What does Revelation 3:18 mean?
In response to the Laodicean church's smug self-assessment, Jesus advises it to buy pure gold from Him. He also offers the church white garments and eye ointment. Gold, garments, and eye salve were Laodicea's chief exports. The apostle Peter described faith, approved by the test of fire, as much more valuable than gold (1 Peter 1:7). The Laodiceans boasted about their wealth, but they needed genuine faith that was far more valuable than material wealth.The city was famous for its manufacturing of glossy wool, but Jesus offered the church members white garments that would cover their spiritual nakedness. The Laodicean church was blind to spiritual realities. Its focus was on earthly comforts and prosperity. Laodicea was well known throughout the region for its production of eye salve that was used to treat a number of eye diseases. Jesus offers salve that could cure spiritual blindness. Symbolically speaking, if the Laodiceans applied the eye salve Jesus offered, they would be able to see their lukewarm condition and subsequently repent.
Revelation 3:14–22 is Jesus' final and most strident message, addressed to the church at Laodicea. We learn from this assessment that the Laodicean church was lukewarm, smug, and self-satisfied. It boasted about its wealth and need of nothing. But the church deceived itself. In terms of its spiritual condition, it was wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Jesus urged the church to turn to Him, as He was positioned outside the church, inviting whoever heard His voice to open the door and welcome Him. Laodicea is the only church of seven which receives only criticism, and no positive remarks.
These final letters symbolize Church history from AD 1500 to the Rapture, the event that transports the Church from earth to be with Jesus. Sardis had a good reputation, but it was actually spiritually dead. Philadelphia had a good opportunity to spread the gospel, and it had kept Jesus' word and had remained loyal to Him. As such, Jesus promises to reward this church's conquerors. Laodicea was proud of its wealth, but was spiritually lukewarm, a characteristic that Jesus detests. He promises to fellowship with anyone in the church who would heed His voice and welcome Him. Laodicea is the only church given no praise by Christ.
