This church that is Luke warm, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked is a complete contrast to the city in which it is known. Famous for it's thermal hot springs, a rich trading centre, considered to produce some of the best eye salve in the world and renown for their garment making, Laodicea was seen as one of the greater cities of the then known world.
Most scholars would agree that this is the very picture of the end times church and I would add in particular for the church of the Western world who also appears as revelation 3:17 says "You say, I am rich, I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." And though we understand this is evident of the organised church and not necessary of individual believers, when we are part of one thing, the ideology and thinking of that organisation will always have an effect upon the individual and how he or she thinks. Proverbs tells us "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he".
Jesus told us Matthew 5:3 that the Kingdom of God belongs to the "poor in spirit", which has often been one of those thought provoking ideas that returns to me over and over again throughout my Christian life. What does it mean to be poor in Spirit? I believe this speaks of those have been broken and humbled by life's experience that they know they have nothing to bring to the table that can compare to what Christ has done for us. Simply, they are humbled to the point that nothing will stand between them and God's loving grace towards them.
Jesus also spoke of the possibility of a rich man making it to heaven, though not being impossible, explained that it compares to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Referring to a gate entering Jerusalem that required everything to be unloaded from the camel and for it to be on it's knees to be able to pass through the gate. Such an incredible picture for what riches will do in hindering our pursuit of eternal life.
Recently I experienced some of the most testing times in my life! And though I would like to say I passed the test with flying colours, the reality is it once again exposed weakness in my life. It is in these testing times James chapter one explains produces perseverance in our lives. A desperation which acknowledges our weaknesses and causes us to call upon His (Christ's) strength for our lives. In the midst of my trials, I struggled to see God's hand at work, though we know in our minds He is there.
Scripture implores us to seek God when He can be found, Isaiah 55:6. It is in our darkest hours that we seek out God's hand of help for our lives, yet it should be in our times of blessing and provision that we really should acknowledge Him. This I believe is the call for the western church today, seek Him whilst He can be found. Buy from him gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.
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