These are the words of the Amen. This word appears seven times in the Book of Revelation. It is a Hebrew word that expresses truth. When the Gospels say: ‘Very truly I tell you,’ the Greek says: ‘Amen, Amen, I tell you …’
Paul probably did not visit this church, but he was acquainted with it, because he wrote a letter to them from Rome. Unfortunately, this letter did not survive though he wanted it to be read to the Colossians well and for the letter to the Colossians to be read in Laodicea.
These images must have certainly impacted Laodicea. The city was famous for the production of splendid black woollen and linen cloth for the manufacture of clothing and carpets. There was also a flourishing medical school and a medical industry that was especially famous for its eye ointment
Christ calls upon the Laodicean church to purchase gold for their poverty, white garments for their nakedness and eye ointment for their blindness. There was no enmity towards the Gospel, no rejection of the faith, no false doctrine or immorality, at least, none of these are mentioned.
What an admonition that is full of love Christ gives here. But at the same time, it’s so sad. He is knocking on the outside of the door of the church—of the church of Laodicea. He is asking to be let in.
The knock on the door leads to fellowship, and this fellowship continues into eternity. The command to the Church is to be watchful. Part of this watchfulness is paying a lot of attention to eschatology and prophecy. The knock on the door in the end times can come at any moment.
The Spirit has something to say to the churches. The Holy Spirit speaks but He never speaks about Himself; He speaks about the Father and the Son.2 The Spirit applies, elaborates, interprets and explains the message of the risen and glorified Christ to the seven churches—the Church of Christ.
