The Seven Churches In the Book of Revelation... An Explanatory Case Study of Love Grown ColdPart 11: Laodicea and Philadelphia
The Seven Churches In the Book of Revelation... An Explanatory Case Study of Love Grown Cold
Part 11a: The Lukewarm Church In Laodicea
Tuesday July 22, 2025
Revelation 3:14-22 NKJV
"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. [16] So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. [17] 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- [18] I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. [21] To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. [22] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
Laodicea
The city of Laodicea was a thriving commercial center. It had become wealthy through the industries of banking, wool and medicine. One of the specialties it was well known for was its “eye-salve.”
vs. 17. 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
Wealthy Poor Church
This church was afflicted with prosperity. They were rich materially, so they assumed that nothing else mattered. They were so poor, the only thing they had was money. Their wealth had ceased to be a blessing. What God meant to be a blessing for them had been allowed to become a snare and even a curse.
They had become so loaded down with unrighteous mammon, they lacked true riches. To make matters worse, they were blinded and did not even know that what they had were not true riches.
Yes they had material wealth, but Jesus said they were miserable.
All their wealth could not cover their nakedness.
Lukewarm Church
Lukewarmness is horrible. Lukewarmness is a symptom of their affliction. This church was a mess but they did not know it. They were the actual opposite of what they thought they were.
They thought they were rich and well supplied. They did not realize that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
Jesus said their middling, milquetoast condition was unacceptable. They were neither here nor there. They looked like Christians in one light, but in another light, you can’t be too sure
Repent
Here again, as with the previous churches, Jesus invites them to repent.
If they repent they will be cured of their poverty, nakedness and blindness.
vs. 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Jesus offered them the very things they thought they had, but which they actually lacked spiritually.… gold, (banking), white garments (wool) and eye salve, ( medicine.)
Overcomers
After repentance, they need to hold on to the very end and overcome, they will get to sit with Him on His throne. His throne is reserved for overcomers, not for those who merely made it.
Part 12: The Faithful Church In Philadelphia
Tuesday July 22, 2025
Revelation 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens. [8] I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it; for you have little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My Name. [9] Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie, — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet to know that I have loved you. [10] 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 to test those who dwell in the earth. [11] Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. [12] He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more, I will write on him the Name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new Name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Philadelphia
This is a unique church. Even before their works are mentioned, a door is opened for them. Doors provide access. The one who opens this particular door has the key of David, the only key that can open and lock. When this door is opened for them, no other power can oppose them.
Little and Unremarkable
vs. 8. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it; for you have little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My Name.
They did not do many great things. They were not particularly strong. They were simply faithful, positively and negatively.
Positively they kept His word.
Negatively, they did not deny His Name.
Temptation did not lure them from His word, and persecution did not cause them to deny His Name.
Worship At Their Feet
vs. 9. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie, — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet to know that I have loved you.
Those who formerly opposed them, will be brought down before them. Their enemies will see that they are loved by the Lord, the One who sets a table before His beloved, in the presence of their enemies.
Kept From Trial
vs. 10. 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 to test those who dwell in the earth.
If you belong to this group, you will escape the test, because you have already been proven faithful. The trial is to test the whole world to sort the faithful from the rest. Since you have already proven your faithfulness, you get to skip ahead. How did they prove their faithfulness? They simply persevered. When others went to the left and to the right, they remained true.
This is a church of REMNANTS. Remnants are always a fraction of the whole group, in this case, 1 in 7 the churches. 1 out of 7 is not necessarily a hard and fast rule, but it supports the idea that REMNANTS are always just a fraction of the whole.
Keep Your Crown
vs. 11. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Your crown is already assigned but not yet given. Rewards can be calculated and projected but they will not be handed out until the very end. You must hold fast to what you have. In other words, stay faithful to the end, otherwise, your crown may be given to another who is found to be faithful.
Matthew 25:14-28 ESV [28] So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
2 John 1:6-8 ESV And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. [7] For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. [8] Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
Overcomer
vs. 12. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more, I will write on him the Name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new Name.
At the very end, when all is said and done, your reward will be locked in. For now, it is still possible to lose the reward, but after you have overcome, your reward will be secure. You will be a pillar… pillars are essential supports for a building. They are immovable. You will be immovable, unshakable, secure. Names denote status. You will receive 3 new names.
Lord, by Your grace, I will be faithful, I will overcome and I will reign with You.
