QT 10/8/2024 Rev 3:15-18, Our churches stink of dead bodies

Revelation 3:15–18 (ESV) —

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 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.

 

NOTE: I have always felt that this last church was mostly composed on non-believers who were merely religious. Jesus says 4 things about them:

1. The church members are wretched (how can a person who knows Jesus be wretched?)
2. The church members are poor (we have a treasure in heaven; we have a glorious inheritance; those who know Christ are rich)
3. The church members are blind (Jesus removes the salve over our eyes when we come to him)
4. The church members are naked (Jesus clothes us in white clothes of righteousness; where are their clothes?)

Years ago, people argued that Rev 3:20 was written to a church of believers and so it could not be used in evangelism. Whoever came up with that dumb idea didn't read the verse in context. This is a church in name only, mainly made up with people who don't know the savior. Therefore Jesus calls out to these religious unbelievers:

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) — 20 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 church of Laodicea is the church of today, neither hot nor cold, who THINK they are rich, have prospered, and need nothing. And yet, they have nothing spiritually.

 

PONDER:

Am I like one of the members of the church of Laodicea, do I really know the savior or do I just go through the motions?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for the church, open our eyes. Too many are dead, spiritually DEAD. We are a church of corpses. It stinks and smells in most of our churches today because it is filled with spiritually dead bodies.