THE last phase of the professing Church on earth is, perhaps, the most solemn of all. It is not marked by that gross corruption which we see in Thyatira, where Jezebel was as a teacher and instructor in evil; nor is it distinguished by lifeless formality as in Sardis: it is neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm. Indifference to Christ and His claims, and boastfulness of its own prosperity and knowledge, characterize this Church. We have just seen that the state at Philadelphia was marked by a little strength, yet faithfulness to Christ — a keeping His word and not denying His name. Laodicea is a complete contrast; they were lukewarm. This would lead one to think that once things had been different; but they had cooled down — they were not either cold or hot. Nothing is more nauseous to Christ than indifference. There was also an utter lack of a consciousness of their true state — thou “knowest not” that thou art wretched, &c. We may find a state somewhat similar in the condition of the Jews which preceded the first coming of Christ, as shown in the prophet Malachi. There was departure from God, insensibility as to His love and claims, yet they took the place of being the true people of God, and having all the privileges of that place.
The aspect in which the Lord presents Himself to this Church is very instructive, and it comes in particularly suitably when the professing Assembly had utterly failed as a true testimony for God on the earth. He is the Amen. In Christ all the promises of God are Yea, and in Him Amen (2 Cor. 1:2020For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)). The Church had failed as a witness; yes, all had failed as committed to the first man in responsibility; but all will be made good and effectuated in the Person of the second Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. If everything connected with man, with the first creation, is found in a state of departure from God; if the Church, which really belongs to the new creation, has not been true to her position, He is the beginning, the source and origin, as well as the Head of the new creation — the creation of God. Along with indifference and lukewarmness there goes pride and self-complacency. Nothing conduces to this state of things more than a great amount of truth or doctrine held in a cold intellectual way, and which, not being kept connected with Christ Himself in the experience of the soul, has lost its living power and freshness. Truth learned in the soul, in the heart and conscience, in communion with God, always humbles, because we see in the light of His presence how little we practically enter into it and carry it out in practice — where intellectual knowledge, on the other hand, puffs up and fosters pride and boastfulness. It is a bad sign to see the Church occupied with herself and speaking of herself “thou sayest I am rich,” &c., instead of being occupied with Him, and learning in the presence of the Lord what it is to be a subject of grace and a debtor to Him for everything we possess.
In truth, they lacked everything, for they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;” and yet they knew it not, they felt it not! Is there not much of this in the spirit of indifference to what is due to Christ, linked with pride in spiritual things, as it often is in the present day? It is the spirit which pervades Christendom, and it is on the increase. This Church lacked in everything which was most essential — gold, divine righteousness before God; white raiment, practical righteousness in our walk before men; eye-salve, to discern their own real state as well as what was due to Christ. What a sad condition! Then there is the call to repentance; and if the Lord rebukes and chastens, it is in love and for their blessing. Even here Christ does not give the Church up till the very last. He is outside, knocking at the door; but He makes the appeal, and if any man hears His voice and opens the door, He is ready in His infinite grace to “sup with him and he with Me.” It recalls the grace and forbearance, yea the longings of God’s heart after Israel: “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within Me, My repenting’s are kindled together” (Hos. 11:88How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hosea 11:8)). His grace still lingered over them, as He does with His unfaithful Church; and He is ready to come in and to have intimacy and fellowship with any who open the door to Him. To the overcomer — the one who did not succumb to the general state of lukewarmness and indifference — He holds out the reward of sitting with Him on His throne, as He also overcame, and sat down with His Father on His throne. This promise, though it is by no means the highest of the rewards to the overcomer in the Churches, is truly the giving of a place of wonderful privilege, and an expression of the riches of divine grace.
These charges to the seven Churches give us, therefore, in the addresses to seven Assemblies which actually existed in Asia Minor, a complete outline of the history of the Church from the beginning to the end. The whole picture is for trayed with the most perfect accuracy, and a perfect knowledge of the true condition of each phase of the history of the professing Church on earth. The instruction given in this portion of Scripture is most important and essential for all true Christians who desire to learn God’s mind, and so to be kept in the midst of all the snares and difficulties around, whilst waiting for the Son from heaven, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come. F. G. B.