Are you Hot or Cold?

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.

-The aim of the book of Revelation is not to lead us into speculation but is meant for practical purposes.

-We sometimes think Revelation is a book about the future and our curiosity is heighten but we forget that John wrote it to the seven churches first in Asia Minor.

-The main objective is to keep on the lookout.

Revelation 1:5a

To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests, to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

-God loves us, Even after we were broken we are worth the time to mend and fix. Why?

-God could have just made another race of creatures and leave sinful people to die.

-When Christ died we were cleansed through his death and agony

-Now we see how much compassion He has for us.

Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

-Notice how many churches are called out by the loud voice SEVEN

-The number 7 is used 51 times in the book of revelation

-SEVEN symbolizes perfection

-The letters to the SEVEN not only speak to the 7 literal churches, but they also speak to all Christians.

-YOU EVER NOTICE THAT THERE IS SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN THE END TIMES AND THEN TIME RUNS OUT FOR THEM. THEN YOU THINK YOUR LIVING IN THE END TIMES THEN YOUR TIME RUNS OUT. In some way or the other churches through out the time of Jesus has believed that they were living in the end times.

The Letter to Laodicea (REVELATION 3:14-22)

Revelation 3:14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator, of God’s creation:

Amen (meaning) to affirm the truthfulness of a statement. Seals it’s veracity and certainty (Lord is the faithful unchangeable Amen.)

Christ in fact is the Amen to Gods promise. God’s promises are validated in Christ. Est. His Glory and truthfulness

2 Corinthians 1:20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.

FAITHFUL AND TRUE what ever the Lord affirms is true. He is perfectly trustworthy and accurate. He is the perfect witness. . His testimony is true. Truth is critical and necessary foundation.

John 14:6

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus is the source of all creation. THE BEGINNING OF GOD’S CREATION

(Colossians 1:15-20 THE CENTRALITY OF CHRIST)

Why all of this? Why do they say these thing in this verse.

Answer: they were correcting a heresy that was going in the local area. They were questioning the person of Christ

Was He really the image of God?

First Born-uniquely born meaning there is no other like him

Reconciliation-by bringing back God and Humanity back together by paying the price of sin and showing man how to please God. (Obey)

Revelation 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.

I KNOW YOUR WORKS-Jesus knows all their deeds at this church. He knows their attitudes and heart. He knows what kind of life they are living. A SELF SATISFYING life. These people were forgetting that this gift of salvation required radical obedience and shows outside the church doors by their public testimony. They need a Heart check.

I WISH YOU WERE HOT OR COLD- the city's location was a cross roads for travel but had no water source big enough to supply the city. So they built underwater aquaducts to pipe in water from the neighboring cities.

Colosse had a mountain spring water that was cold and had excellent taste.

Hierapolis was 15 miles away was like a resort area with a hot springs that was an ideal place for people seeking healing and relief from certain kinds of ailments. So they would soak in these Hot Mineral baths.

When the water arrived in the city, it had become lukewarm. Like the water, the church at Laodicea was neither refreshing (like cold water) nor healing (like hot spring water).

16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

I AM GOING TO VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH-CSB /NKJV

I AM ABOUT TO SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH-NIV / ESV

I WILL SPEW THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH-ASV / KJV

YOU MAKE ME WANT TO VOMIT-MESSAGE BIBLE

I WILL SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH!-NLT

This is such a strong statement by Jesus.

Maybe one of the strongest yet. WOW.

I KNOW YOU- you make me sick

Jesus spits out or Vomit’s water that does not do what it is supposed to do.

Are we putting life filling them with life as a church.

So What? What does this have to do with us.

How are you providing healing to others in daily life?

17 For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Banking -after the earthquake of 60 ad they told Rome they didn’t need money from Rome they had enough to say no and deny that they needed help

Wool-made some clothes-black wool abundance. So this city was pretty wealthy. Salvation don’t come to those who have the wrong Christ.

Medical School-famous medical teachers were there. Salve for eye elements

These people thought highly of themselves but they did not know their own spiritual state. They took for granted everything that they had and were comfortable. All is not safe when your living like this.

WEALTH IS Deceiving. We may not have what we think we possess.

GOD IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE WEALTH

HOW DOES YOUR CURRENT LEVEL OF WEALTH AFFECT YOUR SPIRITUAL DESIRE?

18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.

GOLD / WHITE CLOTHES / EYE OINTMENT (SALVE) IS WHAT THE CITY TOOK PRIDE IN. Jesus was trying to tell them that the only thing that would make them RICH (spiritually) and properly dressed was for them to REPENT.

REVELATION 2:5 talks about having fallen does not mean you will lose your salvation but not repenting and not believing (some church people think they are believers by just going to church and doing good deeds) you'll be spit out of God's kingdom.

The church needs to the true wealth from Jesus which is given freely.

ISAIAH 55:1-5

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT HAS BACKSLIDDEN LET THEM COME TO CHRIST AND BUY! BUY? YES BUY FREE GRACE FROM JESUS. FREE JESUS. THEY NEED JESUS!

They need to change their behaviors and beliefs to the truth and salvation of Jesus and they would be truly Rich.

God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. -Augustine

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.

SPEAKING OF LOVE-Jesus Gives us a tender warning because He starts out verse 19 telling us that He loves us.

This verse would have a different tone if love wasn't included and just had REBUKE (which is a strong word in itself) but with love it's softens the blow a little.

My Father always gave me this sense of feeling when I knew I was in trouble.

READ HEBREWS 12:4-11 & PROVERBS 3:11-12

ZEALOUS-(MEANS) EAGERNESS AND INTEREST IN PURSUIT OF SOMETHING.

Draw near to God through confession, service, worship, and studying His word. The Holy Spirit can reignite our zeal for God when we allow him to work in our hearts.

20 See! 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.

Imagine Jesus standing at the door of a church and knocking.

Jesus loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) "he loved the church and gave himself up for her"

Jesus is saying Here I am, I stand at the door and knock

Jesus is asking those within the church to return to the Lord from whom they have turned away.

(why did they turn away? - the church was so self-sufficient as to become an end within itself.

From Jeremiah study bible

"although some churches grow vast congregations, increase programs, and build larger buildings, Christ may be pushed outside and left knocking at the door. What a tragic picture of the church."

Jesus simply to come in and eat with him this was a sign of bond that existed between people. ( in the near east this was the ultimate expression of human friendship , depicting the desire for an intimacy of relationship surpassed only by those relationships existing within an actual family.) BASICALLY HE WANTS TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU.

21 “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

THE ONE WHO CONQUERS OR OVERCOMES meaning the True Christians will reign with Christ in His kingdom. This is hard to imagine. What a great day that will be for all that believe. FOR those that don't believe they are separated from the Father in the presence of burning sulfur BEING TORMENTED JUST LIKE THE MAN IN HADES WANTING A DROP OF WATER TO QUENCH HIS THIRST. THERE IS NO REST IN THOSE EXTREME UNIMAGINABLE CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE LAKE OF FIRE.

in the presence of They may be able to observe the joyous fates of those who chose to worship the Lamb rather than the beast. (taken from Revelation 14:10-11)

22 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

IF YOU HAVE EARS AND HEARD GOD BLESS YOU.