The Tale of Two Churches

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our travels to the seven churches of Asia now reach their final two stops that represent two kinds of churches today—one stands by the Word of God and the other has forgotten Jesus.

Letter #6, to the Church in Philadelphia: Stay true!

You can still visit the city of Philadelphia today in Asia Minor (now called Alasehir, Turkey). This beautiful congregation represents the revived church because it’s still hungry for the Word of God. Historically, it dates from the beginning of the 19th century to the Rapture.

The church at Philadelphia represents churches the world over—regardless of their denominations—who still remain true to God’s Word. The Lord sees our works, the fruit of our lives in Christ.

In a day of unbelief and skepticism, the Lord Jesus commends Philadelphia because it proclaims Jesus as God and His substitutionary death for sinners. The Lord Jesus says even our enemies know He loves this church.

The church at Philadelphia waited patiently for Jesus’ return (see 2 Thessalonians 3:5). His final word of encouragement is they will be removed from the world before the Great Tribulation (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13). His return at the Rapture will be “quickly”—meaning, suddenly. This is the hope, the comfort, and God’s promise to the church.

Jesus then gives John a vision of what our new identity will be and the access we will have in His name to our new city. As citizens of heaven, we will pass freely on this earth or anywhere in God’s universe. God will also give us a new name for Himself as a sign of our personal relationship with Him.

Listen with your whole heart to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Letter #7, to the Church in Laodicea: Get on fire for God!

Laodicea is our final stop. Sadly, this church, now apostate, prefers its own priorities, having left the Word of God and Jesus Christ. The Lord invites them to repent, but it won’t, and most everyone in this church will miss the Rapture and enter the Great Tribulation Period.

Some call Laodicea “the city of compromise.” When Jesus tells John His message, He tells us more about Himself. “I am the Amen”—the last word. Jesus will fulfill all of God’s promises. (The Laodiceans had rejected the deity of Christ.) “I am the Faithful and True Witness”—He alone is the One who will reveal all and tell all. And finally, “I am the Creator” (v. 14).

Jesus says to the church at Laodicea, “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot” (v. 15). This had special meaning for the Laodiceans. Situated in a high valley, they had difficulty getting water. They built an aqueduct to bring cold water down from nearby mountains but by the time it made the trip down, the water was lukewarm. They also tried to bring hot water up from the springs, but it was only warm when it got to them.

When the Lord Jesus said to them, “You are neither cold nor hot,” they knew exactly what He meant. They had been drinking the sickening lukewarm water for years. The Lord Jesus said this church was neither cold nor hot and He would spit it out of His mouth.

A cold church denies every essential doctrine of the faith. Hot speaks of real spiritual passion like the Christians in Ephesus, although they too were growing cold. Lukewarm churches try to stay in the middle—not coming out against the Word of God but not standing strong for it. It’s the worst kind of hypocrisy (see 2 Timothy 3:5). Jesus says, “You say you love Me, but you don’t mean it.”

In this last message to the church, Jesus says, “Be hot. Get on fire for God. Repent!” It’s not too late. Jesus invites anyone to come to Him. “I stand at the door and knock,” Jesus says (v. 20). But you will have to open the door to let Him in.

Next: We’ll leave earth for heaven.

1. What can you do to help your church avoid being seen by God as lukewarm?

2. How can we listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches and apply it in our own congregations?

3. How could the church in Laodicea have done so little with so many opportunities and resources? What lessons can we learn from their experience?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teaching on Revelation 3:7-13, Revelation 3:13-15 and Revelation 3:16-19.