“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. 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 dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit 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.”
Colossae was 10 miles from Laodicea and had no known saints in that city. It is likely that any Christians living there met in a home in Laodicea, such as the home of Nympha (Col. 4:15). A few names are recorded in Paul’s letter to Colossae who had a good influence in the area. Aristarchus, Justus were Jewish co-workers for the kingdom of God. Archippus had a ministry to complete, there (Col. 4:17). Epaphras was from Colossae whom Paul identifies as a servant of Christ Jesus and was working hard for the saints in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. The towns of Colossae and Laodicea were close enough and interacted with each other to the point that when Paul wrote the letter to Colossae, he writes, “see that it is also read in the called-out of Laodicea and that you, in turn, read the letter from Laodicea” (Col. 4:16).
This scribe/messenger of Laodicea is told to start like the other messengers of cities with a description taken from chapter one. In this case, the author of the letter is described as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” The “Amen” is used as a noun to describe Christ as the Executor of the Father’s will. He is, also, the Faithful and True Witness, coming from above. He can testify of His Father for He came from heaven (John 3:31-36; 5:19-21; 6:45-46). As the beginning of the creation of God, which takes us back to Him being the one who executed the Father’s will. Nothing was made without Him (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:2-3).
Without exception, each letter begins with, “I know your works.” The particular condemnation was two-fold. The first regarded their indifference, lack of fervor, and zeal (“lukewarm”). This description is, probably, a play on a condition of water with which they were familiar. Their supply was from an aqueduct that was piped into the city. Evidence of their ruins shows thick deposits of calcium carbonate that testify to the heat of the water running through the pipes. Christ will disgustingly spew them out of His mouth as one would do the water piped into the city. Second, the saints arrogantly presented themselves as needing nothing from anyone because of their wealth. History reports that, after the earthquake of 63 A.D., they refused the relief from Rome and built the city with their own resources. While they may have been rich in this world’s goods, Christ tells them they are spiritually miserable, poor, blind and naked. The mammon of this world can compete for our affections. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-24, one cannot serve both as one or the other will be served. It is clear who they decided to serve.
The counsel they received from Him was to invest in true riches (1) gold refined by fire (2) white garments to cover their nakedness and (3) eyesalve (collyrium) that they might see. In brief, he says, “be zealous and repent.” The counsel of the Lord may appear to be harsh and vengeful. Reproof and chastening of the Lord is proof of His love (v. 19; Heb. 12:5-13). He wants to commune (sup) with them. He stands at the door, knocking. Now, fellowship with God is dependent on their choice to open the door.
The promise to the overcomer is that he will be allowed to sit down with Him on His throne. Commonly, the letters make salvation dependent on the Saints giving heed to the Spirit’s words.
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