Church of Laodicea

Laodicea was a wealthy city during the Roman Empire. Located on major trade routes, this city connected Ephesus, Smyrna and Sardis. It is thought to have been a church plant by Epaphras, one of Paul's disciples.

As I did some research on this church, I would learn that the Laodicean's were affected by the Domitian's decrees. Emporer Domitian was agresseive in promoting his divinity. These early Christians were targeted for their beliefs as protections that once kept them safe, were slowly stripped away from them. To maintain their wealth, the Laodiceans often compromised their faith.

The Church of Laodicea is known as The Lukewarm Church. The title of this section in my Bible. This is the only letter to the churches where Jesus does NOT offer praise. Instead He calls them out, saying;

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 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-" Revelation 3:15-17

Big warning. Sobering thought. Is God's Church today, a lukewarm church? In our attempt to maintain wealth, friends, political standing, to remain neutral so as not to offend anyone; causing us to be THIS church? Neither hot nor cold. Are we allowing evil to infiltrate the Church because to stand upon Truth would cost us dollars? Certainly it will cost us sense.

Do we fear what we will lose or do we fear Almighty God? Have we forgotten who we are to follow? The One who deserves our holy fear, honor and praise.

Where do we stand today, in the year of 2026, this year of our Lord? Will He indeed vomit us out of His mouth because we are lukewarm? Will we heed His warning?

This Scripture doesn't leave us here. God never does. Instead Jesus encourages the lukewarm church to buy gold that has been refined in the fire. Then we will be rich and wear white garments that will cover our shame and nakedness. He offers eye salve to anoint our eyes so that we can see. He calls us to repentance as He proclaims His love for His Church.

"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. 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." Revelation 3:20-21

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:22

Church, where do you stand? Where will you find yourself in eternity?

Dear Jesus, thank you that you don't leave us in the muck, instead you call us into your glory. We pray for your Church today. Let us not be lukewarm. May we return to You. May we stand upon your truths. May we walk in righteousness and godliness. Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. May we take our place in history as the true Bride of Christ. Holy and devoted to your lordship. In Jesus' holy name,we pray. Amen.