Putting it All Together
Before we put it all together, we want to take the interpretation and thoughtfully apply it to our lives. For more info on this, see Application for reference.
Revelation 3:14-22 Final Product
Step 1: Genre
Revelation 3 is an epistle.
Step 2: Generic Conception
Jesus is challenging the Laodiceans to repent of their self sufficiency and pride for if they repent they will be seated on the throne with him, and if they do not repent, Jesus will “spit them out” and they will not be with the father.
Step 3: Observations
Literary:There is a cruciality in verse 18 where Jesus calls upon the the Laodiceans “to buy from me gold refined by fire.” It is the only place where Jesus is calling the Laodiceans to a specific action. There is a contrast between riches in verse 17 and 18. Being rich in verse 17 is based on material goods, however being rich in verse 18 comes from buying “gold refined by fire”. The “gold refined by fire” seems to be explained by being “reproved and disciplined” that Jesus talks about in verse 19.
Grammatical:Jesus is the one speaking and he references himself being the one taking action nine different times, “I know”, “I will spit”, “I counsel you”, “I love”, “I reprove”, “I stand”, “I will come”, “I will grant”, “I also conquered”. Jesus then calls the Laodiceans to action only once in verse 18.
Historical:Laodicea was extremely wealthy and we know this because they were able to rebuild the city without the aid of Rome after an earthquake and also “The major weakness of Laodicea was its lack of a water supply. This need was met by bringing water six miles north from Denizli through a system of stone pipes” which also points to their extreme wealth. “Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eyesalve”(Holman). These historical facts help us understand that the readers would have really understood the metaphors of lukewarm water and also the reference of “salve to anoint your eyes”.
Cultural:The people were falling into a prideful mindset due to their wealth “you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing”(v17). The Laodiceans seemed to find their honor and value in their material wealthiness.
Step 4: InterpretationJesus is calling the Laodiceans to repent of their lukewarm faith and prideful reliance on their own material wealth and riches for even though they believe they are rich they are actually poor, naked, and blind. For if they do repent, they will sit with Jesus at the father's throne, but if they do not then they will be spit out and denied access to the father.
Step 5: Application
I am wealthy and well off by a worldly measure, but I need to ask myself if I am like the Laodiceans in my own wealth. Does my material wealth make me complacent and lukewarm in my pursuit of my relationship with Christ? Does my material wealth aid in the spread of the gospel or is it holding me back and making me comfortable? I am so thankful and reminded of the graciousness of Jesus by reading this passage. I am reminded of how Jesus refines me and clothes my nakedness. Christ is the one who has conquered and it is through him that I have access to the father.