“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
“‘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.’”
Comment: How varied across the world is the situation of the church! Lavish empty cathedrals in Europe and the West; People squeezing to have a little shade under the huge tree where the believers meet in poverty in some countries; in many lands, quiet and hiding for fear of death if they are caught worshipping; Flaunting fancy robes in splendour and seeming to be in memory of long past glorious days; in dirty rags but the best they have in other churches. What was Laodicea like? Jesus opinion – ‘you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked‘. Their own opinion – ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing‘ Jesus says ‘at the best you are lukewarm and I’m ready to vomit you out!’
But how graciously does the LORD go on ‘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.’
Prayer: Please help me to swing wide my heart’s door. our churches’ doors. Please enter in, Jesus, my/our only Hope!
As I read it! 