Laodicea

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<h1>Laodicea</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Steve-0.aspx'>Steve-0</a></strong><br /><p>"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelations 3:14-22) In the Book of Revelations, Jesus speaks to the various church ages. He encourages some of them for their faith and rebukes others for their sin. We are in the last (seventh) or final church age known as the Laodicean one. When Christ speaks to the churches of today, He tells them that their lukewarmness makes Him sick to His stomach, and that He wants to spit them out of His mouth. Lukewarm is defined as being mildly warm; tepid. Lacking conviction or enthusiasm; indifferent. Spiritual principles are often shown through carnal means. First, a few things about the original city of Laodicea. It was a relatively wealthy city whose main industries were textiles, and salves, especially eye salves, used medicinally. The city got it's water from an aqueduct that came from a hot spring about 4 miles away. By the time the water arrived in the city it was lukewarm and either needed to be heated or cooled to be useful. Jesus referenced this fact as He rebuked the church for its lukewarmness. It was too far removed from the source of the heat to remain hot. In other words, many in the church today claim Christ as their Lord (or with their mouths) but their hearts and lives do not reflect such a profession. The name Laodicea means "rule of the people." I believe this is significant in thinking about Revelation's implications for the church today. The church was not meant to be "Laodicean" or "ruled by the people" though. Many churches today are really ruled by the people. A majority of churches try to please everyone by accepting cultural doctrines that make people feel good but are not in the Scriptures. Many have followed the rule of the people (our culture) concerning ideas on homosexuality, pre-marital relations, and sin. Today we find that they (the churches) have let the culture change the church, instead of it changing the culture. The fact is that the church has compromised with the world at every level. It is a market driven church, do it yourself type of church and a unity at the expense of truth church. During that last church age (Philadelphia), the love of the truth and the spread of the Gospel was very important. However, the transformation from Philadelphia to the Laodicea age happened because of compromise little by little. Most of America has already sold out to Baal. God is not being worshipped in spirit and in truth. The Final Word Jesus Christ is the Amen, the final Word of God's authority. He's the first, the last, and everything in between. He is the Way, Truth, the Life, and no man can come to God, but by Him. There is none other name given under heaven whereby men might be saved. Christ is the all-sufficient one who truly meets our every need, whether it be material or spiritual. God wants every believer to hear and obey his word. If we receive correction from our loving heavenly father, there is hope of a everlasting reward that will never perish. Because of the greatness of the victory, the enemy fights us all with great ferocity. Satan (his name means adversary) knows the riches of God far outweigh whatever the world has to offer us. God who is on our side and lives within us, is greater than all forces of the opposition. He already gave us the victory in His name, and by His blood. All one must do to be saved is to trust and obey His word. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:3) </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />Wikipedia, Revelation, Isaiah<p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Laodicea_105421.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Laodicea_105421.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : Laodicean, Satan, lukewarm, Jesus, christ, hear, time, prophecy, keep, obey, victory, reward, God, greater, rule, people, city, please, church, ,

Category : Society : Religion