May 16: THE SEVEN LETTERS IN RETROSPECT (part 5)
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1 John 2:5
It is upon the shoulders of the church of Philadelphia that the church of Laodicea takes her stand. But the sad, downward trend of human nature can be seen here, just as the Israel of the Old Testament repeatedly took nosedives from every spiritual pinnacle recorded in the Scriptures.
Because of the historical connection that the Laodicean church can claim with Philadelphia, she is claiming a character for herself that she does not possess. This positive self-opinion brings no guarantee of a relationship with Christ. The religious leaders of Jesus’s day, claiming to be Abraham’s descendants, foreshadow this very scenario. Jesus said to them:
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Matthew 3:8-9
The lukewarm condition of the church in the last days is a most serious condition because it has the least measure of hope. This condition is one of smug self-sufficiency and indifference. It bears repeating that there is more hope for one possessed of an antagonistic spirit against God, or a cold state of being (see Revelation 3:15-16). In His letter to Laodicea, Jesus has nothing good to say about the church. This fact, in and of itself, should be a loud alarm! Laodicea is half-hearted. Notice that, after addressing the church as a whole, His call for repentance is directed toward each individual.
Yes, there is hope for an individual who receives the counsel of Jesus. In His infinite wisdom, Jesus mentions the most-needed solution last: eye salve (Revelation 3:18). To “see” one’s condition as spiritually destitute is an essential starting (pivot) point towards salvation. If I understand that I am spiritually poverty-stricken, I will readily receive that which Jesus has to impart, thus setting me on a heavenward course. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
His counsel includes the “purchase” from Himself of “white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.” The love of Jesus is so powerful that He wants to cover our sins. There is an amazing, divine exchange that occurs: in the spilling of His own precious blood—if we will accept it—He provides a spotlessly clean wedding garment as a covering. Thus, the old life of sin dies, and a brand-new path of righteousness is laid before each repentant one. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
To buy gold refined in the fire from Jesus is greater than the greatest bargain of all times. What you “pay” is the giving up of sinful habits that lead to death, that you may be rich. Revelation 3:18