In passing a Radiator Repair Premises, I was caused to think about the purpose of a radiator in a motor vehicle. It is a very important and integral part of an engine’s cooling system because it has a thermostat that is factory-set to regulate the engine’s temperature. Without water being pumped through the engine and radiator by a water pump, the engine will overheat and blow a cylinder head gasket. The same result will happen when there is an undetected water leak with water running or dripping out of the sealed coolant system, eventually resulting in the engine overheating and blowing the cylinder head gasket and rendering the engine unusable. On the other hand, should the engine run too cold or too hot, the petrol consumption will be too high and the engine will malfunction and the output power will be seriously affected. For the engine to perform at peak manufacturer’s specifications, the radiator and cooling system needs to function at one hundred percent.
This makes me think of that well known passage in the Book of Revelation:
Rev 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Although illustrations can be misunderstood, my point with the radiator is that unless it works properly, the engine malfunctions. So, thinking of John’s prophecy, the cold soul can be worked with; the hot soul can serve and love the Lord correctly; yet the lukewarm soul is as it were on sinking sand! (Please read the passage for context–verses 14-22 are a scathing word from the Lord Jesus to the church at Laodicea.) This church existed within a city that seemed to flow with cash! She was rich, and the people knew it!
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ …
The city enjoyed finance and banking; clothing manufacturing and medicine. She was situated on hot springs, displaying a figurine with lukewarm water flowing from its mouth. This was the home of millionaires … banks, commerce, stadium, gymnasium, baths and hot springs. At the same time … the city was extremely famous for her eye salve factory. Due to widespread, seasonal eye infections, their business was lucrative, resulting in lots of wealth … hence:
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ …
This is the sad aspect to wealth. Few people are able to handle wealth. Often, it changes people and their attitude towards life and other people. In this case, the result was laziness … which included spiritual lethargy!
Rev 3:17 … But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
As the Lord Jesus directs John, their true spiritual condition in the church is revealed!
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
The last phrase explains the real problem. John uses the prevailing eye problem to explain the church’s spiritual problem. Verse 18 reveals their need to be spiritual! Keeping the radiator illustration in mind, let’s work through those three conditions in Revelation 3:16.
Firstly, consider the cold soul. This is the dead soul … the soul without any form of relationship with the Lord Jesus. This soul never responded to the Gospel, yet possibly is attending church and mixing with real Christians. This soul may be worked with. Under the right conditions, this soul might willingly listen to the Gospel and could be convicted of sin, leading it to repent and believe!
Secondly, there is the hot soul. This is the soul in a healthy relationship with Jesus … the converted soul … the soul having assurance of heaven and readily serving Jesus for His glory. This is the soul that can be used by Jesus not just in service but also in prayer and worship. This soul runs at the right spiritual temperature.
Thirdly, there is the lukewarm soul. Get the picture from that figurine spewing lukewarm water from its mouth? As the water was unpalatable, so the church at Laodicea was unpalatable to Jesus! They were lukewarm in their profession of faith; they were lukewarm as they meddled in self-pleasure. Spiritually, they were so lukewarm they were empty … “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”. Then, to top it all, Jesus was on the outside of their hearts!
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
Spiritually, they were flabby, half-hearted, limping … always ready to compromise on truth! They came into God’s house for worship and were comfortable but they were without passion for Jesus and for evangelism. There was no love in the heart for Jesus!
Many people love cold tea. It’s a popular and refreshing summer’s drink. Hot tea can be as refreshing and warming … but lukewarm tea is unpalatable! You want to spit it out of your mouth because it’s tasteless! The spiritual radiator is very important should you be either cold or lukewarm … listen to what Jesus says:
Rev 3:20 … If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
This message is urgent–just like a faulty radiator that could malfunction and kill the engine, so a closed door shuts Jesus out of your heart and shuts you out of His heaven! The only treatment is repentance and faith.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps 139:23-24) … for Jesus sake. Amen.