The Letter to Laodicea – Revelation 3

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Jesus identifies Himself to the church at Laodicea as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” This church needs to recognize that God’s word is just as sure now as it was when He first created the world. In fact, they needed to realize that they were being spoken to by “the CREATOR.”

Isn’t it interesting that evolution has exploded into popularity during the time when the Laodicean church seems to be the most prevalent. No matter how stubbornly people choose to cling to this preposterous theory, it will not change the truth. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Again, Jesus is aware of their works/deeds/actions/behavior. They serve, but not with zeal; they just seem to be going through the motions. They are keeping up appearances and maintaining social connections.

This comparison was perfect for the people of this church since their town was furnished water through a system that caused it to arrive for their use “lukewarm.” It was neither cold and refreshing or hot for use in healing/cleanliness etc. God is comparing this church to lukewarm water that doesn’t taste good; a lukewarm church does not put a good taste in the Lord’s mouth. He’d rather spit it out. In fact, the word for spue is “emeo,” which means to vomit; it’s where we get our word emetic. (This reminds me of His action in withering the fig tree in Matthew 21. A church is supposed to be producing fruit.)

David Guzik uses a quote from Donald Barnhouse that gives a little different perspective. “So the Lord is saying, ‘If instead of being lukewarm, you were so cold that you should feel that coldness, then the very feeling of your need might drive you to the true warmth, but now in your lukewarmness, you have just enough to protect yourselves against a feeling of need.’”

Rev. 3:17-18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

This church considered itself to be blessed because it was rich in material wealth; they really didn’t have need of anything that they could identify. Jesus, on the other hand, sees them as wretched (distressed, miserable), miserable (pitiable), poor (spiritual paupers), blind (mentally—they don’t recognize their condition) and naked (without clothing—the garments of salvation). This was a church in name only.

2 Corinthians 10:18 is applicable here--For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Good thought from my friend Dixie—“’I counsel thee.’ Why does He bother? Because He loves them (v19).”

Jesus advises the church to buy from Him “gold tried in the fire” (1Peter 1:7) and submit to His will and testing to earn treasures in heaven; spiritual riches are the true riches of eternity. I think He is using the language of money to get the attention of this materially oriented church.

1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Another good note from Dixie—“Good things can come out of fiery trials if we desire the outcome of purity and refinement more than we dislike the circumstances of the trials.”

The white raiment represents the garment of salvation, which only Jesus can provide to those who come to Him in faith believing on His finished work on the cross. Jesus covers the shame caused by our sin. He advises them to anoint themselves with eyesalve so that they can see; that seems to be referring to accepting Jesus as the Savior and appropriating the power and teaching of the Spirit to open their spiritual eyes.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Jesus tempers His rebuke by telling them that He only rebukes and chastens those He loves.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

So take this message as a love letter. Recognize the truth about yourself; turn your apathy into energy and desire—repent (change your heart/mind/direction).

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

God is so merciful!! This time He pictures Himself standing at the door wanting fellowship with them; He is trying to get their attention. He is not going to force His way in though. It’s up to each individual to open the door and invite Him inside for fellowship.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Those who overcome are promised a seat with Him in His throne (the throne of David), just as the Father gave Him/Jesus a seat in His throne for overcoming.

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

He is always assuring His children that He will be just as good a Father as God is to Him.

Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Again, the believers are encouraged to listen to and heed the message to the churches.

“he that hath an ear, let him hear” – Joseph Seiss made a good observation on this text: “Let us see to it, then, that we hear as the text commands, and learn to view the church’s errors, corruptions, mistakes, and sins as Christ views them; to love what He loves, to hate what He hates, and to hope only as He has given us authority to hope.”