Laodicean Generation

To have what we want is riches, but to be able to do without is power. It was once said that St. Augustine paid a courtesy visit to the Pope in Rome. While showing off the wealth of the church to his visitor, the Pope said, ‘unlike Peter, silver and gold we do have’. Replying the Pope, St. Augustine said, ‘if you have what Peter lacked, you must have lacked what Peter had – power!

There is a generation that uses riches to make up for what they lack in the Holy Spirit – Power. The Laodicean generation can not stand up with Apostle Paul to say, ‘And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.’ – I Corinthians 2:4

You can give what you have, but you can not give what you don’t have to people. Hence, we see Laodicean churches giving expensive wheel chairs to the cripples on the crusade ground, instead of healing them. This lukewarm generation has a form of godliness but they denied its power (2 Timothy 3:5). From history, these people always had mistaken glamour for glory of God. They are seriously using corporate marketing strategies to replace evangelism in their churches. Rent – a – crowd is an example of this evil. Unbelievable, the Laodiceans have a secret phobia for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, because of their love for the pleasure of this world!

Back into history, back to the early Church age; the letter of Jesus to the Laodiceans exposed their spiritual wretchedness hidden in their physical riches. John the beloved conveyed this sober truth to the Laodiceans in the letters to the 7 churches, in the book of revelation.

These letters may characterize various kinds of Christian Congregations that have existed from John’s day until this present time. In another perspective, the 7 letters may be dispensational, each one representing a church age.

Howbeit, the Laodicean letter speaks of a Church or Christian age that is very rich. Bible historians say the people of Laodicean were among the first to have an organized banking system in the world, simply because they enjoyed a good financial prosperity. They also had an outstanding clothing industry and were endowed with eye ointment, highly recognized and used all over the world.

In parallel, the Laodicean generation of this present time are having a landmark success like never before in the areas of

· Banking.

· Fashion.

· Medicine.

Therefore, we must take to hearts now, what Jesus said to them then.

Presenting Jesus’ message, John wrote:

‘Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.’ – Revelation 3:17

The first part of this verse points to how the Laodiceans see themselves – Horizontal Assessment.

v Rich: implies they can use money to answer all things.

v Wealthy: talks about their influence and affluence.

v Needs nothing: indicates their independence from God.

However, the second part of the same verse stated clearly, how Jesus sees them – Vertical Assessment.

§ Wretched – Another law in their members, warring against the law of their minds. . . (Romans 7:23 – 24)

§ Miserable – Their lifestyle contradicted the Message (Christ). They live as if there is no resurrection of the dead (I Corinthians 15:13 – 19).

§ Poor – Despite their supposed riches, they were poor towards God. Laying up treasures only for themselves (Luke 12:21).

§ Blind – Despite and in spite of their world – class eye ointment, Jesus said they were blind like the Pharisees of old, which carried the Torah, but did not recognized Jesus as the Messiah written in the Torah (John 9:40 – 41).

§ Naked – Their clothing industry could not replace the garment of righteousness of Christ. As long as they were without Christ’s righteousness, they were naked (Matthew 22:11 – 12).

God being merciful, offered the Laodicean a solution; He asked them to come unto Him. As He called then, He is calling this lukewarm generation now.

Hear Him:

‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.’ – Revelation 3:18

Jesus counseled them to buy (pay a price, but not with money) the 3 items, the solution to their problems.

ü Gold: This symbolizes the nature of God brought about through the furnace of affliction, to ensure maturity. Rich people without godly characters are calamities to their communities. No God – nature, no true riches (Jeremiah 15:16; John 1:14)

ü White Garments: This is the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, available for individuals. We must wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14)

ü Eye Salve: This is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which illumines the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18).

In conclusion, if you are among this lukewarm generation, come out now; do not value worldly success, do not trust worldly wealth. You must recognize that worldly assets have no spiritual or heavenly value. Any form of comfort or success that will make you independent of God is a snare that may take you back to the Laodicean generation. The time to come out is now!

Receive Grace as you join yourself to the Generation of Jesus Christ.

Preparing the Bride,

Segun Tewogbola