, Rev 3:18: I counsel you to buy Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see, All our works will be refined through fire like gold thus buying gold tried in the fire for Jesus means works worthy of heavenly reward thus being rich. If you fail—I mean, if you compromise, you go back, you deny your faith, and so forth—you never were a Christian to begin with. Today the ancient Laodicea is being excavated by the archeological team of Denizli University in the name of Turkish government. I wouldn’t say that this is a progression. You know, we want to be thoughtful Christians, and we want to encourage others to be thoughtful, because so much of what’s going on out there in the church, you could pull it back to just thoughtlessness, not thinking these things through. It’s better to be spiritually wealthy than worldly wealthy. Let us consider the city of Laodicea itself to gain helpful insights. This age is the Age of Laodicea, the last of the “church” ages described in Revelation. These were actual churches at Ephesus. Dave: Absolutely. Open your heart and Jesus will come into you – baptize you with the Holy Spirit. It’s rather representative of stages that churches may go through, from faithfulness in first love, losing their first love, and so forth. The Laodicean church, you know, it’s pretty hard to escape the comparison to the church today: “Thou sayeth, We are rich, increased with goods, have need of nothing…” Wow! He says, “After my departing grievous wolves will enter in, not sparing the flock. It can’t . This final letter to the church at Laodicea was the most severe of the seven letters. Especially considering how the WCG turned from “keeping the commandments of God,” became “apostate,” and hundreds of splits ensued, many claiming to be the “true Church of God” or the “churches of God.” It was one of seven cities mentioned in the prophecy of Revelation 2 and 3; there was a congregation of the Church … It’s gone from an Apostolic experience to a … Are they symbolic of church history, and would that make the church today a correlation or an example of the Laodicean church? Donald Trump Receives More Influence and Becomes the President of USA... Nairobi Governor Sonko Impeached As Per God Word, Uhuru Kenyatta to Hold Raila Hand to Presidency (Kenya Prophecy), Death and Destruction Sweeping Nigeria – Nigeria Prophecy. When Jesus addresses the Laodicean church, He doesn’t have much good to say about it. The Laodicean church has self-elected itself, without any guidance of the Holy Ghost, not to light the world, but to subdue it. None of them exist today. Now, the seven churches, they were of course literal churches. Lukewarm people are not baptized with the Holy Spirit by Jesus – Jesus is not in them, Jesus promises to those who overcome lukewarmness, Rev 3:21: To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne, Rev 3:22: He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches, It is easier for a cold person to be hot than for a lukewarm person, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, A servant of Jesus Christ strictly following Master's instructions. They’re no longer there. Similar to the situation today in the church, Christians need discernment, the ability to distinguish right from wrong, to make true judgments. The Laodicean Church age reflects the condition of the modern day Church in which we now live. In my opinion, I think you could have them all at any time in history. We are willing to send the newsletter to you by regular mail but encourage you to read it online to save printing and mailing costs. Many people believe so. The church in Laodicea was no exception. That would be my understanding of it, Tom. Christ calls Laodicea "lukewarm." Dave: Well, some of them look like a shopping center—they’re as big as a shopping center. They value worldly wealth more than spiritual wealth. The City of Laodicea. Today is the Laodicean Church age, out of which the anti-christ will appear. White garment represent Jesus Christ righteousness. Think about this, if we believe we are in a “Laodicean” church period, then we must accept the status quo as normal. They need to seek Jesus for Him to open their eyes to see – heal their spiritual blindness. Leading humanity to Christ Jesus is my joy and happiness. Tom: It’s not the church in the Sudan today. President Uhuru Kenyatta Totally Doing Away With Deputy William Ruto (WORD... CoronaVirus in Kenya Statehouse (WORD Fulfilled), Former Kenya President Moi is Dead (Prophecy Fulfilled). Laodicea is situated on the long spur of a hill between the narrow valleys of the small rivers Asopus and Caprus, which discharge their waters into the Lycus.The town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhodas. See seek first the kingdom of heaven and all will be added unto you, Lukewarm people are spiritually blind with a form of Christianity but in reality it is religion. The Letter To Laodicea Is A Warning To The TRUE Church Today by Sandy Simpson, 4/30/07 Rev. All of the messages to the churches of Asia are extremely practical, but perhaps none fits the conditions in both Europe and in North America as does the message to Laodicea, the church that had become so lukewarm in its deceptive self-sufficiency. “You say you’re rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…” That certainly wasn’t the church of the catacombs; it wasn’t the church of the Waldensians and the Albigensians who were killed by Rome by the thousands, you know. See Righteousness is a robe with Jesus Christ. If Laodicea typifies the modern 501c3 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists church members of today, then we have tons of major work to do on our own INDIVIDUAL “lukewarmness.” Sister White says, “The coin with which you purchase the white raiment and … The name Laodicea means "judging the people" which matches the Seventh Day Adventist teaching, since 1844, that we are in the time of judgment now, with Christ cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. Laodicea, the building of which is ascribed to Antiochus II Theos in 261-253 BC in honor of his wife Laodice, was probably founded on the site of the older town. The Laodicean Church. Most of our content is published in our app for iOS, Andoid, Windows, and Kindle. Laodicea was a city in Asia Minor in the first century. You could certainly—and I’ve seen some even in former Soviet Republics that are that way, as well, with money from the West. Would that you were either cold or hot! She has become the greatest teacher of lies in the universe. I’ve been through that country. The Laodicean lacks this ability and it shows in the decisions he makes. The Laodicean period of the church is where we are today. : In the book of Revelation where Jesus is addressing the seven churches, how are we to regard them? Raila Odinga Kenya President Prophecy (Second Revelation), Difference Between Being Called and Send To Preach the Gospel. Tom: And that’s what we want, Dave. I mean, talk about wealth—they have almost everything they want. While each church received a unique message, Christ told John that all of the … Dave: Yeah, shining out to the world through this church. These "eras" represent attitudes that are always present in God's Church, and they also indicate the progression of "dominant" attitudes in the Church at large. Running to win the race and get my crown, Nairobi Governor Sonko was impeached as per God Word, as part of Sonko Consequences for not running to Jesus Christ. They value worldly wealth more than spiritual wealth. He knew these churches were going to deny the Lord, were going to go down, but…. In Philadelphia Christ opened a door that the whole church as a single entity walked through in support of Mr. Armstrong. Rev 3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent, If Jesus does not rebuke you, examine your spiritual life, You after worldly prosperity, blessings, showing off, claiming you are blessed, you lukewarm, Jesus is knocking at your door, Rev 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. It’s Jesus who cloths us with His robe of righteousness. So I think they’re all represented today. Not to set aside the fact that these were actual churches, and that this was the actual condition at the time Christ arose. Everything that I read in Revelation 3 about the Laodicean Church appears to be an accurate description of the Church as it stands today. And indeed it happened. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.”, He says that, “You remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one of you night and day with tears.” So Paul knew what was going to happen. By 1991, many of the churches had changed their hymnals to suit the trends of the time. It is a church age that claims that they know God, but in both fruits and works, they deny Him. Most of today’s churches are storytelling, fun- filled, prosperity-seeking institutions that hear of God’s love, but despise and get angry when biblical correction comes forth. Summary. It was the only church Christ did not commend for anything. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley. The Berean Call is also available in a large-print edition at a nominal cost. So it’s very clear that the overcoming is on a part of all those who have received Christ as their Savior. They are seeking worldly riches in the name of blessings showing-off how blessed they are but in reality they are poor, miserable and naked. This church was out of alignment with God's Word and Paul, in the epistle to this church wrote in (Colossians 2:1), of his great and troubled concern about their condition. John’s Revelation takes the reader through 7 cities of Asia Minor. Click here to see our updated Privacy Policy. In [Revelation] 2:7, He says that ‘he that overcomes shall be given the tree of life from which to eat.’ And in v. 11, ‘he will not be hurt by the second death.’ What else could these be referring to other than salvation?”. When you rebuke them they tell you ‘stop judging’. That’s why so many erroneous teachings come in, or fads, or trends, and so on. I think He’s saying if you’re a real Christian, you’re an overcomer. Here’s this week’s question: “Dear Dave and T.A. There are quite a few options for keeping in touch with us: Subscribe to our email updates here, and choose if you want daily, weekly, or monthly updates. The Revelation churches represent me and you – which church are you among the 7? In fact, I believe the church of Smyrna or Philadelphia fits the description of most of the Church around the world today. The Berean Call is available by postal mail each month for free. They do not know the difference between judging and rebuking. The state of “religion”. We have looked at the 6 previous churches; Laodicea church has nothing good for Jesus to commend, Rev 3:15: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I could wish you were cold or hot, Jesus says, ‘I could wish you were cold or hot’ not lukewarm, Because lukewarm people know/once knew the TRUTH and it is impossible to change, Heb 6:4-6: For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, Lukewarm people, people represented by Laodicea church love worldly riches and they are they running after blessings and prosperity gospel. To the Church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. And majority of them hate being told the truth – corrected – rebuked. This harsh pronouncement suggests that the Christians at Laodicea—located in modern Turkey—wavered in their commitments to the Christian faith. What is in view here is Laodicea’s spiritual pride and complacency. That was a wonderful church. It is described as a time when m en shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unholy, … Tom: Basically have their lamp stand—as Jesus says here in Revelation 2, their lamp stand will be taken away: that is, the church, the light. The church, the body of Christ, is scattered all over the place in hundred of different groups. Church of Laodicea represents many people in this generation. Tragic, indeed! By what we see taking place in Christianity today there should be no question that Laodicea is now the predominant church type of our age (for those of us who believe that there are seven church ages). The church landscape is very fragmented because churches or denominations have broken off in one direction or another which is perfectly indicative of a Laodicean nature where the ‘people decide’ for themselves what church should be. Click here for copyright permissions. This last message is found in Revelation 3:14-22. The historical and archaeological context of this situation is worth investigating. You look at the property, look at the churches that there are today, some of the megachurches, you have all the…some of them look like… Today, we are clearly in the Laodicean era, which Christ condemns for being "lukewarm" even though it has most of the Truth. Church of Laodicea endorses Trump for President in 2020 by David Leach • May 16, 2019 With the 2020 campaign season about to heat up, the Fellowship of the Pharisees and so-called evangelicals are desperate to find an excuse to support Donald Trump after his unethical and immoral behavior exposed them as the charlatans they are. Church of Laodicea is the last church in the 7 churches of Revelation. The Laodicean church, you know, it’s pretty hard to escape the comparison to the church today: “Thou sayeth, We are rich, increased with goods, have need of nothing…” Wow! Church of Laodicea represents many people in this generation. So how could the Laodicean church be in existence today if WCG was at one time the true Philadelphia church? I assume it’s symbolic for the light of the Word among these people. Like the church at Sardis, Laodicea had been bitten by the bug of complacency. We now have an institutionalized Church. Good News, August 1959, p.12). I think it’s saying that the proof that you are saved is if you overcome. Laodicea is the final church age before Jesus comes for His Church. Although many of the members may have been materially rich, the “wealth” it claimed for itself would be spiritual. 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. The Laodicean Church of Today I believe that we are now living in the time of the Laodicean Church. There is nothing positive ever said to this church in this letter, only criticism, only condemnation. Answer: The seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea. Likewise, the church in the Arabia Peninsula is presently under severe persecution. The period of Church history before Jesus Christ comes again. The most confronting message I’ve heard so far was a sermon taught from the last of the seven churches written to in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the Lukewarm Church of Laodicea. Dave: Certainly not, or in China, or in Iraq, or Iran, or Afghanistan, but it certainly is the church in America, and in much of the Western world—although if you went to Europe, there are more Muslims that meet in mosques every weekend than Christians in churches. This is the Lukewarm Church. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. We read of that in chapter 22. Question: "What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation?" Look at the condition of the church today. This is not saying that if you overcome, you get saved. But I think we’ve got other churches—Philadelphia, they’re faithful; Sardis, and so forth. Laodicea. Copyright © The Berean Call 2016. The church thought of itself as rich and in need of nothing from Christ. Dave: Well, [Revelation] 2:7: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” That’s not salvation, but that’s saying that that person will be there in eternity in the future. Some have printed a new Bible which puts God in the feminine, and now we see the “overspreading of abominations” (Daniel 9:27) in the holy place. He writes: One of the remarkable sidelights in the staggering political changes in Eastern Europe is the fact of a vibrant Christianity that has emerged in the midst of the suffering, persecution, and athei… So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Regarding this condition, MacArthur has given us an accurate picture. In this regular feature, Dave and Tom respond to questions from listeners and readers of The Berean Call. Which is what we should do. Well, this church is symbolic of the period of Church history that we are in today, the last age. On 23rd February 2020, God, Copyright©2012-2019 www.christiantruthcenter.com, Church of Laodicea – the Lukewarm Church, Righteousness is a robe with Jesus Christ, seek first the kingdom of heaven and all will be added unto you, In Jesus Equals Peace With Wild Animals and Stones, Warfare – Physical Fight Result of Spiritual Defeat, Peace – A Measure of Your Relationship with Jesus Christ, Beggars are Unrighteous – Including Pulpit Beggars, Godly Definition of Poverty and Riches (What it Means to Be Rich or Poor), Poverty is Not Godliness – God is Not Poor, 10 Reasons the Church will not be in the Great Tribulation. A church age, out of which the anti-christ will appear would that the. Presently under severe persecution at a nominal cost the 7 i assume it s... First century us with His robe of righteousness month for free: “ Dave. Did not commend for anything Lord, were going to deny the Lord, were going to deny Lord... 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