The church there in Laodicea was one that was known by the apostle Paul. We have said that, perhaps, all of these churches addressed in Revelation were known by the apostle Paul. Perhaps, any number of them were established by him because of the region they are in, and for the fact that he was in Ephesus for as many years and working in that region. Perhaps he would travel and visit these locales and preach and teach and baptize, and the church would be established. Some of the other congregations we’ve discussed are not discussed elsewhere in Scriptures, but Paul knew about the church at Laodicea. Either he was responsible for establishing the church there, or perhaps it was his colleague, Epaphras. Recall that, according to Paul in Colossians 4, verse 13, where he writes to the church in Colosse, Epaphras had a “great zeal” for the church there in Laodicea. He prayed fervently for that church. Also, Paul apparently wrote an epistle to the church in Laodicea.

Look over in Colossians, chapter 4, for a moment. We can look at verse 12, concerning Epaphras, and see: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the Will of God.” Of course Paul is talking there about Epaphras being concerned about the church in Colosse, but he goes on in verse 13: “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.” Well, Epaphras was very concerned and prayed for the church in Laodicea. Then look at verse 16: “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”

So we know that one of the practices was that these letters written by Paul, and others of the apostles, would be passed around from congregation to congregation, from city to city. And in this letter that he wrote to the church in Colosse, his instruction is to “Make sure you pass this on to the church—to those Christians—in Laodicea so they’ll see this as well. And, oh, by the way, make sure you get that letter, that epistle that I wrote to Laodicea, and you read that!” Well, we don’t know what happened to that letter. It is lost, obviously. Again, the point is that Paul had an association with this church. That association would have been about 25 years, or more, earlier than the time the Lord is saying these things about them here in Revelation.

Let’s take a look now at the text, Revelation, chapter 3, beginning with verse 14, and read thru the end of the chapter: "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, "These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

[Verse 15]“‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

[Verse 16]“ ‘So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

[Verse 17]“ ‘Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing”--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

[Verse 18]“ ‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

[Verse 19]“ ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

[Verse 20]“ ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

[Verse 21]“ ‘To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’

[Verse 22]“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Lord’s Self-Designation (verse 14)

Remember that these Words, recorded by John, are Words spoken by the Lord Himself. The description that we see here in the first verse of this text is the Lord Himself describing Himself in a particular way. He refers to Himself as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness.” Now, what does that mean? What does the Lord have in mind here with that description of Himself? Well, “amen” is a word we use frequently. It means “so be it,” or “may it be so.” As the “Faithful and True Witness”—what He says, what Christ says—you can say “amen” to. It’s going to be accurate. It’s going to be correct. It’s going to be truthful. You can count on it! It’s going to be just right! What the Lord says will be the exact Truth. His Words will be in strict accord with the Will of God. This is in complete contrast to those who did not speak Truth, to those who compromised Truth, to those who acquiesced to those who did not speak Truth (particularly to the Roman Emperor, and even to those who attempted to pass themselves off, if you will, as “latter-day christs”).