| THE SPIRIT TO LAODICEA |
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| 14 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: Thus says, “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: |
| Thus says – here the Greek phrase ταδε λεγει “thus says” is an imitation of the speaking of the Word in the Old Testament. the beginning of the creation of God (η αρχη της κτισεως του θεου) – see also Rev 4:11, “for You created all things and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” This takes us back to John 1:1, εν αρχη ην ο λογος, “in the beginning was the Word.” The Spirit of Christ was the “firstborn,” and the “only begotten God” (Col 1:15; John 1:18; Heb 1:6). He was the firstborn Spirit. To interpret αρχη to mean that the Spirit of Christ was “the originator of the creation of God” is unfaithful to the Greek language, which gives us only one meaning of “beginning,” αρχη, in every verse of the New Testament, including John 1:1. We can consider the meaning of “beginning” in Mark 13:19, “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created (αρχης κτισεως ης εκτισεν ο θεος) until now, and never will.” This is the most direct comparison to Rev 3:14, and gives the same meaning as “beginning.” Even the Trinitarian Albert Barnes in his commentary on this verse, and the use of the word “beginning” in the New Testament, says: “The word ἀρχὴ (beginning) is not, therefore, found in the sense of authorship, as denoting that one is the beginning of anything in the sense that he caused it to have an existence.” The Greek word that does mean “author” is αρχηγος, and is used to describe Christ as the author of spiritual life in Acts 3:15 (cf. John 5:21). The Father, who makes all of us in the womb (Jer 1:5; Psa 139:13; Isa 44:2) is the creator and Father of all (Eph 4:6). |
| 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 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 will dine with him, and he with me. 21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” |
| Rev 3:20 I stand at the door and knock – most people interpret this statement as simply referring to the “lukewarm” nature of this Church. But the meaning of this goes back to verse 8, “I have before you an open door – because..you have kept My word.” Christ promised He would make His home with us if we keep His word (John 14:23). |
