Revelation 3:14-22

The Letter to the Church at Laodicea. Laodicea was 40 miles SE. of Philadelphia and near Colossæ. It was famous for its wealth, and when it was overthrown by an earthquake in A.D. 60, it disdained to receive a subsidy from Rome, preferring to restore the damage out of its own resources. It was, according to Sir W. M. Ramsay, one of the great banking and financial centres of the time.

Revelation 3:14. the Amen: cf. Isaiah 65:16 (RVm.), the god of the Amen, here applied to Christ because His character and nature are in themselves a guarantee for the truth of His testimony (Swete). faithful and true witness: cf. Revelation 1:5 *. the beginning of the creation: cf. Colossians 1:15, firstborn of all creation. The phrase does not signify that Christ was the first to be created, but rather that He was the principle and source of the creation.

Revelation 3:15. neither cold nor hot: Laodicea was free from the vices which corrupted Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis, but it had its own sin, the spirit of indifference.

Revelation 3:16. A draught of tepid water provokes nausea, and a tepid Christianity is nauseous to Christ.. There is probably an allusion to the hot springs of Hierapolis, which in their way over the plateau become lukewarm, and in that condition discharge themselves over the cliff right opposite to Laodicea (Swete).

Revelation 3:17. I am rich: an allusion to the wealth of Laodicea and its self-reliant, self-satisfied spirit.

Revelation 3:18. The true wealth can only be obtained from Christ, who alone possesses the unsearchable riches. white garments: in contrast to the garments made of the glossy black wool of the sheep for which Laodicea was renowned. eye-salve: Laodicea was famous for a particular ointment.

Revelation 3:19. be zealous: what the church at Laodicea needed was enthusiasm, hence this injunction.

Revelation 3:20. stand at the door: the metaphor was probably suggested by Ca. Revelation 5:2. Swete thinks the words have an eschatological reference, and indicate the near approach of the Parousia (cf. Matthew 24:33; James 5:9), but the phrase, if any man hear my voice, seems to indicate that the more common and popular interpretation of the verse is correct.

Revelation 3:21. sit with me on my throne: cf. Luke 22:30.