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Laodicea

To the Church in Laodicea

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Here in the last church called out we will discover language that has been argued over for decades without gaining any superior position in theology. That is the issue of why cold churches are not spit out of His mouth but lukewarm churches are spit out.

Rather than debating that issue let us discuss the characteristics of that “cold church”.

“I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” Well that is a lie and we all know how God feels about liars. They are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

God counsels them on how to overcome their deficits. The one attribute not listed is deaf, so there is some hope that they can come to grips with their condition.

What is a cold church?

Perhaps it is a small group of believers that only take care of themselves and wish not to be infected by lies and vain hope. They take care of their own and do not support evangelical ministries. The life they live is their witness and they will answer for their faith if asked but do not proselytize as God calls His, not man.

Have I ever witnessed such a church? Yes but they have no membership, they are all family in the truest sense, by spirit not by blood. They are a rare breed and I could see why God would not spit them out.

Philadelphia

To the Church in Philadelphia

I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Open doors imply easy access. That sounds so much easier than having to climb to the mountain top. Also, once you enter, there is no need to close the door behind you. There is a sense of security in knowing the door is not there to keep out bad things.

I am comforted that this church does not assume the mantle of power like so many churches do. The real power belongs to God. Keeping His word is power enough.

Here is an interesting section about the synagogue of Satan being made to bow down before them. The purpose for that is to see God loves this church. That is powerful. In the very next sentence is a hope many of us cling to by faith, that we will not see the hour of that trial that is coming. Then those miraculous words, “I am coming soon.”

What we have seen in pass conquering rewards are found to be different here. Rather than a seat they are made to be a pillar. Pillars that hold up the roof must be strong and they will be seen by all that enter in. The name of God will be written on the pillar, and low and behold we hear yet another new thing. The New Jerusalem is introduced.

I am not sure who gets a new name. That will have to wait for another time.

Lots of good stuff here in Philadelphia. Blessed be the name of the Lord..