Hot or Cold

Revelation 3:14–22 NASB95

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Historical Context of Laodicea

To understand this passage and the writings of Jesus, we must first understand the context in which the church of Laodicea was situated in.

Laodicea was a major city situated on the south of Lycus River Valley. On the north side was another major city called Hierapolis.

Laodicea was a very wealthy city. Its textile industry and and eye medication fueled the economy.

Both the textile industry and eye medication industry relied heavily on the water from Lycus River which was very rich in calcium carbonate.

Exported black wool which were weaved so fine, it was considered rainproof.

Doctors would shave the outer layer of rocks found in local areas, grind them to a very fine dust, then mix with calcium carbonate rich water to create eye medication. This medication was found to be very effective in fighting away eye infections.

In 60 AD, Laodicea was hit with a major earthquake and was able to fully recover on its own without any financial support from Rome.

The two neighboring cities, Hierapolis and Colossae were also quite wealthy in their own way. All three cities benefited from the Lycus River Valley in different ways.

Hot or Cold context

Hierapolis

The city was situated directly on top of an abundance of natural hot spring. The hot spring emitted mineral rich hot water that attracted many visitors from all over the known world.

Colossae

Situated at the base of Mount Honaz and the Lycus River Valley. By the time water reached the city, it was cold and refreshing to all.

Laodicea

Pulled water from farther down south from the valley through a 6 mile long aqueduct.

After the 6 mile long travel, the water arrived lukewarm with a very high concentration was Calcium Carbonate which was critical to their textile and eye medication business.

However, because the water was lukewarm, it was not pleasant to drink. And because the Calcium Carbonate level was so high, drinking from it cause vomiting.

Hot or Cold Interpretation

Do you see the correlation between what Jesus spoke to the Church of Laodicea and the manner in which they lived?

Laodicea was wealthy, well clothed(textile), and able to see clearly(eye salve).

However, Jesus speaks a clearly different message.

Revelation 3:17-18

Revelation 3:17–18 NASB95

‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

In the eyes of Jesus, Laodicea was miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Application

In the eyes of the Lord, it does not matter how successful you become in your education, career, etc.

If you do not buy gold from Him, you are wretched and poor.

If you do not dress with the white robe He places on you, you are naked.

If you do not anoint your eyes with eye salve from the Lord, you are blind.

The Lord was not telling the Laodiceans to be hot or cold as in either for Him or against Him.

The Lord was saying, I wish you were useful.

Everything about our lives…the way we move, the way we speak, the way we act are all supposed to resemble Jesus.

Are you hot or cold? Or are you lukewarm?