THE TRAGEDY AT LAODICEA

Just as I was preparing to write this post, “The Tragedy at Laodicea,” Carol forwarded to me an article by a respected prophecy teacher referring to “the time of the Laodicean church” being now! Again, I was struck by the timeliness of the Holy Spirit’s leading. I trust that through this article I can show you something the Holy Spirit has been making real to me in just the last few days about the times in which we live, the Laodicean church, and the tragedy that happened there.

We are first introduced to the Laodicean church in Colossians 2:1. Neither the Colossian nor the Laodicean church were actually begun by Paul but he loved and ministered to them as a friend and an apostle. It is very likely that the church in Laodicea was begun by one of the converts from the Colossian church, which was just ten miles away.

Laodicea was a prosperous city, well known for its production of quality wool for clothing and also for its beautiful and luxurious carpets. As was the custom of this day, the church of Laodicea met in a private home (Colossians 4:15). As Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians, he instructs the brethren to make certain that the letter is also read to the church at Laodicea and that the letter he wrote to Laodicea be read to the Colossian church (4:16). The letter to the Laodiceans is no longer in existence.

When Jesus speaks of the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3, He uses very strong and descriptive words to describe what is happening: “Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. . . . You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked—” (Revelation 3:14-17).

What could have happened to the church of Laodicea and why do I speak of this as a tragedy?

We get some insight into what happened through a warning Paul issued to both churches in Colossians 2, that false teachers would come with a message of bondage that would try to lead them away from the centrality of Christ.

In Colossians 2:8, Paul specifically warns that the false teachers would try and introduce contemporary pagan philosophy into the church in the guise of “new and progressive” Christianity. Through their teaching, Paul warned, the false teachers would bring “basic principles of the world,” indicating that the false teaching primarily would be concerned with visible and perishable things that would replace the centrality of Christ (also see also Galatians 4:3).

So what is the tragedy at Laodicea? The scope of the tragedy begins to unfold in the words of Christ Himself in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

The tragedy is that Jesus is no longer in this once thriving church—He is no longer central to the church. Jesus is on the outside, knocking and calling out to His bride, who has gone whoring after others. This church, birthed in a move of God’s Spirit, has totally lost its way; it has lost its focus; it has lost Christ as the center of its being. Jesus Christ is no longer the head of this church. He has become a fond memory, a piece of stained glass, an icon hanging on the wall—but He is no longer the living, vibrant center/head. Christ is not worshipped in this church but has been largely replaced by a preoccupation with self and its needs.

This is a tragedy of unspeakable magnitude! It is a description of large segments of the church in America where wealth, success, acceptance and political correctness are celebrated and Jesus is rarely mentioned or worshipped. Thankfully, the Laodicean spirit has not gripped the whole church. There is still a bride who loves and cherishes the Bridegroom. Her garments are white, her praise is loud and clear, she refuses to be seduced or compromised by the beggarly elements of the world, and her eyes are fixed upon her Beloved. This is the overcoming church who will sit with Christ on His throne (3:21).

The tragedy of Laodicia did not have to happen—but it did! And the tragedy will be compounded if we do not learn from this.