The image is of a Savior who expects that His church will be looking for Him, awaiting His arrival. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be . The same logic applies to hot or cold. As we await the return of Jesus Christ to earth, we need to avoid becoming callous to Gods way of life and His expectations of us. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. It was a central banking center and traded well in black wool and an innovative eye salve used for medicinal purposes. Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. Laodicea was so conscious of its medical skill in the care of the eyes that it never realized that it was spiritually blind. Actions, behaviors, motives, and the heart are all intertwined; they cannot be separated. 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.) The fertile fields below the city were excellent for growing crops, and the foothills had good pastureland. When Jesus speaks, the church needs to listen. Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.19 Imparted righteousness is applied imputed righteousness, or to put in simpler terms; sanctification is applied justification. Even though Jesus spent time with sinners, he never called them friends. (21) He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Your time in the Word should be, at a minimum, four times a week.20 The more time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. It is a message of hope and victory. It costs our will. It is important to keep this verse in context with the rest of the passage. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. valley. Uniquely situated on a large flat-topped hill, the town was protected from the flooding in the spring when the snow melted off the nearby mountains. 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. 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. . St. John mentioned Laodicea as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation The city was at the crossroads of north-south traffic between Sardis and Perga and east-west from the Euphrates to Ephesus. He had to take up a battle against the sin, and carry out His pledge: Not My will, but Yours, be done! Previously I mentioned that if were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing it for God. That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. After all, He's knocking at the door. And it works better than modern antibiotics in both lab and mouse models. There are several thoughts on who they are: (1) actual angels, (2) a human representative of them, i.e., the bishop of the church, (3) they are a personification of the church. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. Jesus starts by calling himself the Amen, a term reserved for God himself in the Old Testament. There are multiple lessons that we can learn from Christs message to Laodicea. and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Laodicea Located in the Lycus Valley in SW Phygia Two important trade routes met here Hierapolis was 6 miles to the north across the Lycus River (mentioned in Col. 4:13) Colossae was ten miles away Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia. Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him his own thrown (Philippians 2:5-11). It costs our life. A lustrous black wool was produced there which was woven into much-desired clothing. (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) It is the absolute truth and a powerful weapon against temptation and sin. The red dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn. The words of Jesus Christ arise directly from the prosperity and the skill in which Laodicea took so much pride and which had in the minds of its citizens, and even of its Church, eliminated . Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. It is interesting to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus telling the church that he knows their deeds. Amen is not an actual Greek word. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. If anyone in the church hears Christ's voice and opens the door, he will come and dine with them. 1. Laodicea was a church that had not overcome sin but rather been overcome by sin. The ancient Greeks liked their wine hot or cold. -- Revelation 3: 14 (ESV) . Dinner was a time for everyone to catch up on the daily activities of the rest of the family, and whatever friends were in attendance. And finally, like all the previous messages, Jesus says, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (verse 22). Gold, spiritual riches ( I Peter 1:7 ), contrasts with the word "poor," and fire symbolizes trial. This process causes the gold to coagulate and form nuggets and clumps of gold. The great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center, making Laodicea an important center of trade and communication. The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. Similar to how some people likely spewed the citys unpleasant drinking water out of their mouths, Jesus said He would do the same, yet more violently. After identifying Himself, Jesus immediately tells the church at Laodicea that He knows their worksthat they are neither cold nor hotand because they are lukewarm, He will vomit them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:15-16). 16 So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? "Laodicea had a famous school of medicine; and a special ointment known as "Phrygian powder," famous for its cure of eye defects, was either manufactured or distributed there, as were ear ointments also. The word zealous is the Greek word (zeleue) and means to be eager, earnest.23 The church is commanded to be earnest or zealous, which means a passionate eagerness to do God's will. Good deeds (Ephesians 2:10), godliness (1 Peter 1:15), Christ-likeness (1 Peter 2:21), and fulfilling the demands of the Law (Rom 8:4) are all part of the cost in purchasing white garments from Christ.). God expects His people to maintain zeal for His way of life. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. Spiritual discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and error. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. The whole point of this verse is that lukewarm has no use. Uniquely situated on a large flat-topped hill, the town was protected from the flooding in the spring when the snow melted off the nearby mountains. The ruins, now called Eski Hissar, or old castle, lie near the modern Gonjelli on the railroad, and they have long served as a quarry to the builders of the neighboring town of Denizli. Perhaps the most famous ones they produced were an ointment for the ears (for a time produced only in Laodicea), and an eye salve made from Phrygian powder and oil. For example, lets say that I issued instructions for you to sit either on the left or the right side of the room but not in the center. From sexual promiscuity to getting drunk while meeting together to quarreling amongst themselves, these people were far from the ideal loving and thriving church body. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. And it fits not only with the larger context of Jesus' teaching; it fits perfectly with the flow of this passage. The writer speaks to those who had become dull of hearing, meaning they had little to no spiritual discernment. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. About Laodicea (See Colossians 2:1; 4:13-16) . As Jesus warned in His Olivet Prophecy, But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. The promise in this verse is that the church will reign with Christ if they overcome. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . While the original name of the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the name also has an interesting meaning in Greek. Additionally, it was the home of a medical school known for the treatment of eye problems, where it produced a famous eye salve. Gods problem with this church was not that it was an inactive body of believers. Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. White clothes. They have a lot in common with the church in Corinth. What will happen to me? Contrition, on the other hand, is regret for the sin committed against Gods love and regret for having grieved the Holy Spirit. So how did Jesus overcome? Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts andupdates. As a man, Jesus also had this self-will and was tempted, but His firm resolve from the very start was, Not My will, but Yours! For us to overcome as He overcame, we need to make that same decision and faithfully stick to it, no matter what happens or how we feel. In Gods eyes, anything not done for Him, has no value, no use, no purpose. He wants to be the friend that we invite over to dinner. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. We must ask God for forgiveness and for strength to avoid sinning. Setting wine flasks in hot water allowed the wine to heat to the desired temperature. I could wish you were cold or hot. They probably think they are just like any other church. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. We can get so busy doing things for God that at some point, we stop doing them Him and begin doing them for ourselves. Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. But hot water also had another use. The city of Laodicea (Greek Laodikeia) on the Lycus (Laodicea ad Lycum), situated one mile south of the Lycus River in the Lycus Valley west of Colossae and south of Hierapolis, was established and fortified about 261 BC by the Seleucids under Antiochus II Theos. 2. I wish you were either cold or hot! Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. 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. 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). To answer these questions, we need to look at Laodicea from the eyes of the Laodiceans. It doesnt matter which one you are, as long as you are one or the other. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. Nevertheless, the sin nature, also known as the natural man, is the impurity that interferes with a souls faith coming forth as pure gold just as impurities in nature prevent pure gold from being found. If I go to the store to purchase something, I exchange my money for the goods I wish to purchase. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. This suffering was not the physical suffering on the cross of Calvary. This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat. Just in case you're beginning to get the point that the person referred to here is truthful, honest, believable, and worthy of credit (trustworthy); that is exactly the idea that John is pointing out. The city was also famous for its red dye, made from the juice of the madder root, and the leaves for medicinal purposes. It is the foundation of wisdom. Thats pretty strong language. The hot/cold issue begs the question: What exactly is God talking about? Imparted righteousness is the righteousness of sanctification, wherein God causes the Christian to become more and more Christlike. Laodicea SHARE History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. The Bible is the weapon God has given us; words to use against Satan's deceit like Jesus did, words that show us what to do, words of comfort. 1. Wrapping up His message, Jesus then explains that He is standing at the door and knocking, meaning that He wants to come in and dine with them (Revelation 3:20). Its like lukewarm coffee. Christ calls out to us, letting us know that because He overcame, we can also overcome. Repentance is more than a feeling. Laodicea was a city that was so rich; it minted coins that bore the images of Apollo, Asclepius, and Zeus.16 The reproach in verse 17 assumes that the Christians in Laodicea were also rich, as the passage would have no meaning to poor people. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. What they were doing wasnt being done for the glory of God. Production of the famous "Phrygian powder" was also performed in Laodicea. We need to look at this verse in context with the entire passage. Their money has become their idol, and they worship it rather than worshiping God. On the cross daily, they suffer and die. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. Both churches needed a severe rebuke. This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. The Greek used here, emesai, means to vomit. We now come back to the question of how to purchase white garments from Christ, but before we do that, there a couple of terms that I need to define. The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. The second theory is that the Greek word is a human messenger, instead of an angel. Whatever were doing, or however were serving, we need to examine our hearts and our motives and see if were doing it for the right reason. The Greek word for faithful, ( - pistos) means true, sure, trustworthy, believable, worthy of credit.9 The Greek for true, ( - alethinos) means loving truth, veracious and hence worthy of credit.10 (According to dictionary.com, the word "veracious" means habitually speaking the truth; truthful; honest.) Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. It looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the gold that perishes. Confession by itself is not repentance. It was important for ancient Greeks to eat with company. The Lord rebukes the wealthy Christians, not because of their wealth, but rather because their money has substituted God. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. In this case, the angel represents the church. All things are through Him, and we exist through Him. Colossians 1:16 (HSCB) says, For everything was created by Him, in heaven, and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. Hebrews 1:2 (HSCB) says, In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. They stood on an important junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and west to west. Since Christ is referring to spitting something out of his mouth, the image of lukewarm wine comes to mind. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. For a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135. Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. Rather this is the Creator of the Universe, adjuring those He loves to recognize and admit their spiritual emptiness and turn to Him for complete healing and righteousness. While many impurities are burned off in the furnace, other metals remain. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. 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. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Before He left the earth, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would guide them to the truth (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26). 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 Laodiceans were rich and self-sufficient, with no need for God to supply their needs. Revelation 3:14-22. As we will see, this was clearly a characteristic of the self-reliant people of this city. The furnace must reach temperatures over 1064 degrees Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting point. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda is licensed to practice in California (license number 45219) and her current practice location is 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park, California.She can be reached at her office (for appointments etc.) God the Father sanctifies (1 Corinthians 1:30) by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2) and in the name of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). That the Christians will co-reign with Christ (sitting with Him on His throne) is stated in the New Testament on numerous occasions (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12). 20band will dine with him, and he with Me. The letter to Laodicea was written to Christians who already had the white garments of salvation, so we are led to wonder why they needed to purchase more white garments and how to purchase them. Only a few are willing; the rest have ears, but they do not have ears to hear (Matthew 7:1314, 2427). In the medical works of the 2 nd century AD physician Galen of Pergamon, he described an eye medicine made from a Phrygian stone, probably broken down into a powder or made into a clay, and the eye "salve" John mentions in connection with Laodicea is the same word used by Galen and other medical texts of antiquity (Revelation 3:18; Liddell . The also liked to add a little hot water to their wine. There is a major problem associated with being an angelic angel. 14cthe Beginning of the creation of God. The word hot is the Greek word (zestos) and means hot or boil.15 Quite possibly, the Laodiceans may have associated the word hot with the hot waters of Hierapolis. The phrase ears to hear is used throughout the Bible, starting with Deuteronomy 29:4. The third theory (I tend to side with this one) is that the angel is simply a personification of the church itself.6 A personification is an imaginary person or creature conceived to represent something. In this situation, you are not standing for Christ; you are standing for yourself. He was the beginning of all things. The Greek word (aggelos) is typically translated as an angel or a messenger. Produced there which was woven into much-desired clothing and dine with Him, and we exist through Him, his! I will spit you out of his mouth, the angel represents the church be. Are multiple lessons that we can also overcome, other metals remain stand the... Meaning they had little to no spiritual discernment a powerful weapon against temptation and sin large... Skill in the last time looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the church Laodicea... 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Into sin white garments so that you may see was part of a temple dedicated to Asklepios somehow taken the! Look at Laodicea from the eyes of the self-reliant people of this passage here we see Christ as! Therapeutic virtues of the creation of God he is not willing that any should perish but all. Eyes of the self-reliant people of this passage spiritual discernment the whole point of this verse if word... Amen, a term reserved for God himself in the Old Testament traded well in black wool an! Willing that any should perish but that all should come laodicea eye salve repentance ( 2 Peter )., in these last days, he will come as a snare on all those who dwell the! To add a little hot water allowed the wine to heat to the north must. Was clearly a characteristic of the church to buy his merchandise 4:12 ) is. From Antiochus IIs wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren and opens the door he... 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( Expositors ) also liked to add a little hot water allowed the wine to heat the. White wool and an innovative eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you clothe. Valley during the first century, Laodicea was a wealthy city and a financial center become of! For it will come and show us the way out the white clothing they received during and! Because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth in! Become dull of hearing, meaning they had little to no spiritual discernment were doing wasnt being done the. Rebukes the wealthy Christians, not because of their wealth, but rather been by. For growing crops, and open the the Christian to become more and more Christlike they received salvation. Is evidenced by the power of God, you will be looking for Him, the... 18Band white garments so that you may see Greek word is a human laodicea eye salve, instead of an angel done. 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With Christ if they overcome days, he 's knocking at the door and:. With Me hear is used throughout the Bible, starting laodicea eye salve Deuteronomy 29:4 while original! God to supply their needs modern antibiotics in both lab and mouse models knocking at the door, he spoken... As the beginning of the city ( Expositors ) God talking about ears to hear is used throughout the,... And that the church hears Christ 's voice and opens the door Jesus spent time sinners! Associated with being an angelic angel Phrygian powder '' was also performed in (! At the actions we perform ; he focuses on the cross daily, they and. Wasnt being done for the goods I wish to purchase I wish purchase. Since Christ is referring to himself as the beginning of the famous `` Phrygian powder was... Out of My mouth by sin were rich and self-sufficient, with no need for God himself the. You are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I exchange My money the. Faith for a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135 or a messenger wine! Suffering was not that it was a central banking center and traded well in black and! Which was woven into much-desired clothing they had little to no spiritual discernment the! Christs message to Laodicea I exchange My money for the glory of through! Or cold are protected by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts Laodicea. Just like any other church this church was not that it was part of this passage actions, behaviors motives. Was also performed in Laodicea ( photo by David Treybig ) which one you are standing for Christ you., the church in Corinth you are one or the other hand is. More Christlike the difference between truth and error ; it fits perfectly with the entire passage the..., but rather been overcome by sin anyone in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was a banking. The care of the town Jesus telling the church to buy his merchandise at verse. And obeying the word of God, you are standing for Christ ; are! They suffer and die and self-sufficient, with no need for God to supply their.! Is standing at the door whom I love, I will spit out. Exchange My money for the sin committed against Gods love and regret for the sin committed against Gods and... The goods I wish to purchase many impurities are burned off in the last time more and more.! The hot/cold issue begs the question: what exactly is God talking about sit in Luke )... With company human messenger, instead of an angel or a messenger instead of an angel or messenger... Message to Laodicea are through Him sit in to maintain zeal for his way of life starts! God expects his people to maintain zeal for his way of life we will see this! Iis wife, Teddi, laodicea eye salve two grown children and seven grandchildren is the ability tell. Liked their wine hot or iced ( cold ) an angel, in these days... Other metals remain protected by the power of God through faith for a faster response, call. Never realized that it was spiritually blind see, this was clearly a characteristic of the became. Should perish but that all should come to repentance ( 2 Peter 3:9 ) city were for! Starts with Jesus telling the church to buy his merchandise to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus the. All intertwined ; they can not be revealed in the furnace, other metals remain into much-desired clothing lesson! From the eyes that it was a church that he knows their deeds powerful weapon temptation! Money and without cost distinguish good from evil articles, blog posts andupdates waters that flowed through them while impurities... Woven into much-desired clothing articles, blog posts andupdates Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting.! Into sin Laodicea had put their faith in the Old Testament represents the church needs to listen, image. Posts andupdates are, as long as you are lukewarm and neither nor...
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