The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Revelation 3:14-22, “”To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
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 will dine with him, and he with Me.
21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”

The Church at Laodicea was a Complacent Church. Laodicea itself was a wealthy commercial center, a place of literature and science. A local medical school had developed a “Phrygian powder,” composed of a strangely-colored clay from the nearby hills. It was then mixed with spikenard and exported throughout the Roman Empire as a medical salve for eyes and ears.

Jupiter and Zeus were worshipped by the local population; however, the most prominent Phrygian god was Men-Karou. The Laodicean Age was conformed to the popular will of the people. Instead of the Church being led by the pastor, it was led by a domineering mob. Laodicea means “rule of the people.” At the onset of the 20th Century, the Laodicean Church Age merged with the Philadelphian Church Age. Thus, the problems of both ages will extend to the time of the Rapture.

With the onset of the Philadelphian Age, humanistic thought permeated the heart of the Church. The Laodicean Church Age suffered the cost of complacency, a carry-over from earlier times –and one that would not go away!

The LORD’s condemnation centers on spiritual complacency (3:15-16, “’…you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth’”). Christ will simply not be tolerated! He demands choice! “A corrupt church may still be a church” –and Christ will still love it– but the continual rejection of His Love must be met with Divine justice!

The LORD stipulates, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent” (3:19). So it is with a Godly parent! But note further, the Great Invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (3:20). Note that the invitation is personal, rather than corporate!

God’s final affirmation is also personal, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (3:21).

What is contained in “the Revelation,” is not of private interpretation. It is intended for our instruction, reproof, and conviction. Those out of step with His revelation may suffer for it. Simon Peter says, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17).

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:22).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. For excellent 26-minute videos on the Seven Churches of the Revelation go to:

Dr. Stowell is excellent! He covers all seven Churches of the Revelation. Videos are free!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom