• “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen [ἀμήν amen – so be it – the One who is right], the faithful and true Witness [in contrast to false prophets], the Beginning [ἀρχή arche – beginning, ruler, originator] of the creation of God [i.e. emphasizing His authority over all creation; cf. Col. 1:16], says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds [omniscience], that you are neither cold nor hot [neither refreshing nor therapeutic]; I would that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm [providing no benefit], and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth [ἐμέω emeo – vomit]. 17 ‘Because you say [self-estimation], “I am rich, and have become wealthy [perhaps because of the local banking industry], and have need of nothing [perceived independence],” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [spiritually destitute], 18 I advise you to buy from Me [i.e. give something to get something] gold refined by fire [riches free from impurities], that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see [spiritual enlightenment]. 19 ‘Those whom I love [believers], I reprove and discipline [Heb. 12:5-11; cf. Ps. 119:71]; be zealous therefore, and repent [turn back to relying on the Lord]. 20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock [standing outside]; if anyone [a rebellious believer] hears My voice and opens the door [turns back to obedience], I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me [dining  = a picture of fellowship]. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne [divine rewards], as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 ‘He who has an ear [the individual believer who is spiritually sensitive], let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Rev. 3:14-22)

Summary:

Jesus is described as “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14). This means that what He says is true and comes to pass as He promises. As omniscient God, Jesus knew the “deeds” of the Laodiceans, which speak of their Christian works, being “neither cold nor hot” (Rev. 3:15). This reference was an allusion to Laodicea’s warm water supply which was piped in from Colossae and Hierapolis. The water from Colossae started out cold, and the water from Hierapolis started out hot, but it was tepid by the time it reached Laodicea and was neither refreshing nor therapeutic. In comparison, the Christians at Laodicea were neither refreshing nor therapeutic to others as God intended. Because they were “lukewarm” (Rev. 3:16), Jesus said He would vomit them out of His mouth, which pictures strong disapproval. A second criticism leveled against the church at Laodicea was that they were saying to themselves, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17a). Apparently they had embraced the values of their surrounding culture, and though they’d become rich by worldly standards, Jesus’ estimation was that they were “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17b). The solution to their spiritual poverty was to buy from Jesus “gold refined by fire” which would make them spiritually rich, and “white garments” which would cover the shame of their nakedness, and “eye salve” that would heal their spiritual blindness (Rev. 3:18). The Christians at Laodicea were called to give in order to get, and this meant nothing less than the sacrifice of their lives, time, and resources in exchange for spiritual wealth, honor, and wisdom from the Lord. Though salvation is free, discipleship is very costly, but the rew