03.08. Lesson 08
Lesson 8:Read Revelation 3:14-22 at least three times, slowly, without looking at notes, before answering any of the questions. Laodicea was only about 10 miles from Colosse. Paul wrote this church a letter, which is not extant; see Colossians 4:16.
(1) Look again at the chart you made of the seven letters to the churches. What is distinctive about this letter to Laodicea?
(2) What does Jesus emphasize by the description of himself given in Revelation 3:14? Consider Isaiah 65:16. Look again at Revelation 1:5. Note that "Amen" is a Hebrew word, transliterated into Greek in the New Testament. In the Isaiah verse, the phrase translated "the God of truth" is literally "the God of Amen." When in John’s gospel Jesus says in our English translations, "Truly, truly," what is He actually saying? Look in your Greek Bible at John 1:51; John 3:3; John 3:5; John 3:11 (there are 21 other instances of this expression in that gospel).
(3) The last phrase in Revelation 3:14 is variously translated "the ruler of God’s creation" or "the beginning of God’s creation." Look at your Greek Bible; what is the word in question? How is this word used in describing Jesus in Colossians 1:18? How is it used in Matthew 19:4? Think about both translations in the context of the rest of this letter. What insights do you gain from each of the two? Consider also John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-18 (and recall that the letter to the Colossians was known in Laodicea.)
(4) Consider Revelation 3:15-16. When do you want a hot drink? When do you want a cold drink (see Matthew 10:42 in Greek, the only other place in the NT where the same word is used)? When do you want a lukewarm drink? Paraphrase the meaning of Jesus’ statement here.
(5) Consider all of Revelation 3:15-20 together. What is the central problem of this church?
(6) Look at Revelation 3:17. How does this church compare to Smyrna? How do the provisions of God in Revelation 3:18 correspond to the needs of this church listed in Revelation 3:17? Look also at Deuteronomy 8:10-20 and Isaiah 55:1.
(7) Why is Jesus writing this letter to Laodicea? Look at Proverbs 3:11-12 and Hebrews 12:7-11. Note also that zesto,j, translated "be zealous" or "be earnest" in Revelation 3:20 has the same root as zh,leue, translated "hot" in Revelation 3:15-16.
(8) Revelation 3:20 is frequently memorized and used in evangelism. To whom is Jesus speaking this verse? How does it fit in with the rest of the letter? See John 14:23.
(9) Compare Revelation 3:21 with Revelation 3:17. How is this promise to overcomers related to the issues in Laodicea? See Matthew 19:28, Hebrews 1:3.
(10) Consider the message of this letter to the church in Cameroon today.
Commentaries:
Now read Wilcock pages 56-58 and chapter 9 of Stedman. Reconsider your answers in light of these other resources.