This poem is about a church
that was lukewarm - the Laodicean church as reflected in the Revelation of Jesus given by the Messiah to His Apostle John. Laodicea was an ancient city located in the Lycus River Valley of Anatolia (in Asia Minor a.k.a. - Western Turkey) near Colossae (the Colossian church) in the Denizli province. Laodicea was founded in the 3rd century BC by Seleucid King Antiochus II in honor of his wife, Laodice. The town was originally called Diospolis, “City of Zeus.” This area was under the influence of the Greeks. Many inhabitants were Jews. Antiochus III, also called Antiochus the Great, transported 2,000 Jewish families to this area from their Babylonian captivity. This area had heard about the Good News, and in it rose up a Christian church. Jesus said to John, “Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Here is a message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of all that God has made." I love how Jesus said, “Here is a message from the Amen.” “The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from Hebrew into the Greek, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is a universal word. Amen has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related - almost identical - to the Hebrew word for "believe" (aman), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust and confidence.” This information came from the Blue Letter Bible. It's an excellent resource for comparing word translations and meanings. Jesus said, “I know what you do.“ Jesus sees everything - we have absolutely no excuse. Jesus said, “You are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! But you are only warm - not hot, not cold.” So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.” Jesus does not like the taste of Christians who are lukewarm. He said to the Laodicians, “You say you are rich. You think you have become wealthy and don’t need anything. But you don’t know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” The same thing happened to Adam and Eve, and Israel. The "chosen" chose to follow their selfish desires. Jesus said, “I advise you to buy gold from me - gold made pure in fire.” Have you heard about God’s refining process? It’s how He makes His children His most precious form of metal. The refining fire involves going through a tribulation process, to burn away all the impurities that do not belong in the human heart. Jesus said, “Then you will be rich. I tell you this: Buy clothes that are white. Then you will be able to cover your shameful nakedness.” What the world sees as rich is just the opposite. God sees wealth as purity in heart. Jesus said, “I also tell you to buy medicine to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see.” The medicine Jesus speaks of is comprised of two parts - (1) the water that comes from Jesus’s mouth, and (2) the mud that comes from the earthly ground. This is also called the anointing. The Spirit of God entering a human body. This is what happened with the Virgin Mary; and this is what happens within you and me, when we accept Jesus Christ as our righteous King. Jesus said, “I correct and punish the people I love. So show that nothing is more important to you than living right.” This is why Hebrews 12 is my favorite chapter and my favorite verse. It’s all about God’s correction and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus. Through taking our thoughts captive we are able to “Change our hearts and our lives.” We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.” Hearing the Voice of Christ is an absolute must! Every true Jew is a Christian who hears the Voice of God and does what His Spirit says. Every Christian is equipped to be a prophet of God - and has the ability to testify and give witness to Christ. Jesus said, “I will let everyone who wins the victory sit with me on my throne. It was the same with me. I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Everyone who hears this should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. These are the verses that came from Revelation 3:14-22. I invite you to go and read these verses yourselves. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and soon we will be together with Him in His Kingdom. Church - It does not pay to be lukewarm. Jesus says we are to be like water that is either hot or cold! Both are equally good conditions, and have perfectly favorable functions. But a lukewarm Christian, on the other hand, is like water that is plain and unremarkable, marked by a heart full of apathy and indifference. This message should pierce each of us straight to the heart! What message is written beneath your plain white shirts?
3 Comments
1/15/2022 12:58:02 pm
words to say thank you and appreciation
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