"I could wish you were cold or hot" Rev 3:15b

This final of 7 letters, is addressed to the angel, or the pastor of the church in the city called Laodicea. These are the things that Jesus said to him, the pastor, and then to the church there.

Jesus introduced Himself as......

1. The Amen.
2. The Faithful and True Witness.
3. The Beginning of the creation of God.

Jesus explained what He knew about them....

1. I know your works.
2. You are neither cold nor hot.

Jesus wished something for them..

1. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Jesus explained what would happen to them. 

1. Because you are lukewarm...
2. And neither cold nor hot.
3. I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Jesus gave them the following counsel.

1. Because you say "I am rich, and have need of nothing"
2. And do not know that you are wretched, miserable and poor,
3. And, you are blind, and naked.
4. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire.
5. That you may be clothed.
6. That the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.
7. And anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see.

Jesus said the following about Himself and what He does.

1. As many as I love.
2. I rebuke and chasten.
3. Therefore be zealous and repent.
4. Behold I stand at the door and knock.
5. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and he with Me.
6. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.
7. As I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
8. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


Personal reflection and some applicational thoughts.

1. Jesus is revealed to us in great detail in 3:14
2. This church, though filled with problems, did have some works in it.
3. This church was the "lukewarm" church
4. Jesus wanted them to either be hot, or cold, but not lukewarm.
5. Their lukewarmness meant they would be vomited out of Christ's mouth.
6. Jesus had the true perspective about them.
7. He gave them counsel, because He loved them.
8. Jesus loves His church, and He will rebuke and chasten His church.
9. Jesus was seeking to have fellowship with this church.
10. The church was being invited to open their hearts to Jesus.
11. Jesus gave them a promise about the future.
12. Jesus would let "him who overscomes" sit with Him on His throne.
13. Jesus overcame, and has sat down with His Father on His throne.
14. There is hope even for the lukewarm church and it's members.



Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia