The article is based on the podcast, Revelation 3v14-22 – Jesus, to the Church in Laodicea.
Context
Welcome to this Light and Life Bible Ministries message. Our aim is to help you have a clear understanding of the Bible.
This message focuses on what Jesus said to the church in Laodicea. Let’s start by reading Revelation Chapter 3, verses 14 to 22. I’m reading in the English Standard Version.
14“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21The 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. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Lukewarm and Unpleasant
To “the angel of the church in Laodicea,” Jesus refers to Himself as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” He is the final word, the perfect expression, and the originator of everything God created.
Jesus intentionally depicts His perfect character to contrast it with this church whose works have made them very unpleasant to Him, like lukewarm water in His mouth. He says they have deceived themselves by thinking they are well off, counselling them to get refined gold from Him representing true spiritual riches, white garments depicting righteousness, and salve to heal their spiritual blindness.
Promises of Intimacy
To this, the worst of the churches, Jesus shows a father’s heart of love, saying, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” It should encourage us to know that God loves us regardless of “sin which clings so closely” or, as the NIV says, “so easily entangles.”
Jesus gives one of the most meaningful of promises to this church, saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” This speaks of His desire to have an intimate relationship with those who repent of having closed their hearts to Him.
He followed that up with another astounding promise that all have in Him, saying, “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.” As He did with each church, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In so doing, He makes all that was said to this church applicable to the seven churches and, by implication, His entire Church throughout history.
Rob Morley
Restore the Word 
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