Laodicea - Example of Non-Christians

I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. (NASB) Rev. 3:18

The warning was serious. They were told to buy real gold and to buy white garments. Why white garments? Why were they naked? In Revelation, white garments are a sign that a person is a Christian.

And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments . . . (NASB) Rev 4:4

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. (NASB) Rev. 3:19

Now He even warned those who are true Christians to repent and become passionate. Stop being content. It is common for someone to write and say that most of the people in their church do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many great churches which once loudly proclaimed the message that “Jesus Saves From Sin” now shout “Jesus Loves You” and whisper “Jesus saves . . .” The message is dying in some places because the vision is lost. Many churches are psychological centers to help you through the week and places to help you feel good about your relationship with God. The desire to know God’s Word so that we can know Him and to love one another including those outside our doors is missing in some churches because they are content with Sunday morning “worship” and the old familiar Bible truths faithfully repeated year after year. They are content to be lukewarm without passion and without vision.

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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (NASB) Rev. 3:20-22

Jesus was standing outside the doors of this church and He offered to come in. It was their choice. The signs of a non-Christian are not just that they do not attend church. The sign of a dying congregation is contentment with things that are unimportant. Satan wants us to be occupied with things in the church that are not important such as organizational issues, money, attendance levels, and socials. Oh, these things are good, but they are not Jesus’ priorities.

Jesus warned them that He would spit them out and He did. Today the city is just a tell or a hill of dirt. There is nothing left but wild animals. The people did not listen, and they discovered that Jesus did not really need them. He would use another congregation.

There is a pattern with the seven churches in Revelation. Smyrna and Philadelphia were the only churches that were praised. They were also the churches on the battle front fighting with passion for the lost. The passionate love for Jesus had disappeared in the church in Ephesus. From there immoral living was tolerated, followed by false teachers and their teaching. Next came a great reputation which led to contentment followed by a belief that one is spiritually okay when one is actually spiritually dead. The root problem is that the passionate love for Jesus was missing and this was evidenced by an indifference for the souls of non-Christians.

The solution is not more church activity but a sorrow over sin, and faith in Jesus Christ. For those who are Christians, it is confession of the less than passionate love for Jesus and desire to really know Him, and the indifference about sharing the message that “Jesus Saves From Sins.”