Today’s Mission 66 study with our teacher, John Mathews, delves
into the messages for the last three of the seven churches in
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The
overarching theme is “lukewarm,” as Jesus Christ critiques each
church’s actions and spiritual state. The church in Sardis appears
alive but is spiritually dead and needs to wake up. Philadelphia,
though weak, has kept Jesus’ word and is promised protection from
future trials. Laodicea is criticized for being lukewarm — neither
hot nor cold — and is warned about complacency. Jesus stands at
the door and knocks, seeking entrance into the hearts of believers
to restore fellowship and urging them to be zealous and repent.
These messages call for self-examination, urging believers to love
Jesus as their first love, remain vigilant, awake, faithful and never
lukewarm.
