Selah List for December 7, 2009 - Old Fortress Mentality

December 8th, 2009

SELAH LIST

Laodicea? was a wealthy city in Phrygia.? It means 'Old Fortres'? .? The valley provided good grazing ground for a particular sheep that was found in this area. By careful breeding , a soft, glossy black wool had been produced which was much in demand, and brought fame to the region. Agriculture and commercial prosperity brought banking industry to Laodicea. The most striking indication of the city's wealth was that following a devastating earthquake in AD60, the city was rebuilt without any financial aid from Rome.? The city was also well known for its prestigious medical school.? Two ointments were made famous here, one made from spice nard, for the ears, another made from Phrygia powder mixed with oil, for the eyes.? This history is important as we read the letter in Revelation to Laodicea and the charge against it.

This church's state is perhaps the scariest of all the churches mentioned in the letters. The Sender, addressed in this letter as the 'Amen',? invokes the acknowledgement of that which is binding and valid.? The 'Amen' is also referred to as 'The Faithful and True Witnes'?. This portrays the absolute trustworthiness of Jesus, in sharp contrast to their unfaithfulness.

They are told, that they are neither hot nor cold, but in fact lukewarm, and that God is ready to vomit them out of His mouth. They would have understood this analogy well because there were hot springs in the area, which flowed over a very wide escarpment directly opposite the city. As it travelled across a vast plateau, it gradually became lukewarm before cascading over the edge.

The troubling fact is, that there is an application here also for the church of today.? Are we comfortable in the false realization that we are spiritually wealthy, and we are in need of nothing more of God?? The parable of Jesus found in Luke 12, talks about a rich man whose land was rich and fertile, and yielded plentifully.? He says to himself, 'I will pull down my storehouses and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things laid up, enough for many years. Take your ease, eat drink and enjoy yourself merrily'

It's ironic, that this church is told to buy of Him, the Amen, those things which they are most confident in, for example, gold refined by fire, which speaks of sanctification, the genuiness of one's faith. White garments to cover the shame of their spiritual nakedness, in contrast to the famous black woollen garments their city was famous for. White is symbolic for His righteousness, which is what we need to be clothed with. Eye salve was another thing they were famous for, but spiritually they were quite blind.

The 'Old Fortres'? mentality is still prevalent in the body of Christ.? Nothing can get in. This fortress is old and strong.? Unfortunately, some do not realise that revelation is progressive, and that the Lord is always in advance mode. He is never static, but is forever taking us, if we are willing, from glory to glory.

The more I find myself in relationship with Him, my Lord, the more I realise, how much I don't know, and how much I need Him more.? Jesus is still standing at the door and knocking. If the church realizes her need, she will open the door, so that there can be a sharing at table with Him. He has, and is still looking for His circle of friends. I want to be in His circle.

He will have a super hot church. This is His plan. This is His desire. He will not settle for anything else other than a church that is totally on fire, yet not 'burnt out', but partnering with
Holy Spirit, to get the job done on earth.

Think on these things

Blessings on you and your household

Janet.

Entry Filed under: Pastor Janet's Selah List