FOREWORD Ambition and war, pleasure and money-making, absorb the minds of men. Hungry souls are caught in between the hustle and bustles of life. However, amidst this maddening rush, the voice of the great I AM is speaking. The gospel must be preached. Satan may have set all his agencies at work and the world seems deceived, “but the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7). As professed Christians, it is our work to tell the world the Savior’s soon coming. The Lord has instructed us that camp-meetings are one of the most important instrumentalities for the accomplishment of this work (PH130 1.1). Moreover, it is also the chance to promote spiritual life among the people of God that they may become the “light of this world”. We must have the power of God with us in our campmeetings, or we shall not be able to prevail against the enemy of souls (RH, June 30, 1891 par. 6). Christ says, "Without me ye can do nothing.” Therefore, there must be an earnest preparation of the heart prior to camp meetings. As part of this “heart preparation”, a devotional based on the inspired writings of Sister Ellen White has been compiled. We sincerely invite you to read each week’s devotional prayerfully, hoping that as you meditate on the passages you will become better acquainted with our LORD and Saviour, and have a deeper appreciation of His love towards us. May you be spiritually equipped and enriched as you gear up for the coming NCMC MAS-AMiCUS Convention this May 2015.
INTRODUCTION A Relentless Love Compare Revelation 3:20 to Song of Solomon 5:2-5. What similarities do you find in both instances? What do these passages reveal about God’s love? The evening meal in the Middle East was and still is extremely important. When the work of the day was over and the men returned from the fields for the evening meal, the entire family gathered around the table. In most instances the extended family lived together. The number at the evening meal often would be quite large. Grandfather and grandmother, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews and cousins, adults and children might be present. In this grand reunion after a hard day’s work, stories were told, experiences shared, and counsel given. It was a time of fellowship. It was a time of warmth and family intimacy. Jesus longs to have fellowship like this with us, as well. How does Christ’s promise in Revelation 3:21 reveal His heartfelt desire for each one of us? The book of Revelation mentions God’s throne more than 40 times. This is more than any other book of the Bible. At God’s throne, we join in with the heavenly chorus and joyously proclaim: “ ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing’ ” (Rev. 5:12, NKJV). He promises that we can participate in this grand festive scene of rejoicing once the long saga of sin ends. Christ uses His greatest motivation for His indifferent end-time people. The greatest motivation to wake us from spiritual slumber is Jesus’ endless love, for He longs to spend all eternity with us. If that is not enough to shake us out of our spiritual apathy, what is? If that is not enough to bring us to our knees, seeking revival, what will? His love has provided eternity for us. We have royal blood running through our veins. We are sons and daughters of the King of the universe. We can reign with Him, seated upon His throne forever. Christ longs to be in fellowship with you. How much do you want to be in fellowship with Him? The answer is simple. How much time do you spend in prayer and fellowship with the Lord? What does your answer tell you about yourself and, perhaps, just how lukewarm you might be?
WEEK 1 | MARCH 8-14, 2015 BECAUSE THOU SAYEST Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: This gives reason for the counsel of Jesus to the church of Laodicea in the following verse: “to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev 3:18 Before presenting the treatment, Jesus made it clear to Laodicea that she had a problem. “It was because thou sayest – because you are saying, because you are claiming to yourself, because you are proclaiming to others that you are something – that you have not known how you are actually nothing, that you have not realized your real spiritual condition.” This was the problem of Laodicea. What she says to herself about herself has been so loud that she keeps on failing to hear what the Lord Jesus is actually telling her about herself. In order to hear, she must heed the following counsel: Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. “Ho!” means “pay attention.” The call was for the poor man to pay no money, but to pay attention. In other words, he must hear, he must pay attention. That was his only access to the solution. He must
pay attention to the Word in order to quench his thirst, in order to gain from it what he actually lacked in himself. This counsel is fitting for Laodicea, who claimed she was rich when she was actually poor. She needs to stop listening to her own comforting voice and start listening to the voice of the Lord. But one more thing. She must accept the Word as it is, as what it is plainly saying, rather than rationalize on what it doesn’t actually say. Thus to Laodicea, Jesus is also saying: 2Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That Laodicea may be healed, she must not just take the Word but also digest it. It is only by properly digesting the Word that the Word would benefit her and give her spiritual nourishment to make her grow in Christ daily. This was to be a task of a lifetime. Laodicea had to continue hearing and digesting the Word: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ultimately, the goal is for her to grow up into the likeness of Jesus. Laodicea is to overcome her spiritual condition. Now the church in the last days is Laodicea. We are in the last days. We are Laodicea. The counsel is for us. And so we ask the question. Will you, Laodicea, heed the counsel? Will you acknowledge your spiritual poverty? Or, will you stay in your self-sufficiency, because anyway you are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing—because thou sayest so?
WEEK 2 | MARCH 15-21, 2015 BTS – SDA Bible Commentary 17. I AM RICH. This may be understood both literally and spiritually. Laodicea was a prosperous town, and doubtless some of the Christians there were well to do. Apparently this church had suffered no serious persecution. Pride in its prosperity led naturally to spiritual complacency. Of itself wealth is not wrong. However, the possession of wealth subjects its possessor to temptations to pride and selfcomplacency, and against these his only protection is spiritual humility. Christians who are poor in earthly possessions feel themselves rich and increased with spiritual goods, yet are like the ancient philosopher who proudly proclaimed his “humility” by wearing a torn and threadbare robe. The pride they take in their assumed spirituality shines forth through the holes in their garments. The possession of important truths held only on the level of intellectual acceptance but not allowed to permeate the soul, leads to spiritual pride and religious bigotry. Even the church of God, strong in the structure of its organization and rich with jewels of truth, can easily become a doctrinal bigot and immorally proud of its riches of truth. “The sin that is most nearly hopeless and incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the way of all growth” (7T 199, 200). Humility of mind is fully as important in God’s sight as humility of heart.
INCREASED WITH GOODS Literally, “have become rich,” “have prospered” (RSV). Not only does the Laodicean church claim to be rich, but she also makes the fatal mistake of considering that these riches are the result of her own labors (Hosea 12:8) NEED OF NOTHING The climax of the Laodiceans’ boast is that their situation could not be improved. Such self-satisfaction is fatal, for the Spirit of God never enters where a need for His presence is not felt, yet without that presence newness of life is impossible. KNOWEST NOT He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is well-nigh hopeless. The ignorance of their true condition that characterizes Laodicean Christians stands in sharp contrast with Christ’s certain knowledge of the true condition of His churches, as reflected by His repeated assurance to each, “I know thy works” (chs.2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15) THOU ART The subject is emphatic in the Greek. The force of the sentence is, “knowest not that it is thou who art the wretched one? WRETCHED AND NAKED The true picture, here presented, is exactly the opposite of the boast made by the Laodicean church. Instead of being rich to the point of
needing nothing, this church is, in reality, so much a pauper that she even lacks clothing. BUY OF ME Without this much effort the Laodicean “church” cannot attain the standard Christ would have her reach. The things He offers her are not without their price, yet salvation is ever free. She must give up her old way of life to be truly rich, to be healed, and to be clothed. Even she who is penniless may buy (see Isa. 55:1) GOLD This represents spiritual riches, offered as Christ’s remedy for the Laodiceans’ spiritual poverty. This figurative “gold” may be interpreted as referring to “faith which worketh by love” (Gal 5:6; James 2:5; cf. COL 158), ), and the works that result from faith (see 1 Tim. 6:18) TRIED IN THE FIRE Literally, “fired out of fire,” that is, gold that has come forth from the fire with its dross burned away. Doubtless the reference here is to faith that has been tried and purified by the fires of affliction (see on James 1:2-5; cf. Job 23:10) WHITE RAINMENT Offered in contrast with the Laodiceans’ nakedness, which stood out so hideously in the face of their own boast that they had need of nothing (v17). The white raiment may be understood as the righteousness of Christ ( Gal. 3:27; see on Matt. 22:11; Rev. 3:4; cf. 4T
88). This figure must have had special significance for the Christians of Laodicea, for their city was famous for its black woolen cloth. SHAME OF THY NAKEDNESS See Exodus 20:26, Lam. 1:8; Eze. 16:36; 23:29; Nahum 3:5 EYESALVE Gr. Kollurion, “a little roll.” Ancient eyesalve came to be known by the shape of the package in which it was wrapped. Near Laodicea was a temple to the Phrygian god, Men Karou. A famous school of medicine grew up in connection with this temple, and here an eye powder might be secured. This fact may form the background of the figure here used. The figurative eyesalve here offered the Laodiceans is heaven’s antidote for their spiritual blindness. Its purpose is to open their eyes to their own true condition. This is the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 16: 8-11). Only through His convicting work on the heart can spiritual blindness be removed. This eyesalve may also be thought of as representing that spiritual grace which enables the Christian to distinguish between truth and error, and between right and wrong. See 4T 88. MAYEST SEE. That is, see sin as God sees it and realize their own real condition as a prerequisite to repentance.
WEEK 3 | MARCH 22-28, 2015 Reformation Accompanies Revival In many hearts there seems to be scarcely a breath of spiritual life. This makes me very sad. I fear that aggressive warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil has not been maintained. Shall we cheer on, by a half-dead Christianity, the selfish, covetous spirit of the world, sharing its ungodliness and smiling on its falsehood?—Nay! By the grace of God let us be steadfast to the principles of truth, holding firm to the end the beginning of our confidence. We are to be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). One is our Master, even Christ. To Him we are to look. From Him we are to receive our wisdom. By His grace we are to preserve our integrity, standing before God in meekness and contrition, and representing Him to the world.{1SM 127.1} Sermons have been in great demand in our churches. The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness. If the ministers would go forth into new fields, the members would be obliged to bear responsibilities, and by use their capabilities would increase.{1SM 127.2} God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of
me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see� (Revelation 3:15-18).God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children. {1SM 127.3} A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.—The Review and Herald, February 25, 1902.{1SM 128.1}
WEEK 4 | MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2015 Leave Mysteries Alone Now there are in the lessons of Christ, subjects in abundance that you can speak upon. And mysteries which neither you nor your hearers can understand or explain might better be left alone. Give the Lord Jesus Christ room Himself to teach; let Him by the influence of His Spirit open to the understanding the wonderful plan of salvation.{1SM 180.1} There is a time of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are not to keep that constantly before the people, and rein them up to have a time of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God’s people, but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches{1SM 180.2} The ministers should not feel that they have some wonderful advanced ideas, and unless all receive these, they will be shaken out and a people will arise to go forward and upward to the victory. Some of those who are resisting the very principles of the message God has sent for this time, present just such cases as yourself. They point to your extreme views and teachings as an excuse for their neglect of receiving the Lord’s messages.{1SM 180.3} Satan’s object is accomplished just as surely when men run ahead of Christ and do the work He has never entrusted to their hand, as when they remain in the Laodicean state, lukewarm, feeling rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing. The two classes are equally stumbling blocks.{1SM 180.4} Some zealous ones who are aiming and straining every energy for originality have made a grave mistake in trying to get something startling, wonderful, entrancing before the people, something that they think others do not comprehend; but they do not themselves
know what they are talking about. They speculate upon God’s Word, advancing ideas that are not a whit of help to themselves or to the churches. For the time being they may excite the imagination, but there is a reaction, and these very ideas become a hindrance. Faith is confounded with fancy, and their views may bias the mind in a wrong direction.{1SM 180.5} Let the plain, simple statements of the Word of God be food for the mind; this speculating upon ideas that are not clearly presented there is dangerous business.{1SM 181.1} You are naturally combative. You do not care much whether you harmonize with your brethren or not. You would like to enter into controversy, would like to fight for your particular ideas; but you should lay this aside, for this is not developing the Christian graces. Work with all your power to answer the prayer of Christ, that His disciples may be one, as He is one with the Father.{1SM 181.2} Not a soul of us is safe unless we learn of Jesus daily, His meekness, His lowliness of heart. When you go to any place to labor, do not be dictatorial, do not be severe, do not be antagonistic. Preach the love of Christ, and this will melt and subdue hearts. Seek to be of one mind and of one judgment, coming close in harmony with your brethren, and to speak the same things.{1SM 181.3}
WEEK 5 | APRIL 5-11, 2015 Grace Not Inherited & Pure Religion an Imitation of Christ GRACE NOT INHERITED 17. (John 1:12, 13; 3:5-8) —The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up; for grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ. When men who claim to be Christians retain all their natural defects of character and disposition, in what does their position differ from that of the worldling? They do not appreciate the truth as a sanctifier, a refiner. They have not been born again (The Review and Herald, April 12, 1892)
PURE RELIGION AN IMITATION OF CHRIST Pure religion is an imitation of Christ. A religion that is built on selfconfidence and selfishness is worthless. The true Christian is a follower of Christ. This following means walking in the light. The heart must be opened to receive the heavenly guest. As long as the heart is closed against His entrance, there can be in it no abiding peace. No sunshine can flood the chambers of the soul temple, breaking through the mist and cloud.{6BC 1101.2} God makes no compromise with sin. A genuine conversion changes hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. The religion
of God is a firm fabric, composed of innumerable threads, and woven together with tact and skill. Only the wisdom which comes from God can make this fabric complete. There are a great many kinds of cloth which at first have a fine appearance, but they cannot endure the test. They wash out. The colors are not fast. Under the heat of summer they fade away and are lost. The cloth cannot endure rough handling.{6BC 1101.3} So it is with the religion of many. When the warp and woof of character will not stand the test of trial, the material of which it is composed is worthless. The efforts made to patch the old with a new piece do not better the condition of things; for the old, flimsy material breaks away from the new, leaving the rent much larger than before. Patching will not do. The only way is to discard the old garment altogether, and procure one entirely new.{6BC 1101.4} Christ’s plan is the only safe one. He declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” Christ gives man no encouragement to think that He will accept a patchwork character, made up mostly of self, with a little of Christ. This is the condition of the Laodicean church. At first there seems to be some of self and some of Christ. But soon it is all of self and none of Christ. The root of selfishness is revealed. It continues to grow, striking its roots deeper and deeper, till its branches are covered with objectionable fruit. Christ looks with pitying tenderness on all who have combination characters. Those with such a character have a connection with Christ so frail that it is utterly worthless (Letter 105, 1893).{6BC 1101.5}
WEEK 6 | APRIL 12-18, 2015 Patchwork Character Not Accepted [2 Corinthians 5:17 quoted.] The patchwork religion is not of the least value with God. He requires the whole heart. No part of it is to be reserved for the development of hereditary or cultivated tendencies to evil. To be harsh, to be severe, too self-important, selfish, to look out for one’s own selfish interest and yet be zealous that others shall deal unselfishly is a religion which is an abomination to God. Many have just such an experience daily, but it is a misrepresentation of the character of Christ (Letter 31a, 1894).{6BC 1101.6}
(John 1:18). Satan Sees in Christ a Manifestation of God’s Character—There stood in the world One who was a perfect representative of the Father, One whose character and practices refuted Satan’s misrepresentation of God. Satan had charged upon God the attribute he himself possessed. Now in Christ he saw God revealed in His true character—a compassionate, merciful Father, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Him in repentance, and have eternal life (The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1898). {6BC 1101.7}
WEEK 7 | APRIL 19-25, 2015 Religion to be Supreme Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37, 38.{FLB 220.1} The youth need to realize that they need a deep experience in the things of God. A mere surface work will be of no benefit to them. You need to bring the light of God’s Word into your heart, that you may search it as with a lighted candle.{FLB 220.2} Many profess to be on the Lord’s side, but they are not; the weight of all their actions is on Satan’s side. By what means shall we determine whose side we are on? Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Upon whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are on the Lord’s side, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. We have no friendship with the world; we have consecrated all that we have and are to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.{FLB 220.3} Bible religion is not one influence among many others, but its influence is supreme, pervading and controlling every other influence. Bible religion is to exercise control over life and conduct. It is not to be like a dash of color, brushed here and there upon the canvas, but its influence is to pervade the whole life, as though the canvas were dipped into color until every thread of the fabric was dyed in a deep, fast, unfading hue.{FLB 220.4}The religion of Christ is a firm fabric, composed of innumerable threads, woven together with tact and skill. Only by the wisdom that God gives can we weave this fabric. Trusting to ourselves, we draw into it threads of selfishness, and the pattern is spoiled.{FLB 220.5} Let everyone inquire seriously, “Am I a genuine Christian? Am I bearing the true marks of a Christian? Am I doing my best to perfect a character after the divine model?”{FLB 220.6} Pure Religion is an imitation of Christ.
WEEK 8 | APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2015 Laodicea: People of God Today “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” This is our work. There are many ready to die spiritually, and the Lord calls upon us to strengthen them. God’s people are to be firmly united in the bonds of Christian fellowship, and are to be strengthened in the faith by speaking often to one another about the precious truths entrusted to them. Never are they to spend their time in accusing and condemning one another (The Review and Herald, August 10, 1905). 1-4 (Hebrews 4:13). Weighing the Character—[Revelation 3:13 quoted.] The discrimination revealed by Christ in weighing the characters of those who have taken to themselves His name, as Christians, leads us to realize more fully that every individual is under His supervision. He is acquainted with the thoughts and intents of the heart, as well as with every word and act. He knows all about our religious experience; He knows whom we love and serve (Manuscript 81, 1900). 1-5 (Matthew 22:14). A Few Faithful Ones in Sardis—The church of Sardis is represented as having in it a few faithful ones among the many who had become, as it were, careless and insensible of their obligations to God. “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” Who is so favored as to be numbered among these few in Sardis? Are you? Am I? Who are among this number? Is it not best for us to inquire into this matter, in order that we may learn to whom the Lord refers when He says that a few have not stained their white robes of character (Manuscript 81, 1900)? (Revelation 3:14-18.) Read the Third Chapter of Revelation—In the message to the church at Sardis two parties are presented—those who have a name to live, but are dead; and those who are striving
to overcome. Study this message, found in the third chapter of Revelation. [Revelation 3:1, 2 quoted.] Who are meant by those that are ready to die? and what has made them thus? The explanation is given, “I have not found thy works perfect before God.” [Revelation 3:3-5 quoted.] To the church of the present day this message is sent. I call upon our church members to read the whole of the third chapter of Revelation, and to make an application of it. The message to the church of the Laodiceans applies especially to the people of God today. It is a message to professing Christians who have become so much like the world that no difference can be seen [Revelation 3:1418 quoted] (RH August 20, 1903). REVIVAL: OUR GREAT NEED Read for This Study: Rev. 3:14-21, Heb. 12:7-11, Matt. 25:1-13, Zech. 3:1-5,Song of Sol. 5:2-5. “‘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’” (Revelation 3:20, NKJV). Laodicea is the last church in Revelation’s sequence of seven churches. The name means, “a people judged.” It is also a fitting symbol for God’s last-day people. Laodicea was located in an open valley in southwestern Turkey. It was an important financial capital, a fashion mecca, and an educational and medical center. Its inhabitants were independent, self-confident, and rich. The one vital natural resource that the city lacked, however, was water. The water was piped in via Roman aqueducts from a spring five miles south of the city. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. Jesus used that symbolism to represent the lukewarm condition of His last-day church, described as self-
confident, complacent, apathetic, and spiritually indifferent. It is a church that has lost its passion. It is a church that needs a spiritual revival. Nevertheless, the Laodicean message is filled with hope. Christ speaks to His people in love, offering to meet their heart needs and revive their deepest spiritual longings.
WEEK 9 | MAY 3-9, 2015 Hope for the Lukewarm Laodicean & A Loving Rebuke HOPE FOR THE LUKEWARM LAODICEAN Jesus addresses each of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 with a title of Himself that is appropriate for their spiritual condition. The titles He uses in His message to the church of Laodicea ring with the assurance of spiritual renewal for all those who will heed His call. Read the following Bible passages (Rev. 3:14-15; 2 Cor. 1:20; John 3:10, 11; Col. 1:13-17). Why do you think that Jesus used the titles “the Amen,” “the faithful and true witness,” and “the beginning of the creation of God” to address the Laodicean church? In Revelation 3:14, the Greek word for “beginning” is arche. It can mean “beginning,” in the sense that the one to whom it refers is the beginner of the event or action. In this context, arche refers to Jesus as the Beginner, or the first cause of all creation. In other words, He is the Creator (John 1:1-3; Eph. 3:8-9). This is extremely significant. Jesus, the One who spoke and worlds came into being, the One who created the earth, the One who spoke life into existence-this same Jesus speaks hope to Laodicea. The all-powerful Creator can create new life. He can recreate new spiritual longings in our hearts. He can transform our spiritual lives. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:14-15. What do these texts mean to you personally? Why is the Laodicean message a message of hope? What is it about the introduction to this message of strong rebuke that encourages you? Which of the three titles of Jesus do you personally identify with the most, and why?
LOVING REBUKE Read Revelation 3:15-16. Why does Jesus give the Laodicean church such a strong rebuke? What does it mean to be lukewarm? What other words might Jesus have used in place of “lukewarm”? Commenting on Revelation 3:15-16, Ellen G. White states: “The message to the Laodicean church applies most decidedly to those whose religious experience is insipid, who do not bear decided witness in favor of the truth.”- The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 962. This is a fascinating statement. An insipid religious experience is one that is lifeless. It has the outer husk of Christianity but lacks the substance. It has the external form but lacks the living power. The Laodiceans are not heretics or fiery fanatics; they are, simply, spiritually indifferent. The Laodiceans appear to be good moral people. They have what Paul calls, “a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:5, NKJV). Jesus speaks of religious people in His day who “draw near to [Him] with their mouth and honor [Him] with their lips, but their heart is far from [Him]” (Matt. 15:8, NKJV). Read Hebrews 12:7-11; Job 5:17-19; Psalm 94:12; and Proverbs 29:15, 17, and describe God’s purpose in His rebukes. Our Lord loves His people too much to let them go easily to perdition. He will do whatever it takes to rekindle a spiritual flame in their hearts. His strong rebuke is because of a stronger love. His chastisement is only because of His longing to heal us. The prophet Hosea echoes this sentiment with this call to repentance: “Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up” (Hos. 6:1, NKJV). Has God ever used painful, even embarrassing, experiences to humble you and draw you closer to Him? What did you learn from these experiences that, ideally, ensures you won’t have to go through them again?
WEEK 10 | MAY 10-16, 2015 Perception and Reality / The Divine Remedy PERCEPTION AND REALITY There is a gap between what Laodicea says and does. There is an even greater gap between the spiritual experience that Laodicea thinks she has and what she actually does have . Read Revelation 3:17. What is Laodicea’s evaluation of herself? What is our Lord’s assessment of her? How do you think a people could be so blinded to their true spiritual condition? In what ways might we be blind regarding our own spiritual condition? One of Satan’s fatal deceptions is to blind us to the reality of our spiritual needs. Some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were blind to their own spiritual poverty. They were Bible-reading, Sabbathkeeping, tithe-paying “church” members looking for the coming of the Messiah. Yet, many were in darkness regarding the type of spiritual kingdom that He would usher in. Jesus called them “blind guides” (Matt. 23:24). Paul writes to the church at Corinth about those “whose minds the god of this age has blinded” (2 Cor. 4:4, NKJV). This is why Jesus said that He came for the “‘recovery of sight to the blind’”(Luke 4:18, NKJV). Jesus will restore the spiritual eyesight that we have lost if we allow Him. Every time that Jesus opened blind eyes in the New Testament, He was revealing His desire to open the eyes of our minds in order to enable us to see Him clearly. Read Matthew 25:1-13. What are the similarities between the foolish virgins and the members of the church at Laodicea? What ways have you found to keep spiritually alert? Why do you think it is so easy to become spiritually indifferent? What are some ways to counteract religious apathy?
THE DIVINE REMEDY There is hope for Laodicea, just as there is hope for all who are afflicted with spiritual apathy and in-difference. Our Lord has the divine remedy. The fact that the Lord speaks to this church shows that hope for the church exists if His people accept and follow His counsel . Reflect on Jesus’ counsel in Revelation 3:18-19. What does Jesus mean when He talks about “gold refined in the fire,” being clothed in “white garments,” and our eyes being anointed with “eye salve”? (See also 1 Pet. 1:7,Zech. 3:1-5, Rev. 19:7-9, Eph. 4:30.) “Jesus is going from door to door, standing in front of every soultemple, proclaiming, ‘I stand at the door, and knock.’ As a heavenly merchantman, he opens his treasures, and cries, ‘Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.’ The gold he offers is without alloy, more precious than that of Ophir; for it is faith and love. “The white raiment he invites the soul to wear is his own robes of righteousness, and the oil for anointing is the oil of his grace, which will give spiritual eyesight to the soul in blindness and darkness, that he may distinguish between the workings of the Spirit of God and the spirit of the enemy. Open your doors, says the great Merchantman, the possessor of spiritual riches, and transact your business with me. It is I, your Redeemer, who counsels you to buy of me.”-Ellen G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Aug. 7, 1894. Ellen G. White quotes Revelation 3:20, saying of Jesus, “‘I stand at the door, and knock.’” Jesus knocks; He doesn’t break down the door and force His way in. What this means is that, in the end, regardless of what God is willing to do for us, we must make the choice to let Him in. Ask yourself, “How resistant am I to opening the door to Him?” If you are resistant, ask yourself, “Why?” What is holding you back? What sin, what indulgence, don’t you want to let go of, or what is it that you find so hard to let go of?