3-10-2019 Turn Up the Heat! Revelation 3:14-22
Notes
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Introduction:
In his book, The Second Coming of the Church, Christian sociologist and pollster, George Barna, documents his findings about the differences in behaviors between those who identify themselves as born again Christians and non-Christians here in the United States. Among the results of his surveys are these:
Have been divorced:
Born again Christians – 27%
Non-Christians – 23%
Donated money to a non-profit organization in the last month:
Born again Christians – 47%
Non-Christians – 48%
Bought a lottery ticket in the past week:
Born again Christians – 23%
Non-Christians – 27%
Gave money to a homeless person or poor person in the past year:
Born again Christians – 24%
Non-Christians – 34%
He found similar results with people’s attitudes:
Satisfied with your life today:
Born again Christians – 69%
Non-Christians – 68%
You are still trying to figure out your purpose in life:
Born again Christians – 36%
Non-Christians – 47%
As a result of these findings as well as the results of other surveys his company has completed over the years, Barna made this insightful, but troubling comment:
The vast majority of Christians do not behave differently because we do not think differently, and we do not think differently because we have never trained or equipped ourselves, or held one another accountable to do so.
Although the church in America certainly has much in common with all of the seven churches addressed in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation, it is probably most like the church that we’ll read about this morning – the church in Laodicea. And that certainly explains why we often don’t see a lot of difference between those who claim to be Christians and the rest of the world.
Transition:
The message to the church in Laodicea is the seventh (and final) in a series of messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2–3. Influenced by the local culture, the church considers itself wealthy and self-sufficient, but Jesus’s assessment differs from that of the congregants.
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 3:14–22
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! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I 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. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me. 21 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
The city of Laodicea was located about forty miles southeast of Philadelphia and about one hundred miles east of Ephesus. It was the wealthiest of the seven cities. Hierapolis, with its hot mineral springs and white limestone cliffs, was only about eight miles to the north, while snowcapped mountains stood just a few miles to the south. Unfortunately, Laodicea had no reliable water supply of its own. The city was earthquake prone, however, and was virtually destroyed by a massive quake in AD 60. Yet instead of leaning on Rome for money to rebuild as Sardis had done, Laodicea paid for everything itself. Because the church in Laodicea was undoubtedly influenced by the city’s affluence and self-sufficiency, it receives a stern rebuke without any praise from Jesus.
Transition:
The church at Laodicea was likely in even worse shape spiritually than the church at Sardis, because nothing positive was said to its members at all. Their spiritual lukewarmness made the Lord want to vomit (vv. 15–16). Their well-to-do status, materially, had blinded them to their utter spiritual destitution (vv. 17–18). The Lord had been pushed to the outside of this congregation and was now seeking to reenter (v. 20) through their repentance (v. 19). What the devil or false doctrine does not accomplish in the church, self-centered materialism often will take up.
I. The Proficiency of Christ (v. 14)
I. The Proficiency of Christ (v. 14)
As with most of the seven messages, Jesus identifies himself using language from Revelation 1
“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.
Interesting here though is that this is not part of the description of John’s vision of the physical Jesus toward the end of chapter 1; rather, it is from the introduction of the Book
(e.g., 1:5, where Jesus is “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth”). In addition, Jesus as “the Amen” probably comes from Isaiah 65:16, where the term āmēn is used twice in the Hebrew text (i.e., the “God of amen” or “faithful God”; NIV: “the one true God”), meaning that He himself confirms and guarantees the message. Jesus speaks as the truthful, authoritative witness to God’s ways in contrast to the unfaithful witness of the Laodicean church (cf. Rev. 19:11).
No doubt the Laodiceans were familiar with the letter to Colossae which, by this time, was in their possession for at least a generation. In Colossians, Christ is described as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” [[Col. 1:15]],
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
and as the One “who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” [[Col. 1:18]].
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
As the Laodiceans had reveled in material riches, Christ reminds them that all of these things come from Him who is the Creator. Jesus is also the ruler (archē) not just of the kings of the earth but of the whole of creation (cf. Col. 1:15–20). While “ruler” can be taken temporally as the “beginning” of creation, it can also be understood causally as the “origin” or “source” of creation, as is the case here. Since Isaiah 65:17 speaks about the creation of new heavens and a new earth, and because of the parallels with Colossians 1:15–20, “God’s creation” here points to the new creation begun by Jesus’s resurrection.
Transition:
With this introduction of Himself, Christ addresses His message to the angel of the church in Laodicea without a word of commendation and with probably the most severe rebuke found in any of the seven letters.
II. The Problem at Church (vv. 15-17)
II. The Problem at Church (vv. 15-17)
What’s the problem!?
“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
Jesus illustrates the church’s spiritual problems using the city’s well-known water problems. Hierapolis to the north enjoyed hot springs useful for healing, while Colossae to the east had cold, refreshing drinking water. Jesus might be even going as far here as to say He prefers Hierapolis or the people of Colossae over those that are in this church.
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
But Laodicea received its water from a spring about five miles to the south. By the time this mineral-rich water made its way over the Roman aqueduct to Laodicea, it had become lukewarm and disgusting to drink (On a visit to the city today, I read somewhere that you can actually still see many corroded water pipes from this era.) Jesus views both hot and cold water as somewhat positive to a degree and perhaps more useful, whereas lukewarm water is nauseating.
Is Christ really saying here that he prefers “cold” people? or “cold people” are better than “luke-warm” people?
Christ is likely referring to three different spiritual states here:
a state of coldness— spiritual deadness,
a state of warmth or fervor— spiritual life,
and a state of lukewarmness— something in between? But then how can one be alive and dead at the same time in the same way?
Jesus had referenced in the Gospels to the fact that many in the world are cold to the things of Christ, that is, the gospel leaves them totally unmoved and arouses no interest or spiritual fervor. Such were many who were later won to the gospel, but in their prior cold state they had no evidence of grace or of salvation. By contrast those who are described as hot are those who show genuine spiritual fervor and leave no question as to the presence of eternal life, the sanctifying power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and a fervent testimony manifesting to all that they are true believers in our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
The normal transition is from a state of coldness to a state of spiritual warmth and is manifested in the experience of many prominent servants of God. The Apostle Paul himself at one time was cold toward Christ and bitter in his persecution of Christians; but once he met Christ on the Damascus Road, the opposition and lack of interest were immediately dissolved and replaced by the fervent heat of a flaming testimony for the Lord. The One whom he formerly persecuted then became an object of such affection that he would cheerfully die for Christ’s name. Such has been the pattern also of countless souls who have been won from spiritual deadness and coldness to fervency of Christian testimony.
The third state of lukewarmness likely refers to those who have some sort of interest in the things of God. They were probably professing Christians who attend church but have fallen far short of a true testimony for Christ, and whose attitude and actions raise concerns to the genuineness of their spiritual life. They have been touched by the gospel, but it is not clear whether they really accepted it. They can hardly be classified with the worldly who are totally unconcerned about the things of Christ, nor with those who unmistakably bear a true testimony for the Lord. This in-between state of lukewarmness is the cause for the extreme statement which Christ makes that He will spit them out of His mouth.
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
“I will spit you out of my mouth”
The indifference in the term “lukewarm” in this passage extends to their love for YHWH and for others, their conviction to the core doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the necessity of being born again and the need for a dramatic change in life and perspective required of a true Christian. If we never make clear the necessity of the new birth and do not proclaim accurately the depravity, and sin, of the human heart, and the divine remedy provided alone in the salvation offered by the crucified Christ, no one can expect the church to make any impact on people. The result is churchianity, membership in an organization without biblical Christianity and without membership in the Body of Christ accompanied by the miracle of the new birth.
It is apparent that there is something about the intermediate state of being lukewarm that is utterly obnoxious to YHWH. Far more hopeful is the state of one who has been untouched by the gospel and doesn’t fake putting his trust in Christ, than the one who makes some profession but by his life illustrates that he has not really trusted the Gospel he has heard and now professes. There is no one farther from Christ than one who dies holding onto an idle profession without real faith. The church at Laodicea shows the sad picture of much of the professing church in America and serves as an illustration of those who participate in the outer religious worship without the inner reality—this is as true for the Catholics as it is for professing protestants!
Commentator John Walvoord has said:
How many have outwardly conformed to requirements of the church without a true state of being born again into the family of God? How many church members are far from God yet by their membership in the professing church have satisfied their own hearts and have been lulled into a sense of false security?
And so we become complacent, comfortable, indifferent, lazy, trusting in our American commercial churches to dispense heaven to those who come regularly. Don’t get me wrong, we are to meet regularly as Hebrews commands—more-so as the end is nearing, but we don’t meet regularly with an expectation that if we are a frequent customer of the local church, then we will walk out with the goods and services of eternal salvation. I appreciate Kirk Cameron & Ray Comfort who demonstrate when we go witnessing, we don’t sell our church to others; rather, we beg them to Christ! That might involve inviting them to our local church, but our end goal in witnessing is not more members of Grace Baptist, but more members in God’s Kingdom.
Church “hoppers” demonstrate our condition in America very well. “Uh oh, this church is not delivering me a shiny new product, so I’ll go find the next shiny new thing at the next church.” And when the hoppers settle down at a church, it lasts as long as it satisfies their current wants: “What is in it for me?” “Am I comfortable here?” “Am I happy here?” rather than “How can I serve here?” “Who can I disciple here?” or “What opportunities can I create here to further the Gospel?” Be honest with yourself—when was the last time you looked around here to find another person to disciple—we all are to be discipling, not just the leaders.
The apathetic complacency of the Laodicean believers makes Jesus want to vomit—we cannot be the reason Jesus vomits. Their deeds are deserving of Christ’s tough love.
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
“ you say, I am rich”
They were living in a very wealthy city, and apparently the church was also a wealthy church. The Laodiceans were claiming wealth which was either spiritual, or material, or both. They may have been materially rich and assuming that riches were a sign of God’s blessing on them. With their wealth came an attitude of self-sufficiency—
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
“I need nothing”
They felt that they did not need a thing outside of what they can provide themselves—they might not say that out loud but they believed it. They were materially secure and felt spiritually safe—with no need for further intervention or growth. Sadly, that attitude made them blind to their own true condition—wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Contrast this with the church in Smyrna; they were poor, but Christ called them rich (2:9). The Laodicean believers may have been wealthy, but spiritually they were impoverished. While the city prided itself on extreme financial wealth, it had a productive textile industry, and even a special healing eye ointment, the church’s true spiritual condition left it lacking --poor, naked, and blind.
Transition:
This was, and is a huge problem within the church—thinking that all our problems can be and will be solved by us with no regard to our dependency on Christ.
III. The Power of Restoration (vv. 18-19)
III. The Power of Restoration (vv. 18-19)
As big of a problem as this was— Jesus always provides hope! Here is the answer to the American church!
I 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.
Ironically Laodicea was known for its great wealth, but Christ told the Laodiceans to buy their gold from him; then they would have real spiritual treasures. They had worthless gold in their bank accounts, gold from this world with no spiritual or eternal value. Only with Christ’s gold can they be rich.
The city was proud of its cloth and dyeing industries. They had developed a black wool that had become famous all over the Roman Empire and was bringing huge prices. Although they had wealth in their clothing, they were naked before God. They were self-centered. But Christ told them to purchase white garments (his righteousness) from him so they would not be shamed by their nakedness. Laodicea also prided itself on a precious eye ointment that healed many eye problems, but its people were spiritually blind. Christ told them to get ointment from him to heal their eyes so they could see the truth (John 9:39). Christ was showing the Laodiceans that true value is not in material possessions but in a right relationship with God. Their possessions and achievements were valueless compared with the everlasting future of Christ’s Kingdom.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
There was a second chance for this church; Christ offered them the opportunity to repent.
Jesus’s love means he does not abandon his complacent, self-reliant people but rather pursues them with correction and discipline in order that they may turn to the only reliable source of life (cf. Prov. 3:11–12; 13:24; Heb. 12:4–11).
His correction and discipline would come because of his love for the church (Proverbs 3:12). Christ will spit out those who disobey (3:16), but he will discipline those he loves. Because of such mercy, believers should willingly repent, realizing their need for Christ in every part of their lives and ministry. Then they will be effective for Him.
So What? (vv. 20-22)
So What? (vv. 20-22)
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.
If believers take to heart Jesus’s rebuke and repent under his loving discipline (3:19), he promises restored fellowship. In this case, the promise is directed toward believers rather than unbelievers. Again, the progression is significant: Jesus waits outside offering restoration, waiting for believers to deny themselves and open their hearts to renewed fellowship with him. Table fellowship was reserved for intimate friends in the ancient world, and the image conveys the depth of Jesus’s desire to forgive and reconcile. A fellowship meal means real forgiveness.
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.
“The one who Conquers/overcomes/victorious/triumph”
“He that overcometh” is the term used to describe the true Christian. He is faithful to Christ’s truth, obeys his teachings, and cannot be conquered. This person truly shares in Christ’s victory over the world and its idolatry.
“Triumph is just ‘umph’ added to try”
Robert Benchley said:
“It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous”
—Robert Benchley
George Bernard Shaw said:
“When I was a young man I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. l didn’t want to be a failure, so I did ten times more work.
—George Bernard Shaw
Here the victorious are promised a share in Christ’s very throne, a symbol of his victory and authority (cf. Rev. 2:26–27; 5:10; 20:6; 22:5). Reigning with Christ in the future kingdom of God appears elsewhere as a promised reward (e.g., Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:28–30; 2 Tim. 2:12) but becomes more prominent in Revelation.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
Each church is challenged to hear what the Spirit says. This fact is a reminder. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s truth to men.
Have we become too busy, working for the Lord, but no sincere love for Him. Do we do programs without passion? are we the busy church with the great statistics, but one drifting away from heartfelt devotion to Christ— Like believers in Ephesus?
Or are we like Smyrna’s church? This church gets no criticism from the Lord, but a danger is still present—they are persecuted. This was a poor and suffering church. How easy it would have been to compromise, become rich, and escape persecution. This could be us in America soon. How discouraged they might have been because they were not as “rich” as the Laodicean church.
Or perhaps we might fall prey to becoming a church with members who held the false doctrine that makes it easy to profess Christ while living in sin at the same time. Could we, if we are not diligent, subject ourselves under the heavy hand of spiritual dictators who promoted themselves, not the Lord—like in Pergamum?
Would we fail to maintain God’s order in the local church (1 Tim. 2:11–15) and allow a woman who was out of place in teaching false doctrine; her doctrine, that led the people into sin like in Thyatira? We cannot and must not.
Or is Grace Baptist known to have reputation without life? Our best days behind us just as with the church in Sardis. This is the “has-been” church, a great name in the past, but no ministry today. It is ready to die, but it, AND we, can receive new life if we will but strengthen what we have.
Or maybe we are the church before the open door, taking the Gospel to the world with the open door to eternity in heaven. As we saw last week, this is the church that holds the Word and honors Christ’s name, the church of ancient Philadelphia. But Satan’s synagogue is not far away, and there is always the danger of compromise.
Or Laodicea, we are the lukewarm, apostate church, with a big budget and no noteworthy blessings. You might be thinking, “well this ain’t us! We don’t have a big budget!” but really, for the average of the local churches around the world, we do have a big budget. Are we a church that is actually materially rich, yet so spiritually poor? And the horrible part is, in this case usually the people do not know how poor and miserable they really are! Christ stands outside the church, calling for every believer, or even just one believer to yield to Him.
Conclusion:
The Scriptures teach that the rich are often tempted to rely upon themselves, while the poor more often turn to the Lord for help. Throughout the Old Testament, the teachings of Jesus, and the rest of the New Testament, YHWH challenges his people to trust in him rather than in material possessions, and to use things to meet the needs of others. Generosity is a consistent mark of obedient believers throughout the Bible. What happened in Laodicea can easily describe American churches today, leading us to trust more in the gifts and to ignore the Giver. Jesus knocks, waiting patiently for repentance that will restore relationship.