To His Church in Laodicea

This letter from Jesus has the harshest tone of them all and is the only church in which Jesus finds nothing to commend. An aqueduct from hot springs in the south brought water rich in minerals to the city; however, because the hot springs themselves were 5 miles away, the waters were lukewarm by the time they reached Laodicea. In His concerned love, Jesus condemns the church in Laodicea for its ineffective witness and deplorable spiritual condition (i.e., lukewarmness). Moreover, just as the city did not see itself as “poor, blind, and naked” following an earthquake in A.D. 60 by denying imperial aid, so the complacent church did not see their spiritual bankruptcy. Still, Jesus is the answer to their grave condition; He stands at the door ready to receive in meal fellowship all who turn to Him in genuine repentance. Believers who conquer will sit with Jesus on His throne as He also conquered and sat down on His Father’s throne.