A Daily Walk

John Randall: Take your spiritual temperature today on a daily walk and see if you're lukewarm. Listen, there is hope for the frozen today. If you're on fire, if you're walking with Jesus, you're in a good condition spiritually speaking. You find yourself warm through prayer. You find the flame of love for God fan through the reading of His word. You burn with evangelistic zeal because you realize what Jesus has done for you. And the passion of love that you have for the Lord is a blaze within your heart. That's a good place to be.

But if you're lukewarm, you're in the most dangerous position of all. And the reason is you think and actually falsely assume that everything is okay, but it isn't. We are glad to have you with us today as we continue our verse by verse study through Revelation on a daily walk with John Randall.

Those of you coffee lovers might prefer your coffee hot or cold. But if someone hands you a lukewarm cup of coffee, well, you're probably going to send it right back. That's just not acceptable, is it? Today, we'll begin a look at the last of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, this one to the church in Laodicea.

The Laodiceans had several problems, but the biggest was their lukewarm temperature. Exactly what that means is the subject of today's broadcast. Here is Pastor John.

John Randall: Revelation chapter 3, beginning in verse 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 know your works, that you're neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I'm rich, I've become wealthy, have need of nothing. And you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

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.

This is the seventh and final letter from Jesus to the church in Laodicea. And of all of the letters that we've studied up to this point, the letter to the Laodiceans is the most disappointing of all. For there wasn't one word of commendation for this church, only rebuke and censure.

They were a church that was self-deceived, unaware of their true spiritual condition. They were self-reliant. They assumed that they didn't need anything. They were monetarily wealthy, but spiritually bankrupt. They thought their fellowship was beautiful and pleasing. Yet Jesus declared that it was unpleasant and nauseating.

The Bible doesn't reveal when the church in Laodicea was planted, like some of the other churches, it may have begun during Paul's ministry while he was there in Ephesus. But in the book of Colossians, in the second chapter, in the first verse, the Apostle Paul mentioned what he called a great struggle for the Christians who lived in both Colossi and in Laodicea.

At the end of that letter, in chapter 4 verse 15, Paul asked that they would actually greet the believers who were in Laodicea. Now, the word Laodicea means justice for the people. It was established by Antiochus II, who named the city after his wife Laodis. Along with the city of Laodicea, located in the Lycus Valley, were the sister cities of Colossi, which was just 10 miles to the east, and Hierapolis, located 6 miles to the north.

The location of Laodicea made it extremely profitable because it was located right on the intersection of two important trade routes. From east to west, the road led from Ephesus inland. From north to south, the road led from Pergamum to the Mediterranean Sea. Laodicea became a commercial center and was known as the richest of the cities in Phrygia.

Much of their economic growth came from the production of a few popular products, one of which was black wool, a soft, glossy colored black wool that was used in the manufacturing of expensive clothing and rugs. Also, the city was famous for its medicines. It had a medical facility, a school where they developed a Phrygian powder that was a substance mixed with water, and it was used as a salve to treat condition of the eyes and ears, and they exported this product all over the known world.

Laodicea was also like the Wall Street of today, well known for its banking. Like so many of the other Greco-Roman cities, they were also immersed in idolatry. They deified their emperors. They worshiped Zeus and Jupiter. They also had a temple to the Phrygian god Menokaru or Menkaru is the proper pronunciation.

The temple was the very center of all their society, administration, trade, and their religion. And this city was so prosperous financially that when an earthquake actually destroyed the city in AD 60, they actually rebuilt the city themselves without the assistance of anyone else, which really only cemented their self-sufficiency. Tacitus, who was a Roman historian, wrote concerning them, and he said this, "Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources with no help from us."

But for all of their wealth economically, their position politically, and even their affluence commercially, the church in Laodicea was simply a reflection of the city. Self-reliant, self-dependent, blinded by their pride and indifference to a desperate need. Jesus had nothing good to say to them. The church in Laodicea was actually the antithesis of the church in Philadelphia where Jesus had nothing bad to say of them.

Laodicea was a nominal, lukewarm, apostate church. In similar fashion to the previous letters, the correspondence with the Laodicean congregation opens with an introduction from the author. In verse 14 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."

As with his previous letters, Jesus begins by addressing the angel, the word angel, the word messenger. The messenger of the church, the leader of the church, and then he gives a description of himself, and there are four aspects here of Christ's character that are mentioned. First of all, Jesus refers to himself as the Amen.

The frequent use of the word Amen in scripture usually means, "So be it." It signifies something that is certain, something that's sure, something that is definite. The word was often used in response to the word of the Lord. In the Old Testament, people would use the word Amen when the Lord would pronounce a blessing. Or a divine curse, the people would respond with, "Amen."

In the New Testament, when Jesus used the words "verily, verily, I say unto you." These statements were the equivalent of the word Amen. By saying them at the beginning of his statements, Jesus is saying what I'm going to say is true. Truly, truly. Jesus is the Amen to all of God's promises both in the Old and the New Testament.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20 that all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen to the glory of God through us. Jesus is the unchanging one. He is the truth. He's the one who will have the last word, and what Jesus is about to say to this church is completely reliable. As someone said, "Christ is the seal of God's revealed truth, the finality of all that the Father has spoken, and beyond him, God has nothing more to say to man."

Jesus also refers to himself as the faithful and true witness. You may recall back in Revelation chapter 1, in verse 5, that Jesus was referred to as the faithful witness. In Revelation chapter 3, verse 5, it was said that he is the one who is true. Jesus is faithful and Jesus is true. He's going to straightforwardly, very honestly, share with this church what they needed to hear. He will give a reliable diagnosis of their spiritual sickness. He's going to be forthright in his assessment of where they were and where they would eventually end up if they didn't change.

Today, people don't necessarily want to hear the truth. They don't want to receive the truth of the gospel. Some are even offended by the truth of the gospel. When you say that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When you say that not all roads lead to God, but only through Christ can you be saved. He is the one exclusive way to heaven. There is no other way.

Hinduism doesn't lead to heaven. Buddhism doesn't lead to heaven. Islam doesn't lead to heaven. Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness and on and on it goes. Only a personal relationship with Christ leads to heaven. That's the truth. And some people find that offensive. And rather than receive the truth, they will reject the truth. And yet Jesus is faithful and true.

You know, there's not many things in this world that you can say are faithful and true, but you can always say it concerning Jesus. He also reveals himself as the powerful creator when he says he is the beginning of the creation of God. Now, the word beginning, don't misunderstand it to say that Jesus is a created being.

Jesus is the beginner. He's the creator of the creation. The whole context really of Revelation reveals Jesus as the creator, as the Almighty God. The word beginning here means the source, the fountain head of creation. In John's gospel, the first chapter, John said that in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him nothing was made that was made. It's in reference to Jesus. In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul echoes those same sentiments when he says this, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. By him all things are created in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, principalities or powers, all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things consist."

Jesus is the creator. He created it all and he sustains it all. He's the Amen, the true and faithful witness, the powerful creator. And in light of the authority that he possesses, he now presents his evaluation of the church. And he says in verse 15, "I know your works that you're neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth."

Jesus knew everything there was to know about this church, and in light of this knowledge, again, there wasn't one word of approval. It was a tragic indictment of Laodicea's ignorance and indifference. Jesus said, notice the indictment, "You're not cold, you're not hot, you're lukewarm. I wish you were hot or I wish that you were cold, but actually instead you're lukewarm."

Now as Jesus renders this rebuke, it's worth noting that it is actually wrapped in a metaphor. Let me explain. One of the sister cities of Laodicea, as I said, was Colossi. And within this city, there was a cold refreshing spring that supplied water to its residents. Another city, 6 miles away, Hierapolis, had within it a medicinal hot springs that ran through it. You had cold in Colossi, you had hot in Hierapolis.

Now, Laodicea actually received their water supply from Hierapolis. It was provided through a 6-mile underground aqueduct. So because the water came from the hot springs, by the time it arrived in Laodicea, it was unappetizingly tepid and lukewarm. It was terrible tasting, and Jesus here is comparing the condition of the congregation to the water supply that was essentially useless and unsatisfying. It wasn't helpful, it was not refreshing.

And it appears that according to our Lord, there are one of three spiritual temperatures that a person may be. First of all, cold. That means icy cold. A person who would be considered cold is one who wants nothing to do with Christ. No desire to receive the gospel. Frozen, really, to the things of the spirit. Dead spiritually, although may be alive physically. There are plenty of people in the world today that don't know Jesus personally, they don't believe that he is God. They're offended by him and by his name.

A person who is cold stands afar off from Christ, from the church, and really they're enslaved to their own carnal nature and their own sin. They're cold. Then you have those who are hot. Those that have been born again by the spirit. Not perfect people, but those who love the Lord. Those who love his word. Those who have the assurance of heaven, have trusted in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Those who have forsaken the old life of sin. They're in pursuit of the Lord. They long for heaven. They live their life on the earth for their Savior. And they're no longer alive to sin, but dead to sin and alive to Christ.

They're on fire. And then Jesus said there is the lukewarm. And that is the worst condition of the three. It's half-hearted, it's complacent. It's unable to recognize the depth of spiritual need, and the word translated, as I said, means tepid water. Now, it's interesting that Jesus said, "I wish that you were cold or I wish that you were hot."

It seems to us that at first glance, wouldn't it be better if you were lukewarm? I mean, I'm not cold, I mean, I'm not on fire, but I'm not cold, I'm lukewarm. It would seem like maybe I'm just heating up as if this was a transitional stage. Why would Jesus say this? Because if you're cold, there is the hope that one day you'll realize your lost condition, and you'll actually turn to Christ. That you'll be fed up with being frozen.

You've had your fill of the world and you'll realize the emptiness of living a life without Christ, and dying without Christ, and being separated from him in eternity in a place called hell. That somehow the gospel would melt your icy heart. So that Jesus said, "I'd rather have you be cold so that you would come to the end of that place and realize your need for me."

And there are countless examples in scripture of those who were cold to the gospel who got saved. I think of Paul the Apostle, who was formerly Saul of Tarsus. And how he was radically saved by the Lord. Listen, there is hope for the frozen today.

If you're on fire, if you're walking with Jesus, you're in a good condition spiritually speaking. You find yourself warm through prayer. You find the flame of love for God, fan through the reading of his word. You burn with evangelistic zeal because you realize what Jesus has done for you. The passion of love that you have for the Lord is a blaze within your heart. That's a good place to be.

But if you're lukewarm, you're in the most dangerous position of all. And the reason is you think and actually falsely assume that everything is okay, but it isn't. You're deceived. You're comfortable where you're at. You're not on fire, but you're not cold. You do what you think you must. But Jesus says he finds it nauseating.

I can't think of a greater, more graphic demonstration of something disgusting to observe than someone vomiting. If you have ever done that yourself or you have children and you've stood there and encouraged them in that moment of the flu or a virus, it's horrible. But Jesus isn't sick because he has the flu or a virus. It's the state of the pastor and the state of the church that makes him want to hurl.

The question arises, in light of the passage, how does a person know if they're lukewarm? And let me begin by saying that if you're concerned about it, more than likely, you aren't. Because when you're lukewarm, you don't think you are and you're not concerned about it.

Some of the things and this is not a definitive list by any means, but just some observations, I believe, that I've seen over the last two plus decades of serving the Lord in full-time ministry. Characteristics of the lukewarm. God isn't first in their life. Most times he's an afterthought, in addition to everything else when it's convenient.

A person who's lukewarm lives a different life on Sunday than they do the rest of the week. They have no, they have more unbelieving friends than believing friends. Their friends don't even know that they're a Christian. They would rather be accepted socially than reveal their Christian faith. They use foul language without conviction. They have a decreased interest in the things of God. They don't read the Bible very much if at all. They don't pray very much if at all.

They don't believe the Bible is truly inspired, but it's a really good suggestion book if you want to highlight a few verses in there. Their behavior, it's more worldly than it is godly. They don't share their faith very often if at all. Make excuses for sinful behavior. They only turn to God when things go bad. They only go to church for social reasons. If they go at all, Christmas, Easter, things of that nature, if their wife begs them, if their children plead with them.

If there's a game not on. They don't want to hear about God or Christ very much, especially when they're living in sin. They put their faith in their baptism, in their church attendance, in their good works, more than they put their faith in Christ. The person who is lukewarm is worse off than the person who is cold, for the person who is cold is honest about their condition, but the lukewarm person will name the name of Christ, but live as though he did not exist.

Being lukewarm inoculates you to a mild form of Christianity that keeps us living, keeps us away really from living the real thing. A lukewarm person can be far from God, yet because they go to church, they satisfy their own conscience. They have an outward religious form of worship, but there's really no inward reality. You know, and the thing that bothered Jesus in this letter was that this wasn't a transitional state.

You know, you went from cold to lukewarm, and I'm almost, I'm almost on fire. I'm just, I'm just kind of, you know, this wasn't a transitional state. This was a permanent state. This was an indifference to that which was hot, and indifference to that which was cold. I am fine right where I'm at. It's the picture, folks, of a person who has one foot in the world and isn't happy in Jesus, and has one foot in Jesus, not enough to be happy in this world.

They straddled the fence. They try to live in both places. They're trying to serve two masters, and Jesus said, "That's impossible. You can't do it. You have to make a decision who you're going to serve. You can't live for this world and at the same time live for Christ. You can't have a divided heart." And if that's where you're at today, it's time to make a decision because life is short, and you have to decide.

John Randall: Well, we thank you for taking part in today's study in Revelation from Pastor John Randall here on A Daily Walk. As we close, we want to remind you that you can hear our programs online at adailywalk.org or on oneplace.com. It's also available on most podcast platforms. We sure love to connect with you, and we appreciate your prayers. Here's our email address where you can send your comments and your prayer requests, adailywalk@gmail.com. That's adailywalk@gmail.com.

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