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14. And unto the angel [messenger,
Russell] of the church of the Laodiceans [the period in which justice is
sought by "just people," Diaglott, Appendix] write; These
things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation
[possibly here referring primarily to the New Creation] of God;15. I
know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot [do not cease professing
Christianity nor willing to fulfill the Christian profession]: I would that thou
wert cold or hot [would do one or the other].
16. So then because thou art lukewarm [in between], and
neither cold [non-Christian] nor hot [true Christian], I
will spue thee out of my mouth [refrain such from being my mouthpiece].
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich [in numbers], and
increased with goods [possessions of truth and spirituality], and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched [cannot see the plan and
purpose of God], and miserable [pitiable], and poor
[toward God], and blind [without spiritual vision] and naked
[in the sense of not possessing the justification furnished by the "robe of
Christ’s righteousness"]:
18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire
[the divine riches, at the cost of self-sacrifice and trial], that thou mayest be
[actually] rich [in spiritual riches]; and white raiment
[clothing of justification], that thou mayest be clothed [thy shame
covered], and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes
with eyesalve [receive eyes of understanding by the holy Spirit’s
enlightenment], that thou mayest see [have understanding and
discernment].
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door [am present], and
knock [announcing it]: if any man hear my voice [declaration], and
open the door [to receive me], I will come in to him, and will sup
[share the harvest message] with him, and he with me.
21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne
[have authority with me in my rulership], even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne [sharing rulership with my Father].
22. He that hath an ear [a receptive and understanding mind],
let him hear what the Spirit [of promise] saith unto the churches
[all seven periods of the churches]. |
