Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
The Lord who truly is as He says and says because He is addresses the seventh church and all like it through time. He is the beginning of all creation (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-16), because He is the word who spoke it all into existence. He is faithful to do all the Father has planned, and bears witness to the work through His life, death, and resurrection. This one tells them that He knows what they do and the motives behind every thought and deed, because He made them and knows them completely. The warning then is to be committed to Him; He would rather they be cold to Him in indifference than playing interest and doing little. He would of course rather they were on fire for Him and the gospel, which is far better, but would vomit them out of His upset stomach if they continue to be uncommitted to Him. They thought they did not need God because they had much in the material sense, but are told how little they have without Him as their greatest possession. The Lord makes it clear that they are truly miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked - devoid of any health or wealth - without having Him as their primary love for a true abundant life. They are counseled to receive all they lack immediately from their Creator and Master; they are to repent and be healed, receiving what they need for life and godliness. They need only come to open the door through repentance to dine once more with their Lord who called them, and then will overcome the world’s allure to reign in the Kingdom with Him forever. We would do well to hear and heed this as well; the gospel is about Jesus Christ and His righteousness, not our good life now of fame, health, and wealth. We are not to seek the material over the eternal (Matthew 6:31-33), but find our all in Him, being hot for God and cold to our own desires of personal gain or glory, and certainly not ambivalent to Him and His Kingdom.
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