How does someone become spiritually delusional? In this episode, we turn to Revelation 3:14-22 and Jesus’ sobering message to the church in Laodicea. In this episode, we see a church trapped in a dangerous self-deception having turned away from the truth. They found comfort in materiel wealth and were in danger of rejecting Jesus. In this first part of the study on Laodicea, J. Mark reflects on Jesus’ accusations and the danger of becoming lukewarm in your faith.
Transcript
Marshall Applewhite was born in Texas in 1931 to a Presbyterian minister. He initially pursued a career in music and academia. He was a talented singer and earned a master’s degree in music. He became a well-regarded professor and choral director at the University of Alabama and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He was married and had two children, but struggles with his sexuality and depression marked his personal life. This contributed to his divorce in the mid-1960s.
Applewhite’s life changed dramatically after he was hospitalized in the early 1970s following a near-death experience. There, he met Bonnie Lu Nettles, a nurse interested in Eastern religion and biblical prophecy. The two formed an intense, non-sexual, spiritual partnership. They left their conventional lives to travel the country, developing a new belief system that blended biblical eschatology, New Age concepts, and science fiction.
Applewhite and Nettles built a small, dedicated following, called “The Class.” They required members to sever ties with their families and practice strict celibacy and asceticism. After Nettles died of cancer in 1985, Applewhite shifted the group’s theology, teaching that physical bodies were merely “containers” or “vehicles” to be shed for ascension to the alien spacecraft, or “Heaven’s Gate”.
Then, in March 1997, as the Hale-Bopp comet made its closest approach to Earth, Applewhite led the deluded followers in the “Heaven’s Gate” cult to believe that a spaceship was following the comet and that it was time for their final exit. He and 38 members died by suicide in a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Whatever we may think of this group, we can all agree they were seriously deluded. But how does one arrive at that state? In 2 Thessalonians 2, in the context of end-time events, Paul wrote, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…”
Not loving the truth creates an opening for deception, as Chuck Colson wrote. “The trouble with people who don’t believe the truth is not that they believe nothing; it is that they will believe anything.” Willfully turning away from the truth and finding pleasure in unrighteousness leads to delusion and spiritual hardening. Sadly, those who are deluded prefer comforting lies to disconcerting truths, which leads to further deception.
This was the state of the church in Laodicea, as described in Revelation 3:14-22. They were under the dangerous delusion that all was well when, in reality, they were very close to being rejected by Jesus.
Listen as I read Revelation 3:14-22
14 “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.” ’ ”
As we examine Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea, we note again the close connection between the church’s environment and the personalized message Jesus gave to them. As I highlight some of the characteristics of this city, think about the time and circumstances in which you and I live.
Laodicea, like the other churches, was located in Asia Minor. The name Laodicea derives from laos (people) and dike (judgment), meaning judgment by the people, or democracy. It lay between Hierapolis and Colossae on the strategic trade route from Ephesus to the East. As the district’s chief city, it was strongly influenced by Greek and Roman culture. The ruins of the city attest to its significance, with three large theaters and a large hippodrome for horse racing.
There’s an interesting fact about the water in Laodicea that aligns with Jesus’ message to the church. The nearby city of Hierapolis had hot springs considered medicinal, which drew many visitors. Conversely, Colossae was known for its cold, refreshing mountain springs. Laodicea, however, was known for tepid water because it had to travel 3 kilometers over a viaduct.
Laodicea was also a wealthy city and a significant hub for manufacturing and banking. It was especially noted for its woolen carpets and mass-produced, inexpensive clothing. In one instance, like other nearby cities, it was destroyed by an earthquake, but according to Roman historians, it was rebuilt without external assistance from Rome.
Furthermore, it served as a center of worship for Asklepios. This god was also present in Pergamum. He was the god of the healing arts. There were more than 400 Asclepius-related facilities throughout the Roman Empire, functioning as healing centers and dispensing the god’s grace and mercy to those in need. Laodicea had a medical college famous for producing special medications for the ears and eyes. It was also the home of the highly educated philosopher and statesman Cicero. He said things like this: “The first bond of society is marriage; the next, our children; then the whole family and all things in common.”
This city had it all: a secure location, wealth, material goods, access to medical care, Roman culture with all its trappings, an educated populace, and plenty of entertainment options. It had “need of nothing,” or so it thought. Our study will reveal the inaccuracy of that belief.
As we have seen, Jesus addresses each of these seven churches uniquely, based on conditions both external to and internal to the church. Let’s observe His introduction here, which includes three distinctive names or titles. “These things says the God of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.”
“The God of the Amen” is used here as a proper name, as it is in Isaiah 65:16. In the Gospels, when Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you…” the word is amen. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that God has spoken to the churches. So be it! “You can take it to the bank.”
The next name is “The Faithful and True Witness.” This reinforces the “Amen.” His testimony never falls short of the truth. He doesn’t hedge, omit, or obfuscate. He doesn’t change His message to suit the audience. He will not approve of anything that His Father doesn’t approve. He is entirely trustworthy, and His testimony cannot be disputed by human reasoning. Agreeing or disagreeing with Him doesn’t change the truth.
The last identifier is “The beginning of the creation of God.” Here is the concept of the Logos that is so prominent in John’s Gospel. Jesus, the Word, was the instrument by which the world was created. John 1:3 tells us, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” Philo, an Alexandrian Jew of the 1st century, wrote, “[Jesus] is continually a [petitioner] to the immortal God on behalf of the mortal race which is exposed to affliction and misery. [He is] also the ambassador sent by the ruler of all to the subject race…”
These three names and attributes highlight the absolute trustworthiness of Jesus. On that basis, He begins His analysis of the church at Laodicea. As I noted in my introduction, the church at Laodicea is one of the two in seven that receives no words of commendation.
Before we examine what Jesus said, I will note that some scholars who study these seven churches connect them to different eras of church history. I haven’t focused on that aspect because we only have a limited time for each of these episodes. However, in their view, Ephesus represents the beginnings of the church and its decline at the close of the first century. Each successive church represents another era until we arrive at Laodicea, the church from approximately 1900 until the return of Christ. While this is not clear from the text itself, it does have some merit. Keep this in mind as we explore today’s text, and if you like, you can study this more deeply for yourself.
So, we begin with Jesus’ accusation.
Accusation
“I KNOW your works! You are neither cold (spiritually dead and actively opposed to the church) nor hot (warm with zeal and totally committed to the church). I would prefer either of these two states to the current state of lukewarmness.” Remember Laodicea’s neighboring cities, Hierapolis and Colossae? One was known for its therapeutic hot springs, the other for its cold, refreshing waters. The tepid waters of Laodicea were neither hot nor cold.
We know why Jesus would prefer them to be hot with zeal, but why cold? Coldness is more honest and honorable than the pretense that accompanies being lukewarm. The likelihood that the Gospel will reach a person who is cold toward God is much greater than that of a lukewarm person who believes everything is OK. God wants the character of His church to be like Jesus, faithful, trustworthy, and settled – the Amen.
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” I enjoy coffee, hot or iced, but if there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s lukewarm coffee. I want to spit it out! The NKJV’s use of the word “vomit” is appropriate because “emeo” denotes extreme disgust. As Paul warned Timothy, these individuals have a form of godliness but deny its power. The implication of Jesus’ words is not that they were being rejected immediately, but that, without repentance, they were in danger of that expulsion. Now, let’s notice the following reasons why Jesus diagnosed them as being lukewarm.
First, they said, “I am rich.” Laodicea was a wealthy church in an affluent city. The Western church, particularly in North America, is a wealthy institution within an affluent society. Western Christians live at a standard unimaginable to our ancestors and to many who live in other parts of the world. We may not consider ourselves rich, but compared with most people in the world, we are indeed wealthy. One commentator noted that the wealth and comfort described in the church of Laodicea could have been achieved only if their full participation in pagan Roman society is presumed. What does that say about the wealth in our churches today?
The Laodicean church seems to have carried that pride of wealth into its spiritual life. The Western church has done likewise. We are proud of our buildings, which, in many cases, are elegant and, in others, extravagant. We point to the number and quality of our programs and the size of our budgets. I’m guessing the church in Laodicea did that too.
Not only was the church wealthy monetarily, but it was also enriched with luxurious goods. We, too, live in a society based on consumption. Expensive cars and SUVs fill our church parking lots. Expensive clothing and accessories are displays of our status. RVs and vacation homes are not uncommon. A wide range of adult toys is stored in garages and storage units.
This church was in a prosperous city, rich in pride and conceit but poor in grace and ignorant of its spiritual poverty. They were proud of the imagined spiritual riches that they didn’t possess! They were a rich, poor church, while Smyrna was a poor, rich church.
The final evidence of their lukewarmness was that statement, “I need nothing.” Note that, after the earthquake destroyed their city, they rebuilt it without assistance from the Roman government. They were, in their minds, self-sufficient. They were self-made. God warned Israel about this attitude in Hosea 12:7-8, and Jesus gave us the parable of the wealthy, foolish farmer in Luke 12:16-21. The trouble with self-made men is that they worship their creator!
In one of our earlier studies, I noted that, among these churches, things were not always as they appeared. We see this clearly in this church as Jesus continues to diagnose their illness.
Here is the stark contrast between what the church thought of itself and what Jesus actually saw in it. “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and need nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Let’s note the things the Lord of the church saw as He looked on.
“You are the wretched ones.” Just the sound of the word is depressing. It denotes being contemptible, dejected, or distressed in mind or body. Paul uses the word in Romans 7:28 where he cries out regarding his predisposition to make sinful choices, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” John Newton, the miserable slave ship captain, penned the words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch, like me.” Jesus points out that their vision is distorted; they can’t clearly see their terrible condition.
Not only were they unaware that they were the wretched ones, but they were also “the miserable ones.” They were the most pitiable, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:19. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” The church at Laodicea was in a lamentable condition, and they didn’t know it. They were close to being vomited out of the presence of Jesus.
Further, Jesus said, “You are the poor ones.” Despite what you say, you are the spiritually impoverished, the beggars, the destitute ones. Your wealth is temporary, destined for the fire. “You are the blind ones.” The trouble is, you don’t know it. You’re like the Pharisees in John 9 who asked Jesus, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains.”
And last but not least, “You are the naked ones.” You live in a city famed for its cheaply priced, mass-produced clothing. You are well-clothed physically, but you lack the robes of righteousness! You have no shame because you don’t know that you are fully exposed before the Lord of the Church.
I wonder whether God would diagnose our churches this way. Jesus’ accusations against this church in Laodicea seem very contemporary to me. Today, those who claim to be Christians but are not active in the church have divorce rates equal to or exceeding the general public. The same is true with the use of antidepressants. Add obesity, drunkenness, and addictions to pornography and prescription drugs, and they are all evidence of affluence devoid of devotion toward God. Viewing the sins of Laodicea is like holding up a mirror to the contemporary church. Do you and I see ourselves in this picture?
Can this be changed? And, if so, what is the remedy?
