28 February Revelation 3

Never be caught in a state of lukewarmness

Revelation 3:15-17(NLT) “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

In this book, John, the author, writes about visions he had which are generally seen as prophetic descriptions of the end times and messages to the seven churches in Asia.

The above scripture in Revelation 3:15-17 addresses the church in Laodicea. It is very interesting to understand the historical context of this passage.

Historically, the city of Laodicea didn't have its own source of fresh water. It received lukewarm water from nearby Hierapolis, which had hot springs. The water would travel through aqueducts and would be lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. In contrast, nearby Colossae had cold, refreshing water. So, the imagery of neither hot nor cold would be familiar to the Laodiceans and carry a certain significance. Hot water has therapeutic properties, while cold water is refreshing. Lukewarm water, especially as it came to Laodicea, was neither beneficial nor refreshing.

The city was known for its wealth, particularly in textile manufacturing and banking. It's believed that the city was so wealthy that after an earthquake in A.D. 60, they rebuilt without any assistance from Rome. Thus, when the passage speaks about the church saying, I am rich. I have everything I want, it reflects the literal prosperity and self-sufficiency of the city.

The church in Laodicea is criticised for being lukewarm, which is a metaphor for their spiritual condition. They are neither hot (zealous in their faith and service to God) nor cold (completely indifferent or opposed to God).

Revelation 2:4-5(NLT) “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

Despite their material wealth, the Laodiceans are described as spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Matthew 6:19-21(NLT) “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

How do we ensure we are not in a state of lukewarmness?

• Self-examination: 2 Corinthians 13:5(NLT) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

• Stay in God's Word: Psalm 119:105(NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

• Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17(NLT) Never stop praying.

• Fellowship with other Believers: Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

I conclude that a relationship with God is not about our religious practices. It's about seeking His presence in every moment, listening for His voice, and walking with Him in trust, even when the future is unclear. Just as with any relationship, consistency, communication, and commitment are key.