As we have seen, there is no commendation for the church of Laodicea, which represents us in the end-time Church. Even though there is no commendation for us, all is not lost. God loves us and wants us see ourselves in our true light. Achieving this recognition and transformation is painful, but altogether necessary:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Revelation 3:19).
Rebukes hurt our pride, but chastening goes beyond that. It is to be afflicted. God permits circumstances to so overwhelm us that there will no longer be any recourse to self. Moreover, our worst traits are revealed in times of great stress. Those who will hold on to their Redeemer, even if He throws their hip out of joint, will, like Jacob, receive the blessing. The case of those rebuked is not a hopeless one, but evidence that God cares.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).
The heavenly Merchantman has wares to sell without price, refined by God in the fire of affliction and He gives us a promise of His indwelling spirit.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Revelation 3:21).
The prize is an eternity with God. If I refuse to open the door, if I refuse to let God change me, the knock will get fainter and eventually cease. The blessings of God that He wishes you to buy are to be unselfishly disseminated to others. We are to lift up our voices like a trumpet:
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God (Isaiah 58:1-2).
If the Laodicean message is heeded, then the truth will go out to all nations because our concern for self will be lost in Christ. In a time of great spiritual darkness, it is vital that we as today’s Laodicea proclaim the message with power. The promise made to the prophet Isaiah will finally come true:
- Arise, shine;
- For your light has come!
- And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
- For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
- And deep darkness the people;
- But the LORD will arise over you,
- And His glory will be seen upon you.
- The Gentiles shall come to your light,
- And kings to the brightness of your rising.
- Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
- They all gather together, they come to you;
- Your sons shall come from afar,
- And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
- Then you shall see and become radiant,
- And your heart shall swell with joy;
- Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
- The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you (Isaiah 60:1-5 NKJV).
Then we will indeed be rich with a richness that can never fade.
