Shake Off Laodicean Slumber!
by A.A. Ronshausen
The great sin of these end-time days is Laodicean lukewarmness, being neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-15). Sinful and godless as the world is, the real battle of today is not the battle of the world, but the battle of the church.
Laodiceanism is spiritual paralysis. It is a surrender of first love, cooling from fervency to lukewarmness; profession and no possession, the subtlest sin of hell. Laodiceanism is mediocre service, indifferent praying, contentment in spiritual barrenness, complacency in idleness. It is grudging giving, reluctant sacrificing, no martyr or witnessing spirit. Laodiceanism is burdenless, passionless, spiritless – a deceived people doomed to judgment instead of rewards.
All of this evil fruit stems from Laodiceanism. Like all the devil’s illusions, it is a great deception, and herein lies its greatest peril. It does not destroy orthodoxy or respectability. The victim knows not his true state. He is content to remain as he is. He feels no need. He prides himself on his religion, not knowing that in his Lord’s sight, he is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. He is religious. But it is a religion our Lord hates and will spue out of His mouth.
Is There a Remedy?
Yes, there is a remedy. Jesus reveals it in Revelation 3:18. He counsels, “Buy of Me gold tried in the fire.” Gold is always a symbol of genuineness. If they will accept His loving rebuke and chastening, there is hope. He stands at the door and knocks. Notice, He is not within. If any will hear (obey) His voice, He will come in and sup with him, fellowship with him (Rev. 3:20).
Hear His counsel to the Laodicean church. Be zealous; abandon lukewarmness. Repent. Return to your first love. Get back to Pentecostal fervency, purity and power. Humble yourself in true penitence.
Many Bible scholars agree that Christendom is now in the Laodicean stage of the church. Therefore, this is Christ’s latest, timely message to us. Will we heed?
Only a God-sent revival stands between us and extinction. Storm clouds are rising fast on the horizon of time!
Is this a time to slumber, to be at ease in Zion, to be passionless, burdenless, prayerless, faithless, savourless? Have we lost our throne rights of holy intercession? Must we capitulate to the enemy, lay down our weapons and cease praying in faith that God will answer as He answered Savonarola, Knox and others?
What promises of God are obsolete? Must we limit God? Must we limit our faith? Does the law of faith and prayer still operate? Can believers still do the works of Jesus? Does the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Holy Spirit energize and empower Spirit-filled disciples today?
Is it not time enough for the saints to cease from warfare when the Holy Ghost snatches the Bride away? Did not Jesus command, “Occupy till I come”? (Luke 19:13). What would happen if the church would leave feasting and go to fasting, leave the supper room and retreat to the upper room? Cease from doubt and fears and go to praying and believing? Is not the problem of this age the problem of a prayerless, faithless church? If the church obeyed Jesus, would the gates of hell prevail? Will we talk and do nothing?
Do We Want a Revival Before Jesus Returns?
What price is too great? What sacrifice too much? Would God disappoint a burdened, soul-agonizing church on its knees? What would happen if the church would be swept with a great passion for souls and put travail, tears and soul sweat into its prayers?
Can you not discern that humanity hovers over the vortex of revolution, anarchy and chaos? Can we afford to slumber while the world passes through its greatest crisis? Will it not quickly be too late to do anything? Dare we delay in Laodicean apathy? If we fail to pray, is there any other way out?
What is the source, the cause of the pessimism that robs us of faith, hope and courage to pray through for a genuine Holy Ghost revival? Is it of God or Satan? Should we yield to it? Whence the source of this fatalistic attitude and conception in our thinking that, like a poison virus, paralyzes the church to Laodicean lukewarmness and immobility and unbelief?
“When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Pray, Christian, pray! “Lord, keep me on the firing line!”
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