These articles are from my sister’s book, “The End is Near. End Time Bible Prophecy Anyone Can Understand.” It is for sale on lulu.com
Continued from previous post…
Up to this point in our study of prophecy we have looked backwards in time; we have seen what the Bible told would happen and then we have learned that history proved the prophecies correct. From this point forward, we do not have the luxury of historical hindsight. We are now entering the unknown; we are now going to study what will happen in the future. No one can say with absolute certainty what will happen or when it will happen, all we can do is take what we have learned about prophecy, apply it the best we can to what we study from now on, and keep watch on the events occurring in the world around us to see the fulfillment of what we have learned.
In Chapter 4 of this book we saw that we are now living in the Philadelphia Church era. The Laodicea Church era and the seventh seal are yet to come.
Laodicea: Salvation
Spirituality
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock’(;) if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:15-21
Here we see that as the Laodicea Church era begins, Christians have become complacent and self-satisfied with their spiritual condition. The people have lost their zeal for God and just go through the motions, thinking that they have and are doing everything they need in order to be saved. Jesus says that he rejects their self-righteousness but he offers to clothe them with his righteousness, to fill them with the Holy Spirit, and to give them understanding. Those who accept his offer to live in their hearts will reign with him in heaven.
Painting by, Sul Art
This is a warning for us, especially as the Philadelphia era ends and the Laodicea era begins. We cannot offer anything to God in order to secure salvation. Our good works, our church attendance, everything, is unacceptable. “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…” (Is. 64:6) Only Jesus’ good works, only his sacrifice, only his righteousness can cover us and make us acceptable to God.
Laodicea: How we think we are……….How we really are.
Who is God? 
In reading your post today, I’m really struck by this passage, “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” As you’ve been presenting everything, this so reflects where we are today, at least in the United States. It’s almost as a nation we are saying to God, “we don’t really need anything from you.” I think that’s a really dangerous attitude to have because, it just seems like we are asking for trouble to come on us if God should remove his protection from us. In many ways, we are benefiting from the faithful obedience and prayers of the generations that went before us, but we are not carrying on those things as they once did. It makes me a bit alarmed about what may be ahead! Thanks for this call for self-inspection!
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To me, those words bring to my mind people who are closed-minded. They think they know all the theology they need to know and what they believe couldn’t possibly be wrong. They don’t need new light or new wisdom.
This also makes me think of Christians who think they are better than other people. Better than other Christians and denominations and better than those who are unsaved. They are outwardly a bit obedient to God, and they think that is enough. They don’t feel a need to throw themselves at his feet for help. They don’t feel a deep need to be saved from themselves and the power of Satan.
And yes, it does reflect the attitude of those who have a lot in this world, so they don’t feel a need for salvation or for Jesus in their lives. It is a dangerous attitude, as you said. It will cost them eternal life.
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