God talks about a people like this in the book of revelation. but they are not just a nation, they are people of the Church of Laodicea...
"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing for anyone' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless." -Revelation 3:15-17
the word Laodicea is two words combined. the first meaning "people", the second meaning "opinions", "decisions", or "principal". in the era of the church of Laodicea, they trust in their ability to rule themselves, judging and deciding matters to the exclusion of Christ's rule within His Church.
i believe that Spiritually, this is right where the american church is. comfortable, complacent, apathetic, unexcited. and the ideas of a democratic republic government have invaded the way the church operates. not only that, but being so financially and materially prosperous seems to have quenched passion, dependence on, and desperation for the Lord. i pray that the american church would wake up and see things as they really are. though She thinks She is rich and needs nothing, She is spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. God, let eyes be open and let revelation of the truth come.
thankfully, God is not willing that She remain this way. He gives Her the chance to change, and to see that She does need Him. He loves the Church so much, and He knows how to speak to Her in a way She can understand.
He knows that we are consumers, obsessed with buying, possessing, more. And given that, He speaks to us in our language - He tells us what we should buy.
"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, white clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see." -Revelation 3:18
rather than focus on investing in merely financial & material wealth, God counsels us to buy from Him, things that will not perish. First, He says to buy gold, refined in fire. gold is refined and purified in a furnace. Here, gold represents a strong faith that has been tested by fiery trials and has been made pure through perseverance. with this faith, we are made rich!
in a culture of wealth & material possession, clothing is more than a covering for our bodies. for many, clothes are a defining symbol of our identity and self image. no matter the name brand, the expense, or what clothes represent on the outside, if the inside is corrupt the outer garments become tainted and stained. God says to buy from Him white clothes. In doing so, they will be like those worn in revelation by Jesus, the redeemer and overcomer. these white clothes represent clothing ourselves in His righteousness.
white clothes are also a representation of a Bride. we are to prepare ourselves for the wedding, of the Church and the Lover of our souls. the Bride ought to make herself ready. so we must always be clothed and ready for Jesus' return. why would we ever want to remove these garments of righteousness and purity? they are not clothes for just trying on - they are to be as a new skin, a new way of life, a new identity.
God also counsels us to buy salve for the eyes to see. in laodicea, eye salve was a medicine they were known for throughout the world. but ironically, God called them blind. we must not think that just because we have physical eyes, that we can see. our spiritual eyes must be opened, and we need God to cure this blindness. we must recognize the hour. we need to be able to see what the Father is doing, so that we know what we should do, just as Christ did only what He saw the Father doing. we need to have clear vision, free of specks and logs. we need to fix our gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. to be focused on Him, above anything else. we need the eyes of a dove, totally devoted and without distraction, so in love with the Lord that nothing turns us from his direction.
"The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! Look at me, I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches." - Revelation 3:19-22
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