Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:14-22

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation, says this.  “I have known your works. You are neither cold nor hot. Oh that you were either cold or hot! In this manner, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, I have wealth, and I need nothing,’ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold having been refined by fire so that you may be rich, white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be known, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. Therefore, be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone should hear my voice and should open the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this last address, we have a final identity of Jesus to examine.  Jesus is the amen.  In other words, Jesus is true.  He is truth.  Truth is in Him.  That’s why he is called the faithful and true witness.  Furthermore, Jesus is identified as one who stands at the door and knocks.  Jesus brings truth to our life.  He offers it to us.  He comes to us; we don’t have to seek Him!  But it is up to use to receive His truth.

Have you received God’s truth?  How do you live a life that demonstrates that you see God as the faithful and true witness?

Second Thought:

As we turn to the section for praise, notice that Jesus has nothing good to say about the church in Laodicea.  There isn’t even a whiff of a compliment in this passage.  No wonder Jesus gives His identity as one who stands at the door and knocks!  They haven’t yet received the truth of God.  Yes, they have heard about it.  They’ve intellectually become aware of God and His truth.  But they haven’t received it.  There isn’t any fruit.  There isn’t anything to praise.  Jesus is still at their door, standing and knocking.

Are you surprised to hear that there is a second church – out of seven – that doesn’t receive any compliment?  What does this tell you about humanity and our interaction with faith?

Third Thought:

Since there is no compliment section, it should not be a surprise that there is a large challenge section.  The people of Laodicea are lukewarm.  If you know about Laodicea, you know that there were two aqueducts leading into Laodicea: a cold water spring and a hot-water spring.  But by the time the water got to Laodicea, the water from both springs were lukewarm.  What is Jesus saying?  The people of Laodicea are allowing the world to influence them.  Their time in the world is keeping their faith from showing.  That’s why they don’t really have any fruit.  They’ve heard the story of Jesus, but the influence of the world is just too great for them.  In fact, they don’t even realize how spiritually bankrupt they are!  They are spiritually blind, poor, wretched, pitiable, and unclothed.  What is the challenge?  They need to be zealous and repent!  They need to see their error and bear some fruit!  If they can do that, then Jesus promises that they will share in His throne.  They will have a part in the kingdom if they can just come to terms with that which God is saying to them!

Where in your life has the influence of the world made you lukewarm in your faith?  Where can you repent and lead a more zealous lifestyle?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 4:1-6