15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16, King James Version)
Some teach that the hotness or coldness refers to doctrine or to zeal. I still don’t understand what is meant by the first. How is a doctrine hot or cold? Zeal is more intuitive. It makes sense because zeal is not completely intellectual. It involves emotion. However, is that what Jesus meant? After all, it is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ”, not the “Revelation of St John” as it says in many Bible headings. So, what did Jesus mean by the reference to temperature?
Did you know that there are only 4 passages in the NT where Jesus mentions temperature?In 2 of them, He literally is referring to temperature (Mt 20:12; Lk 12:55). In the other two, though, He is referring to something else. We see the reference to Revelation above, so where else?
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:9-12, King James Version)
Love is an emotion as well! I have long maintained that “Laodicea” means “judgment of the people”, i.e. judgmentalism. They lack love, so they are hypercritical towards others.
Love is not the only emotion where temperature may be involved. Consider the OT passages to “hot”.
24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. (Exodus 22:24, King James Version)
Now, I want you to consider again the messages to the churches in Revelation. This time, though, I want you to look at the first message:
1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:1-4, King James Version)
Do you see the pattern yet?