Revelation 3:20 (KJV): “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.”
ABSTRACT
The message to the church of Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3 calls for deep reflection and action. Our mission is to heed the True Witness’s counsel, seeking revival and reformation. The community is urged to examine its spiritual condition, embrace the necessity for change, and trust in the promises of God’s love, as revealed in the King James Bible and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White. “Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 214, 1882). “The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups” (The Great Controversy, p. 490, 1888). How can we respond to Christ’s call to awaken from spiritual apathy?
SPIRITUAL STATE OF LAODICEA
Christ, the True Witness, describes Laodicea as lukewarm, stating, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15, KJV). This lukewarmness signifies spiritual apathy and complacency. The community’s lack of zeal hinders its witness for Christ. Sr. White elaborates: “The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 87, 1876). She further states, “The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctifying power has not been felt in their lives” (The Review and Herald, August 28, 1894). Scripture affirms this with 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV): “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Likewise, Titus 1:16 (KJV) declares, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Sr. White adds, “Halfhearted Christians are worse than infidels; for their deceptive words and noncommittal position lead many astray” (The Review and Herald, August 23, 1881). “The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony. Those who hear and obey will stand as a light in the world” (Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 116, 1900). We must reject complacency to reflect God’s glory. How can we act on Christ’s urgent call to revive our devotion?
CHRIST’S URGENT CALL TO ACTION
In Revelation 3:16, Christ warns, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” This vivid imagery reflects Christ’s rejection of half-hearted devotion. The community risks separation from Christ if it remains indifferent. Sr. White states, “The mighty shaking has commenced and will go on, and all will be shaken out who are not willing to take a bold and unyielding stand for the truth” (Early Writings, p. 50, 1882). She also writes, “Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 400, 1900). Scripture supports this in Hebrews 12:25 (KJV): “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (KJV) adds, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Sr. White further notes, “Those who are not willing to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it” (The Great Controversy, p. 621, 1888). “The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 216, 1882). The community must rekindle its love for Christ to avoid rejection. What steps can we take to pursue reformation?
NEED FOR REFORMATION IN THE CHURCH
The True Witness advises, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19, KJV). Reformation begins with repentance and zeal for Christ’s mission. The community must seek God’s transforming power to overcome sin. Sr. White underscores the necessity of reformation: “We need a thorough reformation in all our churches. The converting power of God must come into the church” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 443, 1923). She further asserts, “When the reproach of indolence and slothfulness shall have been wiped away, the Spirit of the Lord will be graciously manifested. Divine power will be revealed. The church will see the providential working of the Lord of hosts” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 246, 1904). Scripture reinforces this in Acts 3:19 (KJV): “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV) states, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Sr. White adds, “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 121, 1900). “The work of reformation is progressive; it must go forward, not backward” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 126, 1909). Through repentance, we find strength in Christ’s grace. How can we return to the foundational truths of the gospel?
RETURN TO FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS
Jeremiah 6:16 instructs, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” The community must return to the gospel’s foundational truths to live with integrity. Sr. White adds, “I have been hoping that there would be a thorough reformation, and that the principles for which we fought in the early days…would be maintained” (Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 56, 1904). She further warns, “Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 250, 1904). Psalm 119:105 (KJV) declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) affirms, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Sr. White notes, “The church must cling to her first principles, or she will drift into the world” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 583, 1889). “God calls for a return to the simplicity of the gospel” (The Desire of Ages, p. 634, 1898). By recommitting to these truths, we reflect God’s character. What will the shaking reveal about our commitment?
SHAKING AND ITS PURIFYING EFFECT
The “shaking” will result from the “straight testimony” of the True Witness (Revelation 3:20). This testimony purifies the community by separating the faithful from the complacent. Sr. White explains, “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans” (Early Writings, p. 270, 1882). She also states, “The Lord will work to purify His church. I tell you the truth, the Lord is about to turn and overturn in the institutions called by His name” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 372, 1923). Amos 9:9 (KJV) states, “For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the ground.” Malachi 3:3 (KJV) adds, “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Sr. White further notes, “The shaking will remove all that is not firmly rooted in the truth” (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 200, 1900). “God’s people will be tested, but the faithful will emerge stronger” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 136, 1882). This refining process strengthens the faithful. How can we remain steadfast as God’s remnant?
FAITHFUL REMNANT’S CALL
Joel 2:32 declares, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.” The community, as God’s remnant, is called to remain faithful amidst trials. Zephaniah 3:13 promises, “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Sr. White affirms, “Every jewel will be brought out and gathered, for the hand of the Lord is set to recover the remnant of His people” (Early Writings, pp. 70, 261, 1882). She also notes, “In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan, those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell” (The Desire of Ages, p. 121, 1898). Romans 11:5 (KJV) states, “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Revelation 14:12 (KJV) adds, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Sr. White writes, “The remnant will stand firm, trusting in God’s promises” (The Great Controversy, p. 618, 1888). “God will preserve His faithful ones through every trial” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 152, 1882). As God’s remnant, we shine His light. How can we escape Babylon’s influence?
ESCAPE FROM BABYLON’S INFLUENCE
Revelation 18:1-4 calls for God’s people to come out of Babylon: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This call reflects God’s love, as He seeks to rescue the community from spiritual confusion and judgment. Sr. White writes, “The light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant” (Early Writings, pp. 70, 261, 1882). She further explains, “Babylon is fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven” (The Great Controversy, p. 381, 1888). Isaiah 55:7 (KJV) declares, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) adds, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Sr. White notes, “God’s people must separate from the world in spirit and practice” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 166, 1890). “The call to come out of Babylon is a call to holiness” (Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 380, 1900). By answering this call, we trust in God’s promises. How can we live out this reformation daily?
LIVING THE REFORMATION DAILY
The message to Laodicea is both a rebuke and an invitation. It challenges the community to examine its lives, seek reformation, and embrace God’s transformative power. As individuals and as a church, we commit to being faithful witnesses, reflecting His love and truth in all we do. The journey may be arduous, but the reward is eternal life with Christ. Philippians 1:6 (KJV) assures, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” 1 John 3:2 (KJV) adds, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Sr. White writes, “The work of redemption will be complete when Christ has finished His work in us” (The Desire of Ages, p. 830, 1898). “Those who accept the message of Laodicea will be fitted for heaven” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 77, 1900). We take up this call with courage, knowing Christ will complete His work in us.
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SELF-REFLECTION
How can we, in our personal devotional lives, delve deeper into the Laodicean message, allowing it to shape our character and priorities?
How can we present the call to revival and reformation to diverse audiences, ensuring clarity and relevance without compromising biblical truth?
What misunderstandings about spiritual zeal exist in our communities, and how can we correct them using Scripture and Sr. White’s writings?
In what practical ways can our congregations become vibrant witnesses of Christ’s love, embodying the reformation called for in Laodicea?
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK 
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