One of the most frightening group of verses in the Bible are found in Rev 3:14-19, when Christ is talking to the Church of Laodicea.
He is addressing the people of a city known for its wealth. But despite its financial prosperity, it was spiritually impoverished. He says to the people "You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of My mouth. For you say 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
What’s frightening about this statement is that most people in this world who call themselves Christians are lukewarm. Yes we might go to church on Sundays, make an appearance, and think to ourselves, hey, I don’t sell drugs, I haven’t killed anybody, I never robbed a bank, I even give to charities. But think what Christ is saying here "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing."
Not too many years ago, the Dow Jones average had a tough time breaking 1000. Since then, it has been over 10,000. IRAs have come into the picture, and many typical people have savings well into the six figures. And every average neighborhood seems to have a quiet millionaire living in it.
But with all this prosperity also comes a falling away from God.
There is a group of prophecies in Zechariah 6:1-8 that I think ties in with Revelation 3:14-19. In the Zechariah prophecy there are four different colored horses with chariots that are sent out across the earth.
Although these horses resemble the four horses in the book of Revelation, don’t mix them up, the Revelation prophecy has not taken place as of yet, but the prophecy in Zechariah, Chapter 6, has already been fulfilled. In these prophecies, two of the horses, the black followed by the white, go to the "north country."
Then comes the statement "Behold these that go to the north country have quieted My Spirit in the north country." What I believe God is saying here is that the black horses are Capitalism and prosperity, and that the north country represents Europe, the United States and Canada.
Then the white horses follow, which I believe are false religions and idol worship, and will hinder God’s Spirit in the rich north countries. All these north countries are basically Christian, and due to the great riches of these countries, many false religions have popped up. I believe most people are worshiping money more than God. Money seems to be the Number 1 idol, and pride is another idol.
As for the other two sets of horses, the dappled gray go to the south, and the red patrol back and forth across the earth.
The dapple grays I believe are poverty, disease and hunger. They go to the southern area of the globe, such as Africa and South America, where the economy isn’t so good, along with famine, starvation, and widespread disease. The red horses represent war and unrest, and as they patrol back and forth across the earth, war follows. God foretold 2500 years ago in Zech 6:1-8, what the economy and situations would be like in the northern and southern areas of the globe.
Now Jesus understood riches, luxury and opulence can become idols, creating a false sense of security. They bestow a power that can easily drive a person to arrogance, cheating and selfishness. For this reason, Jesus said wealth posed a challenge to the spirit. It was harder for a rich person to fulfill his true purpose in life than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24). Which brings us back to Rev 3:14-19 "So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Here we have God Himself condemning us, for worshiping money and other idols, instead of worshiping Him.
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with making a lot of money. Remember, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David and Daniel were all very rich men. But their riches never got in the way of worshiping God. Their money never became an idol.
If you feel you are one of these people who calls himself or herself a Christian, but knows deep inside that your money and lifestyle comes before Christ, if you know that there is never any time to pray or fellowship with God because of the time it takes to earn your money, party, play with all the toys that money can buy, read pornography, enjoy R rated movies, or just sit in front of the boob tube for hours, then you are a "lukewarm Christian," And it’s time to make a turnaround, before Christ spits you out, which I think means, you may be on your way to Hell.
Take time now to thank God for all that He has given you. Thank Him for your family, house, car, job, bank account, toys, etc, because everything on this earth actually belongs to Him. He gave them to you. And to receive the biggest gift of all, an eternal life in Heaven, all you have to do is ask Him for it, it won’t cost you a cent. Just confess that you are need of salvation, that you believe in Jesus, that you regret your sins, and that you want His salvation, and you will receive life’s biggest treasure - eternal life in Heaven, not to mention the peace of mind you will have while here on earth.
If it helps, these are the kinds of things that I said when I asked Jesus for salvation: "Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive me of every sin I have committed throughout my life. I know You are the Son of God, and I need You, Jesus, to guide me through my life. Come into my life Jesus, and guide me and make me one of Your own."
If you have turned your life over to Jesus, please email us and share with us the good news. Please, consider sending this article to your friends, relatives, and everybody on your mailing list, to encourage them to take the same opportunity to become one of Christ’s family that you have had.
God Bless You.
By George Konig
Christian Internet Forum
www.georgekonig.org
March 30, 2003
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