The Sign of the Laodicean Church

Welcome to today’s Bible study. We’re focusing on a vital question: Could today’s Church be the final Church described in the book of Revelation—the Church of Laodicea?

Understanding the Seven Churches in Revelation

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus gives messages to seven churches located in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Revelation 1:11).

These churches were literal congregations in the first century, but theologically, they are often viewed as symbolic of different periods or conditions of the universal Church throughout history. This interpretation aligns with historic premillennial and dispensational eschatology, which sees these churches as a prophetic timeline of the Church Age.

Laodicea: The Final Church?

Laodicea is the seventh and final church. In Scripture, the number seven symbolizes completion or fullness (Genesis 2:2; Revelation 1:20). Thus, Laodicea may represent the final spiritual condition of the Church before Christ returns.

Here’s what Jesus says about it:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
— Revelation 3:15–16

This rebuke reveals a spiritual condition of compromise and self-deception. The Laodicean Church believed it was wealthy and had need of nothing, but Christ says it is spiritually “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (v. 17).

Parallel with the Last Days

The New Testament consistently warns that in the last days, spiritual and moral decay will increase:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26).

Just like in the days of Noah and Lot, people will be preoccupied with daily life, yet spiritually indifferent or rebellious. In Genesis 19, Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction followed rampant immorality and the rejection of righteousness. Jude confirms this, saying:

“…Sodom and Gomorrah… are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
— Jude 1:7

So, Sodom and Gomorrah symbolize the moral condition of the world in the last days, while Laodicea symbolizes the spiritual condition of the Church—worldly, lukewarm, and unaware of its need for repentance.

Today’s Church: A Laodicean Mirror?

Many aspects of today’s Christian culture reflect the Laodicean condition:

Compromise between holy living and worldly entertainment
Half-hearted devotion, such as attending church but not living transformed lives (see Romans 12:1–2)
Materialism and self-sufficiency, rather than spiritual dependence on Christ

This is not a condemnation of all believers but a wake-up call to examine whether we are following Christ with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

Hope for the Faithful Remnant

Though Laodicea is rebuked, Christ still offers grace:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
— Revelation 3:19

This mirrors God’s pattern throughout Scripture: even in times of judgment, He always calls a remnant to faithfulness—Noah, Lot, the faithful in Elijah’s day (1 Kings 19:18). Likewise, God is calling a remnant Church today to stay faithful, set apart, and spiritually alert (Matthew 25:1–13).

The Next Prophetic Event: The Rapture?

In Revelation 4:1, after the message to Laodicea, John is caught up to heaven:

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven… And the first voice… said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”
— Revelation 4:1

Many theologians interpret this as a symbol of the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). After the Church Age, God will remove His faithful people and then allow judgment (the Great Tribulation) to unfold.

Be “Hot” for Christ

Jesus would rather we be cold (clearly outside the faith) or hot (fully committed) than lukewarm. Why? Because lukewarm believers can appear spiritual but are deceiving themselves—a dangerous place to be (James 1:22).

So if you’ve decided to follow Christ, do it wholeheartedly: