"Laodiceanism" by adding the suffix "ism," I am referencing a belief that invokes distinctiveness, bordering on ideological stereotype and practice (as it expresses a truth typical to a particular group or church).
In today's church culture, to be called a Laodicean is a big insult. A loaded word that evokes judgmentalism: "You vs. them attitude" hence, it is a weaponized term.
The 7th and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) provides a backdrop of a real condition that may happen to any believer, wherever you are, described in Revelation 3:14-22.
Let’s first look at this admonition of Jesus Christ in Revelation 3:14-15, it says:
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 'I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—"
This is the only verse where the word "lukewarm" is found in the Bible. The Greek word is “chliaros” (Strong's 5513). It is an adjective that means "slightly warm" or "tepid".
Biblical application: lukewarm, complacent, or half-hearted, or indifferent, especially with respect to his or her faith.
It can also describe a tepid church and has become a general term for any half-hearted or irresolute followers of Jesus Christ.
Laodicea was a city 40 miles east of Ephesus. It has had a variety of names, such as Diospolis and Rhoas. However, the king of Syria, Antiochus II, named the city after his wife, Laodice, when he rebuilt it. It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. It was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia (Gk. Macedonian borders) in the Lycos Valley.
Isn’t that interesting how God would rather His people be cold or hot? What's wrong with being lukewarm?
The story and places of the seven churches are in themselves proverbial because none of these seven churches exist today. It is futile to search for a physical church named "Laodicea." Only ruins are left. However, they can exist in a spiritual sense and can be applied to conditions of churches of God anywhere today.
Laodicea is an interesting place. It was known for having bad water and a poor aqueduct system. Its water is dependent on other towns or cities. It is situated between Hierapolis (hot spring) and Colossae (known for cold water).
Laodicea had plenty of money but lacked the basic necessity of water. A city cannot be liveable without a good source of drinkable water.
Because this church so closely mirrors the mindset and character of people today, we should all pay very close attention to Christ’s words and warning to them.
Laodiceans represents the church in its last and decadent stage in history. If one believes that the coming of Jesus Christ is imminent, then the conditions could be antitypical for the "last days."
One of the most dangerous pitfalls for any follower of Christ is to become complacent and lukewarm in faith. This could be a struggle seen one morning, or played over a long time in his/her faith.
How do we stop from becoming lukewarm like Laodicean (which may result in spiritual life in ruin)?
Have you tried drinking water from a lukewarm water? It tends to leave a bitter taste in the mouth esp. when mix with other substance; coffee, softdrinks, lemonade, any drinks. It is a state that even Christ Himself could not stand to drink. This condition describes a church or an individual that has lost its interest, passion and fervor for God. They have become half-hearted and indifferent to the things of God. This lack of enthusiasm has caused Christ to warn that they will be vomited out of His mouth. Surely, this backslidden condition did not just happen overnight. The following are spiritual maladies typically common to anyone but could be defining to a Laodiceans:
1. Indifference is a sin ("I am rich, wealthy attitude"). To be passive, uninterested, to be innactive in a church is wrong. The worst effect on a church or a person who lives in this way is the great confusion it causes to the unbelievers around. When a non-Christian sees a Christian who is not living actively for Christ, they may think that there is no difference between themselves (unbeliever) and the believer. This is a scary example. This is why Jesus hates this smug attitude. Most brethren are alone and need help from someone. The church won't survive long if we are all "busy" with our personal businesses, and not the real business of God.
Indifference means a lack of interest, care, and concern for something. In this case, it would be that they have lost concern for a sense of need for God. "Neutrality" is their favorite political side. It's always about "playing safe." Proverbs 29:7 states, "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" (Prov. 29:7).
The prophet Isaiah condemns such behavior. "No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity" (Isa. 59:4). Check also the words of Christ in Matthew 25.
2. Turncoatism ("Wretched, miserable, poor.."). No one likes a turn-coat. Double-faced, double dealer, backstabber. No one likes a person who is "warm" to your face, but attacks you at the back.
A turncoat is a "disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political or friend etc., for personal gain." Synonyms: apostate, deserter, ratter, recreant, renegade. He changes his temperament quickly based on his/her surroundings!
"Your leaders are turncoats who keep company with crooks. They sell themselves to the highest bidder and grab anything not nailed down. They never stand up for the homeless, never stick up for the defenseless." (Isaiah 1:23, MSG)
How is that possible? Laodiceans love who is popular, they can easily change their color based on people preference, not the truth. Laodicea means "justice (judgment) of the people", not of God (Gk. root, 'laos', people; 'dike', right, justice).
"The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his." (Prov.14:14-16, NAB) Apostle Paul also warned of the danger of this attitude in Gal. 1:6-9.
3. Pride leading to arrogance ("Have need of nothing.."). Arrogance is a detestable attitude. No one likes to be near an arrogant person. Arrogant behavior can be easily discernable, but why don't we not usually attribute it as Laodiceanism?
Pride is always the culprit in any broken relationship. So the natural effect will be the hurt. Proverbs, says “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). It is therefore not surprising as reasons why any person or church falls.
Because of the things that they had probably done, and had reaped both materially and financially, they assumed that they had somehow received the favor of the Lord. Wealth is seen as a symbol of favor, poverty as curse.
"Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." (Prov. 16:19)
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished." (Prov.16:5)
4. Complacent attitude ('Neither cold or hot..". Complacency is overconfidence, self-satisfaction, or smugness that can make people unaware of its many potential dangers. It can lead to spiritual blindness, carelessness, indifference, apostasy, and neglect.
Complacency means being satisfied without being aware of the possible dangers. "Ok ok lang" attitude is their favorite mantra "Wag masyado magpakabanal.." Gas lighting is its favorite weapon. "Mag enjoy ka naman sa buhay.."; "It's good to sin a little." Hence, complacency can make people think that small sins are not a big deal.
God's word tells us that complacency destroys. "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency" (Prov.1:32).
Conplacency leads to drifting without even noticing it. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." (Heb.2:1)
The parable of the five foolish virgins should be enough warning (Matt. 25:1-3).
5. Spiritual blindness ("Blind and naked.."). The trouble with being blind is you don't know the path you are going. Spiritual blindness is the inability to see the self in relation with God's word--His truth. A sure way to block an eyesight is through hatred.
"But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. Thry do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them." (1 Jn. 2:11-12)
In Revelation 3:18, God advises the church in Laodicea to purchase "eye salve" from him, “so that you may see.” In the context this is clearly a metaphor for gaining spiritual sight and avoiding spiritual blindness, but the metaphor is based on a well-known ancient practice.
One of the interesting aspects of eye salve is that it was mixed as a paste, then stamped with a seal before being allowed to dry. The seal usually stated the name of the eye doctor (oculist), the kind of salve, and the condition or disease it targeted.
The danger of blindness is that truth sounds foolish to him. But the only way to remove blindness is to accept God's truth, then he/she will be able to see the light of Christ.
"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Cor. 4:3-4).
Laodiceans have still their chance to change and repent. The Angel of the church in Laodicea challenges everyone this way:
"I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 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."
Thus, the Angel of the church concludingly addresses everyone:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:18-22)
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