Understanding the Seven Churches of Revelation

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John begins Revelation by showing Jesus is not only our great high priest, but is God Himself. John uses a repetition of sentences, to identify Jesus Christ as the great "I am". John quotes the Old Testament prophets in a sequence which is to bring to light a salient feature, the divinity of Christ as follows:

* vs. 5 Witness Isaiah (Isaiah 55:4)
* vs. 7 Coming with the Clouds Daniel (Daniel 7:13)
* vs. 7 Pierced Zechariah (Zech 12:10)
* vs. 8 I am, Alpha & the Omega Isaiah (Is 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)
* vs. 11 I am, Alpha & the Omega Isaiah (Is 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)
* vs. 12 Golden Lampstands Zechariah (Zechariah 4:2)
* vs. 13-15 Heavenly High Priest Daniel (Daniel 10:5,6)
* vs. 16 Mouth, Sword Isaiah (Isaiah 49:2)
The first and the last quotes are from Isaiah, the second and second last from Daniel, the third and third last from Zechariah and the double quote in the middle from Isaiah. This is the feature highlighted and thus repeated. Christ is the great "I am". Sadly, some modern translations leave out the second "I am" quote in Revelation 1:11 and thus nullify the epanados.
Christ, the great "I am", is thus the central theme of the book of Revelation and the church through all the ages the besieged bride through whom He disseminates His truth to call a people out of the world. Satan the great foe is depicted as the one bent on destroying this work and the battle as it unfolds is delineated to the point of the final destruction of sin and the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness. The messages are not given to instill fear, but to encourage.
"Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore; Amen; and have the keys of hell and death." Revelation 1:17, 18
Then John goes into the letters to the Seven Churches. The letters were written to seven specific churches of Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. Although these messages to these churches had a specific relationship to the experiences through which the Church was then passing. They are also prophetic of the experiences of the Church through the centuries. Each of the letters also contain admonishments appropriate to God's people in every age. In this chapter, we will concentrate largely on the prophetic aspects of the letters to the Churches.
The seven churches to which the seven letters were addressed were those of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. These cities stood along one of the ancient postal Roman roads of that day, and, beginning at Ephesus, would have been visited in the order in which they are named. The distance between them is about 50-60 kilometres; a full day's journey, on foot.
The names of the cities are significant in that they convey a spiritual message relevant to the church as a whole. It is incredible that the sequence in which the cities lie, in which their names are given and in which historic events were to unfold, so accurately reflect the history of the church. It is one of the great evidences for the inspiration of the Word and the omnipotence of God. The letters contain a number of common features which had application to the church in John's day, but also reflect the church in prophetic time.
Names in ancient times conveyed a message. One of the names given to the Messiah was Immanuel, conveying the message that God would live amongst men. In the same way, the names of the seven cities convey a message which in the sequence in which they are given, provides information as to the state and nature of the Church from the time of John to the end of time. The sequence is as follows:
1. Ephesus - desirable
2. Smyrna - sweet smelling (myrrh)
3. Pergamum - elevation or exalted
4. Thyatira - sacrifice of contrition or sweet savour of labour
5. Sardis - renewal
6. Philadelphia - brotherly love
7. Laodicea - notion of judgment (judging the people)
Each letter starts with a commendation, all but two have a reproof, and each receives counsel and a promise.

 

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So we start with Ephesus:

Prophetically, the church at Ephesus represents the first century after Christ. The church had grown into a force to be reckoned with, and Christianity was starting to challenge the religions and ideological institutions of the day.
Ephesus, was a prominent city and was the gateway to Asia Minor. The city was the centre for the worship of Diana (Mother of the gods) and in 480 BC, the great temple of Diana was erected here as a symbol to the world. Her temple was four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens and was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple was destroyed in AD 263 and only the foundation stones remain.

The apostle Paul remained in Ephesus fro more than two years on his third major journey, and his preaching led to a major conflict between his gospel and the worship of Diana. This preaching interfered with the business of the silversmiths, who specialized in the manufacture of idols and turned many form idol worship, not only in Ephesus, but in the whole of Asia.
"Moreover ye see and hear that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods which are made with hands." Acts 19:26

The letter to the church starts with:
"Unto 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.'" Revelation 2:1

It is significant that the introduction to each of the letters is taken from the description of Christ as revealed in the first chapter of Revelation. Here, Jesus is seen again with the stars, or ministers of the Church, in His right hand. He walks among the candlesticks demonstrating His abiding presence.

The name Ephesus signifies 'desirable' and there was much that was commendable about the church. It had patience, good works and had tested the false teachers and had remained faithful to the truth. They hated the 'deeds of the Nicolations', a group who sought accommodation with the pagan world, and discounted obedience to God's law. Already in Johns day, before the end of the century, the first stages of disunity were creeping into the church promoting the admonishment:
"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love." Revelation 2:4

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he beseeches them to walk worthy of the calling with which they were called to serve God.(Ephesians 4:1,2) He explains to them afresh what it means to have put on Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24) His warning not to "grieve the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30) is an indication of the intensity of the battle for the soul. Paul calls the Ephesians back to unity (Ephesians 4:1-6), admonishes them not to sin (Ephesians 4:26) whilst walking in love and the light of the gospel. T

he same sentiment is expressed in the letter to Ephesus.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place-except thou repent. Revelation 2:5
To the faithful of Ephesus, the promise is given:
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7

The rapid spread of Christianity in the first century AD served to escalate the conflict and the inevitable consequence was persecution. The pagan religions were a counterfeit of the plan of salvation and it has always been Satan's strategy to either force or deceive people to accept the counterfeit rather than the true. In Ephesus, Christianity struck a blow to the worship of Diana, the Mother of the gods, and it is noteworthy that the modern-day equivalent, the worship of Mary as the mother of God, finds its root in Ephesus. In AD 451, at the Council of Ephesus, the Roman Catholic Church bequeathed the title "Mother of God" to Mary, thus reviving the ancient cult in a modern garb.

 

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Then we look at Smyrna:

Smyrna was situated sixty kilometres north of Ephesus at the present-day port of Izmer, which today is Turkey's second largest city with one of the most important harbours in the region. Smyrna housed the shrine to the goddess Nemesis and was one of the last cities to fall to Islam.

The letter to Smyrna contains no admonishment, and as the name implies, the sacrifice which Christians were called upon to make in this time period served as a sweet aroma, drawing people to Christ.

"Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish." 2 Corinthians 2:14,15

To this church, many of whose members would actually suffer death by persecution, Jesus introduced Himself as "the First and the Last, which was dead and is alive" (Rev 2:8). Then the words of the coming peril were given:

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days." Revelation 2:10

These words were fulfilled, for during this period, the most vicious persecutions were perpetrated against the Christians. In AD 107, Ignatius, a Bishop of Antioch in Syria, and a friend of John, the apostle, was thrown to the lions and eaten alive in the amphitheatre of Rome. In AD 155, Polycarp, a disciple of John and a close friend of Ignatius, was burned alive in Smyrna. Tradition has it that the flames refused to consume him and he was killed with the sword, and then burned. It was through the witness of Christian martyrs that Tertullian of Carthage, in Africa, was converted to Christianity at the age of 30, and thereafter became a defender of the Christian faith.

This period of Papal persecution came to its climax under Diocletian, who, in AD 303, launched a vicious, empire-wide effort for the complete annihilation of Christianity. Although he died shortly after, in AD 305, the persecution continued until it was finally brought to an end in AD 313, by the decree of toleration issued by Emperor Constantine.

The Diocletian persecution lasted ten years ( AD 303 - AD 313) and the ten day tribulation predicted for this church"and ye shall have tribulation ten days" verse 10) coincides with this ten-year period when the day-year principle of Biblical prophecy is applied. Persecution cleansed the church and provided a firm foundation for the Christian religion.

In the ancient city of Smyrna, the most expensive homes were on the mountainsides that rose above the bay. This gave it the name "Crown City". We can appreciate the appropriateness of the promise:

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life, he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev 2:10,11

When persecution could not rid the earth of Christianity, Satan turned to deception and compromise to rid the world of its influence.

 

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Next we look at Pergamos:

Pergamos was situated sixty kilometres further along the ancient Roman postal road. The name means "elevation" or "exalted", and appropriately, the religious and cultural centre of the city was on top of a conspicuous mount.

Today, the city of Bergama, lies at the base. Excavations nearby, have uncovered a vast complex which included two temples, a theatre and a medical library. Some of the most famous physicians practised here. The medical symbol was a serpent, Aesclepius, wrapped around a pole, very similar to that representing today's medical practices. Nearby, stood the world's second largest library (after Alexandria), with a collection of some 200 000 volumes.

Pergamos was the heir of the ancient Babylonian system of Sun worship. The Proconsul of Pergamos had a double edged sword and the ancient title and vestments of the pontiff of ancient times. The last pontiff king of Pergamos was Attalus III who in 133 BC bequeathed his title to Rome. In 378 AD, the Christian emperor Gratian refused the title "Pontifax Maximus" and the title went to the Roman Catholic Pontiff. This period in church history represents the period of compromise. In exchange for religious tolerance and acceptance, the true principles of Christianity were sacrificed to accommodate pagan beliefs. The word of God, the sword of the spirit, was to be perverted in this time period.

Pergamos was Satan's seat, the seat of ancient sun-worship, and it was in Pergamos that the famous altar of Zeus stood on a terrace on the slopes of the mount. The Pergamos period which began in AD 313 continued until AD 538 when the decree of Emperor Justinian made Christianity the official religion of the empire.

The letter rebuked the church of Pergamos for fraternizing with those who held the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. It was Balaam who led Israel to moral corruption, just before they were due to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. The Nicolaitans, a heretical sect who compromised with the pagan cults, had been repudiated by the Ephesus Church - but now were courted.

This, then, was a period of deteriorating moral standards and doctrinal corruption. Satan had failed to destroy through persecution; now he endeavoured to destroy her through compromise. In his efforts to unite his empire, Emperor Constantine blended the interests of pagans and Christians. Concerning his aims, the Church historian, F.J. Foakes-Jackson declares:

"In dealing with the Church, his object was gradually to transfer from heathenism to Christianity, all that had hitherto, made it attractive in the eyes of the people."

The German historian, H G Heggtveit, describes these events as follows:

"Constantine laboured at this time, untiringly, to unite the worshippers of the old and new faith, into one religion. All his laws and contrivances were aimed at promoting this amalgamation of religions. He would by all lawful and peaceful means, melt together a purified heathenism and a moderated Christianity."

Heggtveit then points to Constantine's Sunday law of AD 321 as a notable example of this.

"His injunction that the "Day of the Sun" should be a general rest day was characteristic of his standpoint... Of all his blending and fusing together of Christianity and heathenism, none is more easy to see through than this making of his Sunday law...The Christians worshipped their Christ, the heathen their sun-god; according to the opinion of the Emperor, the objects for worship in both religions were essentially the same."

In spite of this drift from the true faith of the early apostles, there were those who sought to maintain the true faith. The promise to the faithful of the Pergamos period was:

"To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it." Revelation 2:17

 

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Then we look at Thyatira:

Thirty kilometers west of Pergamos on the imperial Roman road lay Thyatira where the town of Akhisar lies today. Apollo, the sun-god, was the chief deity of the city.

This period in church history represents the church of the middle ages. The spirit of compromise that started with Pergamos would reach its zenith in the time of Thyatira. As the name implies ("sweet savour of labour"), works as a means to obtaining grace would become a prominent feature of the time. The introductory statement in the letter to Thyatira highlights this point.

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." Revelation 2:19

In this time of spiritual darkness, the truth was thrown to the ground and Christianity was replaced by the old pagan form of sun-worship dressed in a garb of Christianity. Forms, rituals, objects and works replaced the elevating truths of the gospel. Jesus was supplanted by pagan deities masquerading under gospel titles and the ancient Babylonian mysteries were reintroduced as infallible dogmas.The letter to Thyatira contains a strong rebuke:

"Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20

Ahab, king of Israel, had married Jezebel, a Phonecian Baal worshipper, although God had expressly forbidden intermarriage with the heathen. This marriage led to Baal worship being introduced into Israel, even though it was supposedly done in the name of Jehovah. So it was in Thyatira. Pagan temples were converted into Christian temples. Pagan symbols became Christian symbols. Pagan religious festivals became Christian religious festivals. All this was done in the name of true worship of the divine God.

Speaking of this amalgamation, Arthur E.R. Boak declares:

"The long association between pagans and Christians and the rapid incorporation of new converts into the ranks of the Church (after Constantine�s "conversion"), exercised a profound influence upon Christian beliefs and practices. Pagan belief in magic contributed largely to the Christian belief in miracles; and the development of the cult of the saints was stimulated by pagan concepts of inferior divinities, demigods and demons. Many pagan festivals were transferred into the festivals of the Church."

The symbols of fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols are the symbols of apostasy against God and the Word made flesh.

The twin pillars of Roman Catholicism are faith in the Eucharistic Mystery and faith in the intercessory role of Mary. Neither of these two doctrines can be found in the Scriptures, and they are contrary to the very basis of the Christian faith. Salvation can be found in Christ and Christ alone.

"Jesus saith unto him,'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one cometh unto the Father but by Me.'" John 14:6

The Eucharistic Mystery represents the sacrifice of Christ becoming a reality in the consecration of the host. Christ's sacrifice on the cross is thus repeated during each mass. This too is contrary to the plain teaching of the Scriptures.

In Revelation 2:21 we read:

"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not."

God was to give time for repentance. The period of papal supremacy spanned 1260 years, but she would not repent form her unfaithfulness to God. Not even severe trials and tribulations could bring her to change her course.

"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." Revelation 2: 22, 23

 

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Next we look at Sardis:

Sardis was the capital of the province of Lydia and was situated some forty kilometers southwest of Thyatira. The city stood on a prominence at the foot of which were the temple of Artemis and Zeus. In view of its location and natural protections, the people of Sardis considered the city impregnable and they felt so secure that their guard was not always up in time of crisis. History reveals that the city was twice conquered without resistance (by Cyrus and Antiochus) and in this lies a spiritual lesson. In its opening address, the letter to Sardis states:

"I know thy works; that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." Revelation 3:1.

This takes us into the post-Reformation period. Appropriate dates would be from the close of the Council of Trent in 1563, to the beginning of the great religious awakening in the eighteenth century. This period has been fittingly described as "the age of dead orthodoxy." Instead of the Reformation continuing its work of restoration, it committed the great error of submitting the Church to the protection and support of the civil authorities. While separating from Rome, she became subject to the state.

The foundations of the reformation were rooted in Christ, and it is the gospel of Christ that lighted the path of the reformers and led them out of the spiritual darkness that had all but extinguished the flame of Christianity. Sadly, this early fervour was gradually replaced by formalism as the churches formed became accepted by the community and the state. The inability of the various reform factions to find unity based on the Word also led to the formation of numerous denominations, each adopting the creed of its founders. The great work of reform faltered and even resulted in bitter infighting. Added to this, the counter-reformation launched by the Roman Catholic church, gradually eroded faith in the Scriptures and even set the tone for tolerance and acceptance of the teachings of Rome. The church was given this warning:

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember, therefore, how thou has received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Revelation 3:2, 3

Tardis stood on what was believed to be an impregnable lookout 500 meters high. Under the wealthy Croesus, the city became famous for its prosperity. It also became overconfident, and Cyrus took it by surprise in BC 547, his soldiers scaling the heights by following a precipitous route left unguarded. And 335 years later, in 214 BC Antiochus the Great conquered it the same way. The city had failed to watch.

In the same way, the reformation had failed to fortify itself against complacency and became the easy prey of those who wished to destroy her. The reformation required great courage and many were willing to lay down their lives rather than to deny Christ. It is to these that Christ says:

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3: 4

The message to Sardis is a message calling believers back to the truth and to steadfastness in faith:

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Revelation 3:5

 

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Then we look at Philadelphia:

Philadelphia lies 45 kilometers east of Sardis and today the city of Alasehir stands where the ancient city stood. Philadelphia was situated at the foot of the mountains which led to the tableland of Annatolia and as such was the doorway to this region.

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; 'These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David; He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth that no man openeth'." Revelation 3:7

The letter to Philadelphia contains no reproof. This time period was to open the door to the gospel so that it could be spread to the ends of the world. The word of God was to be restored and the truth would be triumphant.

Philadelphia means 'brotherly love.' The Philadelphia period is the period of the Great Awakening of the eighteenth century. It is the period of the missionary church. The words of commendation were:

"I know the works; behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Revelation 3:8

The era to follow Philadelphia would be the era where the great conflict between truth and terror would reach its pinnacle. The truth of the word and its prophetic imports was reaffirmed by the Millerite movement and the era of the world mission began.. Between 1804 and 1834, numerous Bible societies were established.

As always in an age of spiritual enlightenment, Satan endeavoured to destroy the work by the introduction of counterfeit movements. Spiritism in all its forms saw its modern revival in the time period.

The great Advent awakening of this time was met with suspicion and even hostility by the established Churches of the day as they refused to accept new light on the Scriptures. The age of Philadelphia was an age of brotherly love among those who embraced the truths of the second coming of Christ, but they were derided and mocked for their stance. The letter to Philadelphia encourages the believers:

"Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:9,10

The word 'Jews' used in verse nine is a reference to Christian believers. The Jew (Christian) here referred to represents those Christians who would reject the light and ridicule those who believed it. The promise is also given that the Philadelphian church era would not be subjected to the time of trouble which was to precede the coming of Christ and which was predicted by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 12:1) The promise of Christ's soon return given in verse 11: "Behold I come quickly" is further evidence of the historic continuous nature of the prophetic content of the letters to the seven churches. To the church of the middle ages (Thyatira) the message was given to "hold fast what you have till I come" (Revelation 2:25), whereas here the church is told that His coming is near. The great disappointment came as a major blow to many in the Advent Movement and the counsel to "Hold fast what you have that no one may take your crown" (Revelation 3:11) is appropriate to this era.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, which is the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God, and I will write upon him My new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Revelation 3:12,13

This promise is a promise of citizenship in the New Jerusalem based on the sanctifying power of God.

 

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Then we look at one that Adventist are very aware of, Laodicea:

Laodicea was situated sixty kilometers southeast of Philadelphia and was a famous health resort. The city was popular for its hot baths and the collyrium eye salve that was produced there. The hot water for the baths was ingeniously piped to the resorts in insulated pipes, but because of the distances involved, the water was often only lukewarm by the time it arrived at its destination. The symbol of lukewarmness applied to the Laodicean Church is thus very appropriate. Mineral rich waters are also extremely unpalatable when taken lukewarm, and this feature makes the words of the Faithful and True witness regarding those who refuse to accept His counsel all the more appropriate. Laodicea is the "nation of judgment". It is the last church, the last light bearer on earth just before the coming of Christ. It is the letter to God's people in our time.

All the letters were written to the church, to God's people, His representatives. The letters reflect the spiritual condition of the church in each time period and some of the letters contain severe reproofs. These reproofs were designed to strike a chord in the hearts of God's people, so that these wrongs might be corrected and the promises validated. In all the letters, except the letter to Laodicea, there is a commendation, and it is vital for God's people at the end of time to take heed of the Laodicean counsel because, sadly, we have nothing to commend us.

The message to Laodicea is not a message of hopelessness, it is a message of hope. The message is not designed to discourage - it is designed to encourage. If the message is heeded, then the malady of the church can be corrected. This message is for us and it is vital to take heed. The message stems from one who can read the heart, it stems from the faithful and true witness - to deny the message is to deny the omnipotence of God.

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." Revelation 3:14

The message is from the Amen - so be it, the faithful and true witness - the one in whom there is no lie, the beginning of the creation of God - the one who is the creator. The word "beginning" is translated from the Greek 'arche' which when taken in the active sense means the initiator of the action, in this case the creation. In this introduction is concealed all the majesty of Christ, His character and His law. The memorial of His creation is the Sabbath, which is also the seal of God making the law of God valid. The message to Laodicea is to His people, the war-ridden remnant to those who obey God's commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus.

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, whch keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17

This is the remnant entrusted with the final message of warning to a dying world. The message to be given is the three angel's message of Revelation 14. It is a message that will cause controversy, it is a separating message and the message will be opposed by Satan by every conceivable means. To render the message will require great patience, endurance, and an abiding trust in Christ.

"Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12

 

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We see this as a message to Gods Remnant church, the Adventist church. Why does the devil wage war against the remnant? Obviously he wants to hinder the work, he wants to prevent the message from going out into the world. How would he best achieve this? By so preoccupying the church with issues not directly related to the message that there is no time or energy left to do the work that the church was instructed to do. The church is to be a light to the world - it is one of the golden lampstands. The true witness says:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15, 16

This rebuke is to the church, but a church is compromised of individuals and this diagnosis of our state (lukewarm) is an individual diagnosis. The warning too is an individual warning. Lukewarmness is an unacceptable state and will result in eternal loss. The state of lukewarmness must be remedied. Why are we lukewarm?

"Because thou sayest 'I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing'; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked." Revelation 3: 17

We are lukewarm because we believe we are rich, we have the truth. We believe we are not deceived. After all the truth rests on the twin pillars of obedience to God, the keeping of His commandments, and the faith in Jesus. The Jews made the mistake of trusting in their obedience to God's Law, rather than the merits of the Messiah, to provide them with a cloak of righteousness. The great bulk of Christians today trust in the merits of Christ without obedience to His precepts to provide them with their cloak of righteousness. The remnant, however, knows the truth. Imputed and imparted righteousness (justification and sanctification) are gifts from God through the merits of Jesus Christ, and obedience, obeying the commandments, are a consequence of this abiding trust in the merits of Christ.