Be Zealous and Repent
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ sends messages to seven churches in what is today Turkey. These churches stand in for the entirety of the Church of God through the ages, and Christ tells everyone “who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). All of God’s people should pay attention to the warnings and be encouraged by the promises.
The message to the church in Laodicea contains some of the strongest warnings and correction. Jesus gave this rebuke because He loves us and wants us all to repent, change and be part of His wonderful Kingdom.
Those living in a time of wealth and ease are particularly prone to spiritual blindness. God wants us all to recognize our sins and repent of them.
For more about how God wants us to repent, see our section on “Repentance.”
