Jesus' message to the Christians in Laodicea
14 ‘Write this to the angel of the church at Laodicea:
“This is my message to you. I am the one whose name is ‘ Amen’. I faithfully tell people God's true message. Everything that God has created starts with me.
3:14The name ‘ Amen’ means that God will do everything that he has promised. Jesus is the one who makes God's promises happen.
15 I know everything that you do. I know that you are neither cold nor hot. It would be better if you were either cold or hot. 16 But you are only warm. Because you are neither cold nor hot, I am ready to throw you away completely.
3:16If water was neither cold nor hot it was thought to be useless. Jesus is saying that the Christians at Laodicea were like warm water that is not good for anything.
17 You say, ‘I am rich. God has helped me to have many things. I do not need anything more.’ But you do not know how very poor you are really! You are like people who cannot see. You are like people who are without clothes. Really, other people should feel very sorry for you. 18 So I tell you that you should buy gold from me. With my gold, you would be really rich. My gold is the best, because fire has made it pure. You should also buy white clothes from me to dress yourselves. Then you will not be ashamed because you have no clothes. You should also buy medicine from me to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see.
3:18Jesus is talking about what the people need to make their spirits well. They must receive what only he can give them. People with ‘white clothes’ are a picture of people who are completely clean.
19 I help everyone that I love. When they have done wrong things, I tell them, ‘You have done a wrong thing.’ I show them the right thing that they should do. So be serious about how you live. Stop doing wrong things and turn to me. 20 Look! I am standing at the door of your house. I am knocking on your door. When you hear my voice, you should open the door. Then I will come in. We will eat a meal together as friends.
21 Everyone who wins against Satan will come to sit with me on my throne where I rule. I won against my enemies. Then I sat down with my Father on his throne. I will give you the same authority. 22 God's Spirit is speaking to you in the churches. You should understand what the Spirit is saying to you. You have ears, so listen carefully!” ’
