John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. This is part 10 of a chapterbychapter bible study series in the book of revelation. Youll get this book and many others when you join bible gateway plus. We get the idea of lukewarm christians from johns recounting of jesus letter to these christians. Mounces greatest strength is interacting with, unpacking, and evaluating the various theories. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. Today, were on the last leg of our trip and have dropped by the church in the city of laodicea. Laodicea the lukewarm church john was given visions of things to come covered in chapters 4 thru 22 of the book of revelation. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy.
Revelation chapter 3 kjv king james version behold i stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice th word, and open the door understanding i will come into him and sup communion with him and he with me. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. One historian says, the water supply of laodicea was derived from an artificial pipeline, bringing water which was literally lukewarm and so impure as to have an emetic effect. The seventh and last study about the seven churches of revelation is concerning the letter to the church at laodicea. The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. The church in babylon the church in babylon the church in laodicea revelations 3.
The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. And so, that positions it out there as a very important city in the 1 st century, late 1 st century when the book of revelation was written. The use of lukewarm and spit you out in this verse invokes imagery of lukewarm water turning ones stomach and provoking vomit. Is there any other scriptures that outline what a lukewarm christian is actingdoingsaying to be considered so. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. In fact, its that guy and that church that were going to focus on in the conclusion of our blog series through the 7 letters of the book of revelation. So, because you are lukewarmneither hot nor coldi am about to spit you out of my mouth. In this vision, john saw the risen jesus standing among seven burning lights, representing the seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey in the first century. Join our christian chat and take the prophecy bible quiz diana on 9605 helpful blog vote 15. Jesus letter to this church wastes no time denouncing the congregation for its lukewarm faith, threatening to spit the congregation out of his mouth revelation 3. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Lukewarm stands in opposition to both hot and cold, and that is most likely how the laodiceans would have heard jesuss message to them. The seals i watched as the lamb opened the first of the seven seals.
This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, i will spue thee out of my mouth. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, i will spew you out of my mouth. Such socalled christians appear to be christians in name only but are most probably false converts. The book of revelations, part 1, letters to the seven. Revelation 19 niv bible after this i heard what sounded. The book of revelations, part 1, letters to the seven churches. Which church is called lukewarm in revelations answers. There are many symbols and their meanings are seemingly hidden. Revelation 6 new international version niv the seals. I dont mean to stand before you this morning and try to pretend that this is brand new material for you. During roman persecution john exiled to the isle of patmos for his faith, was sent an angel with gods commission to record the word of god, and the testimony of jesus christ, and of all things he saw.
Two of them were in good standing, but the other five had major problems. These letters, as you know, are directed at seven churches, actual churches, historical churches in actual cities in asia. The heart of this is revealed when we wonder if we have to come to church on sunday night or wednesday night. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Instead, they drift along, perhaps going to church. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john.
To me, this interpretation of the verses makes a lot more sense. These words are from the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation. What is jesus definition of the lukewarm that he vomits out of his mouth in the book of revelation. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, i will spit you out of my mouth. I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my father and his angels 6 let anyone who can hear, listen to what the spirit is saying to the. Bookofrevelationlaodicia7churches7sevenlampstandslukewarmgoldrefinedinthefirechapter31. I have entitled this article, lukewarm in laodicea, based on the statement in the letter, because you are lukewarm, and not cold or hot 3.
The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Laodicea was a prosperous industrial and commercial center. The laodiceans were neither cold nor hot in relation to god, just lukewarm. In love, the lord rebukes and disciplines them, commanding them to repent verse 19. Revelation 6 niv the seals i watched as the lamb bible. The usa is in the bible, in revelations, see that this is clearly so. The bible says it is better to be hot or cold than lukewarm. But first and foremost this book is the revelation of jesus christ. Sep 02, 2016 in this revelatory bible study message, joseph prince takes an indepth look at the seven churches in the book of revelation and the personalized messages given to each church by the lord. When it came to reading, early in the school year i hadnt done much reading if any outside of class literature. By spitting those people out of his mouth, jesus is rejecting those who do not decide whether to follow him or reject him.
Book of revelationlaodicia7churches7sevenlampstands lukewarm goldrefinedinthefirechapter31. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. In this revelatory bible study message, joseph prince takes an indepth look at the seven churches in the book of revelation and the personalized messages given to. I read a book that has a listing of characteristics of lukewarm christians that i will share with you. In this revised edition of the classic 1977 work the book of revelation nicnt, based on thenestlealand greek new testament, mounce has expands his work to reflect more than twenty additional years of working with revelation, its text, and the scholarship that surrounds it.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Why did jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith. It was transcribed from the tenth recording in his the book of the revelation series, entitled laodicea, the lukewarm church transcribed by preach the word. Joseph prince powerful truths from the book of revelation. Then i heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, come. Enjoy having an easytounderstand overview on the seven churches in revelationpacked with quickreference charts, simple summaries, and a fullcolor map, this quickreference pamphlet explains jesus message to each of the seven churches and shows key information at a glance. Youre probably misunderstanding what it means to be a. The book of revelation is not really the revelation of its author, the. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a.
I must apologize to nora ephron, the director of sleepless in seattle, for playing on the title of her 1993 movie starring tom. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Their material prosperity is contrasted with their spiritual poverty, the violet tunics that were the source of their wealth with the white robe of baptism, and their famous eye ointment with true spiritual. Here is a passage that you have all heard before many times. Many of the verses are foreboding and frightening, yet whoever reads this book is promised a blessing rev 1. And the word lukewarm, chliaros, is simply a word for tepid water. The name laodicea means judging the people which matches the seventh day adventist teaching, since 1844, that we are in the time of judgment now, with christ cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. Essay on interpreting the book of revelations 1435 words. Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. The bible actually tells us what a lukewarm christian is. In his book, the revelation of jesus christ, on pages 51 and 52, and we have this in our revelation unveiled booklet. Jan 08, 2020 the verse is part of the first of four visions john the apostle will reveal in the book of revelations. Increase pacing and solidify personal tastes in reading.
You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. In these letters, jesus addresses the spiritual health of each church. He had a very, i think, a very good summary of what all of these messages, and im not going to read the entire passage here, but to the churches, they were given exhortations he says, that were personal in character. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. In other words, their faith doesnt mean very much to them. The verse is part of the first of four visions john the apostle will reveal in the book of revelations. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, the apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation of jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. See the meaning of the seven seals, seven trumpets and bowls of wrath. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. The book of revelation contains seven letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor. Each of the seven letters addresses a different church in asia minor, one of which is to the christians who live in a city called laodicea. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23.
The lukewarm church sermon by raymond pooley, revelation 3. Perfect for personal use, small groups, or to add depth to any revelation bible study. The laodicean period of the church is where we are today. Now lets open our bibles to revelation chapter 3, and we come to the last of the letters to the seven churches, the letter to the church at laodicea, the church that made the lord jesus christ sick the lukewarm church. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church so that they may be faithful to the end. Lacking in every way, it was compromising, conceited, and christless. The problems began in ephesus, as she lost her 1st love and have continued to worsen as we come to laodicea, the lukewarm.
The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Jesus is saying that lukewarm people make him sick. The distaste and nausea produced by lukewarm food, which the stomach naturally rejects with loathing, are used as a figure in which to express the abhorrence of christ for those who lacked zeal in his service cf. These things saith the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of god. They arent particularly enthusiastic about it, nor are they hostile toward it. Because of the many visions and symbols that come from the book of revelation there are several different approaches to interpreting it including the idealist view, the. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. When the lamb opened the second seal, i heard the second living creature say, come. February 2008 this sermon was delivered at the iron hall evangelical church in belfast, northern ireland, by pastor david legge. Its amazing how a little geography and historical context can clear things up. A lukewarm christian is someone who claims to be a believer in jesus but does not appear to be committed to christ, may occasionally attend church, rarely reads the bible, and dabbles in the sinful things of the world. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. The book of revelations, part 1, letters to the seven churches the bibles book of revelation part 1 letters to the seven churches exploring the prophecies of scripture this is the revelation given by god to jesus christ so that he in turn could tell his servants about the things which are now very soon to take place. Approaches to interpreting the book of revelation the book of revelation is often very hard to understand because of its visions and elaborate symbolism mounce, 1992, p.
226 708 1312 739 942 928 954 330 455 398 997 1237 1403 484 1174 789 1501 1477 227 754 528 790 503 39 373 698 629 1028 78 899 337 476 444 202 1234 411 675 9 1221