COLOSSIANS: The OTHER letter to LAODICEA
The OTHER MESSAGE in the Bible (outside of Revelation 3) that is specifically meant for Laodicea
is woven within the content of Paul's letter to the Colossians. You can see this from reading Colossians 2:1
and Colossians 4:16 ...
Many of the members of the former Worldwide Church of God split churches today believe they are still a continuation of Philadelphia, and therefore they are Philadelphian, rather than Laodicean. Therefore Colossians Chapter 1 begins by talking to the Laodiceans AS IF they are Philadelphians. Verse 4 says "For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people." ...Philadelphia means brotherly love.
Colossians 1:11 talks about becoming strong according to God's power, as if talking to Philadelphia, as Revelation 3:8 says Philadelphians have little strength.
The same verse also talks about patience, as does the Rev 3:10 message to the Philadelphians.
Colossians 1:18 says Christ is the head of the body of his church, made up of his people. Christ is the open door given to the Philadelphians. John 10:7,8.
Verse 23 talks about CONTINUING in the faith.
Interestingly, verse 26 talks about the "Mystery hidden from the Ages" being made known to the saints. Read Herbert W. Armstrong's book, Mystery of the Ages, online here
Chapter 2 verse 2 again talks about the mystery of God. Verse 2 also touches on riches, indicating that true riches come from understanding the mystery of God...
Colossians 2:2 ...that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;...Laodiceans, of course, believe they understand these mysteries, and ARE rich... Rev 3:17.
Chapter 2 verse 2 says Paul's purpose was that the church SHOULD BE KNIT TOGETHER AND UNIFIED in the body of Christ.
Because I agree with it, I recommend listening to the following sermon about unity in the Church of God. You can find it at http://www.childrenofgod.net/sermons2.htm Look for the sermon called A House Divided Date 05 July 08
And right after that, Colossians 2:4 (GNB) says: "I tell you, then, do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be."All these three things (1) the Mystery (2) true riches, and (3) the church being unified in brotherly love --which SHOULD be of vital interest to BOTH Philadelphians and Laodiceans-- are addressed in this single verse.
This should be a familiar warning, as it's also found in Matthew 24:4 "Take heed that no man deceive you."
Matthew 24, verse 24 says that the very elect cannot be deceived. But if they can't be deceived, why bother with this warning? And why bother with the Colossians 2:4 warning? One answer to this is contained within the warning itself... UNLESS you take great heed... UNLESS you believe you MUST take this warning very seriously, and if you think you can't be deceived, then you probably WILL be deceived.
Currently today, NEARLY ALL of God's people ARE deceived in one form or another.
God's true church should understand that the handwriting of ordinances nailed to the cross in Colossians 2:14 is referring to the ordinances of MEN as explained in verse 22.
And yet members in God's church today still hang on to the words of men, instead of God.
The only way to NOT be deceived is to NOT accept what your pastors say without ALSO proving it for yourself. UNLESS you study the Bible for yourself, and follow the Biblical example given to us in Acts 17:11 you are NOT taking heed that no man deceive you.
(MKJV) And these were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so. (ISV) These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so.(GNB) The people there were more open-minded than the people in Thessalonica. They listened to the message with great eagerness, and every day they studied the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was really true.
They searched, they carefully examined, and they studied. These people were open minded to the truth, and today we should also PROVE TRUTH FROM THE SCRIPTURES in order to DOUBLE CHECK that we have not been deceived .
BUT LAODICEANS TODAY HAVE STOPPED DOING THIS. They are following their leaders, and following men, instead of GOD.
Dropping down to Colossians 2:16, it talks about Holy Days. The Living Bible renders this verse very badly. It says "So don't let anyone criticise you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating Jewish holidays and feasts or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
See this Lexicon translation to see how verse 16 should be translated. The correct translation and meaning of verse 16 is not to let any man judge you on these subjects. It indicates that the people being addressed do keep the holy days and may even take notice of new moons, otherwise why mention them? In other words, rather than NOT keeping the Jewish Holy Days, it would be better to say if we DO celebrate Jewish Holy Days (which we should), but not on the same days the Jews do because they have changed from keeping them on the original times God set them to be kept, then we shouldn't worry about what other men or ministers say, whether inside or outside of the church.
All we need concern ourself with is what GOD says on any subject.
Some do not want to look at any of the ‘arguments’ supporting the correct times for Passover, and Pentecost observance. That's WHY they are not understanding these things and remain deceived. By answering a matter before they hear it, or before they study it properly, they fall into the trap that Proverbs 18:13 says NOT to fall for. They could understand it, if they would research it with an open mind, as the Bereans did... But because it would bring them into conflict with their equally deceived ministers, they prefer to cling to FALSE PREMISES that don't fit all the facts.
The last half of Colossians is concerned with where our minds are focused. Our conduct towards each other should be befitting of the conduct of members of God's family.
In light of the scattering of the church in the Laodicean era, Colossians 3:14 makes a very interesting statement: (ISV) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.
Although I criticised The Living Bible previously, I agree 100% with the way they render this verse: (TLB) Most of all, let LOVE guide your life, FOR THEN THE WHOLE CHURCH WILL STAY TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY. (3:14) ...for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body...
(Cross reference this with 1 Cor. 13:5: LOVE... "does not pursue it's own things, is not easily provoked...")
No wonder God inspired Paul to ask that this letter be read to the church of the Laodiceans, which is now scattered (Jer. 50:6) into over 300 different groups!
The second last verse of Colossians ---Col. 4:17--- contains a warning to a specific minister, telling him to take heed that he does his job properly.
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