THE LAODICEAN ERA

After the death of Mr. Herbert Armstrong, the Philadelphian Age came to a close and then ushered in the Laodicean Era. The latter is a 'blind era' (Revelation 3:17) because many were and still are being deceived by imposters and false teachers. Sadly, most of the congregation have little or no idea that they have fallen into the trap of Satan, who is the father of lies and deceptions (Revelation 12:9) The Apostle Paul also warned in 1 Corinthians 11: 18-19 of factions and divisions, but the people will eventually recognized those who are approved; that is, those who understands and practised the truth.

As lukewarmness and apostasy that were prophesised gather momentum in this last era of the church age, the awfulness of God's people began to surface. Christ rebuked the Laodicean for their 'independent spirit' for they are wealthy and have need of nothing materially, but they are wretched, miserable , poor, blind and naked spiritually ' (Revelation 3:17). They resort to 'do their own things' and interpret the Scriptures that best fit their lifestyle. The warning is grim - the Lord will 'vomit them out of His mouth' - meaning to say, they will have to undergo the Great Tribulation with no means of escape! Tragically, many will lose their physical lives but those who repented during the Great Tribulation will be saved spiritually to inherit the Kingdom of God! This is shown in the following verse 18 where they have to 'buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire (Great Tribulation) so that they can be rich spiritually to anoint their eyes and see the folly of their waywayness; then they will eventually be clothed in white garments (righteousness of Christ) to be in the First Resurrection to enter His Kingdom!

Part of God's Work of the Ezekiel Warning (Ezekiel chapters 3 & 33) in these last days is to warn the Laodiceans to turn from their ways, starting with the leaders, for He is 'standing at the door and knock' , awaiting for response from those who will while there is still time (Rev 3:20). Those who accept Christ's invitation to repent will become overcomers to rule and reign with Him in His coming Kingdom (Rev 3:21). What glorious truth and grace extended out to the Laodiceans!

The Laodicean church loves to embrace social gospel and watered-down doctrines. This in part, helps to explain the proliferation of different churches with different doctrinal interpretation and practices that cause further confusion and division. One thing often leads to another, and soon some of the teachings and practices are even contrary to what the Bible teaches. Soon Satan begins to deceive them that all the laws and commandments of God were kept for them by Christ and 'nailed to the cross'. Both the Apostles Peter and Paul warned in their epistles about false teachers and deceptions (2 Peter 2;1-3; Acts 20:28-30) at the beginning of the church age. As prophecy is usually dual and history very often repeats itself, it had happened in the first century shortly after all the Apostles died, it is happening again at the close of the church age we are currently living in!

After the death of Herbert Armstrong, the true church did indeed 'fall away' as was prophesised in Scriptures (2 Thess 2:3,10) Just like 2 Peter 2:22 reads, 'the dog has returned to his own vomit, and the sow having washed, to wallowing in the mire'. Many of the splinters have been formed and they returned to teaching truths mingled with errors, similar to eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In Revelation 3:10, Christ promised the Philadelphians to persevere and He will keep them from the 'hour of trial' which shall come upon the whole world - meaning they will be shielded from the coming Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (last one year). There are Philadelphians remnant in the last Laodicean Era, and they will be protected, much like the Nazarenes (the minority) during the Smyrna Era.

The word Laodicea means 'the people rule, judge or decide'. Therefore, inside the Laodicean church it is based on people's rule instead of Christ's rule. There is NO GOD'S GOVERNMENT ruling in the Laodicean church! The Lord Christ is OUTSIDE the organization. Hence the leaders and congregation decide on doctrines, practices and the kind of agenda for their church. Christ is calling His sheep to follow Him (John 10:3-5) and it is up to them to listen to His voice and obey. Those who do will be greatly blessed for they will escape the cataclysmal events (Luke 21:36) that will be unleashed upon planet earth!