By Isaac Goodwin
I have wanted to share expository teaching on this passage for a while now because it is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied passages in the Bible. I want to note that this is one of my favorite passages to admit that I was wrong in my former presuppositions—I had a completely backward understanding of this passage and learning the historical context through my study was mind-blowing. Revelation 3:15-16 (NASB) “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Introduction We have all heard this passage used in the context of a professing Christian who is ‘on the fence’ or living an unrepentant lifestyle of sin—and I agree. Followers of Christ are not called to live a passive lifestyle deluded by sin and the secular world. We are called to be holy and set apart for good works in Christ—to be a living, self-sacrificial example of Jesus, so the unbelieving world will see Christ in us and believe in Him. Jesus does not relent in His condemnation of people who are lukewarm, stating that He will “spit them out of My mouth.” But what does Jesus mean by preferring people to be hot or cold in this passage? And what does lukewarm mean? We have all heard a sermon teaching that God clearly wants us to be ‘hot’ or ‘burning’ or ‘on fire’ for Him, right? Does this mean zealous for good works? Yeah, totally. Does this mean working and serving and doing tons of things for our church? Eh, sure. Does this mean praying and serving 24/7 and providing zero time to your family? Uh, no. So what does being hot mean? But more interestingly, what does being cold mean and why does Jesus prefer us cold? Does it really mean He wants us to be unbelieving, like pagans? To be a Satanist? To be apathetic about God and eternity? To completely apostatize? Before forming an opinion by diving straight into an assumption about what Jesus means by hot, cold, and lukewarm, we need to look at the historical context of this passage to truly understand what it means—as we should with all Scripture. Historical context The apostle John wrote Revelation while in exile on the Isle of Patmos, sometime between 68-95 AD. There is some speculation about who exiled him, but most scholars believe it was Nero in 68-69 AD, rather than Domitian in 94-95 AD. During this time, there were three thriving cities within the Lycus River Valley: Colossae, Hieropolis, and Laodicea. The Lycus River Valley was located in Western Turkey, around 100 miles west of Ephesus. Hieropolis and Laodicea were six miles apart on opposite sides of the Lycus River, while Colossae was located further upriver along a mountain range. Laodicea rested at the bottoming fork of the Lycus River between the two cities (click the link below for geographical reference). ferrelljenkins.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/lycus-river-valley_sm2.jpg This was a booming, affluent region with fertile land and green pastures littered with sheep and other animals for trade. It was the epicenter of the wool industry and provided rich, marketable trade routes for accompanying travelers and location-specific sought-after goods for tourists. Hieropolis The Romans referred to Hieropolis as the “holy city” for its beautiful white cliffs and hot springs. Calcium oxide that would mix in the hot springs and flow into the river below formed the cliffs and was a sight to see for travelers and tourists. Thousands of people visited from all over to bathe in its hot springs, believing they had great healing powers brought by the god of health and hot water, Heracles. The springs provided medicinal baths for visitors who came with varying ailments and healed many. Along with the medicinal baths, the hot springs had many streams branching throughout the city, which people used to collect minerals for medicine and precious mineral dyes for the wool industry. The temperature of the hot springs reached 95 degrees, which helped in the cleaning and coloring of the dyes used for the wool—it produced black, purple, and scarlet dye. Hieropolis—healing hot water. Colossae People discovered Colossae's cold, fresh spring water, and it became a destination for travelers and tourists from hundreds of miles away. The cold, refreshing spring water was the cleanest in the region, flowing from the snow-and-rain-fed streams rushing down from the peak of Mount Cadmus before resting in Colossae and moving into the Lycus River. The city of Colossae and outside travelers and tourists benefited from the refreshing and life-giving cold springs. Colossae—life-giving cold water. Laodicea Historians refer to Laodicea as the financial and political center of the region, as it accumulated great wealth and possessions from Rome and outside trade. But Laodicea had a big issue—it had no useful water as the city was located downriver from Hieropolis and Colossae and had neither hot nor cold springs (see the link above for geographical reference). Not to be outdone, Laodicea built—or tried to build—an aqueduct to channel the hot water from Hieropolis down to Laodicea, but by the time the hot spring water made it down to Laodicea, it had cooled to where it was merely lukewarm, fit neither for bathing nor drinking. Notably, some historians and archaeologists claim that they have found no aqueducts going from Hieropolis to Laodicea, but this does not change the fact that Laodicea had no hot water. The same issues arise with the cold water from Colossae. It was impractical for an aqueduct to travel nine miles through mountainous terrain, so Laodicea could not benefit from the cold water of Colossae, either. By the time the cold water traveled downriver to Laodicea, it had warmed to where it was merely lukewarm and unfit for drinking. When we study the original historical context of this passage, we see John is not associating cold with paganism and hot with Christianity. Rather, in the original historical context, both ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ were wonderfully useful and beneficial. This is why Jesus would rather Laodicea be hot or cold. Not because He wanted them to be ‘on fire’ believers or ‘cold as ice’ pagans, but so they would be useful with the gifts given to them for the good of the gospel. Instead, the church in Laodicea succumbed to corruption, worshipping false gods and clinging to their wealth and possessions, which made them useless for the ministry of the gospel. Laodicea had an abundance of wealth and possessions, but no useful water for living. It was stuck with ‘lukewarm’ water, which was useless and undrinkable, unlike the greatly beneficial hot and cold water from Hieropolis and Colossae. Laodicea—sickening lukewarm water. Application So what does a good version of cold and hot look like today? I believe we can apply this not just to ourselves but to the Church as a whole—or your local church. Regarding the local church and Church as a whole… Is it life-giving, like the cold water of Colossae? A place of healing for people to come, like the hot water of Hieropolis? Or is it a lukewarm place where people do not find the life-giving gospel and healing power of Christ? Littered with false teaching, hypocrisy, and unrepentant sin leading to sickness and death? We see this far too often throughout the American church. Many pastors and professing Christians lie, cheat, steal, get drunk, and are inept at teaching the truth of God’s Word. It is useless in our calling to spread the gospel to all nations when we have not just church leaders, but professing Christians, living lukewarm lives like this. Jesus is living water for all, and we can find healing in Him. But what use is lukewarmness? We cannot help people in their walk with Christ and accompany them on their faith journey if we are lukewarm. We must teach the unadulterated life-giving truth of the gospel and live a self-sacrificial life following Christ. We must abandon our wants and desires of this life, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus. We must abandon the wealth and possessions of this world and be content with what God has given each of us. It is easier said than done, but in Christ and the regenerative power of His Holy Spirit, we can do all things. We can receive healing and a new life in Christ. Conclusion It is quite clear John did not mean that God would rather we be unbelieving pagans than lukewarm Christians. Hot and cold water are both useful, while lukewarm water is useless. Ancient records tell us that hot and cold water was both used for healing and life-giving medicinal purposes, while lukewarm water was sickening and vomit-inducing. This is what Jesus meant by preferring we live a hot or cold life, not that we are conversely pagan or Christian. But are you living a self-sacrificial life? Loving and serving others above yourself? Making disciples and helping them in their journey of healing and sanctification? Or are you living a life of pleasure and sin, lukewarm in your walk with Christ? No different from the world? Not set apart? Unholy? Useless for the ministry of the gospel? I hope this teaching provides a better understanding of this passage and encourages you in your walk with Jesus. It is a convicting message and one we all need to hear as the passage allows us to self-reflect as we continue on our sanctified walk with Christ. I encourage you to comment on your thoughts, questions, concerns, or corrections. Thank you for reading. I love you all!
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There are many popular deliverance ministries recently taking the stance that Christians can have demons. I am hoping these ministries do not truly believe this and just clarify. But since none have clarified yet and continue teaching that born-again Christians can have demons, I am hoping this post provides some biblical clarity on the topic of demons and demonic possession.
While demonic activity, including possession, is real and believers need to acknowledge the daily battle waged against the darkness and principalities of this world, Scripture does not support the demonic possession of Christians born of the Spirit of God. There is an inerrant difference between POSSESSION and OPPRESSION. Born-again Christians can deal with oppression by demonic influence (e.g. addictions, sickness, blindness, depression, anxiety, confusion, evil thoughts, sin, etc.)*, but possession or ‘having demons’ is unbiblical. *It should be noted that not all of these things are only from demons. Sometimes, the causation is from us or genetics (e.g. depression and anxiety from slothfulness and choosing to stay a victim in our sin, and sickness and disease from lifestyles where we choose to avoid exercise, eating healthy, etc.). Most importantly, believers need to understand that they can be completely free from all demonic influence in Christ, according to His will! But what does Scripture say about demons? What or who are demons? Scripture tells us that demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in rebellion against God (Rev. 12:9). In Jude 1:6, we learn that angels “did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode.” Angels were created to glorify God in Heaven for all eternity, among other specific duties, but because of their rebellion v. 6 continues, “He [God] has kept [them] in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” Richard Jamieson states “‘their own’ in v. 6 implies that, instead of being content with the dignity once for all assigned to them under the Son of God, they aspired higher.” God has ‘bound and chained’ some rebellious angels in Tartarus—the deepest, darkest pits of Sheol—awaiting judgment before being thrown into the Lake of Fire with Satan and the wicked. But how and why did demons come to earth? Revelation 12:4, 9 tells us that one-third of the angels in Heaven were deceived by Satan and cast out by God. “4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth… 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” The stars thrown to earth in v. 4 are angels as confirmed in v. 9. Also, Satan—an antichrist—is known in Scripture as a ‘morning star’ (Is. 14:12; Lk. 10:18), contrasting Jesus Christ calling Himself the ‘morning star’ (Rev. 22:16). Rev. 12:4, 9 implies that Lucifer persuaded other angels to apostatize and now demons are free to roam the earth and wage spiritual battle against humans (Eph. 6:12; Col. 2:15). What do demons do? As stated, Satan and his demons wage spiritual war against humans and are free to do so. They look to destroy the work of God and deceive anyone they can (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:14–15). Scripture describes demons as evil spirits (Matt. 10:1), unclean spirits (Mk. 1:27), and lying spirits (1 Kings 22:23) who deceive the world (2 Cor. 4:4), spread false doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1), attack Christians (2 Cor. 12:7), oppress and possess unbelievers with sickness, ailments, etc. (Matt. 8:33; Mk. 9:25; Lk. 8:29, 11:14), and combat the holy angels of God (Rev. 12:4-9). They accuse the brethren with lies and deception and also cause physical and spiritual harm, but the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit can overcome and deliver all who are oppressed and possessed by them. Can demons possess a Spirit-filled person? Since demons are spirit beings, they can take possession of physical bodies—although they cannot possess innate objects. There is no biblical evidence supporting ‘demonic attachment’, even though it is a popular occult belief. Demonic activity attracts demons with the opportunity to possess ‘empty vessels’—people without the Spirit of God or demons—but objects are not living and cannot be possessed. A biblical example of demonic possession of an ‘empty vessel’ is found in Luke 11:24-26. The context of this passage is about somebody truly delivered from demons, but after their deliverance, they weren’t filled with Christ. Luke 11:24-26 (NASB) “24 When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” The demons came back to a vacant spirit. This is an important issue not talked about enough because many people today get delivered, but then what? Do they accept Christ? Are they born again? Or do they continue on with their lives like the nine lepers or the man in this parable? A person without the Spirit of God is vulnerable to demonic possession, even if they were previously delivered. The delivered man in Lk. 11:27 was all tidy and “put in order” (v. 27), but the demons noticed this and repossessed him, making his life even worse than before. This happens to people dealing with depression, anxiety, addictions, etc. They are delivered but are not filled with Christ, so they stay vacant, allowing the demons to oppress and possess them again. For reference, this parable in Luke 11:24-26 is mentioned almost verbatim in Matthew 12:43-45. What are some other biblical accounts of possession? Throughout the gospels, there are many other accounts of Jesus and His disciples encountering demonic possession. Demons have no authority or power against the power of Christ. Jesus cast out demons many times with just a word, as His word carries authority over all evil. Matthew 8:16a (NASB) “When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word,” Jesus’ authority over the demons was proof that He was indeed the Son of God (Lk. 11:20). The demons who encountered Jesus even admitted who He was, and feared Him as stated in Matthew 8:29, “‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’” See, even the demons know their eventual end will be one of eternal torment, and they are no match for the power of God. If a born-again believer is filled with the Spirit of God, a demonic spirit cannot fill them. There are many other biblical accounts of Jesus delivering people from demons but this post is already far longer than anticipated, so I will list just a few passages here: Matt. 8:16, 32; 9:33; Mk. 1:34, 39; 5:8; 7:26; 9:25; 16:9; Lk. 4:35, 41; 8:29; 11:14; 13:32). In conclusion, there are many accounts of demons and demonic possession and even more accounts of the freedom born-again Christians have against them. Demons are fallen angels and enemies of God and His people. But they are enemies who hold no power against the power of Christ and Spirit-filled believers. Christ has “disarmed the powers and authorities,” and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15). As we submit to Christ and resist the devil and his sinful influences, we have nothing to fear because “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:14). I hope this teaching is insightful and helpful. Please, respond with your thoughts, questions, or corrections. I love you all! By Isaac Goodwin
I have been studying 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 and discovered a really interesting revelation about deception in the end. I hope this teaching is informative and blesses you! 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (NASB1995) “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed,” While there is *some* debate about what “apostasy” means in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the passage clearly warns believers they can—and some sadly do—deceive themselves and fall away from the faith. But deceived how? By whom? By what? Let’s see! I will mention the first deception and three ways false teachers and prophets led astray believers in the Bible and how they still do today. Then I will mention the following two deceptions near the end. Hopefully, this is not too confusing! The First Deception The passage in v. 2 directly states the first deception—Paul says those claiming they know when Jesus is returning can deceive believers. There were many false prophets and teachers throughout Thessalonica claiming that there was no resurrection, Christ had already returned, or they knew the exact timing of His return. These claims were confusing and alarming to the Church there because they did not understand if they missed Jesus’ Second Coming or what was happening to their dying friends and family. Paul comforts the believers in Thessalonica by explaining two things: - He tells them about two events that must happen before Jesus’ return—a) the great apostasy AND b) the antichrist’s revealing—so they can know the signs and times of His coming. - He also comforts them by stating three ways false teachers and prophets were deceiving believers. Paul says in v. 2 “that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.” Here are the three ways false teachers and prophets deceived the Thessalonians. The first is ‘by a spirit’ — that is distraught emotionally and intellectually by false prophecies, which come from antichrist spirits. At the time, there were many false teachers and prophets professing to have the spirit of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:8-10; 1 Jn. 4:1-3). The Thessalonians had been warned to ‘prove’ such prophesying, and to “hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21). They were not told to abstain from and rebuke all prophecy, but to discern whether it was true since many were being deceived and falling into these false teachings—something we see far too often today. The second is ‘by a message’ regarding word-of-mouth teachings. Some were claiming words or sayings alleged to be that of Paul, who often orally communicated. Paul explicitly confirms this in vs. 5, 15, “5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?… 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” If oral tradition was liable for such perversion in the apostolic age, then how much more should we have discernment for such things today? The third is ‘by a letter’, as plagiarized directly from Paul. There are many historically known plagiarized copies of Paul’s works that were twisted—something we still see today as many distort the Scriptures to mean something other than what Paul meant. We know this by a test he gives for how to prove to know his genuine letters. In 2 Thess. 3:17, he explicitly says, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.” Although many tried and still distort the Word, the Church in Thessalonica was taught how to distinguish the truth from the almost truth, as we are to do today. So, the first deception is false teachers and prophets leading the church astray with their false teaching regarding the return of Jesus. But what are the other two ways? Jesus specifically states them, giving the same warnings in connection with the same event—His Second Coming—in Matthew 24. In total, Christ indicates three ways in which false teachers might deceive believers (2 Thess. 2:2, 9; Matt. 24:4-5, 23-24). Matthew 24:4-5 (NASB1995) “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” The Second Deception How will they be misled? By people claiming to be Christ. It seems unbelievable to think that believers can be deceived by a false Christ, but how many professing Christians do we already openly see following false Christ’s today? That is a Jesus made from their own misinterpretations—a Jesus who does not call for repentance, who does not require believers to truly follow Him, who does not save. Thankfully, within the context of the end times passage, Jesus stated a way for us to discern if it is truly Him or not. Matthew 24:6-8 (NASB1995) “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” Later, within the same passage, Jesus warns the disciples again in vs. 23-24 stating “if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” The Third Deception This passage in v. 24 not only tells us the second but also the third way in which believers can and will be deceived in the end—by false signs and wonders. It is truly amazing how clear this message is. This passage in Matthew 24 begins with the disciples asking Jesus about the end and His Second Coming, and this is his response. It should be noted that this is the ONLY time Jesus references His return and the end of days. It should also be noted that what Jesus says in Matthew is stated by Paul almost verbatim in Thessalonians. This proves that there is no doubting Paul’s message and authority regarding these deceptions and the timing of Jesus’ Second Coming. It also rebukes anything the false teachers and prophets were claiming then and claim today regarding what is already written. In conclusion, there are three ways false teachers and prophets deceived believers in Thessalonica regarding the end times: 1) by speaking falsely about Jesus’ return, 2) by falsely claiming Christ, and 3) by false signs and wonders. Jesus confirms these in Matthew 24 as does Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians. While this sounds troubling, believers are given ways to discern the signs and times. We can know the times of Jesus’ return by two events: the great apostasy and the revealing of the antichrist. We can also know how to rebuke and discern false teachers and false prophets who mislead the flock with their ear-tickling false prophecies and distort the truth of the written Word. We must study the Word and divide the truth—discernment regarding the coming of Christ is not a secondary issue and one we need to know the truth about. I hope this teaching is beneficial. Please, reply with your thoughts! Have a great day! |
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ISAAC GOODWIN Archives
April 2023
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