God's message to the church is one of urgency and warning, as He expresses His contempt for their lukewarm state, lacking passion and commitment. He desires a church that is either hot or cold, but not apathetic, as this is a sign of spiritual death. God's cause for this lukewarmness is identified as prosperity, materialism, and self-sufficiency, which have led the church to believe they are rich and need nothing, but are actually wretched, miserable, and poor in spirit.
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