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The Seven Churches of Revelation: Part Seven {Laodecia}

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The Seven Churches of Revelation: Part Seven {Laodecia} An in depth Bible Study... | A Virtuous Woman

The Seven Churches of Revelation

The Seven Churches of Revelation, also known as the Seven Churches of Asia,  are seven major churches of Early Christianity.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ instructed John to “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11

Each of these churches existed in Roman province of Asia at the time that John wrote the letters. However, these letters were not only written for each individual church, but they were written as letter to God’s people across the span of time. The messages found in these seven letters apply to Christians today as do all the other letters or books of the Bible. Furthermore, these seven letters have additional application to God’s church in seven different eras, beginning with apostolic days and ending with the return of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 tells us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I have a handy chart that you can print detailing the different aspects of The Seven Churches of Revelation.

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The Church of Laodecia

The Church of Laodecia is the seventh and final church in our study. You may have heard preachers or Bible teachers say that we are living in the time of Laodecia. Laodecia represents the church today. So, while each of the messages to the seven churches has a lesson for us to learn, the words Jesus spoke to the Laodecian church are direct counsel and reproof for Christians living right now.

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Let’s see what Jesus has to say to us:

“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 or cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3: 15- 17

Wow! That is a powerful rebuke.

Look around you. How many Christians do you know who are complacent, who believe they are okay and don’t really need to change? Who go to church each week, but live like the world?

We are a chosen generation. A royal priesthood. We are called to live like Jesus.

Jesus said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

“…Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

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This is not a game. There is too much at stake to play around.

There are many who are sitting in church each week, even Bible teachers, preachers, and leaders who show up to every church event, who will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 7:21- 23 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy {preach} in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Are you alarmed? It’s bad enough when we know we are in trouble – we can do something about it. But what if we are in trouble and are so blind to what is going on that we have no idea we are in trouble?

That’s exactly what Satan wants. His sole purpose is to distract you, deceive you, trick you into believing you are okay when really… you aren’t. He wants to take as many as possible into the lake of fire with him.

What is the answer to this trouble? First we need to realize our sinful, wretched condition and then we need to repent.

Jesus said, “I counsel you to buy gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” Revelation 3:18

What does He mean by gold, white clothes, and eye salve?

  • Gold refined in the fire. {Gold is a character that can stand up to the test of fire.}

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are radiant, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold…” Psalm 19:7-10

“Has God not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

  • White clothes to wear. { The garment of white is a free gift when we believe by faith.}

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

“’Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ Fine linen stands for the righteousness acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8

“Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.’ … The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts…’” Zechariah 3:3- 7

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 1:17

  • Salve for our eyes. {Discernment and understanding.}

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:17- 19

Jesus loves us so much! He loves us and that’s why He rebukes us and disciplines us when we are wrong.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” Revelation 3;19

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This ends our study of the Seven Churches of Revelation. I hope you have been blessed by this fascinating look at the Scriptures and the history of God’s church down through the ages.

Are you ready to wear that robe of white? Is your faith like gold refined by fire? Have you asked God to open your eyes to His Light?

I want to be ready to meet Jesus face to face. There is no time to waste!

We are living in the time of the end. We are the generation living during the last Church of Revelation. He is coming quickly!

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To be ready to meet Jesus, all you need to do is repent and ask Him to come into your heart, then seek to follow Him each day.

Jesus is asking each one of us to open that door. He’s knocking. But He won’t force His way in. You must open the door!

“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.” Revelation 3:20

You can find the rest of this series here.

Will you ask Him to come in?

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