The lawsuit tone is evident in the letter to Laodicea. Warnings and covenant curses follow a hard but realistic diagnosis concerning the condition of the church. Nevertheless, this is not the whole picture. Even when Jesus threatens the wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked church of Laodicea, He indicates the solution to the problems. Far from rejecting the object of His love, He judges her in order to heal her, in order to raise her up and to promote her to sharing His kingship (Revelation 3:19)
This letter underscores the passion of Jesus for His Laodicea church. Useless in the sight of His people, (she says: “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” Revelation 3:17), this church deceives herself concerning her true condition. She has fallen into the trap of self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction, just like Ephraim of old before the fall of the Northern Kingdom (Hosea 12:8).
The remedy for this Church is to respond to the invitation to forge a vital relationship with Jesus. After the speech about the solution (securing from Christ refined gold in order to be rich, white garments in order to be clothed, and eye salve in order to see), the narration shows the process leading to the desired relationship. Motivated by love, Jesus judges by reproving and by disciplining His people. He also presents Himself as begging for intimacy, knocking at the door of the heart. This indicates the intensity of His desire and the love flowing from Him. After the relational configuration, the text moves to the enthronement.
Thus, an observation of the whole passage displays anitinerary which moves from total degeneration to shared kingship. This is absolutely amazing and unheard of. The Creator and King, the only genuine reference point for humankind, ignored and even crucified by His subjects, not only dreams about and plans a possible restored relationship, but more than that, wishes to restore the object of His love to the status and dignity of kings. He desires no less than to share His kingship. I assume from this revelation that the redeemed will spend eternity showing their deepest gratitude to the all loving Trinity.
*Adapted from: Dr. Ganoune Diop, article:
“Jesus Christ in the Midst of His People”
Journal of the Adventist Theological Society.
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