Revelation Tailor-made messages to each churchTailor-made messages to each church Revelation –Revelation – Frightening?Frightening? Complicated?Complicated? Obscure?Obscure? “I've read the last page of the Bible, it's all going to turn out all right” – Billy Graham“I've read the last page of the Bible, it's all going to turn out all right” – Billy Graham

Laodicea Means “opinion of the people”Means “opinion of the people” 40 miles SE of Philadelphia40 miles SE of Philadelphia Founded 250 BC by Antiochus of Syria – named after his wife LaodiceFounded 250 BC by Antiochus of Syria – named after his wife Laodice Very prosperous – junction of 3 trade routesVery prosperous – junction of 3 trade routes Banking and money exchangeBanking and money exchange Linen and woolLinen and wool Medicine schoolMedicine school Close to Colossae & HierapolisClose to Colossae & Hierapolis Mentioned in Colossians – EpaphrasMentioned in Colossians – Epaphras House church in Nympha’s homeHouse church in Nympha’s home

Revelation 3:14-22 (NIVUK) To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.

Revelation 3:7-13 (NLT) Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Key Messages – 3 Titles for Jesus The AmenThe Amen “so be it” (2Corinthians 1:19-20)“so be it” (2Corinthians 1:19-20) Jesus is the final word!Jesus is the final word! Faithful and true witnessFaithful and true witness Revelation 1:15 – “faithful witness”Revelation 1:15 – “faithful witness” Revelation 19:11 – “faithful and true”Revelation 19:11 – “faithful and true” The ruler of God’s creationThe ruler of God’s creation Image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15-16)Image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15-16) All things made by Him (John 1:3)All things made by Him (John 1:3)

Key Messages – Lukewarm Be hot or cold but not tepidBe hot or cold but not tepid Not about salvation – Jesus is talking to the churchNot about salvation – Jesus is talking to the church Hot – medicinalHot – medicinal Cold – refreshingCold – refreshing Tepid – makes you sickTepid – makes you sick Don’t compromise or become indifferentDon’t compromise or become indifferent

Key Messages – Self-sufficient “Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”“Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” Deceived by wealthDeceived by wealth PridePride Lost sight of what mattersLost sight of what matters Buy from meBuy from me Refined goldRefined gold White clothesWhite clothes Healing ointment to seeHealing ointment to see

Key Messages – Hope Rebuke and DisciplineRebuke and Discipline “convict; convince; bring to light”“convict; convince; bring to light” Not punishment but correction to bring illuminationNot punishment but correction to bring illumination InvitationInvitation Jesus is outside the churchJesus is outside the church “Anyone” means “if just one of you”“Anyone” means “if just one of you”

Key Messages – Open Door