Laodicea: Cold or Hot? (Rev. 3:14-22)
Call to Hear
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.” ’ ”
Laodicea
In his writings, Natural History, Pliny the Elder tells us that the city we know as Laodicea went by a couple different names, Diospolis and Rhoas.(1) During the Seleucid empire, the name of the city was changed after “Antiochus II fortified the city as a military stronghold, naming it after his first wife, Laodice”.(2) In 188 BC, “the city came under control of the Pergamenes. Attalus III, the last king of Pergamum, [handed over] his kingdom to the Romans in 133 BC”.(3) Under Roman rule, Laodicea flourished greatly. It became well-known for banking, medicine (especially ophthalmology) and extensive textile industry.According to Robert Mounce, this wealthy commercial center was, by far, the richest city in Phrygia.(4) For the sake of comparison, both Philadelphia and Laodicea suffered devastation after being hit by massive earthquakes. While Philadelphia sought the assistance of the emperor Tiberius who lifted their tax burden and helped them rebuild their beloved Philadelphia, Laodicea asked no one to help them rebuild their city. Roman historian Tacitus said this about Laodicea, “Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources, and with no help from us”.(5)This last phrase marks the character of Laodicea as a city as well as the church which existed there. In this letter there are four vitally important lessons that we can learn, but first let’s talk about the Author.
Revelation 3:14
“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:
I’m sure by now you’ve noticed a pattern in how these seven letters have opened. First we are told who the letter is written to, then we are told who the letter is from.The letter is written to the angel of the church. This is most-likely the pastor who watched out for the souls of God’s people, knowing that they will have to give an account (Heb. 13:17). And they most definitely will give an account in this letter. We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and answer for what we have done in our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:9-11) and judgment will always begin with the people of God (1 Pt. 4:17).The author of this letter is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the Body, the church (Col. 1:18). He first introduces Himself as the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness. These two titles piggyback off of each other to show the complete faithfulness and trustworthiness of Jesus contrasting His character with the unfaithful and hypocritical character of the church in Laodicea.Isaiah 65:16 refers to Him as the God of Amen/truth.
16 So that he who blesses himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My eyes (Isaiah 65:16, NKJV).
Jesus is truth personified (Jn. 14:6).Next, Jesus is introduced as the Beginning of the creation of God. The original word used for beginning has several meanings. The variety of meanings can refer to time, origin, and even authority. Certainly all of these apply to Jesus. He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” ( Rev. 1:8; 22; 21:6; 22:13). He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He is also, according to Colossians 1:18,
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18, NKJV).
For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4, NKJV).
In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).Jesus is not the Beginning in the same way that we would speak of time. For example, this sermon has a beginning and you should pray that it has an ending. Thomas Aquinas called God the “Uncaused Cause”.?
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:16–17, NKJV).?Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God (Psalm 90:2, NKJV).
You’re probably wondering why I would spend so much of our time unpacking one verse. The reason is because if we get Jesus wrong, if we don’t truly know who He is and what He’s done, then we are off to a bad start in terms of how we relate to God and others. A.W. Tozer put it this way, “…no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God”. (6) He goes on to say that “…the most portentous fact about any man is…what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like”.(7) Finally he says,
“always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid”.(8)
Lesson #1
Revelation 3:15–16, NKJV
“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.
On its face it might appear that Jesus is just using cute and clever phrases, choosing words to simply draw people in, but there is a great deal of intentionality behind the words and the language used in these verses.
Lesson #1: Self-reliance makes you disgustingly distasteful to the Lord.
Jesus says, you’re not cold or hot. You’re lukewarm! Because you are lukewarm, I’m going to vomit you out of my mouth. In a roundabout way, Jesus says, “I can’t stand you! You make Me sick!” Now, this might cause some people to cringe. We don’t like to think of our Lord using such strong and condemning language and the reason is because we may have a small view of the holiness of our God. We might also have a small view of the devastating destruction of sin in our lives.Oftentimes this passage has been taken to mean that Jesus wants us to either be cold (opposed to Him) or He wants us to be hot (on fire for God and completely sold out). When we look at passages like,Isaiah 31:6 “Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.” Ezekiel 18:23 “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”1 Timothy 2:4 “[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”It doesn’t make sense that Jesus would be asking us to deny Him or stand against Him. When we understand the historical setting of Laodicea, we then get a better understanding of what Jesus meant here.Chuck Swindoll tells us that,
“ten miles east of Laodicea was Colossae, known for its refreshing cold springs. Six miles to the north of Laodicea was Hierapolis, which had hot springs. Laodicea was located on a high plateau far from either of these places.”
With no sufficient water source of their own,
“Laodicea had to pipe in water through stone aqueducts. By the time [the water] reached the city, [it] was tepid, lukewarm, and sometimes even bitter or chalky to the taste after traveling for miles through all that stone”.(9)
Cold water is refreshing. Hot water can be used for sterilization. The problem with this congregation was that their faith and their works didn’t match up. James tells us that kind of faith is useless (James 2:14-17). They were so self-indulged that they forgot the purpose of their existence. This reminds me of Luke 9:55-56.Luke 9:55–56, NKJV
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
The church has often been referred to as a hospital. A place where the spiritually sick can come and find healing, restoration, comfort and salvation.This church, Robert Mounce says,
“was providing neither refreshment for the spiritually weary, nor healing for the spiritually sick. It was totally ineffective, and thus distasteful to its Lord”.(10)
I pray for each of us who call Britton Christian Church home, that we would remember our calling to be salt and light in this dark world. That we would remember that we have been reconciled to God. We have been made ambassadors of Christ. And we are carrying His message of reconciliation - the hope of the gospel.
Lesson #2: Self-sufficiency leaves you hopelessly destitute.
Revelation 3:17 (NKJV)
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—
What impresses us does not impress God (1 Samuel 16:7).The church in Smyrna was poor financially, but spiritually they had unimaginable wealth. They had followed the instructions of Jesus in Matt. 6:20-21. Matthew 6:20–21, NKJV
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Their treasure was in heaven, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1-3).The church in Laodicea had gorged themselves with the things of this world. Money, fashion, looks, pride. All of these things, instead of making the people better, it actually made them worse.Jesus said of this church, you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. They weren’t doing as well as they thought they were doing. Quite honestly, neither are we. If we tell the truth this morning, the way we live our lives proves that we find more security in the things we possess than we do in Jesus. Our peace comes from knowing that there’s an abundance of money in our bank accounts. It comes from knowing that people look up to us and respect us as someone important. We trust more in our willingness and ability to work hard for the things we have than we do in the free grace of Jesus Christ.Folks, we don’t need a hedge fund. We need the eternal riches of God.We don’t need an ophthalmologist. We need the Great Physician.We don’t need to be clothed in couture. We need to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ!But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14).For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27; See also Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).The problem with many of us in the church is that we want to wear Jesus like we wear a sports coat or an evening gown, only for special occasions! You have a court case? Put on Jesus. Having marriage problems? Put on Jesus. Starting to feel a little sick? Put on Jesus. Children stressing you out? Put on Jesus. Need a job? Need to land that big deal? Need your house to sell? Put on Jesus.
Jesus Christ is no fashion statement. Jesus Christ is a statement of God’s faithfulness!
Not only was this church disgustingly distasteful to Jesus. They were also hopelessly destitute without Him. But no matter how far we may go in the wrong direction the grace of God always suffices.
Lesson #3: You are lovingly desired by the Lord.?
Revelation 3:18–19
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.
Jesus challenges the church by calling out her sins and shortsightedness, but he also supports the church by inviting her to get from Him the very things they need. And the whole reason that He does this is because of how much He loves them.He doesn’t yell at them to do better or try harder. He doesn’t tell them not to worry about it either. No! He tells them, “This makes Me sick and here’s a better way to live.” He says, “I got you.” “Come and get from Me those things which will bring the most joy and satisfaction in your life.”Isaiah 55:1–2, NKJV
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
The church in Laodicea boasted of great wealth without realizing that, in terms of what is considered valuable in God’s economy, their pants had holes in the pockets. Listen to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:9,
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
They also boasted of their clothing made from black wool. Jesus contrasts this by inviting them to come and get white garments from Him, not to cover their bodies, but to cover the shame of the nakedness of their souls.To understand what is happening here we need to go all the way back to the beginning.When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden their “eyes were opened, and they knew they were naked;” (Gen. 3:7). What they did next comes from the same self-reliant, self-sufficient spirit at work within the Laodicean church and in many churches today. They tried to fix their sin problem by sewing fig leaves together to cover their nakedness.Now watch this.After a Come-to-Jesus meeting with Adam and Eve we read these words in Genesis 3:21 “21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” We see the same thing happening in Laodicea. Jesus provides a sufficient covering for the church. He alone can fully and sufficiently cover our sin. That’s why Psalms 32:1 ans Romans 4:7 says,Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered (Psalm 32:1).“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; (Romans 4:7).Lastly, the Laodiceans boasted of their medical school. Phyrgia was known for its powder which the Laodiceans used to make an eye salve which helped to restore a person’s vision. Even though these folks had figured out how to deal with physical blindness, there was nothing they could invent to cure their spiritual blindness. Only Jesus can fix that problem. In John 9:39 “And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”” Jesus advises them, come to Me and have your sight restored.Again, we must remember that both the criticism against their sin and the invitation to rid themselves of their sin comes from a place of genuine love.It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4) and it is the longsuffering of the Lord that is our salvation (2 Pet. 3:15).
Call to Respond
Lesson #4: You have a life-changing decision to make.
Revelation 3:20–22
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.” ’ ”
Leon Morris points out that,
“Up till [now] the letter has been addressed to the church as a whole, but now there is a change. If anyone is an appeal to the individual. Even if the church as a whole does not heed the warning, some individuals may”.(11)
To the church in Philadelphia Jesus opened a door that no one could shut and shut a door that no one could open. In Laodicea, the church shut the door on Jesus. Doesn’t that sound familiar? Self-sufficiency and self-reliance had blinded this church to their need for what only Jesus could provide. By trusting in themselves they effectively kicked Jesus out of their congregation. And yet, Jesus loves the church so much He stands at the door knocking. Amazingly, Jesus does not force Himself upon this congregation. He asks for permission to come in and reestablish fellowship. (12)Today is the day of salvation and you have a decision to make.Will you trust in the free grace of God and surrender yourself to Him for the provisions of your soul or will you continue to trust in the deceptive riches of this world? Jesus became poor so that you could become rich in the things of God (2 Corinthians 8:9).Either you will close the door on Jesus and continue to trust in yourself or you will close the door on self-reliance and open it to Jesus.This is my prayer for you all today. Would you open the door of your heart to Jesus this morning? Even if you’re the only one.
Works Cited
(Pliny, Natural History 5.105)
(Aune, Revelation, 249)
(Reddish, Guide, 232)
(Robert Mounce, Revelation, 107)
(Annals XIV 27)
(The Knowledge of the Holy, p 1)
(The Knowledge of the Holy, p 1)
(The Knowledge of the Holy, p 1)
(Living Insights: Revelation, p82)
(Robert Mounce, Revelation, pp109-110)
(Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 86)
(Robert Mounce, Revelation, p 113)