I posted this bible challenge about a month ago. I have had several people ask me about the answer so I am finally getting around to writing this blog. My challenge was this. According to the historical context what is the meaning of Rev 3:15-16 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (NIV)?
To find the meaning of this verse we must look at the historical context. In this verse it plays a vital role in the meaning. I would encourage anyone who is looking up scripture to determine its meaning to make sure to read the surrounding verses if not the whole chapter as well as to research the historical meaning. The importance and meaning of the historical context of a verse is well explained by gotquestions.org this way. "It's important to study Bible passages and stories within their context. Taking verses out of context leads to all kinds of error and misunderstanding. Understanding context begins with four principles: literal meaning (what it says), historical setting (the events of the story, to whom is it addressed, and how it was understood at that time), grammar (the immediate sentence and paragraph within which a word or phrase is found) and synthesis (comparing it with other parts of Scripture for a fuller meaning). Context is crucial to biblical exegesis in that it is one of its most important fundamentals."
Over the years I have heard many preachers and teachers use Revelations 3:15-16 to show how much God detests our lukewarm apathetic commitment to Him. In this there is truth. Unfortunately I have often heard this verse quoted and then followed up with statements presenting that God would rather us all for Him or all against Him than to be on the fence and undecided. While this sounds good to the ears it is not actually what the scripture means when it refers to being hot or cold as compared to lukewarm.
Digging into the scripture we find that Jesus was speaking to an audience in Laodicia. This city was located between Heiropolis and Colossae which were known for having pure waters that flowed out of them. Heiropolis had a spring that produced pure hot water. Colossae had a spring of pure cold water from the mountains. Laodicia was known for its lukewarm dirty water that visitors to the city would immediately spit out of their mouths upon taking a drink.
In light of this historical and regional context we now can begin to understand that Christ is not saying that He wants us to be all for Him or all against Him. We find that He is actually saying that He wants us pure and useful to Him otherwise we will be rejected or discarded "spit" as dirty and useless. If you know scripture at all you know that our purity can not come from within us but came through the cross and His sacrifice to pay for the price required by our sin.
I hope that this blog has been helpful in revealing the understanding of the meaning of Revelations 3:15-16. I again would encourage everyone to seek out the full context, historical/regional background, and audience being addressed when reading through scripture.
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