Question 1

Who are the Laodiceans that Jesus speaks to in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The Laodiceans are those in the church at Laodicea, addressed as “the church of the Laodiceans.” Jesus sends this message to them through “the angel of the church,” and at the end He says that the Spirit is speaking to the churches, so the warning is set before all who hear this word.

Question 2

What does it mean that the church is lukewarm, neither cold nor hot?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says He knows their works and that they are neither cold nor hot. He says He would rather they were cold or hot, but because they are lukewarm He will spue them out of His mouth. The picture is of something tepid and disagreeable. Their condition is not one of clear rejection or clear zeal; their works are so spiritually tasteless that they provoke His rejection unless they repent.

Question 3

Why does Jesus say the Laodiceans are poor, blind, and naked if they feel rich?

Accepted Answer

The church says, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Jesus answers that they do not know they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Their own claim is based on outward prosperity and self-sufficiency, but His words expose a deep spiritual lack. They are unaware of their true state before Him until He reveals it.

Question 4

What is the “gold tried in the fire” that Jesus tells them to buy from Him?

Accepted Answer

Jesus counsels them to buy from Him “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” He contrasts what they think they have with what He offers. The gold is described as refined and tested, and it comes from Him rather than from their own stores. The passage does not spell out every detail of this image, but it clearly points them away from their own riches to what He alone can supply so that they may be truly rich.

Question 5

What do the white raiment and eye salve represent in this message?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says they are naked and counsels them to buy from Him “white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” He also tells them to anoint their eyes with eyesalve, “that thou mayest see.” The language shows that they lack proper covering and clear sight, and that He offers what they need so that their shame is concealed and their blindness removed. The passage uses these images to show their need and His provision, without giving a full explanation of each symbol.

Question 6

Why does Jesus rebuke and chasten those He loves in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” His rebuke and discipline are joined with love and with a call to renewed zeal and repentance. The hard words about their condition are meant to turn them from their present state, not to leave them there.

Question 7

What does it mean that Jesus stands at the door and knocks?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” He adds that if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in to that person and will sup with him, and he with Him. The picture is of Jesus taking the initiative, calling and waiting for a response, and then sharing a close meal with the one who hears and opens. The verse uses the image of a door and a shared meal to describe His offered fellowship, without spelling out every detail about the door itself.

Question 8

What is the promise to the one who overcomes in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Jesus promises, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” The one who overcomes will share in some way with His royal position, as He Himself has overcome and sits with His Father. The passage puts this promise before those who heed His words and overcome, without further describing how this will look.

Question 9

How should believers today respond to Jesus’ message to Laodicea?

Accepted Answer

Jesus tells those He loves to “be zealous therefore, and repent,” and ends by saying, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” The response He calls for is earnest repentance, renewed zeal, and a readiness to hear what the Spirit says. His words are meant to be heard and acted on by all who have ears to hear.

Revelation 3:14

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

To the Church in Laodicea

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Revelation 3:14

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

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To the Church in Laodicea

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