Tne of the most descriptive pas sages of scripture pertaining to this age is Rev. 3:17. The Laodicean church was deceived into believing that gain was godliness and that because of their financial advancement they were also greater in the eyes of God. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. God has never been one to count heads or dollars.
The spirit of the Laodicean age is very evident today. Laodicea was the last of the seven churches in Asia and was typical of the last church age, which we believe to be the one now present.
Laodicea lay on one of the great Asian trade routes, and this ensured its great commercial prosperity. “I am rich,” was her boast. Never has a religious system been able to boast of such riches as today. Churches in the United States alone have millions of dollars invested in real estate. Many churches today are rich beyond comprehension.
The Lycus valley produced a glossy black wool, the source of black cloaks and carpets, for which the city was famous. She said, “I am increased with goods.” When we think of the abundance of things that we all enjoy today—we are surely reminded that this is the last age.
Laodicea was also the home of a medical school and the manufacturer of Collyrium, a famous eye salve. Thus the scornful imagery of the apocalyptic letter to Laodicea is obviously based on these activities. And so, we find ourselves in the most advanced medical period the world has known. To trust God for ones healing has become outmoded. But it still remains that “by His stripes we are healed.”
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miser-able, and poor, and blind, and naked
Revelation 3:17
Laodicea’s easy wealth and abundance most certainly caused the growth in that community of the spirit of compromise and worldly-mindedness that was condemned by the Lord in Revelation.
And so the hammer strikes home again. We have become so independent. Distance is no longer a barrier.
Cost is secondary. So consequently, many no longer have to depend on prayer and seeking God to meet their needs. The prayer room has become the play room. The agonizers have been replaced with the organizers.
Laodicea—the very name itself reveals the condition that many find themselves in today. The word is derived from Lao, which means people, and decea, which means the rule. In other words the people ruled. Surely there has never been a time when the responsibility and authority of the God-called ministry has been so ignored Whose to blame-the laity—or—the ministry? When we have preachers that are so gutless, refusing to preach against adultery, fornication, TV and video, immodesty, fads and fashions— the answer is forth coming.
Many have exchanged their God given call to be a guide and shepherd over God’s sheep, for that of a hireling. To be directed by a board of men who have no right to do so. God’s Bible preachers will never stand before any type of board (church or otherwise) and be told what to preach! God can’t use hirelings and He despises church bosses.
It is only when the ministry is respected and occupies its responsible position that the Spirit of God can and will move in an assembly. Where there is a strong Apostolic preacher-there is a strong congregation, and where these two attributes exist there is always a strong move of God.
God help us to not be caught up in the Laodicean spirit, but to fill our rightful posts of duty, so that at His coming He will say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
