The Jews had been instructed from childhood concerning the work of the Messiah. The inspired utterances of patriarchs and prophets and the symbolic teaching of the sacrificial service had been theirs. But they had disregarded the light; and now they saw in Jesus nothing to be desired. But the centurion, born in heathenism, educated in the idolatry of imperial Rome, trained as a soldier, seemingly cut off from spiritual life by his education and surroundings, and still further shut out by the bigotry of the Jews, and by the contempt of his own countrymen for the people of Israel,--this man perceived the truth to which the children of Abraham were blinded. He did not wait to see whether the Jews themselves would receive the One who claimed to be their Messiah. As the "light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9) had shone upon him, he had, though afar off, discerned the glory of the Son of God.
The parallel ought not be disregarded. One who is in a Laodicean condition is blind to the parallel in their own life. What has happened in the church? Satan understands that God has a church which has been entrusted with the truths that reveal the true character of God and the plan of salvation. He has, like with the Jews, brought deceptions into God's church that have blinded those who have not diligently studied the Bible for themselves. Thus even when the prophet was in the church, many had been led astray by false teachings. They believed they were converted when in fact they were not.
The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ. Vol 6, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary; pg 1075.
But, the Centurion was not deceived about the Bible. He knew nothing about it. As the "light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9) had shone upon him, he had, though afar off, discerned the glory of the Son of God. This proves the Word of God when Jesus says "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." Rev. 3:15. The Centurion being cold was able to be reached so much easier than those who were in such a sad state of deception called "lukewarm."
There is hope for every fallen being, even those who are "lukewarm" if we will come to Jesus just as we are and learn of Him who gave all that we might live. He stands at the door of the heart knocking to come in. He speaks to us today:
Satan cannot hold the dead in his grasp when the Son of God bids them live. He cannot hold in spiritual death one soul who in faith receives Christ's word of power. God is saying to all who are dead in sin, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead." Ephesians 5:14. That word is eternal life. As the word of God which bade the first man live, still gives us life; as Christ's word, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise," gave life to the youth of Nain, so that word, "Arise from the dead," is life to the soul that receives it. God "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Colossians 1:13. It is all offered us in His word. If we receive the word, we have the deliverance.
And "if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you."