What Are we Known For (Rev 3:14-22)
Revelation 3:14-22 This is part of the revelation and vision that Jesus gave the apostle John concerning the 7 churches.
Verse 14 The implication throughout this passage is that there is no difference between those in the church and the average Laodicean citizen who was not in the church. This passage is really all about misplaced identity and trust.
- The people of Laodicea had started trusting the things they were known for and what they had accomplished.
Verse 15 Jesus points out that he is aware of the things they have done.
- This reference to hot and cold may seem out of place to us but Jesus was using language that the Laodicean’s knew well and understood.
- This is not a statement about their spiritual temperature per se, this is a statement about their usefulness and their witness.
Historical context: Because of its geographical location Laodicea lacked its own water supply.
- Whereas other towns in the area were known for their water.
- Nearby Hierapolis had hot water springs baths for relieving ailments.
- Nearby Colosse had refreshing cold water springs for wonderful drinking water.
- But water for Laodicea had to travel from the city of Denizli six miles to the south via an aqueduct.
- Because of the distance the water had to travel hot water would cool down and cold water would warm up hence they had lukewarm water.
- Jesus says that he wishes they were either hot or cold because hot water is useful for baths and cleaning and cold water is good for drinking.
- Lukewarm water is of little value. Who wants a lukewarm bath or lukewarm water to drink?
Verse 16 Jesus goes on to say that he is about to spit them out. The Greek word here is literally the word vomit.
Historical context: Their water also had a heavy lime content,
- Because of the distance it had to travel some of the water would evaporate and further intensify the lime and salts.
- The water was lukewarm and so full of minerals that it would make people who weren’t used to it nauseous and even sick. Visitors to the city would sometimes vomit when they drank the water.
But now the questions that begs to be answered is why? Why have the Laodicean’s reached this point? What happened to their witness?
Verse 17 The primary reason is that they have begun to trust the things of the world.
- Jesus’ in a rhetorical statement says what they the Laodicean’s were thinking, “we are rich and we don’t need a thing.”
- Laodicea was located along three major trade routes in Asia Minor.
- It was a tourist trap of sorts as its location was the base for commerce.
- Because of its prominent location along these trade routes it became a banking center as well.
- As a result, it became the wealthiest city in the whole area.
- In fact, it was so wealthy that in 60 AD when the town was heavily damaged from an earthquake it refused Roman assistance.
- They were also at the cutting edge of medicine for their day.
- They were also the textile/clothing center for that part of the world.
Verse 18 Jesus now begins to speak of what he wants them to do. This is a call to repentance.
- Again, this is all about misplaced trust and identity.
- Rather than trusting in the wealth of the world we are to buy gold from Him.
- This isn’t just wealth; this is pure refined gold. Gold refined in the fire.
- Jesus also tells them to buy white clothes.
- They had developed special breeding techniques to produce large herds of black sheep.
- Famous cloth and carpets were made from this glossy black wool.
- When Jesus says they are to buy white clothes He is calling them to separate themselves from the culture and society around them which has caused them to be impure and stained.
- They are to be as different from the culture around them as black is from white.
Verse 19 Jesus now reminds them of His love for them. This rebuke is done in love.
- Jesus gives the command to be “earnest and repent.”
- The Greek word translated here as “earnest” is actually the word jealous.
Verse 20 Jesus says He is standing at the door of the Laodicean church asking to come in.
- This is just making ourselves available to what He is wanting to do.
Verse 21 Jesus now gives a great promise to those who overcome.