Rev. 3:14-22 Devotional Scripture - Where Do You Place Your Trust?

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”.    Revelation 3:1

Jesus is the Amen.  He is the One who guarantees and fulfills the promises of God. He is the Faithful and True Witness, the origin and author of God’s creation.

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.        Revelation 3:15-16

The water supply system in Laodicea made them vulnerable to attack.  The leaders were always accommodating to any potential enemy, and always wanted to negotiate and compromise instead of fight. Their spiritual welfare was in the same condition.  They were lukewarm and didn’t take a stand for anything.  By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied and it was destroying itself. There is no one more miserable than the lukewarm Christian. They have too much of the world to be happy in Jesus and too much of Jesus to be happy in the world.

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 eye salve, that you may see.    Revelation 3:17-18

 

The Laodiceans put their trust in material wealth and in physical health.  They could not see that they were spiritually bankrupt. As long as we believe we can meet our own needs we can never receive them from Jesus.

 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.    Revelation 3:19

 

Do you ever hear the word of God and feel beat up by the passage? Does it ever trouble you?  If you feel conviction when you hear God’s word it is a good thing.  In this passage Jesus is saying, “I’m glad you feel my rebuke because it proves to you that I love you. I only rebuke those that I love.”  In sports, a coach will always look at and critique the player who he believes has potential.  If the coach thinks you are a bench warmer he won’t even know your name.  Jesus is saying the same thing, “Those whom I love, I rebuke.”  If you are never corrected, never rebuked, it is not a good sign. Jesus says, “Therefore, be zealous, be on fire, be ignited, and repent when my words trouble your heart.”

 Those who overcome the battle against indifference, compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward. They enjoy a place beside Jesus sitting at the right hand side of the Father on His throne.