Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
2007 San Francisco Conference. The Church of Laodicea. Part 1.
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Book of Revelation is the textbook of world history from the time of John A.D. 96 to the end of time.
In Rev 1 we have the principle of who and what Jesus Christ is and the doctrine of Historical Trends and how Jesus Christ controls history.
Rev 2 and 3 – the dispensation of the Church-age. The Church-age is located between the two greatest prophecies in history – the First and Second Advents of Christ.
Once our Lord was seated at the right hand of the Father, He was given His third category of royalty, His third royal pattern, King of Kings and Lord of Lords is His title, but He had no royal family.
The Church-age is the dispensation of the Royal Family of God.
Also it is a unique dispensation, because our Lord Jesus Christ at the time of His virgin birth was entered into the PPOG.
Once TLJC was seated at the right hand of the Father, He gave to the Church something that no believers ever had before, and no believers will ever have after the Rapture of the Church – the PPOG.
Some teach that the seven churches portray seven historical stages the church would go through.
Others teach that it refers to the seven different types of churches or individual believers that live in every generation.
The other view is that the seven churches portray seven different types of churches or individual believers that live in every generation.
In REV 2:2-3, as a church or individual believers those at Ephesus had good deeds, produced divine good works and persevered and had not grown weary.
The church of Smyrna, REV 2:9, went through tremendous tribulation and poverty.
The church or individual believers in Pergamum, REV 2:14, were warned about the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel and committed acts of immorality.
In REV 2:18-20, as a church or individual believers, Thyatira tolerated false doctrine and false teaching, even though in REV 2:19, they had deeds, and love and faith and service and perseverance.
The church or individual believers at Sardis are told, REV 3:1-2, to wake up and strengthen the things that remain.
In REV 3:8, the church or individual believers at Philadelphia are described as having divine good deeds and a little power, and they have kept with doctrine and have not denied the Lord’s name.
REV 3:14 – the Lukewarm believers of Laodicea as a church or individual believers.
The Ephesus type believer who has some divine good production but has left their first love.
The Smyrna type believer who is willing to accept suffering for blessing.
The Pergamum believer warned about compromising and becoming a stumbling block to others.
The Thyatira types who tolerate false doctrine and false teaching even though they have love and faith and service and perseverance.
The Sardis types who need to “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain.”
The Philadelphia type believer who has stayed faithful to the word of God.
The lukewarm Laodicean believer.
“Angel” – dative singular indirect object – noun – angelo – a*ggevlw/ = “messenger”
When the super creatures are involved, we transliterate it – “angel”
This same word is translated messenger in MAT 11:10, referring to John the Baptist, MAR 1:2; LUK 7:27.
It is also translated messengers in LUK 7:24 for the disciples of John the Baptist.
It is used in JAM 2:25 for Rahab receiving the spies or the “angellos.”
Dative of indirect object – indicates the ones, the Pastors in whose interest doctrinal information is provided.
You are occasionally going to run into organizations and cults and even some local churches where they encourage you not to depend upon a Pastor-Teacher.
The more you study, the more you realize that you simply do not know.
That responsibility can be described in one word, accuracy.
2TI 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
Know yourself; know your business; know the people in your life.
This means think, study, and analyze no matter what the weather or the circumstances or the holiday! That is pressure; that is what it means to be a messenger or an angellos.
The teaching basically is usually the easy part.
What is required by way of preparation for just one verse is phenomenal.
“Messenger” – dative case indirect object – indicates the ones, the Pastors, in whose interest doctrinal information is provided.
The Spiritual gift is only the beginning, and it requires a lifetime of studying and teaching.
It is to the advantage of every believer to have a Pastor who teaches accurately.
Laodicea is going to be tough on a lot of people because one of the signs of the last days is the fact that the church will be filled with Laodicean believers.
JOB 7:11 “I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
Complaining is the outward effect of an inward sin called bitterness because the individual is not getting his way.
LAM 3:39 – complaining is an indictment against God and his plan.
Jude 16 These are grumblers, finding fault,
You know usually the person who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.
Even growing old –
Never complain about growing old, because so many never get the chance!
The person who is worthy of being “a leader of men” will never complain about the stupidity of his helpers,
the ingratitude of mankind, nor the lack of appreciation from the public.
To meet them and overcome them and not to go down before them in disgust, discouragement, or let them defeat you, which is the final proof of their power.
You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.
TLJC had many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross.
He had many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation.
He found many companions of His table, but few of His fasting.
Many desire to rejoice with Him; few are willing to undergo anything for His sake.
They are willing to follow TLJC that they may eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of His passion.
Many are astonished at His miracles, but few are willing to follow after the shame of His Cross.
Many say they love Him, so long as no adversities happen to them.
They raise Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him.
Realize that if you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.
“Church” – noun – th’” e*kklhsiva”
genitive singular – definite article tes – th’” + ekklesia – e*kklhsiva”
 = “The Church” – the local Church is unique.
1. It is for believers to learn doctrine, and therefore it is a classroom.
2. It is the classroom that is the basis of true worship.
Laodicea was a city of Asia Minor, situated in the Lycos Valley, in the province of Phrygia.
The city was founded by Antiochus the second, who named it after his wife Laodike.
The city was populated with Syrians and with Jews.
It was famous for the fine black wool of its sheep, and for the Phrygian powder for the eyes, which was manufactured there.
In the vicinity was the temple of men karou, and a renowned school of medicine.
In the year 60 A.D., the city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, but so wealthy were its citizens that they rejected aid from Rome, and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense.
It was also a city of great wealth with extensive banking operations.
The kind of wealth they needed is the kind that you can provide for the United States right now, becoming a spiritual champion or invisible hero.