What is the meaning of Revelation 3:16? So because you are lukewarm “‘So because you are lukewarm…’” (Revelation 3:16a) • The word “So” links back to Jesus’ evaluation in v. 15: “‘I know your deeds…’”. He is judging actual behavior, not good intentions (cf. James 2:17; 1 John 3:18). • “Lukewarm” pictures the tepid, mineral-laden water that flowed into Laodicea—neither refreshing like cold springs nor therapeutic like hot springs. The church mirrored its water supply: spiritually bland, settling for comfortable compromise. • Jesus never blesses spiritual neutrality. He calls us to wholehearted devotion (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37) and warns that half-hearted living dulls hearing (Hebrews 5:11) and quenches the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). neither hot nor cold “‘…neither hot nor cold…’” (Revelation 3:16b) • “Hot” pictures zealous faith—think of Apollos, “fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25), or the disciples whose hearts burned as Jesus opened the Scriptures (Luke 24:32). • “Cold” describes open rejection. While tragic, outright unbelief can still be confronted; the need is obvious, as with Saul before Damascus (Acts 9:4–6). • “Lukewarm” sits between the two—professing Christ yet living as though He makes little difference. Elijah challenged Israel, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). • Our Lord prefers honest honesty over pretense. Better to confess need, like the tax collector (Luke 18:13), than to boast of riches and be poor (Revelation 3:17). I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! “‘…I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!’” (Revelation 3:16c) • The imagery is graphic: indifference makes the risen Christ gag. Fellowship with a complacent church is intolerable to Him (cf. Amos 5:21-23). • “About to” signals impending discipline, not final doom yet. He still stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20), urging repentance (Revelation 3:19). • To be “vomited” is to lose the sweetness of communion and risk severe chastening (Hebrews 12:6) or removal of lampstand witness (Revelation 2:5). • Jesus’ warning echoes John 15:6—branches that bear no fruit are thrown away and burned. It is meant to shock us into decisive action while grace is still offered. summary Revelation 3:16 portrays Jesus’ unwavering demand for wholehearted allegiance. Lukewarm faith—comfortable, compromised, passionless—repels Him. He desires believers who are either fervently useful or honestly aware of their need, not those who coast in respectable apathy. The cure is repentance, zeal, and renewed intimacy with the One who loves, disciplines, and still knocks, ready to restore any church or individual who opens the door. |
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