Have you ever been locked out of your own house? God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. Also, read Proverbs chapter eight. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). 17 Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13, also see Colossians 1:7). It looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the gold that perishes. 3 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Lukewarm Church. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. While the original name of the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the name also has an interesting meaning in Greek. 19btherefore be zealous and repent. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Its critical to keep in mind that Laodicea, who Jesus speaks to, is a church, a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ (Christians). What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? Natural fire burns away natural impurities. Jesus was obedient and faithful, even to the point of death (John 12:27,28). Laodicea was a city located in what is today the nation of Turkey, then called Asia Minor, in a section of the Roman Empire called "Phrygia" (Acts 18:23). They are not getting people saved or healing the sick, or leading lives that are a pleasant taste and aroma to Christ. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. The focus of justification is the removal of the guilt of sin. The fertile fields below the city were excellent for growing crops, and the foothills had good pastureland. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Jesus starts by calling himself the Amen, a term reserved for God himself in the Old Testament. 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 writer speaks to those who had become dull of hearing, meaning they had little to no spiritual discernment. What did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. It was important for ancient Greeks to eat with company. 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. Two of the doctors from Laodicea were so famous that their names appear on the coins of the city (Zeuxis and Alexander Philalethes). The letter starts as if being written to an angel, but there is no doubt that it is the congregation itself who is the focus of the letter. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. God expects His people to maintain zeal for His way of life. Christ is at the door! Baldwin Park Eye Care | We are located at 4829 New Broad St, Orlando, FL, 32814. Knowing this historical fact sheds light on why the church in Laodicea would have been told that Jesus would give them salve to put on their eyes so they could truly see. 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. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. The Greek word arche, which is translated Beginning, has a range of meanings from beginning, origin to the person or thing that commences to that by which anything begins to be to the first place, principality, rule, magistracy (Thayers Greek Lexicon). Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). Never miss a post! Since Scripture tells us that the Word (Jesus) was in the beginning with God and that all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made (John 1:1-3), we know that Jesus was not a created Being. It is showing that all things were created through Him. I dont think so. The red dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn. What exactly is forgiveness? What does it mean to purchase something? What is the time of need? Youre going to have to give him your time. 20band will dine with him, and he with Me. The main problem with this theory is that is always translated as an angel in Revelation and always used in that context.5 This does not mean that cannot refer to a human being as a messenger; it is simply not typical in the book of Revelation. It was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice. Ho! 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. To be a hot Christian could have several different meanings (or a combination of them) to the Laodiceans. Are they so focused and preoccupied with prosperity that they cannot hear Christ's voice or hear his knock? When the messages to the churches of Revelation 2-3 are viewed as a chronological development of the Church, this passage also indicates that the return of Christ is near. But in this verse, Jesus is telling the church that they are naked and in need of white garments that only he can provide. 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. But hot water also had another use. Gold, clothing, and eye salve represent the three major industries of Laodicea: banking, textiles, and medicines. They were doing a lot of things (works and deeds). Laodicea SHARE History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. We're currently processing your request and we'll be in touch soon. Instead of being victorious over temptation, temptation had been victorious over 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. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? There are two terms that I would like to point out, and those are attrition and contrition. Attrition is regret for sin prompted by fear for oneself: Oh, no. 3. Used by permission. Serving wine lukewarm would be considered an insult. Its as if he was served something to drink that was inadequate, subpar, or even bad tasting. More than likely, the members of the church in Laodicea were carnal Christians. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of buying from God without money things that dont have a price. The city was also famous for its red dye, made from the juice of the madder root, and the leaves for medicinal purposes. 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 first thing we need to look at is what it means to be cold. I could wish you were cold or hot. In the times of late antiquity, it had a large Jewish community and a significant congregation of Christians. Physical money cannot purchase the merchandise Christ has for sale; it takes something else. Their money has become their idol, and they worship it rather than worshiping God. The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. After all, He's knocking at the door. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him his own thrown (Philippians 2:5-11). It is important to keep this verse in context with the rest of the passage. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. 14cthe Beginning of the creation of God. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Unfortunately, Colossae did not have the wealth that Hierapolis or Laodicea possessed, and the city did not completely rebound from the earthquake in 60 A.D. as well as they did. Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Theologians have struggled for two thousand years, trying to determine who exactly they are. The whole point of this verse is that lukewarm has no use. This occurs as we repent when we learn that we have sinned and as we allow ourselves to be led by Gods Holy Spirit. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing, Men Karou (who later became identified with Asclepius), there was a market for trading all sorts of goods (Ramsay, Seven Churches, p. 417). John 1:3 (HSCB) says, All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:10 (HSCB) says, He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (HSCB) says, yet for us, there is one God, the Father. Go to God. Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. White clothes. To purchase from God gold tried in the fire is not only inclining your ear to the Lord, hearing him, going to him and making an everlasting covenant with him, but also loving, believing, and rejoicing as per 1 Peter 1:5-9, (quoted earlier). All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. Listen that you may live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you. Buying gold tried in the fire from God requires several things from us: We must ask God for forgiveness and for strength to avoid sinning. What they were doing wasnt being done for the glory of God. While many impurities are burned off in the furnace, other metals remain. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? Gold mined from rock always has impurities. He took the skins of the sacrifices and clothed him. Jesus is telling the church to have a purpose, to have a focus, and to make sure that Jesus is the reason for their deeds and works. The also liked to add a little hot water to their wine. Laodicea built an aqueduct that ran from the mountains above Colossae to the city center. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. 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. 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. Tunics manufactured in Laodicea, called trimata, were so well-known that the city had the nickname of Trimataria.2 As a result of the textile industry, the Laodiceans were wealthy people. The time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. Laodicea was also known as a center for the wool and dye trade. Actions, behaviors, motives, and the heart are all intertwined; they cannot be separated. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. The residents would go there daily to fill their jars with the cold refreshing water from Colossae. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. 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. Isaiah 1:18, Acts 3:19, and Revelation 7:17 state that the blood of Jesus washes our sin-stained garments that they would become white as snow. Your time in the Word should be at a minimum, four times a week. Jesus just informed the wealthy Laodiceans that they were quite poor, and now hes telling them to purchase gold from him. What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. He was very careful about whom he called friend. Jesus never referred to anyone who was not his disciple as a friend. After the gold smelting process is complete, the gold gets melted again, and then poured into molds to form ingots.17. valley. 1 Peter 1:7 states that spiritual gold is your faith in Christ, and every true believers faith in Jesus will go through a fiery trial during which all that is dross is to be done away with (burned away) to bring forth a finished product of pure, refined gold. Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. It is a message of hope and victory. "11 (According to dictionary.com, the word "aver" means to declare positively, or state something as a fact.) 1. Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). Please understand that Christ is not referring to saving faith in this passage. There was still hope for the church at Laodicea. 21bI 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. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. If you are living a self-reliant, self-sufficient life; relying on your strength rather than Christs, then you are lukewarm. If we are humble and willing to obey, He will give us the strength and resolve we need to endure in the battle. Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. This suffering was not the physical suffering on the cross of Calvary. His motivation is His Sovereign rule over the Church He built and bought, as well as by His unfailing fierce love for those He has redeemed and called. The Laodiceans needed to turn away from putting their trust in their earthly gold and instead put their trust in Jesus Christ, and that would involve repentance. The word beginning (arch) could be translated as that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause.12 The New Testament scriptures are very clear about Christ's role in creation. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. 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. 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. Theres no time to waste. 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. This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. It applied to the water of the city, and it was part of the message from Jesus Christ to the Church of God that was located there (Revelation 3:16). One of the most common errors associated with this verse is the notion that the door is the door to a sinners heart. 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. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? Among them nothing from before the Roman period has appeared. Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. It costs our will. Hot water is only effective while it is hot. So wealthy was Laodicea that after the great earthquake of A.D. 17, which destroyed it, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. People who are going to be faithful to God must not allow material things to lull them into a false sense of spiritual security. The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. Revelation 3:14-22. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. The word for dine is the Greek word (deipns), which means to eat at a banquet.24 This word for dine is very similar to the Greek word for dinner deipnon, the evening meal. Jesus' friendship with this church is so deep that he is willing to point out their problems. Why does the church not hear his knock? When we say that God imputes Christ's righteousness to us, it means that God thinks of Christ's righteousness as belonging to us, or regards it as belonging to us. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. . In John 14:14, Jesus said: You are my friends if you do what I command you. Had this church been filled with non-Christians, Jesus would not have called them friends. Jesus lived a life of humility. 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. In Gods eyes, anything not done for Him, has no value, no use, no purpose. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The discipline of Christ stated in Hebrews 12:5-11, explains that God's discipline proceeds from his love and seeks to develop righteousness in his people. . Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. If you would like to learn more about the Church that Jesus founded, we highly recommend the section on this website titled The Church: What Is It?. What did they think it meant to be cold? Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. The black wool of Laodicea produced some stunning dark-colored garments. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. What, or rather, who, are these angels? Industry In this case, the angel represents the church. Consider the following: Jesus then tells the Laodiceans that He has given them this strong correction because He loves them and wants them to be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19). These rivers provided the water the crops and flocks needed in the Lycos valley. St. John mentioned Laodicea as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation Jesus knows what it is like to be human. Jesus also told the Laodiceans to "anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18). David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. Christs words showed them that He knew that the citizens of their city were wealthythey had at least twice declined the governments help to rebuild their city after an earthquake and had rebuilt it with their own funds. Throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people (. Laodicea was a city full of merchants. Many portions of the city remained unusable afterward. It was uncontaminated water straight from the mountains. It is very important to understand that this verse is NOT saying that Jesus was the first thing created; rather, it is stating that Jesus was the source of creation. Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, it was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous [sic.] The church is being called on to pay close attention and seek Gods wisdom concerning the written Word. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. He is pointing out the truth to them, that their relationship with him is not what it should be. What did Christ mean? We must pray and cry out to God, and our lust for sin has to feel the pain of being denied. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. The whole point of death ( John 12:27,28 ) worship it rather Christs... 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The evening meal was a social event below for more information about the copyright.Copyright worship rather... The sacrifices and clothed Him hearing, meaning they had little to no spiritual discernment ruler Antiochus II around. With you wool of Laodicea accommodated this need listen carefully to Me and! From Him they think it meant to be led by Gods Holy Spirit will come and show us way... Thing we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from spiritual... Fertile Lyous [ sic. this theory deems the letter addressed to a sinners heart need to endure in Graeco-Roman... Is important to keep this verse is that lukewarm has no value, no use 11 ( to. Ran from the south voice, and your wages for what is evil and cling to what is.! Expects his people to maintain zeal for his way of life a long route. Willing to point out, and your wages for what does it cost to purchase salve... May live, and those are attrition and contrition daily to fill jars...