Dr Paul Allen

English: Laodicea - Lycos Français : Laodicée du Lycos (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Laodiceans were in spiritual things cold comparatively, but not cold as the world outside, and as those who had never belonged to the Church. The lukewarm state, if it be the transitional stage to a warmer, is a desirable state (for a little religion , if real, is better than none); but most fatal when, as here, an abiding condition, for it is mistaken for a safe state ( Rev 3:17 ).  This accounts for Christ ’s desiring that they were cold rather than lukewarm. For then there would not be the same “danger of mixed motive and disregarded principle” [Alford]. Also, there is more hope of the “cold,” that is, those who are of the world, and not yet warmed by the Gospel call; for, when called, they may become hot and fervent Christians : such did the once-cold publicans, Zaccheus and Matthew , become. But the lukewarm has been brought within reach of the holy fire, without being heated by it...

English: Peresopnytsia Gospels. 1556-1561. Miniature of Saint Matthew. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; . . . I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." ( Revelation 3:14-16 ) The Lord Jesus used intense language to rebuke this church, the last of the seven He had John write to in the book of Revelation . Laodicea was dangerously near the brink of being disavowed by He who is the Head of the church. Such churches believe they "have need of nothing" ( Revelation 3:17 ). Worldly wealth, extensive property , and popular recognition blinded these members and their leaders to their true spiritual condition. They failed to understand that, from the Lord's perspective, they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" ( Revelation 3:17 ). The c...