Devine Scripture

Revelation 3:14

What does Revelation 3:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 3:14 means

Jesus speaks to Laodicea as “the Amen,” the certain and final One; “the faithful and true witness,” who reports reality without distortion; and “the beginning of the creation of God,” the sovereign source and ruler of all creation. These titles confront a church self-satisfied by appearances and wealth. Christ alone defines truth and origin; his testimony will expose their condition. He is reliable where they are unreliable, decisive where they are indecisive. By asserting his cosmic authority, he shows that their local success and self-evaluation carry no weight against his verdict. This sets the stage for a searching diagnosis, reminding them that the One who speaks has both the right and the power to correct them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea say: These things says the true and certain witness, the head of God's new order:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And to the messenger of the assembly of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the witness--the faithful and true--the chief of the creation of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation ofGod:

Context

This introduction opens the final letter of the chapter, shifting from Philadelphia’s encouragement to Laodicea’s rebuke. The chosen titles contrast with the church’s unfaithfulness and uncertainty and prepare for the charge of lukewarmness in verses 15–16. The flow will move from Christ’s authority to their condition, then to his counsel, loving discipline, invitation to fellowship, and the climactic promise to the overcomer in verses 21–22.

v.13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

v.14This passage

v.15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • Colossians 1:15

    who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;

  • Revelation 1:11

    saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:20

    For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.

  • Isaiah 65:16

    so that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

  • Revelation 22:6

    And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.

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