In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. What I said was important! Those who have ears to hear allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. The word rebuke is the Greek word (elegch) and means to convict, to prove one in the wrong.21 Jesus is doing more than just telling the Laodiceans their faults; he is convicting them of their sin. They are not getting people saved or healing the sick, or leading lives that are a pleasant taste and aroma to Christ. Gods Word is a sword. It looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the gold that perishes. Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. The sin in His nature had received its death sentence when He said, Your will be done, God. As disciples who follow Jesus, we must learn to hate the sin in our own life, deny ourselves, and take up our cross. The Laodicean church is not cold. Its another way of saying, Listen up! First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. He was the beginning of all things. Time. Theologians have struggled for two thousand years, trying to determine who exactly they are. Natural fire burns away natural impurities. Revelation 3:14-22. The furnace must reach temperatures over 1064 degrees Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting point. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. They may have lost their focus and strayed in their Christianity, but they are still a body of believers that Christ wanted to straighten out. It is the motive behind the action, or works, that is important. Local resources of zinc and alum became the basis for the production of eye ointments, known as kollyria, also sold by merchants from Laodicea.3 The powder would be mixed with water to give it a paste-like consistency and then applied to the eyes. He often started a statement with Amen, amen, I say to you. (Many verses in the Gospels such as John 5:24 translate amen as truly, or verily.) It can only come by the revelation of Jesus Christ to the believer, and then must be developed by way of training in righteousness (Hebrews 5:14) and prayer (Ephesians 6:18). Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. While Colossae was neither as prominent or wealthy as Hierapolis or Laodicea, its location at the end of the valley made it easy to defend from enemies. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. St. John mentioned Laodicea as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation The Laodiceans were rich and self-sufficient, with no need for God to supply their needs. 2. Youre going to have to spend time in the reading the Bible to learn the truth and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. Throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people (. Theater of popular music. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. Making an everlasting covenant with God (salvation is only the starting point). The residents would go there daily to fill their jars with the cold refreshing water from Colossae. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. Jesus knew how to use God's grace. 1. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. 2019 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. The fact that he does call them friends shows that he expects them to get the spiritual priorities straightened out, and back on the right path. They stood on an important junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and west to west. You will know Gods character and will, and that is the heart of spiritual discernment being able to distinguish the voice of God from the voice of the world. Please understand that this verse does NOT say that hot is good and cold is bad; they are both good. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. In the New Testament, eyes tend to represent spiritual discernment (Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11). Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NASB. If it were a common practice to refer to the chief person in the church as a messenger, this would be evident in the other letters contained in the New Testament, especially in Paul's. 4. 2. In short, to be a cold, Christian is to serve as Jesus served. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. If we are humble and willing to obey, He will give us the strength and resolve we need to endure in the battle. It almost always represents purity, righteousness, or wisdom. In the Old Testament, the sacrifice could not be slain until it had been presented to the priest. Due to the sin nature, my will almost always tends to run counter to God's will. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. The phrase ears to hear is used throughout the Bible, starting with Deuteronomy 29:4. While this is not impossible, as John could have summoned a messenger from each of the churches to receive the appropriate correspondence, it is not probable. All rights reserved. . What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? After all, He's knocking at the door. If you are living a self-reliant, self-sufficient life; relying on your strength rather than Christs, then you are lukewarm. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). As for rebuilding the city after an earthquake, history records that the Laodiceans did this again a few decades later. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. laodicea means human rightsNitro Acoustic. It is possible the word meant the messenger or the actual person who delivered the letter, but that would require seven different messengers, one from each of the churches to have traveled to Patmos to get the letter to deliver it. What they were doing wasnt being done for the glory of God. These rivers provided the water the crops and flocks needed in the Lycos valley. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. What images came into their minds? It was a banking center. These Christians believe they are rich by believing in Christ and have abundance by their good works. Jesus is the power and authority that God utilized in creating the universe. There are a couple of points that I need to make here that you might not have seen before. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. In terms of textiles, a hot Christian is clean, lives a pure life abstaining from sin, and the colorfastness of the Holy Spirit ensures the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) doesnt fade. The church at Laodicea stands accused of being shamefully naked. John is only the recorder of the words, faithfully writing down what Jesus is saying. Gods word says that this spiritual gold tried in the fire is more precious than natural gold that perishes. Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. What is the time of need? Jesus wants you to be hot. In the situations of daily life, when tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc. White is the most frequently mentioned color in the Bible. To hear is to obey. The act of hearing implied obedience. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. Why does the church not hear his knock? The first question well delve into is why they needed to purchase white garments. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? A change in behavior will follow true repentance. So how did Jesus overcome? All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. 2. Actions, behaviors, motives, and the heart are all intertwined; they cannot be separated. He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. The stones were ground up to powder which was mixed with oil producing a well-known eye balm that was distributed throughout the Greek and Roman world. They were storing up treasure on earth, but not in heaven. The first thing we need to look at is what it means to be cold. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. Hours of Operation Monday & Tuesday 10a - 6p | Thursday & Friday 8a - 4p Saturday - By Appointment Only. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing there was a market for trading all sorts of goods. While God sanctifies by grace, Christians are responsible to appropriate God's grace by faith. Christs threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. 14bthe faithful and true Witness. The first part of this process is accomplished by pulverizing or crushing the gold ore and then placing it in a furnace. 4. Before considering the significance of this term and the rest of the message from Christ, lets note a few things about Laodiceas history. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. As we will see, this was clearly a characteristic of the self-reliant people of this city. But we have to invite Him inside. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. People went to Hieropolis from all over the empire to sit the large public baths, filled with hot mineral water. In the context of Revelation 3, then, Christ was standing at the door of the Laodicean church, eager to re-enter the congregation through the genuine repentance of its members. Go to God. He was diligent and committed to the will of God the Father (John 4:34). Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. If you have, you can probably imagine what Jesus is experiencing. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. He encourages them to overcome just as He did. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. What does it mean to be hot? It is important to keep this verse in context with the rest of the passage. What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? The city's reputation was for its money transactions and the good quality of raven-black wool grown in the area.1 The black wool, spun into dark yarn, was added to yarn dyed in other colors and made some very intricately patterned colored clothing, which sold for a high price in Rome. In the New Testament, a believer dies with Christ to live a new holy life in the power of Christ's resurrection and identification with Christ's suffering (Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:8-10). The focus of this verse is on deed or works. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8. To be a cold Christian is to take care of needs, provide moral support, and genuinely care about people. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. If anyone in the church hears Christ's voice and opens the door, he will come and dine with them. Transliteration changes the Hebrew letters (Hebrew is read from right to left but my chart below has it from left to right to make it easy to understand.) Six miles to the north, the town of Hierapolis sat on the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley. He is the one who addressed the church at Laodicea. Modern Laodicea: Four Characteristics Similar to its ancient type, 21st-century Laodicea suffers from a number of specific ailments including: (1) pride in financial wealth and abundance of goods, (2) lukewarm temperature, (3) blindness, and (4) nakedness. The Bible speaks of eye-salve. More than likely, the members of the church in Laodicea were carnal Christians. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:14-22). What, or rather, who, are these angels? No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. Laodicea also had a medical school for training people to become doctors. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of buying from God without money things that dont have a price. John did not use the appropriate word if he was addressing an elder, deacon, or pastor. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that the Laodiceans had again refused aid from Rome following an earthquake that badly damaged the city in A.D. 60 (Annals, 14:27). They probably think they are just like any other church. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? 3. One of the two Roman theaters is remarkably well preserved, and there may still be seen the stadium, a colonnade, the aqueduct which brought the water across the valley to the city by an inverted siphon of stone pipes, a large necropolis, and the ruins of three early Christian churches (ISBE). So, as a faithful shepherd, He commands the church to repent immediately. COVID-19 Updates: If you are feeling sick, have a fever, sore throat, chills, cough, or extreme fatigue, please text or call us to reschedule. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. Keep in mind as you read about the Laodiceans that they are a church filled with Christians. God advises them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials, which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising. Only a few are willing; the rest have ears, but they do not have ears to hear (Matthew 7:1314, 2427). 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