Laodicea

What is Laodicea? Most of us know that Laodicea is "lukewarm" and "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" Revelation 3:16-17. But is that all there is to the definition of Laodicea? We must have a clear and complete knowledge of what Laodicea is before we can expect to be able to identify and escape from it and it's spewed out condemnation. So what is Laodicea?

Laodicea is the same as the foolish virgins--whose door of probation shut while they were without Christ (see Matthew 25:10-13). But this is not all; we are also told something else about foolish virgins or Laodiceans.

"Satan uses those who claim to believe the truth, but whose light has become darkness, as his mediums to utter his falsehood, and transmit his darkness. They are foolish virgins indeed, choosing darkness rather than light, and dishonoring God." Review and Herald, August 19, 1890 (vol 2, p 419).

So Laodiceans, or foolish virgins, are mediums of the devil to spread falsehood and darkness far and wide. And how many different camps are there in this last day and age? There are only two camps in this great controversy--either the camp of God, which is His kingdom of righteousness, or the camp of Satan, which is his kingdom of Babylon. There are only two camps that we can be a part of in this last probationary time just before Christ's second coming. We are either part of the camp and church of God, or part of the camp and church of the devil.

Which camp and church is Laodicea a part of? Some believe that Laodicea makes up a special third camp. They believe that there is the church of God, the church of Satan, and the church of Laodicea in these last days. But since there are only two powers that we can be connected with--either Christ or Satan, then there can only be two camps and churches today. It is either Christ's church, or Satan's church: it is either God's Remnant, or Babylon!

But can a church be part of Babylon and be Laodicea at the same time? A majority of people believe and would say: "Definitely not--a church is either Babylon or Laodicean, but it cannot be both at the same time. If the church is Laodicean, then it cannot be Babylon, and visa-versa." But is this a true position to hold to and advocate? Can a church be Laodicean and Babylon at the same time?

Babylon fallen is a position in relationship to God, and Laodicea is a condition in relationship to God. So a church can be in the position of Babylon, and yet be in the condition of Laodicea at the same time. God plainly tells His people:

"The call to the gospel feast is first to be given in the highways. It must be given to those who claim to be in the highways of Christian experience--to the members of the different churches. 'He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.' Revelation 2:7. In these churches there are true worshippers and there are false worshippers...The warning for the last church also must be proclaimed to all who claim to be Christians. The Laodicean message, like a sharp, two-edged sword, must go to all the churches." Testimonies, vol 6, p 76-77.

The Laodicean message "must be given to the members of the different churches"--which means apostate Protestantism. Now when did the Protestant churches become Babylon? In 1844. So even though the Protestant churches are Babylon, God stated that the Laodicean message must be given to them as well! This proves that a church can be Babylon and Laodicean at the same time: the one does not exclude the other. The church can be in the position of Babylon, and also be in the condition of Laodicea at the same time.

Thus there are only two camps in this great controversy; not three. There is the camp of God--the kingdom of righteousness, or there is the camp of Satan--the kingdom of Babylon. And Laodicea is definitely in the camp of Satan.

The Bible also tells us that Christ and Satan have nothing in common, that they do not have any agreement or fellowship with each other (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Since Laodicea is in the camp of Satan, then where is Christ? He can not be a part of the Laodicean church! God plainly informs His people:

So Christ is not a part of the Laodicean church of Satan! His presence is not found there. Christ and Belial have no fellowship or agreement together, and neither can their followers (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Either we are with, or against Christ (see Matthew 12:30). Either we are a part of, or against Christ (see Mark 9:40). Either we are for, or against Christ (see Luke 9:50). And if we are against Christ, then what are we? Anti-Christ! If we are against Christ, we are anti-Christ. And how many anti-Christs are there. There are many anti-Christs--especially in this last day (see 1 John 2:18).

The Laodicean church is definitely anti-Christ, yet they think that they are for Christ! That is why they are blind to the great deception they are in, and the grand delusion that has fallen upon them. They are truly Christ-less. Christ stands on the outside of Laodicea, and knocks at their door for entrance (see Revelation 3:20). This means that the church is completely without a Saviour inside, being Christ-less.

Do we want to be part of, and members in, a Christ-less Laodicean church? No, because if it is Christ-less, then who controls it? The devil. And do we want to be connected with a devil controlled church of Laodicea? No, not if we want to have heaven as our home. But more importantly, do we want Laodicea to be connected with us?

We can drop our church membership and separate from a fallen church of Laodicea, as we should and must do. But the real question is: HAVE WE SEPARATED LAODICEA OUT OF US? If we have not separated Laodicea out of our hearts, then we are still against Christ. Even though we may be physically separate from a anti-Christian church, if we have not separated Laodicea out of our hearts, we will still be without Christ, we will still be condemned, and will still lose eternal life.

An example of this solemn and sobering fact can be found in the Old Testament--dealing with Lot's wife. She was physically separate from Sodom and Gomorrah before it was destroyed, yet she perished in that same destruction. Why? Because her heart was not changed. Her heart and affections were still connected with Sodom and Gomorrah! So even though she was physically separate from the wicked city, her heart was still a part of it, and she was destroyed in the same destruction. And the same thing will happen to us today.

I believe that this position--of being physically separate from an anti-Christian Laodicean church, yet not separating Laodicea out of our heart--is a greater deception than those who are still in the church. Why? Because when we have physically separated from the Laodicean church, we believe that we have escaped their condemnation; and if we have not had any heart change, we are actually in a greater deception than those who are still connected to the apostate church. Both groups will be destroyed by being Laodicean, yet those who are separated from the church, but not from laodiceanism, will think that they are going to heaven and will not be condemned with the church. And in this deception, what need do they see of changing their course? Thus the devil has them firmly in his snare.

Now for those who have seen and understood that the Christ-less Laodicean church has fallen, and have chosen to follow God's truth and to drop all membership and connection and to physically separate from her, how do we know if we are still in the condition of Laodicea ourselves? How do we know if we are affected with laodiceanism and are still without Christ? How do we know? We must examine the description and actions of Laodicea, then compare our lives with these descriptions, and see if we are doing any of the same things. And if we are, then this shows us that we are still part of Laodicea. Hence we are against Christ. And until we humbly admit this, confess these wrongs and rid laodiceanism out of our hearts, pleading for God to cleanse us from all spots and wrinkles of sin, determining not to sink back into this condition but to advance away from it up the straight and narrow path, then we will not receive the seal of God (see SDA Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 963).

While we are contaminated with laodiceanism, we cannot be used of God (see General Conference Daily Bulletin, February 28, 1893). And if we continue in this Laodicean condition, then we are destined for the wrath of God and the seven last plagues--to be destroyed right along with the rest of Babylon (see Manuscript Releases, vol 19, p 176).

Then what is the description of Laodiceans? Before we begin to look at some of these descriptions, I fear that many of our brothers and sisters, especially those who have been long in the faith, will not examine their lives to see if they are indeed Laodicean. They will refuse to apply this message to themselves, thinking that it only applies to others. And in doing this very thing, they show that they are indeed Laodiceans.

So if we find ourselves saying; "No, this message does not apply to me. It belongs to someone else," then what does this show us that we are? Laodicean! In fact, if we ignore this message and do not apply it to our lives, then we will be castaways from God!

What will God do to us if we ignore this message and refuse to apply it to ourselves to see if we are Laodicean? He will cast us away as being unworthy of eternal life. Do you want to lose your crown? Do you want to lose your Saviour?

If we bar our heart with unbelief, then God cannot effectually work in our hearts to rid laodiceanism out of it. Hence our characters cannot be transformed, we cease to advance up that straight and narrow path, and we are in danger of falling off the path being a cast away. God does not want to see any of His people cast away who have come so far--especially those who have separated from all the devil controlled Laodicean churches. And it is out of infinite love for us that this message is given.

Please do not shut this Laodicean message out by unbelief--especially those that have been years in this precious separation message. Please do not ignore it. Do not shut it out in self defense by saying; "Are there no others who need the same reproof?" Manuscript Releases, vol 11, p 289. Please do not allow any defense mechanisms to come in the way of applying this message to your heart. But prayerfully listen to each description given and action listed, and examine your own life to see if it fits. And don't just listen for those examples which do not apply, and then in self-confidence ignore those which do. But plead for the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Plead that your heart and life can be cleansed, that you can be changed--going from glory to glory, from character to character in the exemplification of Christ's life through your own life; growing up into the full stature of men and women in Christ.

244. Not realizing that the feast days, its sabbaths, and new moons were done away with at Christ's death--Col 2:16-17; Manuscript Rel, vol 7, p 333-34, vol 5, p 210; Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 398.

Now some will choose to rise up against this straight testimony and fight back. But in doing this they show they are a curse to God's cause instead of a blessing. We know that problems will arise, and these problems will weed and shake out those who are not willing to follow God at every step of the way. But those who are willing to follow God completely will be strengthen and unified.

Ellen White was shown a vision dealing with the time in which we are living right now. This vision dealt with two groups of people--one group accepted the Laodicean message and rid it out of their hearts, while the other group rejected the message and continued to live the Laodicean life. She was also shown what happened to each group after they made their decisions. Please read carefully:

"...I was shown the people of God, and saw them mightily shaken. Some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, were pleading with God. Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness were expressed in their countenances, while large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them....

"Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these, and I saw them hastening to the assistance of those who were struggling with all their energies to resist the evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But the angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them. As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, a ray of light from Jesus would at times come to them, to encourage their hearts, and light up their countenances.

"I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.

"The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified....My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those who I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, firmly, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy sacred joy.

"The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out, and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, but their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Still the evil angels pressed around them, but they could have no power over them.

"I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power. It had effect. I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of it. All fear of their relatives was gone. The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered: 'It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.

What kind of struggle were the people of God going through? An internal struggle--a battle with laodiceanism. When the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are guilty of committing sin against God, self rises up and says: "I will not give it up." What does God want us to do? To crucify self, and take the first step in obeying Him through the power of our will. And in doing this He will then give us the grace and the strength to take the next step, thus we will overcome that sin. It is an internal struggle. The kingdom of heaven is within, and the only way to gain that kingdom will be through exerting the force of our will (see Luke 17:20-21, Matthew 11:12, also write us for the booklet--THE WILL).

What is going to happen if we do not put forth earnestness to overcome laodiceanism? What is going to happen if we do not agonize, putting forth every effort, every ounce of strength to control and force our will to walk that narrow path and overcome laodiceanism in every part of our life? We will be completely shut in by Satan's darkness, and the angels of God will leave us in our lost condition.

Many dear separated brothers and sisters will be left behind, but the numbers of our separated ranks will immediately be made up by others coming in and taking their crowns. Many a bright shining star will wander and fall from his place, and will go out in darkness. Truly, we are living in very serious and solemn times.

But what is going to happen if we examine our lives to see if we have any laodiceanism in us, and then overcome it--purging it out of our hearts? We will be purified and clothed with armor from our heads to our feet. This straight testimony to Laodicea not only will purify us, but will also unite God's people together so that we move in exact order.

So what will occur if we neglect to separate laodiceanism out of our hearts? The angels will leave us in the darkness, and we will be eternally lost. But what will occur if we separate all laodiceanism out of our hearts and characters in agonizing, prayerful, earnestness? Angels will guard us double, will help us in purifying our characters, and we will receive the latter rain, or the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, or the loud cry of the third angel, or power from on high, or the Holy Spirit.

"Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost." Testimonies, vol 5, p 214.

What is at stake with us regarding this straight testimony to Laodicea? The receiving of the latter rain! Hence our whole destiny hangs in the balance. Do we realize this? Do we realize that what is at stake is the finishing up of God's work in this earth. What is at stake is the seal of the living God--the settling into the truth so that we cannot be moved (see SDA Bible Commentary, vol 4, p 1161). What is at stake is life with our God and Saviour through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Do we realize this? Or are our eyes so blinded that we think SIN is more precious than eternal life with our merciful God?

If we reject this Laodicean message, refusing to apply it to ourselves and rid it from us, then we will take a position to hinder the finishing up of God's work. We will also be against anyone who tries to warn us that probations door will shut if we continue in Laodicea--calling them and their warning separation message to be from the devil. Thus we will receive the Mark of the Beast, and lose everlasting life! Truly, the destiny of all "hangs in the balance" upon receiving or rejecting this straight shut-door message.

"Then I saw Laodiceans. They will make a mighty effort. Will they get the victory?...They are coming to conclusions that bring them into close quarters, and they cannot tell where they be themselves, for they are lost in the foggy, terrible fear that takes hold of them. Anguish of spirit will seize them. Dare they admit that the door is shut? The sin against the Holy Ghost was to ascribe to Satan what belongs to God or what the Holy Ghost has done. They said the shut door was of the devil and now admit it is against their own lives. They shall die the death." Manuscript Releases, vol 13, p 301-302.

"We need to consider closely our habits and practices, and banish our sinful, darling indulgences. I have had light from God on this subject, and I have been endeavoring to give this light to our people...I could write pages upon pages of this; but I feel so deeply over these things that I scarcely dare to take my pen in my hands.

"I tell you, my brother and sister, we are living in the Laodicean state...If any ever needed to fall upon the rock and be broken, it is the people of California and all through our church...We need to arouse and act as one man. We need to be earnest and alive. Horrors upon horrors are following upon the destruction of human life. Yet these things receive only a few remarks. The world will not be warned: but the day of the Lord is coming unawares, as a thief in the night." Spalding and Magan, p 45.

Time is so short, and Satan has everything ready--just waiting for permission to break it forth in rampaging fury upon our sleeping people. So I beg you, please do not leave the place where you are reading this booklet until you have decided to rid all traces of laodiceanism out of your heart and away from you character. Do not leave until you have made this decision, because your eternal destiny is at stake. We are at the very borders of the heavenly Canaan. The only thing that is keeping us from going to that blessed paradise is the sin that we choose to continue holding on to.

This is the great question we all have to ask ourselves. Which will we be? It is left with us to choose which destiny we desire--either separating from the church of Laodicea and ridding laodiceanism out of our hearts--thus reaping an eternal reward with our blessed Lord, or staying with Laodicea and laodiceanism and reaping an eternal reward with the Devil in destruction.