“Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” -Jesus, from Mark 10:24.
Many may not recall the name of the church, but the Laodiceans are usually remembered for being LUKEWARM toward God, and Jesus saying He would vomit (spue) them out of His mouth!
But there's more we can learn from this brief account of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14-20); they were the last of seven churches addressed in this book, churches which are also often thought to represent ages of the church. If such is the case, then the message Jesus gives them would be meant for us now, in these last of the LAST DAYS.
Unlike the other 6 churches in Revelation chapters 2&3, the Laodiceans are the only church with nothing good said about it; 2 of the others had nothing bad said about them, with 4 having some good mentioned, but much needing to repent (please read all of Revelation 2&3). To the Laodiceans specifically Jesus had said,
“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.” -Revelation 3:19,20. Bold type added.
Yet it's interesting that this last church isn't even addressed like the others, and there's meaning behind it. The first church, Ephesus, is called the church of Ephesus, while the next 5 are said to be the church in the city mentioned; but this last one is referred to as “the church of the Laodiceans;” meaning that in GOD'S eyes, there's no difference between these professing Christians and the world around them; they fulfill well 2 Timothy 3:5 by “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
But while it's easy to remember the condition of lukewarmness, and Jesus response in spewing them out, we need to know WHY these things occurred in order to repent, and avoid them in the future.
Thankfully, the Lord doesn't make us wait for the answers, and says in Revelation 3:16&17A;
“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...”
The Laodiceans see themselves as “rich, increased with goods, and needing nothing;” they likely claim God has blessed them, but rely on their own wisdom & wealth they have stored to deal with the issues they face. And it's here we begin to see the Laodicean connection to the flourishing Prosperity Gospel of today; teachings that say,
“we are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” but “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” in God's eyes (from Revelation 3:17).
A reliance on material wealth (mammon) opposes God's will by it's very nature; we must have FAITH in order to please God, and faith is to believe in what isn't seen. The Laodiceans grew tired of living by unseen faith, and substitued visible means they controlled; valuing the gift above the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), who gave even His only Son for our redemption (Romans 5:8;)
“...faith is...the evidence of things not seen.” -from Hebrews 11:1.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” -from Hebrews 11:6.
Prosperity Teachings of Christianity teach their adherents that in following Jesus they can expect to be healthy, wealthy, and loved; not all the teachings are the same, and vary in anticipated degrees of prosperity. MONEY, a.k.a. Mammon, is the big thing, because health and popularity usually come along with it! It's a very appealing type of teaching (wishful thinking), if it were true, but Jesus said that we cannot serve both God and mammon; we'll always have favor toward one or the other.
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. -Matthew 6:19-21,24.
We need to consider the full message of the Bible (Matthew 4:4) to understand GOD'S truth, but many today simply pick out the parts they like and claim them for themselves, while discarding or ignoring those parts which refute them. The Prosperity Gospel sometimes takes verses out of context, or might mistake spiritual riches for material ones, but it's what people want; and fulfills prophecy;
“3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:3,4.
Suffice it to say, the Laodicean error embodies mistakes of prosperity teaching pretty well. Both are basically exchanging the Bible's Faith for something visible, and trying to take rewards on earth instead of waiting for Heaven. I think scripture's very clear on this, and in keeping this message to a reasonable length, only a portion of relevant points can be covered, so take advantage of the scriptures!
Worldly love. God saw the Laodiceans as part of the world, not those separated in Christ;
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” -John 12:25. See also Romans 8:8, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15,16.
Reward in Heaven. The Prosperity Gospel wants its wealth here & now.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” -Matthew 19:21.
See also Luke 14:12-14, Hebrews 10:34.
Those rich in mammon. Prosperity teaching claims the rich are being blessed by God.
“But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.” -Luke 6:24.
See also Psalm 73:12, Mark 10:23-25, James 5:1-3.
Those poor in mammon. Prosperity teaching says real Christians won't be poor.
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” -Luke 6:20. See also Luke 1:53, 16:25, 21:3&4, James 2:5.
God provides for needs. In the Bible, God promises to meet needs; false doctrine promises abundance.
“29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -Luke 12:29-31. See also Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19.
Being healthy. The prosperity gospel claims God gives Christians good health.
“26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” -Philippians 2:26,27.
See also Psalm 103:3, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 4:10.
Being hated. Prosperity leaning says Christians will be loved and respected by nearly everyone.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” -2 Timothy 3:12.
See also Matthew 5:11, John 15:8,9, Acts 14:22.
There are some times God allows a rare Christian to have material riches, but they aren't seeking them; they will instead recognize that all good gifts come from God (James 1:17), and He has a purpose in bestowing them. We need to remember that Satan is the god of this world, and the riches of the nations are largely in his hands to reward with, and we need discernment;
“5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” -Luke 4:5-7.
The Lord does warn that the love of money is the root of all evil (1Timothy 6:10), and some even turn from true faith from coveting it. Jesus also revealed that no one can serve God AND money (Luke 16:13), and in accounts of the rich young ruler, He repeated seven times how hard it is for the rich to be saved!
But in spite of this, scripture notes that sometimes prosperity is sent as help for a future adversity (Ecclesiastes 7:14), reminding us to be rich in doing good works, and ready to distribute that provision for God's intended purpose; our spiritual treasure isn't material pleasure.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God...that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute...Laying up...for themselves a good foundation...that they may lay hold on eternal life. -from 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
When Zacheus found real wealth in Jesus, he immediately gave half his goods to the poor, and pledged to repay fourfold anyone he had wronged; such is the legacy of those that discover God's wealth; for whom the wealth of this world truly seems to be as nothing.
The devil will seek to puff up your pride by deceiving you into thinking that you're one of the few God wants to make rich; do not believe him, but PRAY, and follow the guidelines we've been given in God's Holy Word.
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” -Romans 7:18. Bold type is added.
“9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” -1 Timothy 6:9,10.
“7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” -Proverbs 30:7-9. Bold type is added for emphasis. May God bless you today!
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