14- Amen- Jesus is the authority of God and has the authority of God. Amen means: So be it.
Beginning of Creation- Jesus is the very first thing (cf. John 1.1)
15- I know your works- The attitudes and actions of the Laodiceans are known by John, and presumably by others.
"You are neither cold nor hot"- Being cold would likely mean that they are far from God, but open to hearing from him. Being hot could be the possibility that these Christians are committed to Christ, but filled with hypocrisy and deception. Being either cold or hot would mean that repentance and redemption are not out of the question.
16- Lukewarm Christians are those who think that they have no problems and consequently end up in the worst possible state. They are content with mediocrity. These believers see no problems with the world or their faith. The status quo is perfectly fine with them.
18- Gold represents the perfection and purity of a relationship with Jesus. Gold is the most precious thing known to man.
Refined in the fire lets us see that even gold can be improved and purified. We are encouraged to constantly be reflecting on our relationship with God and be purified in it.
Being clothed is symbolic of leaving our sins behind. We are no longer naked, but clothed in the truth of God's word.
Having our eyes anointed is another sign of the purification that Jesus desires for us. Think of the nursery rhyme- "see no evil".
19- Love requires that we be corrected. Just as loving parents discipline and limit the activities of their children, God does the same for his children.
20- God has a desire to fellowship with all humanity. Our only responsibility is to be open to him, to welcome him. He is available for all, but we must respond.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment