Revelation – Spit You Out – 10

Revelation 3:14-22 – 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. 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. 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. 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. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 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. 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.’”

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I love to walk past groups of people and catch just part of their conversation. It can be hilarious. Once, I heard “And that’s why you don’t take an introvert to prom.” I have no clue what they were talking about, but just hearing that one line was hilarious. One of my friends did the same thing one time and heard, “I woke up, and there were Cheetos all in the bed.” And that’s all you hear of the conversation. I’m sure it makes sense in context, but when you take it out of context, it just sounds funny.

There are several parts of this letter that are often quoted, but they are almost entirely taken out of context. I have even taken them out of context on numerous occasions. To rightly understand the intent of a passage, context is important. There is much meaning that is drawn from this letter that requires context from Laodicea. Here is some of their background.

The city was a wealthy commercial center, the richest in Phrygia.[1] It was known for banking, the manufacturing of clothing (especially black wool), and a famous medical school with ointments for the ears and eyes. It was so wealthy that when it was destroyed in an earthquake in AD 60, it was able to completely rebuild itself without any funds from Rome.[2] The Roman historian Tacitus said of the city, “Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources, and with no help from us.”[3]

So, this city had great wealth and was able to achieve anything they wanted on their own. They were self-reliant, and that same mindset existed for the church there. But here’s something they needed and we need to remember:

We need Jesus. (vs 14-15)

Jesus is before all, created all, and sustains all. There is no part of our life where we don’t need Jesus. When it says in verse 14 that he is the “beginning” of God’s creation, it doesn’t mean that he had a beginning. The word literally means “origin.” It is the Greek word “archē.”[4] It’s where we get our word archetype, which means “an original that has been imitated.” Jesus has not been created as some cults and other religions have claimed. He his eternal. He has always existed. And all that exists does so because of him. Hear what John 1 says about him, using the same Greek word every time you hear “beginning.”

 John 1:1-3 – “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Now, we see why we need Jesus based on who he is, but here’s where the need for context comes in for us to understand this passage accurately. The church at Laodicea, and often us as well, lived in such a way as if they didn