Q: I have a question about the book of Revelations. In chapter 3 Jesus is addressing the church at Laodicea. How can He talk about rejecting this church if they are a group of believers? Doesn't this kind of fly in the face of the "once saved always saved" doctrine?
A: While we like to use the seven churches in Revelations as analogies of the Church today, we must not forget that John's revelation is actually an unveiling to Israel of the Tribulation to come, during which time the good news of the earthly kingdom will again be preached. The assembly at Laodicea then will be primarily made up of religious unbelievers in danger of being "spit out of" the Lord's mouth. This has nothing to do with the loss of their salvation since the majority of them will not have possessed salvation in the first place.
This assembly at Laodicea has drifted far from their covenant relationship with God, which will need to be restored before they can proceed. In time past, God loved Israel, reproved her, disciplined her, and called her to repentance — they were His people. But not all within the chosen nation were saved: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring" (Rom 9:6-7).
That the rebuke and call to repentance in Revelation 3 is primarily intended for the unbelievers at Laodicea is confirmed by the fact that the Lord is standing at the door of this assembly, giving them one last opportunity before it’s too late. If they open the door, He will receive them and include them as participants in the marriage of the Lamb and the wedding feast to follow. The conquerors (Rev 3:21 cf. Rev 2:26) are promised to be seated with Christ on the earth during the millennial kingdom. In that day, Christ will reign on the throne of David in Jerusalem, fulfilling the promise given to David, and these believers will rule "over the nations" with Him (Acts 2:30 cf. Rev 2:25-27).
A: While we like to use the seven churches in Revelations as analogies of the Church today, we must not forget that John's revelation is actually an unveiling to Israel of the Tribulation to come, during which time the good news of the earthly kingdom will again be preached. The assembly at Laodicea then will be primarily made up of religious unbelievers in danger of being "spit out of" the Lord's mouth. This has nothing to do with the loss of their salvation since the majority of them will not have possessed salvation in the first place.
This assembly at Laodicea has drifted far from their covenant relationship with God, which will need to be restored before they can proceed. In time past, God loved Israel, reproved her, disciplined her, and called her to repentance — they were His people. But not all within the chosen nation were saved: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring" (Rom 9:6-7).
That the rebuke and call to repentance in Revelation 3 is primarily intended for the unbelievers at Laodicea is confirmed by the fact that the Lord is standing at the door of this assembly, giving them one last opportunity before it’s too late. If they open the door, He will receive them and include them as participants in the marriage of the Lamb and the wedding feast to follow. The conquerors (Rev 3:21 cf. Rev 2:26) are promised to be seated with Christ on the earth during the millennial kingdom. In that day, Christ will reign on the throne of David in Jerusalem, fulfilling the promise given to David, and these believers will rule "over the nations" with Him (Acts 2:30 cf. Rev 2:25-27).
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