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15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 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– Revelation 3:15-17
The letters to the churches in the book of Revelation can show us things to watch out for in our own Christian walk.
There are two ways of looking at these letters. The first is that they are literally letters to the churches of the area offering guidance, encouragement and, in some cases, condemnation. Most likely this is the case, at least, in part.
The second view is that each of these churches represents an age of the Christian church from the first century until the church that exists when Christ returns. If this is the case, these verses represent the Church that is in place when Christ returns. This letter seems to describe much of today’s church.
The lukewarm church is the bane of Christian ministry; it sits around feeling good about itself and not accomplishing much at all. Christ tells us we are to be hot or cold. This comes from water in the area of Laodicea. There are hot spa-like soothing springs, and there are also ice cold refreshing springs to invigorate those who drink their water. The third type is the tepid, bad-tasting, mineralized spring that is so bad it is vomited out when it is drank.
Individuals can take a lesson from this letter in that our churches are made up of people. If the church is full of hot, soothing and cold, refreshing people it won’t be lukewarm. However, if everyone is content to sit in the pew and do nothing they risk being spewed out of Christ’s mouth.
