Revelation 3

A Wake-Up Call to the Lukewarm: Lessons from Revelation 3

The Book of Revelation often leaves us scratching our heads. With its apocalyptic imagery, symbols, and prophecy, it can feel like we're trying to decipher a code. But when we focus on the heart of what’s being communicated, it becomes clear: Revelation is about unveiling the nature of God, the relationship He desires with us, and the call to worship Him. It's not primarily about timelines or the colors of heaven’s clouds—it’s about how we, as God's people, engage with Him, both now and in eternity. Today, let’s dive into Revelation 3, where we find some timeless messages for us.

Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea: Warnings and Blessings for Today

Revelation 3 features letters to several churches, each with its own unique message. The church in Sardis gets a sharp wake-up call: they’re spiritually dead, and it's time to awaken to Christ’s call. Then there’s Philadelphia, which receives encouragement for their faithfulness. But it's the letter to the Laodiceans that we’ll focus on today, and it's one we can't afford to overlook. In their case, there’s both a warning and a blessing—a challenge that speaks directly to our modern, comfortable lives.

The Laodicean church thought they had it all. They were rich, well-off, and self-sufficient. In their eyes, they didn’t need a thing. But Jesus tells them otherwise: spiritually, they were poor, blind, and naked. They couldn’t see their true condition. This lukewarm attitude was a serious issue for Jesus, so much so that He says He’s ready to spit them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16). The Greek word used here translates to “vomit”—a strong word, indicating just how displeasing their complacency was to Him.

Lukewarm Living: A Warning to Our Comfort Zones

So why is being lukewarm such a big deal? It’s simple: being lukewarm means you’re indifferent. You’re not on fire for God, but you're also not cold enough to realize you need change. When we’re lukewarm, we can go through the motions of Christianity without any real passion or conviction. We think we’re doing fine because life is comfortable, but spiritually, we may be drifting.

This is a huge challenge, especially for those of us living in the West, where wealth and comfort often distract us from the urgency of the gospel. We see the Laodiceans as a mirror for modern Christianity—many of us have become complacent, indifferent, or just “fine” with our faith. Like the Laodiceans, we may have convinced ourselves that we don’t need anything, when in reality, we are spiritually poor and blind. Jesus’ invitation to the Laodiceans is just as relevant to us today: recognize your need for Him.

The Invitation: Turning from Lukewarm to Hot

The good news in this letter is that Jesus doesn’t just leave the Laodiceans with a harsh warning. He offers a way out. He urges them to buy gold refined in the fire (spiritual riches), white clothes (purity), and salve for their eyes (spiritual sight). But the most powerful invitation comes in verse 20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

This is a call to repentance, to turning back to Him, to rekindling a deep, vibrant relationship. Jesus wants to sit down with us, to have fellowship with us, but we need to be intentional in inviting Him in.

Moving from Lukewarm to Hot: What Does it Look Like?

If we’re honest, most of us have been there—spiritually lukewarm, coasting along, not fully engaged with God. So how do we move from lukewarm to hot? It starts with recognizing where we stand and making a commitment to draw near to God. This takes intentionality. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and how we choose to spend our time reveals a lot about our priorities. Are we spending time in God’s Word? Are we investing in relationships with other believers? Are we making room for the Holy Spirit to move in our lives?

Just like we can get consumed by things we care about—like sports, hobbies, or careers—our hearts can be set on fire for God when we invest time with Him. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we begin to care about what He cares about. We love what He loves and hate what He hates. It’s a process, but it’s the only way to go from lukewarm to on fire for Him.

A Call to Repentance and Revival

As we look at Revelation 3 and the message to the Laodiceans, it’s a sobering reminder of how easy it is to drift into spiritual complacency. But it's also an invitation to awaken, to let Jesus transform our hearts. We can’t afford to stay lukewarm. God is knocking, and He’s waiting for us to open the door. Let’s heed His call, repent of our indifference, and rekindle our passion for Him. There’s a blessing waiting for those who overcome—Jesus promises us a seat with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21). What a privilege that will be.

Let’s not settle for a lukewarm life. Let’s go all in.