LUKEWARM CHURCH (Rev 3:14- 22)

This is the final letter to the seven churches. The Lord’s introduction is that He says, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God,” What a sobering and fitting introduction! He begins his self description with a foundational title. “The Amen” which in Greek means, “be firm.”

1.     Character of the Church

This church was lukewarm- Neither cold, nor hot. In that day the word cold was used to describe spiritual indifference and hostility towards the truth. And hot means boiling, a metaphor describing one who is passionate and who is on fire for God and His glory. But this church is neither hot, nor cold! There were tepid, putrid hypocrites. They claim to be Christians but have no time to serve God! They hear the words of the pastor but do not do them. They hear the truth and they know the truth but their hearts don’t pursue the truth.

So, he says, “I will spit you out of My mouth” and lists 5 things here.

1.    Wretched, which means vile, despicable.

2.    Miserable and it pictures someone who deserves extreme pity because of the current condition of their soul that will ultimately perish in an eternal hell unless he repents.

3.    Poor, which pictures a beggar who is crouching in his destitution. (What a contrast to the fabulous wealth they enjoyed!)

4.    Blind because they are unable to see the spiritual truth.

5.    Naked because Salvation is sometimes depicted as a garment and they don’t have it!

2.     Advises

Jesus then advises the church. First, he says, “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich.” Rich, referring to being spiritually rich, in contrast to spiritual poverty that they refused to acknowledge. Secondly, he says, “Buy from Me...white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed”. We need to buy from Jesus the white garments of salvation, producing deeds of righteousness that will validate genuine saving faith. And then, thirdly, the Lord says, “Buy from Me... eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see”.

3.     Promises

And then he appeals to them in verse 19. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” He says in verse 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 will dine with him, and he with Me.” Now the picture of the Lord standing at the door at knocking is one of immediacy, one of urgency. Jesus not only offers believers fellowship with Him but also the privilege of reigning with Him.

People want to experience the love of God but want to live a worldly life too. They worship, sing, hear the word of God but do not do them. Many churches are lukewarm now!

God Bless!