Revelation 3:14-22 - Indepthbible.org

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How I wish that you were cold or hot. 3.16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and
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(...continued)
who states, "The whole tendency of the Johannine writings and of the Apocalypse in particular...forbids
the interpretation 'the first of creatures.'" (P. 59) Beasley-Murray holds that "...The
naming of Christ as the prime source of creation in the introduction to the message to the
Laodiceans is perhaps intended to emphasize his supreme authority and power to execute the
word of which He is the Guarantor and the faithful and true Witness.” (P. 104)
Hough comments that "The easy acceptance of the standards of the community is
challenged at once by setting over against its busy self-satisfied life the eternal Creator and
Truth-Teller Who judges time by that which is beyond time." (P. 559)
However, it seems obvious from a simple reading of this “name” of Jesus, that it can
easily be understood in the sense that these commentators reject, as being “the first creation.”
While this does not fit well with orthodox Christology, it is no wonder that the passage was
used as a proof-text by the Arians over against the Athanasians!
Aune notes that “Unlike the other letters [to the seven churches], the attributes of Christ
enumerated in the introduction [of this letter to Laodicea], Amen, the Faithful and True
Witness, and the Beginning of God’s creation...are not drawn from the Patmos vision in 1:9-
20.” (P. 263)
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This same statement occurs in five of the letters to the seven churches: 2:2, 19; 3:1,
8, and 15 (here). The followers of the risen Lord at Laodicea need not deceive themselves by
thinking that what they are doing, and how they are thinking, is unknown to the great risen
Lord of the Church! He knows, because He is present in their midst, walking among the golden
lampstands! He sees and knows! Never forget that, says Revelation--let every church, in
every time and place, never forget that great fact of faith! If they are doing good, and suffering
for it, the great Lord of the Church knows it! But if they are lukewarm, and failing to fulfill their
purpose for existence as a church, He knows that too! Let them (and us) tremble before that
fact!
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The adjective yucro,j, psuchros means "cold"--but here the context implies "icewater"
instead of "tap-water." Here “cold water” is symbolic for “against Me,” over against “hot”
which is symbolic for “for Me.” See Aune, p. 257.
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The adjective æåóôüò, zestos means "hot," but oftentimes implies "boiling hot," or
"cooked." Again, Aune holds that “hot water” means “friendly towards Me,” and “cold water”
means “hostile towards Me.” (P. 257)
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The word öåëïí, ophelon used by itself is probably a participle that originally had
some form of the verb "to be" alongside it, but which became a fixed form, used by itself to
introduce unattained wishes, "O that...," or "Would that..." It is the expression of a wish that
something had taken place, or would take place.
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