REVELATION 3:14-22
Paul prayed for the Laodicean church (Col.2:1-2) and wrote a letter to them (Col.2:1; 4:12-16). Archippus is said to have
been the first Bishop (pastor) of the church (The Apostolic Constitutions, 8:46. Information from “The Pulpit Commentary,”
Vol.22, p.114). This seems to have some significance for what Christ says to the church, for Laodicea is a church that Christ
does not commend. He has nothing good to say about the church. In writing Colossians, Paul exhorts Archippus, Laodicea’s
pastor: “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it” (Col.4:17). The corruption and
degeneration could have begun under his ministry.
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(3:14) Jesus Christ: there is the speaker, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Note how Christ describes Himself to the luke-
warm and half-committed church and believer.
1. Jesus Christ is the “Amen.” This is a title that Christ says belongs to Him. The term Amen is used to close prayer or
to declare the truthfulness of some statement. It is a term that declares and guarantees the truth. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the
Amen, the declaration, the guarantee of the truth. What He says is totally true and trustworthy. This means two things to a lu-
kewarm church.
g159 The lukewarm church can trust the promises of Christ. He will meet the needs of any church that will
repent and turn from its lukewarmness and wholly commit its life to Christ.
g159 The lukewarm church had better heed the warning of Christ. He is the Amen; His words of judgment will
be carried out. The lukewarm church and believer will face the terrible judgment of Christ, face it just like
He has pronounced it in His Word. His Word is true, completely guaranteed. What He has said will be. His
pronouncement of judgment will come to pass—unquestionably. The church that ignores or neglects His
Word does so at its own peril and loss.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (And we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jn.1:14).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Fa-
ther, but by me” (Jn.14:6).
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that
I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should
bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (Jn.18:37).
2. Jesus Christ is the “faithful and true witness.” Jesus Christ is faithful to God the Father and He bears a true witness
to God the Father.
g159 Jesus Christ is perfectly honest. He has not told a single lie or untruth.
g159 Jesus Christ is also completely honest. He holds nothing back about the truth. He does not keep us
wondering or questioning in seeking after and in knowing God. He has not kept a single thing from us that
God wanted us to know about Himself.
But note: Jesus Christ is the faithful and true witness; He is just what the church is not. The church is lukewarm. It only
tells part of the truth, only bears part of the witness. It is only half-faithful to Christ and God. What the lukewarm church
needs is to get a renewed sight of Christ. They need to refocus their attention upon Jesus Christ: the only way they will ever
see God is to hear the witness of Jesus Christ, the witness of Him who is faithful and true. If the church is looking at other
witnesses—depending upon the rituals of baptism, church membership, ordinances, services, ceremonies, fellowship, and
worship attendance to make them acceptable to God—then the church is missing the faithful and true witness of God. It is
missing Christ, and to miss Christ is to doom oneself.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye
receive not our witness” (Jn.3:11).
“And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony”
(Jn.3:32).
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for
I know whence I come, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go”
(Jn.8:14).
“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who
before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession” (1 Tim.6:13).
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth” (Rev.1:5).
3. Jesus Christ is the “beginning of the creation of God.” Jesus Christ is the great Creator of the universe, the Maker
and Sustainer of the universe and all that is therein. Therefore, He is the source of all—all good things, all real wealth and sa-
tisfaction, all purpose, meaning, and significance in life, all love, joy, and peace that a person experiences. Therefore, the
church must not depend upon its prosperity: its rituals, ability, energy, wealth, and resources. Its only hope for life is to trust
Him who is the beginning of creation, Him who alone can give the church life both abundant and eternal life. Therefore, no
matter how prosperous the church, it is not the creator nor the sustainer. Christ alone creates and sustains. The church’s
wealth and prosperity are meaningless and useless apart from being absolutely centered in Jesus Christ.
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made”
(Jn.1:3).
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