The last three of the seven churches are addressed. The church at Laodicea is spoken to the most harshly. Because they are neither hot or cold, the Lord says he will spew them out of his mouth. The Greek word for spew is vomit. Hot and cold does not refer to being cool to the gospel or strongly converted. There is no evidence that the words cold and hot were used metaphorically the way we use them. There were two types of water in Laodicea. Cool waters came from springs and hot mineral waters that were healing in nature were also available because this area was near hot springs fed by an earthquake fault. Both waters were piped into the city and both the cool and hot water were useful and refreshing. The other type of water around Laodicea was a tepid water that caused vomiting if it was drunk. This reference to the waters would have been very meaningful to the Laodiceans. They are not the good cold and hot waters, but their works are sick and the Lord will have no part of them.
In contrast, the blessings promised to the righteous of the three cities are nearly all temple related. They will be clothed in white raiment and will walk with the Lord in white. Their names will never be blotted out of the Book of Life and the Savior will confess them before the Father. They will be from temptation. They will become a pillar in the temple. The pillar represents stability and safety. Philadelphia was subject to severe earthquakes and had suffered a devastating one as recently as 17 A.D. The promise of strength and stability would have been meaningful to them. The righteous will be called in the name of God and given a new name. Their eyes will be anointed so that they see.
Finally, the Lord says that he is continually calling to us. He is at the door knocking, asking us to open our hearts and lives to him. If we do, he will come in and be with us and he will eat with us at our tables. He will invite us to come to his throne and sit down with him.
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