Church of Laodicea
Rev 3:14-16 "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 know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."
God declared that He is a creator who is faithful, truthful and knows our deeds. He classified us into three spiritual characteristic profiles.
Mat 21:28-31 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
The first son was quick to rebuff his father but came around and did as he was told. The second son was quick to pay lip service but did nothing.
1. Cold – like first son.
These are quiet Christians who cannot commit themselves to any ministry in the church because of other commitments. They are people whose work goes unnoticed, made sacrifices in secret, and whose good works have encouraged and help many brethren (Matt 6:1-18).
2. Hot - true disciples
Christians who are zealous, outspoken, expose heresies, obedient to His word, preachers of the gospel and commit to disciple-making.
3. Lukewarm - the second son
Jesus used the second son as a metaphor to hypocritical chief priests and elders who were quick to acquiesce to God's commandments but did not commit to practicing it. Their religious traditions were merely performances to covet for the praises of men. They were not sincere and had sinful inner thoughts. So these lukewarm Christians are like the abominable Jewish hypocrites who crucified our Lord Jesus.
Luke 16:14-15 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Rev 3:17 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—
The church was prosperous in its physical form but was miserable, wretched, poor, blind and naked spiritually.
Rich and powerful churches and congregations today have robbed God by hoarding His money in properties, stock markets, deposits in banks, and investments. Don't they know that in God's eyes, they are wretched, miserable... Why?
Rev 3:18 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.
What to buy from our Lord?
1. Refined gold - Christians are warned not to store up wealth for themselves but to build treasures in heaven by distributing earthly wealth for good works. In doing so, we will be rewarded with refined gold in heaven (Luke 12:33).
2. White garments - Awarded to stalwart Christians who follow Christ through thick and thin (Rev 3:1-6 and Rev 6:9-11).
3. Eye salve - Medicine for the eyes so that Christians can set their minds on things above and crucify their flesh for their inheritance in heaven.
Eph 1:17-18 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
