|
|
|
Checking your temperature before His coming Laodicea means to be ruled by men’s opinions, man ruling. Christ is supposed to be the head of his church. Jesus called the church of Laodicea as lukewarm. What does it really mean for the church to be lukewarm mentioned by Jesus in Rev. 3:15-16: "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 .” The usages of hot and cold streams were present in Laodicea and was applied by John as a spiritual illustration to the last of the 7 churches. As hot and cold were used for medicinal purposes, once they were combined, they became useless. Jesus is speaking to a church on their ways and works having no value, they are not done in Christ (Eph.2:10). The Lord was disgusted with them saying, they are not exhibiting his life working among them. Certainly it is a reference to the latter times when Jesus said “ And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold .” (Mt 24:12). Our love is exhibited by actions, our works (James and John addresses this as showing ones true faith). This particular church is described in Rev. 3:17-18 saying 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.' They had no trials; everything was going smoothly because they were going the way of the world, so they had no effect on the world. They were not participating in their sanctification. Jesus responded by saying they are unaware they are “ wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” If they were hot or cold he could chasten them , move them to the place he wants them to be. V.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 .” But instead they have not allowed him to work among them as a church, this is why He offers to individuals, " 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 ” (Rev. 3:20). He still desired fellowship with them though they refused Him. He wanted to instruct them, for them to follow, but he offered this to individuals because their church would not allow him in. Rev 3:21 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 .” Overcome what? Their lukewarmness that is descriptive of their spiritual state. Accepting the worlds measure of what is right and good is not the same as God’s. Jesus loves righteousness and hates lawlessness; (Heb. 1:9).There are Christians that believe we are to love everyone and everything with no distinction. No, we are to hate certain things and some of those things are lies, deception and evil. Once we understand what is good from the Scripture we can distinguish what God is for or against. We can act in a Godly way to counter it and overcome its influence. |
|
