Messiah Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth) was not pleased with this congregation at all. They had a wrong perspective. They called themselves believers, but they were far removed from both the purpose and perspective of the Living God. Unless we see things the way God sees them we are not going to be pleasing to Him. We need to have the renewed mind of Messiah (Romans 12v2)
– a mind that has been redeemed.

Verse 14: “And to the messenger of the congregation at Laodicea write: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Ruler of the Creation of God.”

As to each congregation, Messiah starts this letter by describing Himself in a unique way. Here He describes Himself as the ‘Amen’. This word means ‘the Faithful One’ or the ‘True One’. It is a word used for a response. This congregation was not making a right response to the revelation of God. Their lives were not in congruency with the truth of God. About Yeshua, John said: ‘The
Word became flesh’. (John 1v14) He (Yeshua) perfectly and completely responded to the plans of God for His life.

‘The Ruler of the Creation of God.’: Messiah Yeshua has always existed. He is eternal. Not just in the future, but also in the past. He has pre-eminence over all of Creation. (John 1v1-3)

Verse 15: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot.”

God is again evaluating. What we believe is seen in the way we behave. This congregation doesn’t have passion or a strong commitment in bearing out a faithful response to God’s will and purposes.

Verse 16: “But because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you from My mouth.”

They make God sick. Spiritually they are a disappointment.

Verse 17: “Because you have said I am rich, and I have found power (authority) and lack nothing. But you do not know that you are miserable, repulsive, poor, blind and naked. “

Their evaluation of themselves is based on earthly standards of measurement. Many people, today, believe that if they are financially secure then God must be pleased with them. They see their wealth as a testimony, acquired because of their faithfulness to Him. This is not necessarily so.

‘Found power’ – They believe that they have the ability to accomplish their own desires.

God names 5 flaws that this congregation has. This number speaks of that which is lacking. They are ‘poor’ in the things of God (fruit, power and character of God). They do not see things from God’s perspective (‘Blind’). ‘Naked’ has to do with shame.

Verse 18: “I counsel you to buy (acquire) from Me gold, refined with fire on account that you shall be rich, and white garments that you should cover yourselves that no one might see the shame of your nakedness. And anoint your eyes with eye salve on account that you shall see.”

Messiah is the only One who can bring righteous change to our lives. Are we interested in the counsel of God?

Fire removes impurities. He wants to remove all those things in our lives that are impure or in conflict with His character. (1 Corinthians 3v10-15)

We need to be rich in good deeds, not bank accounts. This congregation is not dressed correctly. According to the rabbis, when someone is ‘naked’ they are lacking good deeds (faith and obedience). Those in white garments have displayed the truth of God in their lives. It is significant that the final exhortation, to the congregations, has to do with vision. We need
to see things clearly, from G-d’s perspective.

Verse 19: “Those whom I love I reprove and discipline. Therefore, be diligent and repent”

God sets things in order. We need to ask Him to reprove (reprimand) and discipline us so that we can change and become pleasing to Him (Psalm 139v23-24)

Discipline, if we are trained by it and obedient to it, helps us to be transformed into the image of His Son. (Hebrews 12v5-11) Reproof and discipline are an outcome of God’s love. Don’t run from it, but use it as instruction from God.

Verse 20: “Behold, I am standing at the door and knocking. And if anyone should hear My voice and open up the door I shall come unto him and I will dine with him and him with me.”

This verse highlights intimacy and fellowship with God. ‘Amen’ (at the beginning of this letter: 3v14) demands a response. He ends the letter standing at the door ‘knocking’. This also demands a response.

Verse 21: “And the one who overcomes I will allow him of sitting with Me upon My throne, just as I also have been victorious, and I sit upon my Father’s throne.”

Good intentions don’t bring about a change. It is only through intimacy, with God, that we can overcome; overcoming leads to changes in our lives.

‘Sitting with Me upon My throne’: A promise to be in the presence of God. Intimacy. Love. These equip us to have authority to rule with Messiah.

Verse 22: “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.”