Messages to the Church ...
Betiold J Stand at the Doo
A review of Christ's message to the church of Laodicea
RAPIDLY fulfilling signs impress
earnest Bible students that the end
of all things is at hand. Events
happen almost daily that would have
profoundly moved the pioneers of
the Advent message. The signs in the
political, social, and religious world
fill our daily paper and news
magazines.
Yet in spite of the amazing focus
of the prophetic messages upon our
day, personal preparation for the
greatest event of the ages is being
neglected or deferred by an alarming
number within the church. Too many
members still find that houses and
lands and money-making schemes
occupy the major portion of their
thoughts. Instead of discussing ways
and means to further the gospel to
earth’s distant outreaches and to their
neighbours nearby, they make the
central topic of their conversation. ..
a new car, a TV programme, or,
perhaps, their neighbour's short-
comings. Too seldom do they discuss
the work of the Lord and preparation
for His coming,
The time has come when each
church member should make a
prayerful, careful analysis of his
spiritual condition. Though so-called
reform groups are mistaken in their
message, there is genuine need for
spiritual advancement. Let us not
conclude that because some are
radical or critical that there is no
need for personal improvement.
Jesus” words on the Mount of Olives
speak down the centuries to our day:
“So likewise ye, when ye shall see
all these things, know that it is near,
even at the doors” (Matt. 24:33). To
those who see these fulfilling signs
He warns of the suddenness of the
end, as in the days of Noah and Lot,
and urges a constant readiness for
that great day.
A Special Message
To the church in the various
periods of history Jesus sent a special
message to help it meet the various
problems of the age and successfully
evade the pitfalls of the evil one. In
our own day He has sent a message
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especially designed to prepare a
people to stand before Him when He
comes. It is a message of solemn
importance, one that we neglect only
at our spiritual peril. It is a message
to willing hearts.
Christ is pictured standing outside
the heart, seeking admittance to the
audience chamber of the soul:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to
him, and will sup with him, and he
with me” (Rev. 3:20).
What a theme for contemplation!
The Majesty of heaven seeks me, for
He says, “If any man.” Communion,
fellowship with the blessed Lord, is
possible for mel!
Much may be gained by a study of
the message to the church of
Laodicea. Some of its truths cut deep
with the sword of the Spirit, but it
closes with the greatest promise ever
given to man—a promise of fellow-
ship forever with the Redeemer in
His kingdom. No wonder the prophet
wrote, “He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches” (Rev. 3:22).
Seventh-day Adventists have
taught for more than 100 years that
we are living in the time of the
investigative judgment. Each word
and act and motive is being weighed
in the sanctuary above. With what
interest, then, we should study the
message to the church of Laodicea—
a name defined to mean “judging the
people” or “a people adjudged.”
Because of the appalling spiritual
need of the group described in the
message it is easy to feel that the
major application is to contemporary
non-Adventist churches. True, the
message has an application to the
entire Christian church, but it also
contains special counsel, and applies
with particular force to those who
claim to be God's remnant people.
So important is it that the Lords
messenger tells us that the destiny
of the church hangs upon this
message (see Early Writings, p. 270).
She further declares that some will
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not receive it, but will rise up against
it, and that this will cause a shaking
among God's people. One group will
accept it, be purified, and fitted for
translation, another group will reject
it and go out from among us (Ibid.).
Especially Applicable
Since the shaking and related
events take place only a short time
before Christ’s advent, the message
to Laodicea is an all-important
present truth. “The Laodicean
message must be proclaimed with
power; for it is now especially
applicable. Now, more than ever
before, are seen pride, worldly
ambition,  self-exaltation, double-
dealing, hypocrisy, and deception.
Many are speaking great swelling
words of vanity, saying, I am rich,
and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing’ Yet they are
miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked.” —The SDA Bible Commen-
tary, Ellen G. White Comments, on
Rev. 3:15, p. 962.
Those whe find it easier to see
their neighbours faults than their
own sometimes have used the
“straight testimony” of the Lord to
Laodicea against fellow church
members. This is contrary to the
purpose for which the message was
given. It was not designed “to lead
brother to sit in judgment over his
brother, . . . but for each individual
to search his own heart, and attend
to his own individual work.”
Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 228.
Its proclamation must always be in
meekness and love. There is need to
“put away vour faculty for seeing
the mistakes of others. Turn your
attention to your own defects. Your
self righteousness is nauseating to the
Lord Jesus Christ. [Rev. 3:15-18
quoted.] These words apply to the
churches and to many of those in
positions of trust in the work of
God.”—The SDA Bible Commentary;
White Comments, on
Rev. 3:15, p. 963.
Now, what does “the faithful and
true witness” say to LaodiceaP First
He says, “I know thy works.”
MESSENGER