3. PERGAMOS. Rev.2v12-17.

Pergamos was an ancient city about 55 miles Northeast of Smyrna, but some 15 miles in from the coast. At one time it had been more important than either Ephesus or Smyrna, being the capital of the Pergamenian kings and the chief town of the Roman province of Asia. However, because of the better commercial position of Ephesus and Smyrna, it had lost much of its importance. It had a medical university, and a library of 200,000 volumes until Anthony removed it and gave it to Cleopatra. Parchment was first made at Pergamos and was called “charta Pergamena.” Pergamos was said to be “full of idols beyond the rest of Asia,” it was a city of temples devoted to sensual worship. It was the chief centre for the worship of Asklepius, the god of healing, whose symbol was a serpent. There were temples to Zeus, Athena, Dionysius, and Asklepius. A statue to Zeus was built here and called “Zeus the Saviour.” It was the chief centre for the worship of the Roman Emperor, the first temple dedicated to the worship of Augustus (Octavius Caesar) was erected here in B.C. 29, and other shrines dedicated to other Roman Emperors followed. Some think that “Satan's throne” refers to Emperor worship, while others think that Pergamos was the place where Satan set up his headquarters on earth. The phrase “where Satan dwelleth,” shows that it was certainly a place where Satan was most active. Rev.2v13. What a dreadful place to live in! The worship of idols is really the worship of demons and Satan. The Scriptures reveal to us that the real rulers of the nations are evil angels under the control of Satan. Eph.3v10. 6v11,12. 2Cor.4v4. Rev.12v7-12. 13. all. Dan.10v10-20. 2Thes.2v9. 1Jn.5v19. Jn.14v30.

The church at Pergamos had allowed worldly, sensual and Satanic doctrines to enter the church. All lies are dangerous, but moral lies are especially dangerous, for they destroy the character and testimony of the church. Rom.2v24. Oecumenius tells us that the Nicolaitanes “were most impious in doctrine and in their lives most impure.” We also know that the Balaamites incited people to idolatry and immorality, so this church had two groups of immoral people with corrupt doctrine in it. Numb.25v1,2. 31v16. Jude.v11. Acts.15v29. 1Cor.8v9,10. Jesus twice threatens them with “the sword, the two-edged, the sharp,” if they don't repent. Rev.2v12,16. All Antinomianism, that is, false doctrine that says moral law is not binding upon Christians, must be rejected. Christ's death does not give us a means of sinning without reaping the consequences. His death established the moral law and taught that the wages of sin will always be death. Rom.3v26,31. 6v1-4,11-18,23. 8v1-13. Jude.v3-25.

In the past this church had been faithful to God even in severe persecution, but gross immorality and idolatry had come in and ruined its testimony. It seems that while Antipas was alive this evil was not tolerated in the church; the loss of a godly leader can certainly make a tremendous difference to a church. Had the persecution in which Antipas was martyred caused some of them to compromise and lower the standard? You get little persecution from the world when you are as worldly and sinful as they are. Jn.16v8-11. Jesus demands repentance from those who had sinned, and action to purify the church by those who had not fallen, or certain judgement would follow.

We have to be very careful what we allow to take place in our Christian fellowships, and who we allow in as members, people who are living in sin should be dealt with by the church, or the church can expect judgement from Christ. With some the sentence is passed and executed now, but others pass on for judgement. 1Kings.18v40. 2Kings.10v19-30. Jer.28v17. 29v21,22,31,32. Acts.13v11. 1Tim.5v24. Christ reminds this church that He comes to judge sin and purify His church, and warns them that they have to repent or expect judgement. The reward to those who overcome is hidden manna and a white stone. The hidden manna is the eternal friendship of Christ and His unsearchable riches. 1Cor.2v6-12. Col.2v2,3. Eph.1v13,14. The white stone was used for many purposes, as a pass into a banquet or assembly, as a pledge of friendship and worth, as a sign of acquittal to those who were tried, a black stone was given to those who were condemned. To those who reject the deep things of Satan, Christ promises His eternal riches and His eternal friendship and blessing.

4. THYATIRA. Rev.2v18-29.

Unlike the previous cities we have considered, Thyatira was a place of little importance, but it was famous for its flourishing industry of dyeing. The waters of Thyatira were so suitable for dyeing cloth that no one could match the brilliant and permanent colour of their purple and scarlet. Lydia, Paul's convert at Philippi, was involved with the export of this dyed cloth. Acts.16v14,15. Thyatira was a commercial centre and was noted for its guilds, William Ramsey informs us that there were more trade guilds in Thyatira than any other Asian city. The leading false deity of the city was Apollo, who was worshipped as the sun-god under the surname Tyrimnas. Thyatira was an inland city about 40 miles South East of Pergamos. It is possible that these strong trade guilds made it difficult for Christians to earn a living. Membership of these guilds involved attendance at guild banquets, which usually involved sexual immorality, and eating meat which had been sacrificed to idols. Perhaps “Jezebel” had collapsed under financial pressure and had compromised truth in order to make a living. Expediency may have replaced integrity and principle.

The church at Thyatira tolerated people who should have been disciplined. Rev.2v20-22.

Jesus says the Christians here had many good points, “agape” love, faith, service, patience and increasing work for Christ, and unlike Ephesus their last works were more than their first. However, the church had allowed a false prophetess and her followers to come in and corrupt the church. They had lacked the moral courage to deal with this “Jezebel,” and allowed her to carry on her evil practices unchecked and unrebuked. Though many church members had not participated in her sins, they were guilty of allowing her evil influence to continue in the church. The woman's real name was almost certainly not “Jezebel,” Jesus was obviously trying to shock the church into action by naming her after Ahab's evil wife to show what He thought of her, and how wicked and dangerous she was. Jesus had even given this evil “Jezebel” space for repentance, but He warns that if she and her followers do not repent He will personally execute them. 1Kings.15v13. 16v30-33. 18v22,40. 21v25,26. The failure to repent for similar gross sin in the Corinthian Church had resulted in the death of some of its members and the sickness of many more. 1Cor.5v1-13. 11v29-32. Acts.5v1-11. 1Tim.1v20. Those who trade on the great grace of God and harden their heart, mistaking His kindness and longsuffering for weakness, are only bringing upon themselves more severe judgement. Prov.29v1. Eccles.8v11. Rom.2v3-5. Rev.2v23. Heb.10v26-31.

The A.V. and T.R., “thou sufferest,” “eas,” the present indicative of “eao,” “to let, allow, permit, leave alone, suffer to be done;” should read, according to Aleph, A, C, Hodges and Farstad and the Critical Texts, “thou sufferest,” “apheis,” the present active indicative of “apheo,” an irregular form of “aphiemi,” which means “to send away,” in this application it means “to allow,” “to permit,” “to forgive.” See Mt.9v2,5,6. 12v31,32. Acts.8v22..They suffered and forgave people who should have been disciplined. Truth and principle were sacrificed for expediency, something which often occurs today.

N.B. Jezebel could have been the leading Pastor's wife.

The A.V. and T.R. reading of, “that woman,” “ten gunaika,” is based on Me, Aleph, C, the Critical Texts; the Old Latin; the Vulgate; the Coptic Sahidic and Bohairic; the Armenian and Ethiopic versions, the Church fathers, Tertullian, Ambrosiaster, Tyconius, Epiphanius, Haymo, and the bav commentary of Andrew. Most manuscripts add “sou,” and read, “ten gunaika sou,” “thy wife;” the evidence for this reading is found in Hodges and Farstad, Mabcd, Q, the Syrian Philoxenian and Harklean; the Church fathers, Cyprian; Primasius; Andrew's a, c, and p commentaries; and Arethas; Codex A adds “sou ten.” Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel, so this gives more evidence to show that Jezebel was the leading pastor's wife.

Jezebel actively and continually seduced people into immorality and idolatry.

Jezebel, like Balaam, seduced the children of God from the truth and godly living. Balaam cast a snare, a “skandalon,” the bait stick of a trap, before Israel, Balaam knew that they would forfeit God's protection, if he could tempt them to idolatry and immorality. Num.31v16. The A.V. and T.R., “didaskein kai planasthai,” “to teach and seduce,” should read, according to Mabcde, A, C, the Critical Texts, and Hodges and Farstad; “and teaches and misleads,” “kai didaskei kai plana,” the present active indicative, “plana,” describes the active moral seduction and wickedness of 'Jezebel' far better than the present passive infinitive “planasthai.” “Jezebel” was a dominant false prophetess and false teacher, whose teaching and life of continual sin led many in the church at Thyatira into immorality and idolatry. Jesus even gave this evil woman space to repent, but He said that lack of repentance meant that divine judgement and death was about to come upon her and her followers. Those who backslide into evil like this destroy their born-again spirit, and without repentance can only expect judgement. Jude.v11-13. “twice dead” in spirit. 1Jn.3v9. 5v18. 2Pet.2v4,12-22. Heb.6v4-8. 10v26-39. Mt.7v13-29. N.B. v23.

Space for repentance had been treated with contempt. Rev.2v21-23.

The Authorised Version and Aleph, read, “And I gave her time to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” The Majority of Texts, C, Hodges and Farstad and Critical Texts read, “And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality.” All efforts to bring her to repentance had failed. Jesus wept over Jerusalem when His great ministry and love failed to convince them of the error of their ways, and turn them from the evil that was destroying them. Mt.23v37-39. Lk.19v41-44. It is not easy for Jesus to let people reap the fruit of their evil ways, His amazing love and grace gives rebellious sinners time to repent, and tries hard to restore them.

Our Lord repeats the solemn words, “All the churches shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and the hearts: and I will give to everyone of you according to your works.” Rev.2v23. Our private lives are lived in public; the eyes of the Lord Jesus search our hearts and then He allows trials or Satan to expose them. 2Chron.16v9. 32v31. Job.1 and 2. N.B. 1v22. and 2v10. Lk.22v31-34. In the case of Job the trial was allowed to prove his worth, whereas, in the case of Peter, it was to rid him of the thought that he was more devoted and more spiritual than the other disciples. The Lord Jesus is purifying our hearts and some trials can be very severe, and as in the case of Peter, they can give us some startling revelations of our hearts. Mal.3v1-3. Deut.8v2-6. Lk.22v61,62. Jesus had searched out the sin in this church and He was going to crush it in such a way that all would know that it was the judgement of God. Christ's examination and scrutiny of the soul is exact and irresistible, He blesses the righteous and judges the wicked in the churches with perfect justice and love. The Lord Jesus exhorts the righteous saints in this church to hold fast to what they have got. Jesus promises power over the nations and the morning star to the overcomers. When the morning breaks they are promised a kingdom and glorious fellowship with the King of kings. Dan.7v17. 1Cor.6v2. Dan.12v3. Rev.5v10. 12v5. 22v16. Rom.8v18. 2Cor.4v17,18.

5. SARDIS. Rev.3v1-6.

Sardis was about 30 to 35 miles South East of Thyatira, it was the chief city of Lydia and had once been a very prosperous and flourishing city, it had been the capital city of the very wealthy Croesus, however, under the Romans its rank and importance had rapidly declined. In A.D. 17 a great earthquake devastated Sardis, some say it never recovered from the enormous amount of damage that was done, others say it was quickly rebuilt through generous aid from Emperor Tiberius. Sardis was a city famous for its arts and crafts and notorious, even by heathen standards, for its loose, luxurious and licentious living. The more wealthy took up mystery cults, of which the most notable was that of the licentious worship of Cybele, and we are informed that the temple ruins still survive today.

The church at Sardis had a false reputation for being spiritually alive, Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” They were living on their past reputation, and on the reputation of the few who had white garments in this church, the rest of them were spiritually dead. They were a church in name only, for their vital communion with God had ended. They still claimed to be a Pentecostal church, but they had words but no power they had lost God's anointing, they had fallen from experiencing the truth. It is possible to have great intellectual knowledge of truth, and yet be a spiritual babe in the God's eyes and without either spiritual power or love. We can have truth without experience, the letter without the spirit, and even have a measure of spiritual gifts and yet be powerless and dead. Jesus warns that if their deadness of soul continues their names will be blotted out of the book of life. The book of life only contains the names of those who are spiritually alive to God, and are living in fellowship with Him. Jn.17v3. Lk.10v20. Phil.4v1. 1Tim.5v6. Jude.v12. Rom.8v13.

Many churches today have only a reputation, they have a name without an experience, like the church at Sardis, only a few things remain, and the rest are ready to die. Genuine repentance is the only possible way to experience renewal in such cases. There will be no getting away from the facts at our heavenly trial, our lives are under the scrutiny of God and His Watchers and Holy Ones. We may not realise it but we live our secret lives in public, the Holy Spirit will give perfect evidence as to the condition of our lives. Mt.12v36. 24v43,50,51. Dan.5v5,27. Jn.14v17.

This church had accepted the Gospel with great joy and for time had lived for Christ with great enthusiasm and diligence, for Christ says “remember how thou hast received and didst hear.” How tragic it was that they had so fallen, but there are many churches today in the same condition and we all need to be careful lest we go the same way. The Lord Jesus warns this church that in spite of all His efforts by earthly and angelic ministry the majority of the church had degenerated and there were only a few faithful Christians in the church, the rest were spiritually dead and almost devoid of any work for Christ. How grand it is to see some of the church were still walking with the Lord in victory in spite of the depressing standard of the rest, the Lord Jesus promises these overcomers white garments and eternal fellowship with Himself in Heaven. The white garments of the Christian are the result of a righteous life. The apostle Paul warns us that he strove to serve the Lord so that when he met Christ he had some works to present to Him. Rev.16v15. 2Pet.3v10. Mt.24v43. 1Thes.5v2,4. Rev.19v6-8. 2Cor.5v1-4. 6v14. to 7v1.

The Lord warns them to repent and be watchful, and strengthen and stabilise the things that remain, or He will come as a thief and find them wanting. Like Joshua the high priest, they would be clothed in filthy garments, or like the church at Laodicea, they would be naked and without any Christian works. Eternal life is the gift of God to all who believe in Christ as their Saviour, but we will be rewarded according to our works, shame or glory are the results of our own actions. Compare Abraham and Lot. Rev.3v18. 16v15.22v12. The garments that were renewed at salvation will become filthy if we live in sin, the Lord Jesus can give us the grace to overcome temptation and sin. Jn.8v31-36. Rom.6v11-14,15-23. 1Cor.10v12,13. 2Cor.12v9. Phil.4v13,19. 2Pet.1v5-10. 1Jn.1v6. 2v1,4,6,13,14. 3v3-10. 4v4,17. 5v4,16-21. Jude.v20,21,24.

There is no mention of persecution in this church and this is no surprise, for the majority of the Christians were so spiritually dead that they did not trouble the conscience of the unsaved, Christians with dirty garments are little respected and very little troubled by the worldling. These Christians probably prided themselves on their reputation, what a shock it must have been to them, to hear from the lips of Christ that the vast majority of them were terribly backslidden. Jesus tells the church at Sardis that there is still hope for them, they can still be among the overcomers and wear white garments, they are to remember, repent and hold fast, repentance and earnest prayer can renew their spiritual glow and cleanse their garments. Are your garments white?

6. PHILADELPHIA. Rev.3v7-13.

Philadelphia was in Lydia, and was about 28 miles South East of Sardis, it was a rich and powerful city, but it suffered frequent earthquakes being placed directly on a fault in the earth's structure, the earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined it completely and it suffered 20 years of earthquakes after this great earthquake. The Lord's words to this church take into account their perilous past, they were promised a temple which they would not have to flee out of, they would be a pillar that would be forever established. The reference to “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God.” and “my new name,” is almost certainly a reference to the proposal to give the city the new name of “Neocaesarea” in gratitude to Tiberius Caesar for his generous financial help towards earthquake relief. These frequent earthquakes tended to make the city smaller than it would have been, for it had good trade from large areas to the East and North.

THE OPEN DOOR FOR MATERIAL PROVISION AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE?

The church at Philadelphia, like the church at Smyrna, received no criticism from their Lord, both churches had stood true to their Lord in spite of severe persecution. Christ promises that He will open a door for them which no man can shut. This open door could have been a commercial door, for the strong Jewish guilds had obviously greatly persecuted and opposed them, and caused them very considerable financial distress and problems. God is very concerned about our financial welfare. Mt.6v19-34. N.B. v30-32. Christ the Door opens doors for us. Jn.10v7,9. This open door could also refer to an open door into prayer and Christian service. 1Cor.16v8,9. 2Cor.2v12. Col.4v3. Acts.14v27. 16v6-10 10. all. 13v1-4. God opens doors to service by our gifting, Prov.18v16., by men, by circumstances, by His Spirit's express instruction, or a great need set before us, and even by heavenly vision. When God calls us to a work He will confirm it in many ways and will give us an great peace and assurance that we are walking in His way. The ambiguity of this promise of an open door is probably deliberate on the part of our Lord, so that both the church at Philadelphia, and ourselves, can apply it to our many different needs.

THE OPEN DOOR INTO HEAVENLY PLACES?

The open door may also refer to the open door into heavenly places as experienced in Rev.4v1. by John. It is very sad that the heavenly places in Christ have been totally unreal to many Christians, and they have thought that these heavenly and supernatural experiences are symbolic descriptions of spiritual truth. Other false teachers have said that the experiences of these men of God were the results of either a heated imagination or a deranged mind. Many others say, in spite of all the evidence against this view, that these experiences happened in the past, but “they are not for today.” Christian teachers and preachers have hidden this key to a vital experience of God by wilful omission, false tradition, distorted and false exposition, and unbelieving example, and they will have to answer for it on judgement day. Lk.11v52. Mal.2v7. Mk.7v13. God wants His children to taste the powers and blessing of the age to come NOW, so that we can take the riches and blessings of God to the world around. This will demand faith, patience, endurance and courage., and will bring an inevitable conflict with the powers of darkness. We can respond to this challenge like Abraham, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Peter, John, Paul, and many others, or we can draw back, and like Esau, despise our heavenly birthright, and let our minds be taken up with worldly things and so lose the ability to be a blessing. Heb.6v11,12. 12v15-17. We should, as we grow in grace, become increasingly aware of the following.

a. God's throne and the tremendous activity around it. Rev.4 and 5. Ez.1. Is.6v1-8. 1Tim.6v15,16.

The Scriptures reveal that the heavenly places are crowded with life and activity. There is the incessant activity of countless numbers of angels. Dan.7v9-14. 2Kings.6v17. 1Kings.22v19. Rev.5v11. Heb.12v22. Jn.3v13. with 17v24. There is continual conflict between good and evil angels, and we have to fight our way into these heavenly places. We can, unfortunately, imitate the ten spies, whose hearts failed when they saw the difficulties ahead, and draw back in fear and unbelief. However, those who fight through, like Caleb and Joshua, can possess a rich spiritual inheritance from their heavenly Father.

b. The suffering of the Godhead over a rebellious creation and a suffering world and Church.

See Rom.8v22,23,26. Acts.9v5. with Is.42v13-16. 63v9. Hosea.11v8. Lk.12v50. There is the continual conflict of the good angels and saints on earth with the powers of darkness. Job.1v6-12. 1Kings.22v19-23. Dan.10v13,20,21. Rev.12v7-12. Eph.6v10-20. Mt.4v1-11. Lk.10v18-20. 22v39-46. The suffering of His Creation causes immense suffering to our loving God.

c. The joy in Heaven in the character of the Father and Son and their victories over evil. Rev.4,5.

Ineffable joy and thanksgiving over the blood of Christ. Heb.12v4. Rev.12v7-12. Col.2v14,15. Great joy when sinners are saved. Lk.15v7-10. Joy over the glorious future of the inhabitants of God's kingdom. Rev.11v15-17. There is the glorious city and garden of God, His Paradise in Heaven. Rev.2v7. 21 and 22. Heb.11v16. 12v22,23,28. Ps.24v7-10. Ez.28v13-16.

d. The longsuffering love of God, and the just anger of God that flows from that love.

Rom.2v2-5. 2Pet.3v9-11. Is.42v13,14. The saints will rejoice when the unreconcilable wicked are destroyed or judged. Rev.15v2-6. 18v20. 19v1-6. This is not pleasure or satisfaction in seeing the wicked suffer and die, it is the thankfulness that their evil influence and the suffering that they caused is forever finished. Ez.18v23,32. 33v11.

N.B. Christ's power, strength and grace are given to the humble weak.

Jesus said that the church at Philadelphia had little strength, and so He moves to act on their behalf. Jesus gives the kingdom of Heaven to the beggars in spirit, He makes those strong who realise their weakness, He opens doors for those who can't open doors for themselves. Is.9v6. 22v22. 40v27-31. Mt.5v3. Eph.6v10. Jesus is, “Him that is holy and true,” and those who rely on Him will find that He works on their behalf. This is a strong consolation for all who have fled to Jesus for refuge; He is utterly devoted to us, and absolutely faithful to His Word. Heb.6v13-20. Rev.6v10. Job.6v10. Is.40v25. Hab.3v3. These Christians at Philadelphia needed this comfort, for they had suffered a great deal of persecution from Jews who thought that they were obeying and following God, when they were really being used by Satan. Jesus was going to make these Jews see their true spiritual condition and relationship to God, He was going to make them prostrate themselves before the Christians they had despised and persecuted. Rev.3v9. Ez.5v13. 6v7,13. 7v4. Is.49v23.

The Lord also promises that He will keep the Christians here from some kind of ill that was to befall all in that area. This deliverance from trouble is by no means the rule in the Christian life, the contrary is more true, God keeps us from being overcome by trials, if we face them with Him, not from being tried. There is a real need for us to be faithful in the trials and temptations of life. It is worth noting that Peter was delivered from death, whereas James was killed, we can rightly pray for deliverance from trial and temptation but we cannot always expect it. Lk.11v4. Acts.12v1-17. James.1v2. 1Pet.1v4-7. The Lord promises that those who overcome will be a pillar in the temple of God. There is a position of privilege and responsibility awaiting the faithful in Heaven. 1Kings.7v16-22. Gal.2v6. The writing of a name is obviously a mark of approval and affection; those who overcome will be on the honours list in Heaven and be near to their God forever.


7. LAODICEA. Rev.3v14-22.

Laodicea was some 40 miles East of Ephesus, it was a small and unimportant place before the time of Rome's power, but it grew very rapidly into a city of great power and wealth, becoming one of the richest commercial centres in the world. It was so rich that when the city was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 60, it did not accept the financial help of the Emperor, as many of the greatest cities of Asia had done which had suffered from the earthquake. It was the frequency of these earthquakes that many years later made the people abandon the spot altogether. Laodicea was ideally situated at a point on the great trade route that connected the interior with the West, and several branch roads joined there. Laodicea was famous for the garments made from the beautiful black wool of its sheep, it was also a centre of banking and business transactions and was well known for the business that it did in gold. It was an assize town, it also had a celebrated school of medicine, its most famous medicines were an ointment that strengthened the ears, and a powder made from crushed Phrygian stone for the eyes. Thus we see the force of our Lord's words, He counsels them to obtain from Himself the gold of heavenly riches instead of placing such great value on the gold of Laodicea. Jesus urges them to desire the white garments of a righteous life instead of the beautiful glossy black garments which they made. Jesus warns them that they also needed to be healed of their spiritual blindness and self-deception, for this was of more importance than their enthusiasm over their medical school and ointments.

This church at Laodicea had been tended by Epaphras, a most sacrificial and prayerful servant of God, but the cares of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and other worldly desires, had dominated their lives and choked the Word of God. Mt.13v22. Mk.4v19. Lk.8v11-15. Church History and the Laodiceans prove that nothing can corrupt a person's character and spiritual life as quickly as wealth and affluence. Mk.4v19. All the Laodiceans actually possessed was a blind self-conceit and complacency; the fire, enthusiasm and love that Christ expects were gone, they had got to the place where they thought that their godliness was proved by material gain. 1Tim.6v5,6. compare Phil.1v21. 3v7. 2Cor.8v9. Col.1v7. 4v12. The Lord Jesus emphasises that His judgement of them is true by calling Himself “The Amen.” What He says is always the truth, and what He says He will do, He will always perform. His judgement is perfect and we can only say “Amen” to all that He does. Rev.7v12. 19v4. 22v20. 2Cor.1v20. In Is 65v15,16., “truth” is in both cases the Hebrew “Amen.”

Robinson's Greek Lexicon makes the following instructive note on "Amen."

“Amen, -- is strictly an adjective, true, certain, faithful. The Hebrew word occurs often in the New Testament as an adverb, truly certainly, surely; usually at the fulfilment of them, so be it. So in oaths and imprecations where the people answer amen and bind themselves. Neh.5v13. Or in praising God, when the assembly respond to the reader or choir, Ps.41v13.14. 72v19. Or lastly by individuals after an imprecation, or to a command. More rarely amen stands in the Old Testament at the beginning of a sentence, for the sake of emphasis, assuredly, verily, in truth. Hence in the New Testament.

1. From the Hebrew as an adjective, true, faithful. Rev.3v14. the true, viz. the faithful and true witness, where the last words explain the first.
2. As an adverb at the end of a sentence, viz. after ascription of praise, hymns, etc. amen, so be it. Mt.16v13. Rom.1v25. 9v5. Rev.1v6. 5v14. 19v4. Also after benedictions, invocations, etc. Rom.15v33. 16v24. 1Cor.16v24. Heb.13v25.
3. As an adverb at the beginning of a sentence by way of asseveration, (i.e. solemn affirmation) truly, assuredly, certainly, Mt.5v18. 16v28. Lk.9v27. Mt.25v40. Lk.4v24. 5v25. In John it is repeated, amen, amen, Jn.3v3,5,11. 5v19. 8v51. etc. Very rarely in this sense in the end or middle of a clause. Rev.1v7. yea verily. 2Cor.1v20. are yea and amen, i.e. are most true and faithful." End of quote.

Jesus emphasises His faithful, true and reliable character, which is in sharp contrast with, and a rebuke to, the unfaithful and worldly Laodicean church. He states His claim upon them as their Creator, by calling Himself, “The beginning of the creation of God.” Those who say that the word “arche,” “beginning,” in Rev.3v14. teaches that Christ was a created being, must also say that the Father was created too, for “arche,” “beginning” is used, in Rev.21v6., by the Father to describe Himself, when He says that He is “the beginning and the end.”

The Abbot and Smith Greek Lexicon, states that “arche” in Rev.21v6. refers to God as the eternal and first cause, and this is what Jesus is claiming in Rev.3v14.

The New English Bible, translates Rev.3v14., as, “The prime source of all God's creation.” Only the Creator is the origin, prime source and active cause of creation, this verse does not teach that Jesus was the first created being, it clearly states that He was the one who brought creation into being. We see in Rev.1v8,11,17. 2v8. and 22v13., that Jesus is, “The First and The Last,” another title of the Creator God, and Great I Am, and many Scriptures confirm this fact. Neh.9v6. John.1v3. Col.1v15-17. Heb.1v3,8-12. Rev.4v11. Jesus, like the Father, is from everlasting, as well as to everlasting. Micah.5v2. Is.63v16. Ps.90v2. 93v2. Is.9v6. Jn.17v5,24.

The Laodiceans were deceived by their wealth and filled with an arrogant self-sufficiency, they said, “I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Their wealth and spiritual poverty is in sharp contrast with the Christians at Smyrna, who were poor but spiritually rich. Rev.2v9. The Laodicean Christians were completely ignorant of their true spiritual condition, they had been blinded by wealth and worldliness, they were rejoicing in their wealth when they should have been repenting of their spiritual poverty. They had deceived themselves but they could not deceive the Lord Jesus. There can be no doubt that the Christians gathered together for prayer and worship at the Lord's table, and probably exercised the gifts of the Holy Spirit to a certain extent, but they lived lives completely out of the will of God. In the face of great spiritual needs around them they were taken up with worldly interests and petty pursuits. In an hour of crisis when the Lord was imploring them to listen to Him, they were deaf to His voice, and His interests and plans were completely ignored.

Jesus, the foundation stone and prime source of the creation, tells the Laodiceans that their foundation was built upon sand. He that was clothed with zeal as with a cloak, finds their lack of zeal spirituality distasteful. Is.59v16,17. When Jesus told them that He desired them to be either hot or cold, it cannot mean that He desired them to be spiritually dead and unsaved in preference to them being just lukewarm. Jesus was saying that they had only the nauseating effect of a lukewarm drink, just as the hot springs at Hierapolis six miles away were lukewarm and useless when tapped at Laodicea. Jesus threatens to spue them out of His mouth, which probably means that He would cast them on one side as useless in His service.

Those who realise the poverty of earthly things and seek first the kingdom of Heaven can taste the riches of Heaven while here below. Mt.5v3. 6v31-34. The Christians at Laodicea needed the gold of character and not just gold in their bank, this gold is a love, faith and obedience that stands true under trial, a tried faith which has passed the test. They were naked and needed the white garments of a pure, faithful and righteous life. 2Cor.5v3. 1Pet.1v7. James.1v12. Rev.3v4,5. 4v4. 7v9,13. 16v15. 19v7-9. They needed to have their spiritual blindness healed, so that their eye could again be single and their whole personality full of light. Mt.6v19-24. “Blind,” is “tuphlos,” spiritual blindness, as in Mt.23v17.. They needed to behold the city of God and desire to lay up treasure there. They had neglected the one thing that was needful and could make them truly rich, communion with Jesus. Heb.11v10,13-16. Lk.10v41,42. So Jesus reproves them with some very strong words, “thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” “Wretched,” is “ho talaiporos,” which means wretched and pitiable, only here and Rom.7v24.. The word for “miserable” is “eleeinos,” which speaks of a person who the object of the most extreme pity, Paul uses it in 1Cor.15v19.. “Poor,” is “ptochos,” which speaks of total spiritual destitution and beggary. Compare 2Cor.8v9., where it states that Jesus, who was rich and owned all things, became as poor financially as the poorest beggar, so that He could make us rich with the spiritual blessings of the kingdom of Heaven.

If Jesus spoke to us in the way that He spoke to the Laodiceans, many would say, “That is not the Lord, He loves us too much to talk to us like that.” Prophecy is nearly always intended to comfort us, but we should take heed if godly, loving and spiritual people are used by God to correct us. Jesus corrects us because He loves us, and His love flowed out to this conceited, self-satisfied and disobedient church at Laodicea. He would not let them continue on the path to spiritual destruction, if He could stop it. Jesus commands them to repent, and replace their lukewarm service by zeal. Jesus reproves and chastens those who He loves, if we will not listen to His wise counsel we must be taught to do so by a chastening that must of necessity be painful. Heb.12v1-17. Jn.3v20. 16v8. Job.5v17. Prov.3v12.

The Lord uses some very strong words in the Scriptures to show us the enormous privileges of those who overcome and the fearful loss of the slothful, timid and unbelieving. Mt.25v14-30. Heb.3v6-19. 6v1-20. Jesus makes the most tremendous efforts to save us from such a dreadful fate, He stands and knocks at the door of the heart, urgently, plainly and persistently, with great condescension, forbearance and importunity, and for those who hear there is complete restoration, they sup with God. Lk.12v36,37. Jn.10v4,27. 14v23. They also have the glorious prospect of reigning with Christ, a glorious promise that shows how the grace of God can restore the backslider. Jesus says that they could still overcome and reign with Him.

Jesus was standing and knocking, not at the hearts of sinners, but at the hearts of the saints. How awful! Jesus was shut out of the lives that He had saved. They thanked Him for His love, but would not listen to His plans, His guidance, or His desire to use them to bless a needy world. This happens today in many modern Laodicean churches. Jesus still knocks upon the closed door of the heart of lukewarm Christians, by the Scriptures, by the Holy Spirit, by the example of spiritual Christians, and sometimes by painful means such as sickness, bereavement and persecution. 1Cor.11v27-32. 2Kings.10v31,32. 2Chron.16v7-12. with 2Chron.15v1-8. and 1Kings15v1-15. He chastens in this way, so that we might have our eyes turned from the transient riches of earth to the eternal riches of Heaven. Jn.17v24. Lk.22v30. Mt.19v28. 2Tim.2v12. 2Cor.4v17,18.

There is no mention of persecution in this church, though there may have been, we know that those who live godly in Jesus do suffer persecution. 2Tim.3v12. It could be that their Christian standards were so low, that they did not convict the ungodly of their sin. If we are Laodicean we can soon find out, no works, no first love, an emphasis on worldly things, no burden for the lost, a deaf ear to the voice of Jesus, and a life that is tolerated by the world, because it is so very little different from their own.


CONCLUSION.

We see the spiritual condition of these seven churches about 40 to 50 years after they had been established by the apostle Paul and his helpers, only two out of the seven escape rebuke from the Lord Jesus. It is impossible to tell from the condition of these towns today, what the reaction of these churches was to the message of Jesus. Their response is to be found in Church history, if the facts are at all available. Church history reveals that every revival started by God has spiritually degenerated, and in the end has been ruled by men instead of God. The further churches are from the source of revival, the more polluted the river of church life becomes with the traditions of men, Jesus made this very point in Mt.15v3-9. and Mk.7v5-13.. Even Jesus found it impossible to revive these tradition-bound formal religionists. God has almost invariably raised up a new revival movements, by moving upon new seeking hearts, and bringing out a faithful remnant out of the existing churches. This does not mean that Christians should leave dead or lukewarm churches without an effort to renew their spiritual glow, they should strive in prayer, love, and witness to revive their churches. However, Paul tells us that the time may come when we have to “turn away” from those “who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.” 2Tim.3v5.

When God has raised up a faithful remnant into a new movement full of His power, there has almost inevitably been violent opposition from other churches, and even from Christians from the same church background. Earnest Christians who have desired and experienced revival have often been expelled from movements and denominations by those who have objected to their experience of God, and refused to listen to the voice of God. Christ’s true Church has always experienced criticism and opposition, and God-inspired revivals have, like our Lord, invariably been, “a sign that is spoken against.” Lk.2v34. The early Church was looked upon and persecuted as an heretical dangerous sect by both Jews and worldlings, the Jews at Rome said to Paul, “for as concerning this sect, we know that it is everywhere spoken against.” Acts.28v22. Martyrdom is a real possibility in genuine revival. Jn.16v1-3. We need to take to heart the words, “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches,” or we shall fail to be among those who overcome and inherit the promises.

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