PHILADELPHIA OR LAODICEA

The wisdom of the fathers

PHILADELPHIA OR LAODICEA

In the end time there will be mainly two kind of Christians: Philadelphia and Laodicea, the wise virgins or the foolish virgins as told in Matthew 25. The wise virgins or Philadelphia-Christians follow the gently drawing of the Holy Spirit and let Him uncover whatever hidden sin is in their hearts and obey Him on every point He may show, even if it goes against their old nature.

Laodicea-Christians, however, maybe have made a good start and got converted and born-again, but at some point in their life got stuck, because they were not willing to obey the small still voice and hardened their heart and so don't progress in their sanctification, let alone complete it.

They have no understanding of sins of omission and will probably be outraged if their lukewarm condition is pointed out to them. They will certainly not be ready for the bridegroom, when He comes, which not necessarily mean that they are lost, but they will only be saved by the skin of their teeth or through fire, as it were. But they certainly will lose the crown of the overcomers, like promised to Philadelphia.

Walter Kirchbauer