The Laodicean Church
Jesus Christ's Prophecy to the Seven Churches
"The seven churches are the primary focus of the first three chapters of Revelation. They are represented by seven golden lampstands, and the seven angels – or messengers – of the churches, represented by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus." (L)
The Seven Churches from a Chronological Perspective
According to the chronological perspective, "each church mentioned in these chapters represents a period in church history. Each of these periods can be traced and assigned to a specific phase of the growth and change of the body of Christ over time, from its inception, to its decline before Christ's return." (L)
These seven church periods are:
1. The Apostolic Church ≈ 30 - 300 A.D.
2. The Martyr Church ≈ 100 - 313 A.D.
3. The Compromising Church ≈ 314 - 590 A.D.
4. The Roman Catholic Church ≈ 590 - 1517 A.D.
5. The Reformation Church ≈ 1517-1700
6. The Revival Church ≈ 1700-1900
7. The Worldly Church ≈ 1900- Rapture
Jesus Christ's Prophecy to the Seventh Church: The Laodicean Church
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 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. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev 3:14-22)
The Loadicean Church is the Present-Day American Church
It's Lukewarm (v 15)
Jesus rejects it (v 16)
It believes it's "rich" (v 17)
Jesus says it's wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. (v 17)
Finally, John addresses the Church of Laodicea. While the other churches received some encouragement or commendation from the Lord, this church received no positive words. Like Sardis, Laodicea had an abundance of resources but held an indifferent spirit - described as lukewarm - toward the Lord. He wants them to grow hot or cold toward Him, but not to remain lacking in any passion toward the faith. While they were doing well in an earthly fashion, they were spiritually lacking. Here, Jesus asks for them to let Him in. " 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" (Revelation 3:20). Despite their lack of spirituality, Christ waits expectantly for them to open their hearts to Him.