Revelation 3:14-22 biblical analysis and interpretation

Revelations is that book of the Bible that often creates tension and trepidation when people who are not trained in theological studies take it up in discussion. This is understandable, because the Book of Revelations carries with it a reputation as being the doomsday book. It is the Bible book that tells us how and when it is all going to come to an end in our lives -- but it is much more than that. Each chapter has a different story, a different part of the overall revelation to Christians. This paper examines Revelations 3:14-22, to understand the significance and meaning of the message of the words in this chapter of Revelations.

The beginning words of instruction of the letter begin, "And to the Angel of the Church in Laodicea write." Here, we can infer that the following words in the passage will be addressed to the Christian leader of the church located physically in Laodicea, and that Laodicea is an important Christian center of worship. The spiritual leader is referred to as an "Angel," and that puts him ideologically as close to God as a living person might get, and, as an angel, establishes that the leader's first responsibility is as a servant of God. And in this same line, it continues to read: "The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." The author of the letter gives the spiritual leader the recognition of leading a faithful congregation. They are the "Amen," and the author defines that in the following words, "the faithful and true witnesses," and as true witnesses of the Trinity, they are the beginning of God's creation whose existence and relationship with mankind came about through the Trinity.

Then, in lines 15-16, "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." The author of the letter is taking the church in Laodicea to task for not being more visible in its commitment to God. The author expresses this when he describes the church as "neither cold or hot." It is easy to fall into the patterns of Christianity, thus becoming neither hot or cold. The author cautions the church in Laodicea that going through the motions of Christianity will cause it to be spit out of the mouth of God on Judgment Day.

"17 for you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." In these two lines we begin to have a sense of the identity of the author; the author of the letter to Laodicea is the temptation, evil, perhaps the Anti-Christ himself. The author seems to know the spiritual sustenance of a true and faithful believer of God needs and receives from God daily nurturing of the body, mind.