By THE SPIRIT the beloved disciple wrote in The Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 3:
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
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.
17 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—
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
Most people want to apply the seven churches to historic periods and other such external congregations and societies which is okay. We must not attempt to place FATHER in a box for this book is one of symbolism and mysteries rather than simply a historical writing. This church can and should be applied to us on a personal level where we accept responsibility for our actions or lack thereof.
There are many who would be classified as being “rich” in the western world versus those who live in the poor countries on a few dollars per day. Jesus described those who are lukewarm as being blinded to their true condition. If you are miserable then you have no true peace. If you are blind then you cannot see people through the Love of FATHER. If you are naked then you are not taking on HIS cloak of righteousness. If you are poor then you have not taken on the Divine nature to any degree.
The good news is that Jesus did not come to condemn and criticize us but He came to redeem and restore. As many as He Loves, He rebukes and chastens out of necessity. We must be diligent, earnest, and zealous to repent. Are there any of us who do not need to improve in one of the areas Jesus mentioned? Jesus is willing to “dine” with us and feed on FATHER’S Word with us. Let each of us accept His invitation. As we do, Jesus tells us there will be those of us who overcome and He will grant to sit with Him on His throne.
By Him granting permission for us to sit on His throne tells us this privilege is conditional and is reserved for those who overcome their lukewarm state. Let us each be zealous to seek FATHER everyday, respond to HIS Word, and take action as we are led by THE SPIRIT. This assures us of overcoming the lukewarm state.
Being lukewarm denotes the lack of commitment to unconditional Love and self-denial. Lukewarm people are okay with being in this compromised state. They do enough to project a commitment to Christ but inwardly they are unwilling to give up the “worldliness” within. We must be willing to deny “self” and place “self” on the altar. If we do then we become truly zealous for Christ and His message for the world. Our reluctance to share no longer holds us back. Our unconditional Love blossoms forth and will draw people to our message of Christ.
Those who are willing to change will go through those seasons of testing, trial, tribulation, stripping, purging, pruning, and chastening under the hand of FATHER. If we embrace the time of testing knowing that on the other side we will be equipped then we will most assuredly be removed from the lukewarm category into the overcomer state. Only each of us individually can make the decision to change. Don’t let blindness be found among us. Let the fiery Word do its job.