Laodikeia (3.15–22)

English

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you would be cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you from my mouth because you say, ‘I am rich, and I have grown rich, and I need nothing,’ but you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire (so you can be rich), and white clothes (so you can be dressed and not show the shame of your nakedness), and salve to anoint your eyes (so you can see). I rebuke and discipline as many as I love. So be zealous and repent. See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter to him and dine with him, and he with me.

Whoever conquers, I will allow him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat with my Father on his throne. Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the assemblies.’

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Interpretation

The promised reward alludes again to Psalm 2, but is used to suggest that the faithful will become co-regents of God alongside Jesus.

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Parallels

Psalms

110.1 Yhwh says to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.

Isaiah

47.7, 8, 10 You said, ‘I shall be mistress for ever’ […] who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children’ […] you said, ‘No one sees me.’ […] you said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’

Zephaniah

2.15 Is this the exultant city that lived secure, that said to itself, ‘I am, and there is no one else’?

Proverbs

27.21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, so a person is tested by being praised.

1 Enoch

51.5a, 2–3 For in those days, my Chosen One will arise and choose the righteous and holy from among them, for the day on which they will be saved has drawn near. And the Chosen One, in those days, will sit upon my throne, and all the secrets of wisdom will go forth from the counsel of his mouth, for the Lord of Spirits has given to him and glorified him.

Ezekiel the Tragedian

Exagōgē 68–82 On Sinai’s peak I saw what seemed a throne so great in size it touched the clouds of heaven. Upon it sat a man of noble mien, becrowned, and with a scepter in one hand while with the other one he did beckon me. I made approach and stood before the throne. He handed over the scepter and he bade me mount the throne, and gave to me the crown; then he himself withdrew from off the throne. I gazed upon the whole earth round about; things under it, and high above the skies. Then at my feet a multitude of stars fell down, and I reckoned up their number. They passed by me like armed ranks of men. Then I, in terror, awoke from the dream.

Sibylline Oracles

7.22–23 Alas, Laodicea, daring one, you will speak falsehood, you who have never seen God. The wave of Lycus will dash over you.

7.32 For God entrusted and gave a throne to him.

Romans

8.34 It is the Anointed Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Mark

4.9 And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

14.62 Jesus said, ‘I am; and you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’

Matthew

13.16 ‘But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.’

19.28 Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the son of man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’

James

5.7, 9 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. […] for the coming of the Lord is near. […] See, the Judge is standing at the doors!

Ephesians

1.20 God put this power to work in the Anointed One when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places