Bible scholar Ron Rhodes says there’s much to learn from the book of Revelation – specifically from the churches mentioned in the first three chapters of the book. He points to the final church addressed, the church of Laodicea, and Jesus’ words regarding lukewarm water.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. So because you are lukewarm, neither hot or cold, I’m about to spit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16
Historical context helps us understand what Jesus was saying about being neither hot or cold.
“That’s an allusion to the underground aqueduct that was built in which water was piped in from some hot springs south of the city. And while it was en route to Laodicea, it became lukewarm. People want it either hot or cold, not lukewarm. That’s kind of a representative metaphor of the spiritual state of the church – they were lukewarm. They were compromising. They were neutral. And that neutrality needed to be rectified.”
What does it mean when God says you will be spit out of His mouth?
Some point to this passage to prove that a Christian can lose his or her salvation. Ron urges caution with this approach.
“You need to interpret Scripture by Scripture. Whenever you come across a difficult passage you need to interpret that difficult passage in light of what the clear passages have to say.
There are over 200 verses in the New Testament that say salvation comes by faith alone in Jesus Christ. God is clear – upon believing in Christ, we are justified, acquitted of all sin, and the very righteousness of Christ is applied to our account and that is a done deal. The stake is driven into the ground and it is unalterable.”
The words to Laodicea are ultimately a call to prepare for discipline.
“God disciplines those whom He loves, and He loves us far too much to allow us to remain on a path of destruction. That’s what I think is going on here. I don’t think that this is a loss of salvation but rather a form of discipline – temporal discipline.”
Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:19-21; Revelation 1-3
Featured Songs: Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech; Come However You Are by City Harbor; All Things Possible by Mark Schultz; The Maker by Chris August; Glow in the Dark by Jason Gray; Press On by Mandisa
Highlight : Inside the Laodicean church
Bible answers with Ron Rhodes, hour 1
Bible answers with Ron Rhodes, hour 2
This program has been pre-recorded.
