Because You are Lukewarm Revelation 3:16

John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, and he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, the “church in Pergamos”, the “church in Thyatira”, “the church in Sardis”, “the church in Philadelphia” and finally the “church of the Laodiceans” where He told them, “These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God”. He added, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot”, and in chapter three and verse sixteen of Revelation Jesus told the “church of the Laodiceans” what He would do “because” they “are lukewarm” where we read:

So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

The verse reads, “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, ...” John began with the words, “so then” which means “in this manner, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “because” or “since” “you are lukewarm” which means “the church of the Laodiceans were tepid, wretchedly fluctuating between torpor and a fervor of love”, “and neither” which means “and not and in no way” “cold” or “sluggish, inert and destitute of warm Christian faith and the desire for holiness” “nor hot” which means “not and in no way boiling hot with fervor of mind and zeal”. Jesus referred the way the “church of the Laodiceans” was “tepid and fluctuating between torpor and fervor” in their relationship with Him.

The verse continues, “... I will spew you out of my mouth.” John added the words, “I will spew you” which means “Jesus would vomit and throw up the church of the Laodiceans” “out of my mouth” or “away from Jesus' mouth”. Jesus shared how He would “throw up or vomit” the “church of the Laodiceans” because of their “lukewarmness”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was not pleased with the “lukewarm” “church of the Laodiceans”. Their lack of “fervor” for the things of God and their lack of “coldness” toward the things of God sickened Jesus to the place of “vomiting” them. God desires a relationship with people through His Son Jesus that is on “fire” for Him, and if they do not desire to have a relationship with Him, they are better off being “cold” toward Him. Let all who read these words make a decision – either be “hot” or “cold” toward God lest they be “spewed” out of His mouth.

Next time we see John share how Jesus tells the “church of the Laodiceans” how they say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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