REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.18

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 3

 

The Letter to the Church at Laodicea

(Continued)

 

OUTLINE

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (3:14)

3.  The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

4.  The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (None)

5.  The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (3:15-17)

6.  The Appeal – The application to change (3:18-19)

7.  The Advice – The recommendation to change (3:20-22)

 

As we have discussed in the previous study, being lukewarm is a very serious problem existing not only in John's day but also in contemporary churches and individual Christians. Jesus Christ does not want just committed Christians - He desires total dedication to His person. After all, He gave His life for you and by faith in Him promised to give you eternal life as a result.  

 

 

6. The Appeal – The application to change

 

(Verse 18)

 

I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

(Verse 19)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

I counsel thee

I - Jesus

 

Counsel means to deliberately give or recommend advice.

 

Thee (you) is in the singular, meaning you as an individual.

“These three things are what I need you to do if you are a lukewarm person”:

1.       Buy of Me gold tried in the fire

2.       Buy of Me white raiment

3.       Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve

 

Buy of (or from) Me

Here, the Amen, Faithful Witness, and the Beginning of the Creation of God – Jesus Christ is using imagery from the book of Isaiah:

Isiah 55:1-2 - Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

 

This is a tremendous passage analogous to food that is eternally satiating and sustaining for spiritual life. Jesus is essentially making an offer you can’t refuse – to buy from Him Heaven’s commodities at no cost.

 

In verse 18, the offer is for real riches found only in Christ:

1. Pure gold

2. Pure white garments

3. Anointment for perfect spiritual vision

 

1. Pure Gold

Gold, the most precious metal, goes through a refinement process [by fire - incineration] to take out all the dross and impurities. The nine to ten-hour dangerous and tedious process consists of melting, and mixing it with various combustible chemicals, distilled water, silver, etc., only to produce a 2.75 troy ounce 999.99% gold ingot. [see videos on YouTube]

 

The heavenly city of Jerusalem and its streets are described in Revelation Chapter 21 as 100% pure gold – so pure it is transparent, which no man, with all of the modern technology, can nor has been able to duplicate.

Revelation 21:18b - And the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

 

Revelation 21:21b – And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

 

That thou mayest be rich

Gold is a symbol of divine righteousness, something money cannot buy. This gold may only be purchased by faith.

1 Peter 1:7a - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth.

 

By buying gold tried in the fire from the Lord, Jesus is indicating that one will be eternally wealthy, not with earthly 99.9% pure gold, but 100% pure gold (as in the New Jerusalem) acquired only in a spiritual dimensional realm after physical life.

Romans 3:22 - The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

 

Therefore, richness in terms of eternity is righteousness, the most precious possession of His world.

 

Laodicea was world-renowned for its extreme wealth. In effect, Jesus is labeling the Laodiceans poor in comparison to Heaven’s riches, e.g., Israel’s King Solomon, the wealthiest man who ever lived, ultimately concluded, “All is meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 12:8 - Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

 

2. Pure white garments

The second piece of advice Jesus offers is to purchase heavenly white raiment or garments. You recall, Adam and Eve initially were clothed in white light, so white that the shame of their nakedness did not appear.

 

As pure gold is representative of righteousness, white raiment represents righteous deeds. Respectively, one is your position (positional righteousness) in Christ, the other your practice, i.e., righteous works for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He (God the Father) hath made Him (His Son Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Christ).

Revelation 19:8 - And to her (the transfigured Church of God) was granted that she should be arrayed (clothed) in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

 

Ironically, the Laodiceans were at the pinnacle of world fashion during the Roman era. In light of that, Jesus sees them naked.

 

3. Anoint your eyes with eye salve

Lastly, even though Laodicea was foremost in the manufacturing of eye salve (or tephra Phrygia [Latin]), an eye powder exported in tablet form), the risen Lord gives counsel for them to buy of Him eye ointment to receive spiritual sight and open their blind eyes to the richness of God’s wisdom and glory. The anointing of the Holy Spirit provides this enlightenment.

Ephesians 5:13 - Everything exposed by the light is made clear. (HCSB)

 

 

(Verse 19)

 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

Continuing His appeals, almost sounding like a parent to a young child, Christ says:

As many as I love

Love in this passage is not agape love (an intimate passionate love), but phileo, a fond affectionate love from one friend to another - Those who are willing to listen and follow through with what He has stipulated.

 

Two-part solution:

1.  What He will do – His actions

2.  What you should do – Your responses

 

A. What He will do

I rebuke and chasten

1. Rebuke – Greek: ἐλέγχω, elegchō [Strong’s G1651], to convict, reprove, or tell a fault.  

2. Chasten – Greek: παιδεύω, paideuō [Strong’s 3811], to discipline, instruct, or teach.

 

The Lord’s chastisement is for His children to discern between right and wrong.

Hebrews 12:6 - For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth disciplines), and scourgeth (punishes) every son whom he receiveth.

 

One writer labels this action as “spiritual spankings.”

 

B. What you should do

Be zealous therefore, and repent

1.  Zealous – Greek: ζηλόω, zēloō [Strong’s G2206], to earnestly have the desire to move for or against something.

 

2.  Repent – Greek: μετανοέω, metanoeō [Strong’s G3340], to think differently, militarily do an about-face in a 180° direction.

 

In the context of the Church of the Laodiceans, the risen Savior assumedly alludes to non-believers. However, God’s never-ending love encompasses everyone. He chastens believers as well as unbelievers and does not discipline or punish out of hate, but love for one’s soul. To the believer, He desires them to be conformed to the image of His son (cf. Romans 8:29), to the unbeliever, He persuades them to the cross (see 1 Timothy 1:15).

 

It is also not Jesus’ intention to spew (spit, vomit) anyone out of His mouth, but to listen to His words and by faith, repent.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack (slow) concerning His promise(of judgment or vengeance), as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering (patient) to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

You recall, before He expired on the Cross, He asked His Father to forgive those who executed Him for not knowing what they were doing. Isaiah prophetically summarizes:

Isaiah 45:24 - Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against (angry with) Him shall be ashamed (put to shame).

 

 

7. The Advice – The recommendation to change

 

(Verse 20-22)

 

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.

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.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

 

Behold

Know, consider or understand this.

I stand at the door and knock

Knock conveys the connotation of continual and consistent rapping. In contrast to the Philadelphia letter where the church has an open door, the Laodiceans receive an epistle from the risen Christ whose church door is closed.

 

Twentieth-century artist Warner Sallman has captured the true quintessence of Laodicea with his rendition of Christ at Heart’s Door. By inference, Jesus is seen outside of His church knocking on its door to enter - even on an individual basis.

 

Over the years, many ministers have used this passage as an evangelistic life application message to justifiably suggest Jesus is knocking at the door of one’s heart to receive the Gospel message. Even though the word door may be used literally or figuratively, once again, in the context of the letter to the Laodiceans, Jesus Christ is knocking on the portal or entrance door to this particular church or type of individual, not merely the heart.

 

The imagery presented is Jesus standing on the outside of a church, bearing witness to His name, requesting to enter, and allowing them to re-enter into His fellowship once again. Insofar as the letters to the seven churches are concerned, this is His last call or invitation before His judgment is placed upon the earth.

 

Jesus says:

If any man (anyone) hears My voice, and open[s] the door, I will come in to him, and will sup (dine) with him, and he with Me.

 

Any man

Forcing no one, man is in the singular tense. Once again, the primary mission of Jesus is to communicate eternal life to anyone.

Luke 19:10 - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was (those who are or the) lost.

 

Sup

Sup is an interesting word In Greek: δειπνέω, deipneō [Strong’s G1172]. Used two times in the New Testament, it means to dine. However, it is a derivative of the Greek word deipnon meaning supper or feast, always referring to the main or evening meal of the day. For example, the word was employed during the Last Supper:

John 21:20 - Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

 

Supper will also be our festive main meal in the Kingdom – The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:9 - And He (Jesus) saith unto me (John), Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

 

The Lord is metaphorically conveying He desires communion, fellowship, relationship, and partaking with Him daily for eternity. Once again, to the Laodiceans, the offer is implying there is still time to have one last meal before nightfall (the judgment). On the negative side, if we do not have dinner together, we will not be together when the dawn of the Kingdom arrives. In other words, the Age of Laodicea is almost over. Open the door. This may be your last chance to let Jesus enter.

 

Sup with him, and he with Me

That is, having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, communion with Christ.

 

 

(Verse 21)

 

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.

 

To the Overcomers

 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne

Jesus, the First One to be victorious over death, the world, and Satan, is offering a tremendous promise to the overcomers of Laodicea, they will be granted permission to sit with Him and God the Father on the heavenly Throne to share in His victory.

 

My Throne

This Throne is established in Heaven, His dominion, and the Lord will rule over all creation. His angels will stand, glorify Him, and execute His bequests – a prophecy to be fulfilled in the Millennium Kingdom and into eternity.

Psalm 103:19-20 - The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye His angels that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.

 

Revelation 8:2 - And I (John) saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

 

I…am set down with My Father in His throne

The Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is presently seated with His Father in Heaven.

Hebrews 8:1b - We have such an High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

 

 

(Verse 22)

 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

As the Lord walks amongst the seven candlesticks, for the seventh and final invitation, He says, “If you have an ear to hear, listen, examine your heart, and give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, collectively and individually.”

 

This completes, not only the last of the series of seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor but also the second division of the book of Revelation – The Things Which Are.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  What is distinct about the commodities Jesus sells?

2.  Describe the difference between gold on Earth and Heaven.

3.  Explain earthly and heavenly clothing.

4.  How and why does Jesus punish?

5.  What was the purpose of Jesus’ first incarnation?

6.   Why is our risen Lord knocking?

7. Where is Jesus today?

8.  What is unique about the Church of the Laodiceans??

 

 

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