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1. How does Jesus describe himself at the beginning of his message to the church in Laodicea? (14) What is emphasized? 2. How does Jesus rebuke them? (15) What is he about to do with the church? (16) What do they say of themselves? (17a) How does Jesus view them? (17b) 3. How does Jesus counsel them? What are three things Jesus wants them to buy from him and why? (18) Think about the meaning of each. 4. Why does Jesus rebuke and discipline? (19a) What is Jesus’ final command to the church in Laodicea? (19b) What does he promise? (20) What is his promise to the overcomer? (21)

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“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” Thank God that Jesus who holds the key of David has placed an open door for salvation and all the heavenly blessings. May we be able to see the open door placed before us and strive to enter through it with faith so that we can make the most of the opportunity before the door of opportunity is closed. Today’s passage is Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea, the last message given to the seven churches. The words of his censure are very strong and intense. His intense words of rebuke are the expression of his dislike of the Laodicean church condition and at the same time the expression of his love. His love is intense and consuming. May we understand his love and rightly respond to it. First, Jesus, the Amen (14). Look at verse 14. “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.” At the beginning of his message to the church in Laodicea Jesus introduces himself as the Amen. What an interesting self-description! When we pray, we say at the end, “We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.” So if we call Jesus Amen, it is like “We pray in the name of Amen. Amen.” Amen is the agreement and confirmation of one’s saying or prayer. It has the meaning of “firm.” It also means, “faithful,” and “verily”, “surely,” or “truly.” Once Jesus said to Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” In other version, “I tell you the truth” is “verily, verily I say unto thee” (KJV) or “truly, truly I say to you” (NASB). In Greek it is “Amen.” Jesus is full of truth and is Truth himself (Jn 1:14; 14:6). Then obviously his words are true. When Jesus said, “These are the words of the Amen,” it showed how much he wanted the readers and listeners to believe his words! Amen is practically a universal word. They say that it has been called the best known word in human speech. Jesus is the Amen. Also, while on earth his life was the life of Amen. His life was true and was “yes,” to his Father and the Father’s will, even the will of his dying on the cross. In other words his life was the life of obedience to God. Because of the person Amen and his life of Amen, his words are trustworthy. Verse 14 says continually, “…the faithful and true witness.” Jesus is the Amen, and also is the faithful and true witness. People of this world surrounded by lies really want to hear and true and truthful testimony. To be a faithful and true witness requires direct witnessing and honesty and courage. A few people can be true witnesses for the certain things they have seen. Yet, no human being can be a true witness for all things that happened in history. It is impossible. But Jesus can; he is the faithful and true witness. For he is the ruler of God’s creation. Here “ruler” is in Greek, “arche,” which also means, “origin” or “beginning.” He is the origin and beginning of God’s creation. All human beings have been searching for origin. Jesus is the origin. And he is the ruler of God’s creation. So he knows not only what has happened since the creation of the world, but knows also what will happen in the future until the end of the age. His words cannot but be true and trustworthy. That’s why Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mk 13: 31; Lk 21:33). So when Peter heard Jesus’ words, he confessed, “You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). Later on he wrote in 1 Peter 1:24,25, “For, ‘All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.’” Jesus’ messages given to the six churches so far are true, and the words he is going to give to the church in Laodicea are also true. He really wants his people in the churches and all people of the world to believe his words. So he appeals so earnestly, “These are the words of Amen, the faithful and true witness, the (origin and) ruler of God’s creation.” Second, Jesus’ dislike and counsel (15-18). Look at verses 15,16. “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.” Right now we don’t know how the Laodicean Christians became lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. In the next part we can think of them. At this point we must know how much Jesus detests lukewarm attitude. It is half-heartedness with no true commitment. He said, “I wish you were either one or the other!” and “I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” We can hardly remember when Jesus expressed such a dislike and distaste toward his people. It is an intense displeasure. Let’s think about lukewarm attitude. The Israelites were God’s chosen people. He showed them his power and deliverance time and again so that they might know that he is the LORD, the only true God. At the time of Elijah people of Israel were very much affected by king Ahab and queen Jezebel, who killed many of the servants of the LORD and fed 450 priests of Baal, a god of Sidon that they were lingering between the LORD and Baal. It was a national spiritual crisis. At this situation the LORD’s servant Elijah challenged the people. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. Then he had a confrontation against 450 Baal priests to prove who the real One is between the LORD and Baal. Then Elijah indeed proved that the LORD is God by letting fire come down from heaven through his prayer, while the 450 Baal priests could not. Like the Israelites at the time of Elijah there are many people who are lingering between the two despite clear evidences. We are living in a very relativistic and adulterous generation. Everything seems to be permissible and people seem to have no concept of right and wrong. In this atmosphere, no religion is absolute and multi religion is welcome. People’s “Yes” or “No” is not clear. They habitually say, “Maybe.” The word, “Maybe” does not need any responsibility or commitment, while “Yes” or “No” does. This word does not sound displeasing or hurting anyone, whereas “Yes” or “No” does. This kind of lukewarm lifestyle is prevailing as convenient and safe in our society. In this circumstance many Christians are clear about what they believe and who they are. Their faith also becomes “maybe” faith. Jesus feels like vomiting at such attitude. Look at verse 17a. “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’” Here we see what underlies their lukewarm Christian life. It was their complacency in material security. Now we need to know about Laodicea. Laodicea was one of the great commercial and strategic centres of the ancient world, because of its geographical location. It was a great banking and financial centre, and one of the wealthiest cities in the world. In A.D. 61 it was devastated by an earthquake; but its citizens were so rich and independent that they refused any help from the Roman government and out of their own resources rebuilt their city. Undoubtedly the material influence permeated into the Laodicean church. That’s why they said, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” Material affluence made them proud and complacent. Then how did Jesus view them? Look at verse 17b. “But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” They thought they were fortunate in God’s abundant material blessing. But to Jesus they were very unfortunate and miserable. In God’s sight they were pitiful and poor. They were blind and naked. How did Jesus help them? Look at verse 18. “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.” Before bringing the church to repentance, Jesus counsels them as the good shepherd for them. Here instead of saying, “Come to me, and I will give you…” he said, “…buy from me…” Probably, the Laodiceans thought they were smart business people, knowing what to buy, where to buy and when to buy. They thought they were very skilled in trade. As a result they became rich with great wealth. But to Jesus what they bought were not good things but all like junk stuff. They spent their much money and time on actually nothing. So they became pitiful and poor in Jesus’ eyes. They needed to know true transaction. Jesus said, “buy from me gold refined in the fire.” 1 Peter 1:7 says, “These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine…” St. Peter encouraged the suffering early Christians by helping them to know the meaning their unbearable sufferings. It was to produce in them the tested genuine faith, which is more precious than gold refined in the fire. In the end nothing remains in one’s life except faith. With empty hand all came, and with empty hand all depart. But one thing we can take is faith, faith in Jesus Christ, which leads us to the eternal kingdom of God. And in this world, at the time of life crisis most people become very anxious and even panic. They think it is a natural response. But faith works. Faith enables us to overcome any and every thing. Faith makes us victors in life and thus become truly rich. If one can buy faith with money, it will be great. But it cannot be purchased with money. Jesus said, “Buy from me…” He did not say the price. He just said, “Buy from me…” Actually the price of faith is priceless. The price will be our humble coming and sincere request. Jesus continues, “…buy from me…white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness…” In this world there is no way to cover one’s shame and guilt. In Genesis Adam and Eve made coverings by themselves to cover their shame and guilt. But it did not work. Outwardly they were okay, but inwardly they were miserable with fear and anxiety. Laodicea was a great centre of clothing manufacture. So Laodiceans thought their garment made of wool were really good and they did not need any other clothes. But with the wool-garment they would not cover their shameful nakedness. A wonderful thing is that Jesus wants us to buy white clothes from him, for he shed his precious blood dying on the cross for man’s sins. His blood cleanses us of our sins and guilty conscience. Jesus is our holiness and righteousness and he himself is the white clothes, which we can wear. Anyone who comes to him and repent can buy the clothes and wear it. And then Jesus said, “…buy from me…salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” Laodicea was also a medical centre. It was famous for ointment for the ear and ointment for the eyes. So they thought they did not need any ointment from other places. They regarded their own as the best. But Jesus said that they were blind and they had to buy special ointment from Jesus. Otherwise they would be blind permanently. The words of God open one’s eyes. And Jesus gives the words of God. God’s word opens our eyes to see where we came from and who we are and where we are going. The words of God guide us to see how the world is and how we should live and to see the kingdom of God beyond this world. So the Bible compares the word of God as a lamp and a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105). The Laodicean church members must have neglected the words of God for a long time until they became blind to see themselves and the world. But Jesus counseled them to buy from him slave to put on so that they could see. Jesus gives us the words of life when we come to him humbly and seek him earnestly. Third, Jesus’ love of rebuke and discipline (19-22). Look at verse 19. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” In our times love confuses people. Many think love is to make others feel good at a moment. In that case love becomes deceptive. So the Bible says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting.” Many young people want charming love. But in fact they are deceived by charming and fleeting love and sweet lie. One thing is clear: love must strengthen and build up the one who receives love, though it is painful. Nobody likes rebuke and discipline. But without these no one can be made strong and grow. According to the Bible, without discipline children remain childish forever. They become childish adults and childish old people. Proverbs 13:24 says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” No loving parents let their children do as they want when what they do is obviously wrong and dangerous. Others cannot rebuke and discipline the children but their parents can do because they truly love them. No one cared whether the Laodicean church was lukewarm, pitiful and blind. It was no one’s business, but Jesus. So he cared for and rebuked and wanted to discipline them. Jesus’ love is true not only because he sacrificed himself for our sins but also rebukes and disciplines. He wants us to accept his sacrificial love and rebuking and disciplining love as well so that we may become his strong children and grow to mature and useful people of God for his purpose. Then Jesus said, “Be earnest and repent.” “Earnest is in Greek “zelous.” The opposite of “lukewarm” is “earnest.” It is to have zeal for God. Isaiah 9:7 says, “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” The LORD Almighty is a zealous God. He accomplishes his work of world salvation with his great zeal. He does not do his work in ease and complacency. He himself makes a great and zealous effort to fulfill his work. Then how much more should we have zeal in serving the Lord and doing his work? So Paul said in Roman 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” “Be earnest and repent.” Repent includes having a broken spirit and contrite heart. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart…” Also, we must know that repent is in Greek “metanoeo” meaning “change one’s mind.” The Laodiceans should not think that lukewarm attitude is the convenient Christian way of living. They must change their mind and deeply recognize that they should be hot in response to the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ, who is their holiness and righteousness and everything to them. They must accept that loving God with all their hearts and with all their minds and with all their strength is the true way of life in this world. Now Jesus himself changes his mind in the expectation of their repentance. We see that the tone of his voice changes. Look at verse 20. “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 him, and he with me.” What a change! At the beginning of this passage Jesus said that he was going to vomit. Now he is willing to eat with them, a good meal of supper, if they hear his voice and accept him into their hearts. He wants to have a joyful and intimate eating fellowship with each of them. Of course this includes letting him be the centre of the heart and life. Those who have this beautiful eating and life-committing fellowship with him will be invited to the special supper in the eternal kingdom of God. Revelation 19:9 says, “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”’” Look at verse 21. “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Jesus’ hope and expectation for us is truly great. We thank God for the words of the Amen. Our Lord Jesus is very clear about what he dislikes and what he wants. His love is sacrificial and disciplining and rebuking. May we accept his painful love and become zealous Christians with refined and whole-hearted faith in this lukewarm and unfaithful generation.

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