Coria Brock
October 5, 2024
Revelation 3:17, New International Version
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
In August of this year, by the goodwill of God we were sent to the Philippine for His mission – to rebuild and equip. Rebuild the identity of those who are lost upon Christ and equip His disciples in their walk with Jesus.
On the first Sunday we were there, the host pastor divided us into five teams and sent us out to different churches. After a good night’s sleep, I was still waiting for the Lord to reveal to me what He wanted me to say to His people. Thirty minutes before our ride came to pick up my team, the Holy Spirit said to me, “seven churches”. Instantly I knew it was about the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation and I went to those pages and paid attention to the leading of the Word. The Lord spoke and His message was ready to go. Do I know the reason why the Lord had me bring that message to the church where I was going? I did not try to guess, the Lord knows. In the same way He has instructed me to share about the church of Laodicea here today, and He knows who needs to read it.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelations 3:14-22, NIV)
There are seven churches the Lord mentions in the book of Revelation and there are different interpretations and doctrines about what these seven churches represent. No matter what way you want to view them, it is clear that they are warnings. Whoever aims to follow Christ should not take this lightly. If we pay attention, as the Lord requested His disciples to know the seasons (God divine timing), we should notice that we are living in a time similar to the day of Noah. This season is producing a certain number of believers who are neither cold nor hot. They are going to church as though they are going to join a country club. They are serving one another with welcoming and greeting yet have forgotten the “good news.” which should be shared with the lost who are not in the church building. They are counting the number of attendees at their Sunday services, and rejoicing at how awesome their church building and programs are. They are praising the Lord because they view these things as the Lord’s blessing. They think they are rich, but they are using the measure of man.
Does this perspective sound familiar with where you are? My dear brothers and sisters, I urge you to seek the heart of Christ and go back and understand the Great Mission Jesus gave to His disciples. Let the same fire of passion and compassion which Jesus has for the lost ignite in you.