Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
If ever there was a church in the Biblical setting which mirrors the church in America today, it is the church in Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy city, with a clothing industry, a flourishing money changing trade, and a famous medical school which was known for the development of ointment for the eyes and the ears. Banking, industry, medicine, education … Laodicea had it all.
But there was a very serious problem in the church in Laodicea. Spiritually they were lukewarm (Rev 3:15,16). There was no fire in their soul for God. And His assessment of this congregation was "you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked" (Rev 3:17).
They were blind to their own spiritual lethargy. They thought they were doing well because of their material wealth, but all the time their souls were shriveled up … and they did not even know it.
One of the great dangers in America, with our unbelievable wealth, is self-indulgence and
self-deception. The gold and the white garments and eyesight the Lord is offering in Revelation 3:18 are spiritual wonders … faith, holiness, insight into eternal truth, delight in God. There is nothing we possess in our house that even comes close to the value of such things.
May God keep us from half-hearted affections toward spiritual wealth. By His grace may He help us to be passionate about having our eyes opened to heavenly mysteries and everlasting truth. Everything else is perishing.
