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. Revelation 3:15-16 (NASB)

I learned this today, blessed by a two hour conversation with my friend Rick who was integral in bringing me back home to Jesus. The local Laodiceans had a very specific understanding of this concept of Lukewarm, of neither hot or cold.

NOT JUST THE PEOPLE BUT THE CHURCH ITSELF - SETTLING IN TO SOCIETAL COMFORT. To be spiritually healthy is to be "either" hot or cold. To be spiritually sick is to be lukewarm.

This is a new thought to this warrior, battling the asleep-at-the-wheel Christianity. Both Hot and Cold have pleasing, beneficial components. I even thought Hot was "for Jesus" and Cold was "against Jesus". But a new consideration: Only Lukewarm is not pleasing to taste. No powerful healing benefits. Interesting.

The Lukewarm Laodicean church was compromised unto society: more than participating when necessary with society - but embracing it fully as a willing partner to the elite. A temptation surely we see today. And the problem with this? You cannot serve society and serve God: they are mutually exclusive.

So a new revelation to me - and yet it is exactly as I see it in the mega churches, nee - most Christianity - the Laodicean Church had not an individual lack of morals or of spiritual commitment - but collectively, a compromise to the societal mores and alignment which kept them out of step with the Kingdom of God.

Below, reference: https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/evaluating-health-your-church/the-lukewarm-church-is-neither-hot-nor-cold/

Now in order to understand the statement that they were neither cold nor hot, we need to know three facts. The first fact is that the water in the nearby city of Colossae was cold and refreshing. The second fact is that the water from the nearby Baspinar Spring near the city of Heirapolis was so hot that the water was used right out of the ground as a hot spa. Now remember that Jesus said the church was neither cold nor hot. The Greek word Jesus used for hot is zestos. It means “boiling,” as in “boiling hot”—as in a hot spring. So, the water in Colossae was cold and the water in Heirapolis was hot. The third fact is that the water in Laodicea was lukewarm. The water started out cold in a nearby mountain, but after it traveled through the six-mile underground aqueduct, it was warm and contaminated with sediment when it reached Laodicea.[3] As a result, the water in Laodicea had a bad smell and tasted terrible according to historians.

What was Jesus’ point? He compared the lukewarm water in Laodicea to the cold water in Colossae and the hot water in Heirapolis. When He said the church was not cold, He was saying that no one had rejected Jesus as Savior and Lord. When He said the church was not boiling hot, He was saying that no one had believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord. No one had rejected Jesus or believed in and accepted Jesus. That is why Jesus said they were lukewarm. We can put it this way. They were good, religious people who enjoyed going to church.

Some believe that these were not just good, religious people, but lukewarm or “backsliding” Christians who were not on fire for Christ. That is a common belief. If so, then ask yourself, why would Jesus want any believer to be cold? The answer is Jesus wants every believer to be spiritually on fire. Also, notice Jesus’ next statement in verse 16. He said He will spit them out of His mouth, like someone spits out water. Now why would He spit any believer out of His mouth? The answer is found in the meaning of the phrase “I will spit.” The Greek word that is translated as “will” is mello, which more accurately refers to something that is about to happen. That is, Jesus planned to spit them out.

Also, the Greek word for “spit” is emeo. It literally means “to vomit” or “to throw up.” This is extremely strong language. Jesus had planned to vomit them out of His mouth. They tasted so putrid that He had planned to vomit them out. Now what does this mean? It reveals there were no Christians in this church. He was going to remove everyone! He was going to remove the church. The church was just a social club filled with religious activities. Yet, they talked about Him.

Church In Laodicea Was Not Spiritually Alive

Verse 17 continues Jesus’ message. It says,

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 . . . Revelation 3:17 (NASB)

Now Jesus continues to use figurative language. Each time He refers to the culture in Laodicea to make a spiritual point. Since the city was extremely wealthy, Jesus used that fact to say the people in the church believed they were wealthy; they did not need anything. That is, they were self-righteous. Rich people usually do not see any need for Jesus. The people in the church in Laodicea did not need Jesus either. Then Jesus said they were wretched and miserable, or more accurately “pitiable.” They were also poor, blind, and naked. These five words describe total spiritual poverty. The individuals in this church were not just slightly wretched, somewhat pitiable, almost poor, almost blind, or were partially clothed. Jesus used absolute descriptions. This church was without any spiritual life.

The Warning

Verse 18 is another indication that there were no believers in the church.

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. Revelation 3:18 (NASB)

The Promise

Now let us look at the promise to those in Laodicea in verses 21-22. It says,

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. Revelation 3:21-22 (NASB)

CHURCH is CALLED TO BE MORE THAN A SOCIAL CLUB. CHURCH is TO YES BECOMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO INVITE AND SERVE GOD INTO THAT COMMUNITY.

I AM GRATEFUL EVERYDAY I AM ON FIRE FOR CHRIST.