Chapter 3 – Letter to Laodicea

Jesus Addresses Laodicea -3

v.19-20 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Though Laodicea’s complacency had ruined their relationship with Christ, it’s evident that Jesus did not turn His back on the Laodiceans for He qualifies them as His legitimate children whom He loves. (See also—Heb.12:5-6).

More miraculous still is that He continues to pursue the Laodiceans. Though crowded out of their hearts, Jesus remains at their hearts beckoning at the door deliberately shut to Him. It’s a compelling picture of our Heavenly Father. That He would find us prodigal yet would yearn to be in fellowship with us still.

Oh, how wonderfully reassuring are the words,

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold You are there. I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me” (Ps.139:7-10)

v.21-22 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

“I will grant to sit with Me on My throne as also I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” The idea here is that nothing will remain in us that would defile His throne or prevent us from sitting with Him on His throne. By His grace we shall become His righteousness, both pure and clean, and we shall sit with Him.

Historically: Known for its black wool industry, Laodicea became one of the most important and flourishing cities in Asia Minor during the Roman period. As the seat of large money transactions and its extensive trade in wool, most citizens developed a taste for Greek art, were distinguished in literature and science, and were wealthy. In fact, it was the wealthy citizens of Laodicea that rebuilt the city following a destructive earthquake in AD 62 (without help from the state). It is believed that the Apostle Paul had a major hand in planting the Gospel in Laodicea, although he had not yet visited the city when he wrote Colossians 2:1. The site of Laodicea is now a deserted heap of ruins the Turks call Eski Hisar.
Note This chapter concludes “section two” of Revelation. John’s instructions to write “the things which are” pertain to the Church and is contained here in Chapters 2-3. Section three of Revelation, that which “follow after these things” (the future tribulation), is next.
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