Munching Grass with the King O-43 RR- 813 C-289 What do the book of Revelation and Colossians have in common? More specifically, Revelation chapter 3 and Colossians Chapter 2? Well, since you asked, there are several things. They were both written by apostles near the end of the first century AD. They were both written by people who had seen Jesus. Both are urgent in their uplifting of Jesus Christ. They were both written by people who were in imprisonment by the Romans for their faith. Oh yes, there is one more thing. Both have a special message for the church of Laodicea. Laodicea is a name which can evoke strong emotions with SDAs, but in my experience, maybe for the wrong reasons. Since the Book of Revelation is a revelation of Jesus Christ, then this passage about Laodicea in Revelation 3 must also have something to say about Jesus Christ. Yet often it is presented in a rather narrow way. I have felt that some extra inspiration on this message would be welcome. And I believe that I have discovered that insight. We began studying in the book of Colossians last week for prayer meeting, as I hope you know. After church one day, Joyce asked me, "Have you noticed that besides being a message to the Colossians, that chapter 2 is also written for the Laodiceans?" Well, I had read that over and over, but it had not really clicked. Then she suggested that I might want to compare it to the message to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. WOW. It quickly became apparent that the deceptions that Paul was addressing in the Colossian and Laodicean churches was the same one that is presented in Revelation 3. This week we will look at the deception that was working in these churches. After that we will look at the councils given for the actual conditions that existed in these churches. To understand what is going on, we will need to look at the council and work back from that a little bit in Colossians, but in Revelation it is set out plainly. I will put a summary up on the overhead. Looking first in Revelation 3, we find the following deceptions mentioned or inferred. You think that you are rich. You think that you are wise. You think that you are clothed. You feel quite "self-sufficient. Rev 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; Notice the contrasts of emotions here. We have the church, which is puttering along, feeling save, saved, and secure. Maybe with plenty of cash. On the other hand is Jesus, who is telling the church that they make him want to vomit. I need to remind you, that we have always taught that we are in the Laodicean period of the church. What causes this divide? Perhaps a look at verse 17 will help us understand a little better. Look at the 2 progressions here. First, "rich, wealthy, no need." Then, "wretched, miserable. blind, and naked." While I do not intend to make this a diatribe against wealth, we need to take note of the text. And by the way, compared with most of the rest of the world, everyone here is wealthy. Minimum wage in North America is equal to high government officials salaries in some countries. Which maybe the reason that the church is not growing in North America like other places, but I am getting ahead of myself. Let's take the words and look at them. rich: ADJ Characterized by extravagant, ostentatious magnificence ADJ Characterized by great productivity ADJ Not readily digested because of richness ADJ Possessing a large amount of money, land, or other material possessions Prov 13:7 "There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches." There is a natural downward procession with riches. Deu 8:12-14 ""lest; when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; {13} "and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; {14} "when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;" Hosea 12:8 "And Ephraim said, 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.'" Luke 18:12 "'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'" Let's get back to our Laodiceans. ploutos can mean rich benefits or abundant blessings which flow from God or Christ. but it doesn't mean that in Revelation 3 It can mean spiritually enriched, but it doesn't mean that in Revelation 3. In Revelation 3 what it means is opulent, wealthy, rich in glory or bliss. Think Nebuchadnezzar. My kingdom will rule forever. Is this not great Babylon that I have built? Wasn't that just before he started munching grass? Then the text says that they have need of nothing. They have all of their necessities, individual wants, necessary things or business. Wretched -- misrable--pitiable poor -- pauper, on public welfare, beggar naked. Are we talking munching grass here? Not a picture that I would like to fit into. But there we are, all of us, in that picture. "Much excellent labor was bestowed upon the Laodicean church. To them was given the exhortation, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." But the church did not follow up the work begun by God's messengers. They heard, but they failed to appropriate the truth to themselves, and to carry out the instruction given them. The result that followed is the result always sure to follow the rejection of the Lord's warnings and entreaties." S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7 -PG- 964 The good news is that the Laodicean church is the final church. That means Laodicea will see Christ come. That means that at least some of Laodicea will accept the gospel. Evidently initially the Colossians and Laodiceans had received the gospel in it's simplicity, but were struggling with New Light. In Revelation it is obvious that self-sufficiency is the root of the problem. What light does Colossians give this on the situation? First, there were some powerful deceptions going on, and almost the first things that Paul says are echoed in Revelation. Col 2:2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Here in the first part of the chapter Paul gives the solution to the Laodicean problem. But I today we are trying to understand what went wrong. As we look at the screen, we are not going to review the deception in Revelation, only mention it as it relates to the Colossians. One of the first things that we can deduce from Colossians 2, is that the whole problem has to do with what people can do for themselves to look good to God. First I have listed the deception that the principles of the world can help in fighting indulgence. Mark Twain said "I can quit smoking any time I want to. I've done it a thousand times." Anyone here ever made a New Year's resolution? Anyone ever gritted their teeth and said, "I'm going to get along with that _____ no matter what happens?" Anyone here ever gone on a diet? 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using; according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Col 3:1 "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." The next deception that the traditions of men are wisdom. How many times did Jesus turn conventional wisdom on its head. The first shall be last. The rich will be poor. Happy are those that mourn. The wisdom of men and the wisdom of God are usually on a collision course. 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Another deception is that self-imposed religion (works) can provide salvation. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. If I stand before you today and tell you that avoiding unclean meat will bring you salvation what will you tell me? I would hope that you would shout "heresy." If I preached to you that putting down your alcohol makes you more acceptable to God, I would hope that you would disbelieve me. If I tried to convince you that your faithful Sabbath keeping gives you an edge on salvation, I would hope that you would squirm in your seats. Brothers and sisters, there is nothing that we can do that makes us acceptable to God other than what Paul keeps bringing us back to throughout this chapter. Christ. The substance is Christ ... It is not according to Christ... The circumcision with Christ ... Receive Christ... Faith in Christ.... Dying with Christ.... and finally, raised with Christ. In DECEMBER 19, 1891 Ellen White preached a sermon entitled "Ye are Complete in Him" IN FEDERAL HALL, NORTH FITZROY, MELBOURNE. And in Acts of Apostles, She wrote "...Christ was the standard by which they were to test the doctrines presented. All that was not in harmony with His teachings they were to reject. Christ crucified for sin, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high--this was the science of salvation that they were to learn and teach. Is the Spirit of Laodicea alive today. "The wares of heaven are offered to our churches. Every individual needs to have a decided interest in the invitation of Christ. Brethren and sisters, are your thoughts after this order? "These sharp, decided words do not mean me; I am in a fairly good condition spiritually, though I may not have all the (965) fervor and zeal that some have. I believe the truth. Those to whom this message belongs may take it. I think some need it." You who think and reason thus, be assured that you are the very ones to whom this message belongs. While the costly wares of heaven are open before you, draw nigh and buy that which you have lost--the gold of love and faith, and the white raiment which is the righteousness of Christ (EGW, Letter 30a, 1892). "The gold that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eyesalve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned." (RH April 1, 1890). Interestingly enough, the answer to this problem predates the New Testament. Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you; The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. 5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you." 6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 12 "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. The answer to Laodicea and Colossae is not to seek poverty, but to find true riches. In two weeks, we will find some surprising solutions for this spiritual poverty. But as we close today, I need to ask if you desire to find those true riches. If that is your desire, please just raise your hand right where you are while we pray together. OUTLINE: Munching Grass with the King Intro: Parallel between Colossians 2 and Revelation 3:12ff Rev. 3:17 We think that: We are rich We are wise We are clothed We feel self-sufficient What God thinks: Rev. 3:15-17 The Bible discusses Riches Proverbs 13:7 Deuteronomy 8:12-14 Hosea 12:8 Luke 18:12 Laodicea is the end-time people Downward move. Gospel (Good), New light (not good in this case), Deception. Col 2:2-4 First Deception: The principles of this world help in fighting indulgence. Col 2:21-3:1 Second Deception: The traditions of men are wisdom. Col. 2:6-8 Third Deception: Self imposed religion (works, legalism) can provide salvation. Colossians 2:16-17 Christ is the reality ------- The Answer: Isaiah 55:1-12