“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” (Revelation 3:21).
One of the more striking parallels between the first-century church of Laodicea and our twenty-first century world is a mutual sense of apathy or indifference. That common thread of complacency makes Jesus’ message to this church especially relevant for today.
This type of mentality poses a challenge, for it is difficult to cultivate an authentic, loving, and intimate relationship with those who are apathetic toward such things. It also serves to explain why Jesus rejects lukewarm Christianity. In fact, Jesus’ response to the Laodiceans was more than just a mere expression of disapproval; He essentially told them, “Your attitude makes me ill.”
Nevertheless, our text from Revelation 3:22 offers Jesus’ personal guarantee: “As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (CEB). So Jesus offers a place alongside Himself for those who rely on Him to conquer spiritual apathy. He reserves that place of honor, respect, friendship, and authority for those who enter a genuine, loving relationship with Him.
That brings us to the final verse of this important chapter…
“”He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:22 KJV).
Even though the first-century churches of Ephesus, Pergamos, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea no longer exist, we would do well to pay attention to Jesus’ messages to these churches. These letters were not simply directed to an ancient collection of church fellowships; they are for anyone who is willing to listen and apply the action items within them. For example…
- Jesus’ message to the church at Ephesus should motivate us to ensure that our love for Christ does not grow cold.
- We should not grow fearful of the punitive actions taken by those who oppose Christianity, as we learned in Jesus’ letter to the church at Smyrna.
- The letter to the church of Pergamos reminds us of our responsibility to identify and reject false teachers.
- Our text from Revelation 2:18-29 cautions us to avoid compromise in the name of “tolerance” like the church at Thyatira.
- A church congregation that is seemingly living and active may conceal a dead faith, much like the first-century church at Sardis.
- It is important to take advantage of the open doors of opportunity that Jesus provides, just as He opened a door for the ancient church in Philadelphia.
- Finally, we must not settle for an indifferent, self-deceptive relationship with Jesus, like the church at Laodicea.
Thus, we should prayerfully look for ways to apply these directives from Revelation chapters two and three in our lives.
Image Attribution: Jerry Kiesewetter jerryinocmd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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