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THE LAODICEAN CHURCH

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1856

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 9, No. 2.

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THE LAODICEAN CHURCH.

By James White

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Rev. iii, 14.
We have before given our reason for believing that the seven churches in Asia represent the condition of the church of God in seven distinct periods of the christian age. We have also shown that the Philadelphia church, or church of brotherly love, was manifested during the great Advent movement. Your attention is now invited to the last of the seven conditions of the church, which evidently applies to this time.
"I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would that thou wert cold or hot." Verse 15.
Jesus knows the works of his people. He will reward every man as his "work shall be." And is it true that the works of the church are such as to render them offensive to their Lord? The figure is forcible. With pleasure we receive cold drink, or that which is in a degree hot; but that which is tepid, and is neither cold or hot, is nauseating to the stomach.
This is the chosen figure to illustrate how Jesus Christ regards the church at the present time. The present condition of the church is offensive to him. He would have them either cold or hot; that is, either zealous of those good works which correspond with their high profession of faith, or else have them make no hypocritical profession of faith which they do not show forth by good works.
No being can be more offensive in the sight of God and man, than a religious hypocrite. No position of the church can be so offensive to the Son of God, as a hypocritical position. "I would thou wert cold or hot." As a people we profess to believe that Christ is soon coming, and that the Third and last Message of mercy is now being given, soon to be followed by the seven last, literal and dreadful plagues. Yet many are going on building, and adding land to land, and improving them, and laying up treasures as though Jesus was never coming, and never had forbidden laying up treasures in this world. They profess to believe that nothing can save honest souls now in the "high ways and hedges" of vast christendom but obedience to the Third Message, yet professed believers rush on in their worldly pursuits, taxing their entire energies in pursuit of this world as if there was no coming Jesus, no wrath of God to fall upon the shelterless, and no flaming Judgment-bar, where all deeds will receive a recompense. We tremble, we shudder, as we contemplate the condition of the professed people of God, and compare their professions of faith with their works, and see their hypocritical position.
We would not be too severe; but measuring our faith as a people by James' rule, how much real faith have those professing the Third Message? "I will show thee my faith by my works." James ii, 18. The best answer we can give to this question is, They have as much faith as they show forth by their acts. Nothing is truer than that a man will show by his works all the faith he has. We do not say these things to grieve any, but would affectionately entreat the brethren to give heed to their real position before heaven, and before the world. It is a fact which will not be denied, that our profession says one thing, while our acts declare another. It may be expected that our testimony as a people will be almost powerless, until it shall be backed up, and sent home to the hearts of our fellow-men by our works.
Our positions on Bible truth are clearly defined in the Scriptures, and easily defended. The present truth is so connected with the present fulfillment of prophecy, that the people who hear and read our views, both see and feel the force of truth. But where is a consecrated church on whom God can consistently pour out the Holy Ghost, and make them flaming instruments in giving light to the world, and gathering a glorious harvest of souls. It does not exist. It cannot be found.
Not a few among us, who have evidently been called of God to preach his word, are quite extensive farmers, and spend their energies laboring on their farms. They are capable of presenting the plain truths of God's word; and were they cut loose from the world, and baptized into the Message, so that they could go forth like the ministers of God, as flames of fire, then would they see the salvation of God attending the proclamation of his truth.
There are hundreds among us who know the truth, and who could talk it clearly by the fire-side, could they but be converted into the spirit of the Message. Then they could be mighty through God in affectionate conversation and prayer in bringing souls to keep the truth. But where are they? Answer. Buried up in the cares of the world. Having lost in a great measure the sweet spirit of the Message they once enjoyed, the mind seeks to be occupied with the cares of the world, and their conversation is upon worldly things. Some have doubled their property once or twice since professing to be waiting for Jesus Christ from heaven. Things of this life fill the mind, and crowd out thoughts of Christ and heaven. Yet these persons profess the Third Message.
The present truth is written out plain in our publications. The Message is at our command. Those who have labored to bring out the truth in simple style, so that he that readeth may understand, have felt the importance of their work, and have toiled over the midnight lamp, regardless of rest or health, until feeble health compels some to be almost silent. Yet these publications remain piled up in the Office, almost entirely undisturbed by the professed lovers of Bible truth, those too on whom the responsibility rests of sending light to the world. Having many calls for means, they have gone to lay out for books. That fashionable bonnet, shawl, coat or hat must be had. That piece of land, recently bought and not needed, must be paid for; for Paul says, "Owe no man anything;" and it would be a sin to help the cause much while in debt. So there is no means left with many to buy our publications, and scatter them abroad.
The plain, pointed truth sometimes spoken does not seem to reach the heart of but few professed believers; but will often produce a smile, as though some one else must be hit; and then the unholy work often commences of laying the rule on others, and talking of others faults instead of repenting, and weeping bitterly for greater sins in their own hearts.
These, dear brethren, are some of the faults and sins that weigh down the church, and which have clipped the wings of the angel of mercy which has attended the Message. Will the church arise at once, and put away sins like these? If she does not, what will be her doom? It is written:—
"So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Verse 16.
There is not the least hope for the church while continuing the course pursued for two or three years past. A shaking and sifting time has come. Some will be spued out of the Lord's mouth, and we fear many will. Here is the stupid deception which holds many, from which we fear they will never awake sufficiently to make a timely escape. It will require a mighty effort.
"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." Verse 17.
From this testimony it will be seen that an entire change must take place in the views and feelings of this church. Not only must the church be stripped from self-righteous views and feelings, but must be brought to see, feel and thoroughly repent of those things which have rendered her in the sight of God, "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Then will they receive the counsel to buy gold, white raiment and eye-salve.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent." Verse 19.
They will feel rebuked and chastened by the humbling, cutting testimony to the Laodiceans. Those whose hearts can feel, will feel on this subject; while it is to be feared that some who profess present truth, are so little affected by it, that the language of their hearts will still be, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," and the day of wrath find them "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked." Those who feel the force of this all-searching testimony will not only repent of those sins which have grieved the Spirit of God almost away from the remnant; but they will be zealous about it.
"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." Verse 20.
It seems from this verse that Jesus is shut out of the hearts of his professed people, and that he is now knocking for admission. If they open the door, or prepare the way of the Lord in their hearts, he will come in, and will sup with them, and they with him. From this we conclude that there are exceeding great blessings before the remnant. A stronger figure cannot be used to illustrate communion with Christ. How cruel to bar Jesus out! How perilous to have the mind filled with worldly cares, and the affections set on earthly things so as to neglect the Saviour who now knocks for admission! Dear brethren, do let him in. It is your privilege to enjoy communion with Christ, and to be filled with the Spirit. You may enjoy the power of the Holy Ghost in 1856, as well as holy men did in A. D. 35. Let the first text of scripture be produced to show that the power of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit were designed only for Christ's first witnesses. It cannot be found. God designs to bring around the last end of this dispensation so that both ends will meet. Jesus will find at his second-coming a church as consecrated as those who gazed up into heaven after him from the mount of Olives. Bible christians only will stand, and a church composed of such will yet enjoy all the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost.
We rejoice to hear from all parts of the field that the testimony to the Laodiceans is being received, and is producing good results upon the remnant. May the work go deep and thorough in every heart. May God give his servants grace to bear the plain testimony, and with meekness and patience point out the sins of God's professing people, and pour the burning truth of God for the present time into the bosom of the lukewarm church. The language of the prophet Joel, uttered in view of the day of the Lord being nigh at hand, seems wonderfully applicable to the Laodiceans:
"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meat-offering, and a drink-offering unto the Lord your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth out of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet; let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" Joel ii, 12-17.