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.
– Does this mean that Jesus was created at the beginning or that He was present at the beginning of Creation. John 1: 1-3 answers 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 through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made’. Jesus continues to speak…
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.
– This part of the letter, while talking of the church’s spiritual state, was based on the physical situation for the city. “the waters around ancient Laodicea were famously tepid, lukewarm, and mineral-laden by the time they reached the city via aqueducts. While nearby Hierapolis had hot springs and Colossae had cold springs, Laodicea’s piped water was unpalatable,”
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.
– The letter continues to base itself on a comparison between the historical situation in comparison to the church’s spiritual situation. The city was a leading banking and financial city, and the area produced excellent quality black wool. In addition it was famed for specialised medical treatments! Spiritually they were ‘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.
– The counsel given to them by Jesus related to the three areas of their assumed wealth – banking, black wool, and medicine!
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. – This a call to heart felt action!
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. – Have you answered His knocking? That is a knock which to ignore is ultimately fatal! But when He enters He seeks to be a part of your whole life, every room!
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.’”
2 Peter 3: 11-12 – what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.
Prayer: I’ve opened my heart’s door already to you, my Lord, Please be the Master of my living.