Over the years, something happened in our second case study named the Church of Laodicea. The believer’s passion had fizzled and turned into a fiasco. They had become indifferent, lax and apathetic. Jesus describes the church here in two ways: LUKEWARM and DECEIVED.

Jesus told John to write to the “angel,” messenger or pastor of the church. This is the last of seven such messages to the churches of Asia. The Lord goes on to describe Himself in three ways. He is the “Amen” or the final word. He is the “Faithful and True Witness.” He knows everything and hides nothing.

He is the “Beginning of the creation of God.” Jesus is the origin of everything, first in time and place. This is further explained in today’s verse.

Again, Jesus says, “I know thy works.” He is saying, “Nobody knows you like I do. I know you better than you know yourself. You can’t fool Me.” Jesus tells them that they are “lukewarm and neither cold nor hot.” “Hot” here is from the Greek word, zestos, which is further defined as “boiling.” We get our words “zest” and “zeal” from it. Romans 12:11 says, “not slothful in business, fervent [zestos] in spirit, serving the Lord.” The Jerusalem church was “hot.”

Jesus also says, “I would thou wert cold or hot.” Why “cold?” Not far away was Heirapolis which had natural hot springs. Colossae was also close by and it was well known for cold subterranean springs. Laodicea had neither. In fact, they devised an underground aqueduct to bring water to their city. It became tepid, lukewarm and visitors often spat it out as unappetizing. What a description. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s devos. Are we a lukewarm church? Let’s pray not so.