The blindness of spiritual things is quite common with man today because Satan has given him clear eyes for worldly things and blinded his mind to the spiritual truths of God. What is more remarkable is that a man may have much scriptural knowledge, understanding the things of the Kingdom of God. He may be sincere in his beliefs and give answers to those who ask him what he believes, why he believes, and still have no spiritual perception of the reality of these things.
Revelation is given to the concept that God has spoken to mankind. The full concept is usually expressed by three terms: 1) Revelation — God has acted in human history; 2) Inspiration — God has given the proper interpretations of His acts and their meaning to certain chosen men to record for mankind; and 3) Illumination — God has given His spirit to help mankind understand His self-disclosure.
There is a powerful message in the book of Revelation, and it is addressed to Christians in the city of Laodicea, a model city that was a center of finance, manufacturing, medicine, and fashion. Laodicea was a city filled with Christians who were half-hearted in their commitment to God. They were more impressed with themselves, their reputations, and their bank accounts than they were with the God whom they professed to serve. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other, so because you are lukewarm, I spit you out of my mouth,” Revelation 3:15-16.
Laodicea had the dirtiest and foulest water in Asia Minor. The water was also tepid, neither hot nor cold. Jesus compared the Christians in Laodicea to their own drinking water. In essence He said: “You are in your indifference to me, making me sick. Your apathy is making me nauseous. Your half-hearted commitment makes me feel like I’ve drunk a glass of your water.” Jesus showed the Christians at Laodicea their spiritual blind spots just like He wants to show us our spiritual areas of blindness.
My weekly prayer is that the reader of this commentary becomes spiritually inspired of God. Expressions of Faith is a daily Intercessory Prayer Ministry. For a copy of our daily prayer, contact us at P.O. Box 330127, Nashville, Tenn.; or e-mail
