Vision to the Churches Continued

Laodicea Message: Repent From the Indifferent State of Self-Sufficiency (14-22) 

1. Conducting the Letter to the Leader

   “... to the angel of the church in Laodicea …” (14)

2. Characteristic of Jesus Revealed

   “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation …” (14)

3. Compliment to the Church 

   None

4. Criticisms of the Church

   Their works were not hot nor cold—God preferring cold to lukewarm. So foul was this condition that Jesus wanted to spit their love out as a drink instead of swallowing it down (15-16). They were altogether acting and pretending to be self-sufficient when in truth they were completely needy (17).

5. Command to the Church

   They were to acquire the kind of character that could only be developed in trial; they were to clothe themselves in Jesus’ kind of good works, and they were to anoint their eyes with the Holy Spirit so they could once again see the vision of God (18). Jesus let this church clearly know He was disciplining them and called them to zealous repentance (19). He was standing at the door knocking with His voice and requesting they open up and restore passionate fellowship with Him (20).

6. Covenant Promise to the Church

   Those who conquered He would give an invitation to sit with Him in authority the same way the Father had invited Him to share His throne (21).

7. Commitment of Every Church

   “He who has an ear, let him hear …” (22) 

   As John moved to the rest of the book, his implications were obvious: there was a King sitting on the throne—all other kings were nothing in comparison. The King on the throne John was about to reveal would ultimately triumph, and so John was urging them to embrace this King.