Understanding the Laodicean Condition in the SDA Church

Revelation 3:14-22

14 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;

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot.

16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 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.

21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Yes, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently in the Laodicean condition, a spiritual state of lukewarmness and self-sufficiency that applies specifically to those who have received great light and opportunities but have failed to appreciate them7BC 961.5+2. This message is highly applicable to us as a people and describes our present spiritual condition perfectly7BC 961.5+2.

The Meaning of the Laodicean Message

The message to the Laodicean church represents a people who pride themselves on their spiritual knowledge and advantages while lacking the sanctifying power of truth in their livesFW 83.1+2.

• Lukewarmness: To be neither "cold nor hot" describes a state of indifference and spiritual lethargy where professors of truth have a name but no zeal Revelation 3:15-164T 87.1+1.

• Self-Deception: Many say they are "rich, and increased with goods" while the True Witness declares them to be "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" Revelation 3:17FW 83.1+1.

• Applicability: This message applies to all who profess to keep the law of God but are not doers of it, manifesting pride, worldly ambition, and hypocrisy7BC 961.5+2.

The Dangers of This Condition

The Laodicean state is a perilous one because it involves a "contentment in lamentable ingratitude" and a "hollow formalism" that shuts Jesus out of the heartFW 83.1+1.

• Nauseating to Christ: This condition of pretentious piety is so offensive to the Lord that He declares He will "spue thee out of my mouth" unless there is a change Revelation 3:1619LtMs, Lt 261, 1904, par. 6+1.

• Neglect of Duty: Lukewarmness leads to a neglect of the needy, a lack of missionary spirit, and a failure to cooperate with God in saving souls1SM 92.1+2.

• Influence of Satan: Satan seeks to keep the church in this state of stupor to prevent them from preparing for the return of the Bridegroom1888 1073.4+1.

The God-Given Recipe for Recovery

Though the condition is deplorable, it is not hopeless; the Laodicean message is full of encouragement for those who will heed the counsel of the True Witness7BC 966.5+2.

• Buy Gold, White Raiment, and Eyesalve: We are counseled to obtain the gold of faith and love, the white raiment of Christ's righteousness, and the eyesalve of spiritual discernment Revelation 3:187BC 966.5+1.

• Zealous Repentance: The Lord commands us to "be zealous therefore, and repent," which requires a deep and earnest individual work of righting one's own heart Revelation 3:191EGWLM 746.7+1.

• Opening the Door: Jesus stands at the door of the heart and knocks, promising that if anyone will hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and sup with them Revelation 3:207LtMs, Lt 97, 1892, par. 20+1.

• Individual Work: Repentance cannot be done for a brother or sister; it is an individual duty to feel our own destitution and seek the Holy Spirit7BC 966.5+1.

The Final Result

The Seventh-day Adventist Church will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and if her spiritual experience does not correspond to her advantages, she will be pronounced "found wanting"3TT 251.2. However, the Lord still has an organized body through whom He works, and He is using the Laodicean message to correct evils and point out dangers so that His people may triumph with the third angel's message15MR 94.1+2. Those who overcome this state will receive the ultimate reward of sitting with Christ on His throne Revelation 3:21RH April 1, 1890, par. 11+1. 🕊️