“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, ‘I am Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea…He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches'”
Revelation 1:9-11; 3:22 NKJV

There is one final city of believers to examine on Jesus’ complete list of end time church conditions. This one has become the most famous. It is at the end of the list and its distinguishing features are so common to our modern experience. Because some Bible commentators hold that these churches represent seven successive eras of church history (Dispensational Interpretation), Laodicea stands out as exhibiting the likely conditions the world can look for in the Church just prior to Jesus’ return. This is the church nobody wants to be in, especially at the end times, but everybody has probably attended at one time or another!

The Laodicean church was criticized by the Lord for being tepid or indifferent. Their attitude toward spiritual things was half-hearted and neutral when it should have been passionate and enthusiastic. Revelation 3:19 is one verse that says it all; “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” This tells us that God was angry enough to confront and discipline them openly for their sin even when most onlookers would have probably considered them “blessed,” being a wealthy church in a prosperous city! More importantly, God loved them and His chastening was based on His belief that they could be ignited once again!

We recognize them in the civilized world of our day. We easily slip into the comfort of our surroundings until our inner temperature is affected by the conditions of the environment around us. We aren’t refreshingly cool or soothingly warm, just blasé!

The distinguishing Laodicean feature was that they were indistinguishable!! We too have believed our own opinions of ourselves, at the expense of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and revelation.

This is an hour to purchase directly from God the insight, equipment and outlook we need to stay where we need to be in these last days. As we do, we will sit with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) now, and reign with Him on His throne forever (Revelation 3:21)! Let the Laodicean church be a reminder to you that the best promises are reserved for those who overcome the most!