Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy___from Him so they could see. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. Confession is the mind moving the lips; repentance moves the heart. 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. Only a few are willing; the rest have ears, but they do not have ears to hear (Matthew 7:1314, 2427). Even though Jesus spent time with sinners, he never called them friends. A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. So, as a faithful shepherd, He commands the church to repent immediately. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. 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. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. gold. Hear God. Hebrews 5:11-14 shows how the eye salve to fix spiritual discernment is utilized. Whats valuable both now and in eternity is what God cares about: treating people right, forgiveness, and loyalty (Matthew 23:23, Micah 6:8).Were meant to use possessions and love people, not love possessions and use people. It is showing that all things were created through Him. 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. ointment made from spice nard and an eye salve made from Phrygian stones. The mineral water from Hieroplis helped to lock in the color dyes so that the color did not fade after being washed multiple times. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. Laodicea was a town in the Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. After he sinned, he felt his nakedness and shame. and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2. Copyright 2004 -, Transliteration of Amen From Hebrew to Greek to English. Since Christ is referring to spitting something out of his mouth, the image of lukewarm wine comes to mind. 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. There is a major problem associated with being an angelic angel. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and try to understand it, and obey it. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. Although it had earlier been called Diospolis and then Rhoas, Antiochus II of Syria named it for his wife Laodike and populated it with Syrians and with Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1939, Laodicea). It was important for ancient Greeks to eat with company. Industry As we will see, this was clearly a characteristic of the self-reliant people of this city. Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. Spiritual fire burns away spiritual impurities. What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? Cc trang web thay th tt nht cho Herbert-armstrong.org - Kim tra danh sch tng t ca chng ti da trn xp hng th gii v s lt truy cp hng thng ch trn Xranks. Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. The Laodicean church is not cold. 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). In John 1:14, we read the astonishing words that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus could be described as the Word personified. It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. Website design, HTML and CSS coding by Steven P. Wickstrom Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. 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 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. 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. Jesus is the power and authority that God utilized in creating the universe. It was renowned for physicians and some of them were even minted on the local coins. A change of heart will follow honest confession. 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. The phrase he who has an ear qualifies everyone who will listen and obey. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. via phone at (626) 851-7001. What images came into their minds? Theres no time to waste. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? Confession by itself is not repentance. Following the pattern of the other letters, this one was also to the angel of the church. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. Gods problem with this church was not that it was an inactive body of believers. The lack of white clothing does not mean they removed their salvation; it simply means the clothing that symbolized their purity and righteousness was gone. White clothes. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. The whole point of this verse is that lukewarm has no use. About Laodicea (See Colossians 2:1; 4:13-16) . Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. 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. Incline your ear and come to Me. 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. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jesus was in heaven with God, but voluntarily became a man for our sakes. 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. What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The focus of this verse is on deed or works. There should be no hesitation in rushing to the door and flinging it open. We have been warned and cautioned to be ready for His arrival. Repentance comes from the heart and involves confessing from the heart. ""To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. What I said was important! Those who have ears to hear allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. (15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. Is that type of failure even possible for an angel? Laodicea is the seventh of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. Laodicea built an aqueduct that ran from the mountains above Colossae to the city center. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. You would probably spit it out at the first sip. The hot Christian should also be like hot wine; the pleasant taste and aroma of a Christ-like life should cause people to want Christs salvation as well. 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. Although the Bible does not reveal how the Church of God began in Laodicea, a faithful minister named Epaphras served this congregation as well as members in Colosse and Hierapolis sometime during the first few decades after Christs death. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. People who are going to be faithful to God must not allow material things to lull them into a false sense of spiritual security. Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. People traveled from around the world to obtain these supposed healing elixirs. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . 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. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. Hot water is only effective while it is hot. The city was also famous for its red dye, made from the juice of the madder root, and the leaves for medicinal purposes. For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. While God sanctifies by grace, Christians are responsible to appropriate God's grace by faith. As a testament to its wealth, Laodicea had two theaters, a gymnasium, and a large stadium. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be . In our world filled with technology, material prosperity and modern conveniences, many mistakenly assume that they do not need God. Those who do not have "ears to hear" are spiritually dead and cannot obey God until they respond to His work in their hearts (John 6:65; Romans 11:8). 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. What exactly is forgiveness? 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. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. Why you are doing something is just as important, if not more so, than the works or deeds. In the times of late antiquity, it had a large Jewish community and a significant congregation of Christians. This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. Why does the church not hear his voice? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. Two of the doctors from Laodicea were so famous that their names appear on the coins of the city (Zeuxis and Alexander Philalethes). It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude, etc. Time. Pay close attention! They were a prominent banking center for the entire region. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. Jesus desires to come in, sit down at the table, and enjoy the food and company. Youre going to have to give him your time. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. The act of hearing implied obedience. The mineral water was used to clean the wool and set, or lock, the color of the dyes (this ensures the wool holds its color when washed). 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:14-22). 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. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. It was a central banking center and traded well in black wool and an innovative eye salve used for medicinal purposes. Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. 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. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. He had to take up a battle against the sin, and carry out His pledge: Not My will, but Yours, be done! The Laodicean church is not hot. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. A change in behavior will follow true repentance. 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. Isaiah 55:1-3 (NASB). Laodicea on the Lycus, located at the crossroads of important trade routes, was once a prosperous city, famous for its black wool, banking services, and medical achievements. It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. Yet this wealth had blinded them from seeing their true spiritual condition. In this case, the angel represents the church. We must pray and cry out to God, and our lust for sin has to feel the pain of being denied. . valley. People went to Hieropolis from all over the empire to sit the large public baths, filled with hot mineral water. It looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the gold that perishes. Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, it was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous [sic.] The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. Chemicals such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the gold to separate the gold from other metals. Revelation 3:14-22 It was the suffering of the cross He used daily, when He said No to His own will, the sin in His flesh, even when it bombarded Him incessantly with its demands and deceitful attraction. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26) It costs us something. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). The second theory is that the Greek word is a human messenger, instead of an angel. Laodicea was a city full of merchants. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. Theologians have struggled for two thousand years, trying to determine who exactly they are. Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. Revelation 3:14-22. As for rebuilding the city after an earthquake, history records that the Laodiceans did this again a few decades later. 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). 3. To heal their weak spiritual condition, Jesus said, I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see (verse 18). 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. 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). "11 (According to dictionary.com, the word "aver" means to declare positively, or state something as a fact.) 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.) Temples had a joint purpose of worship and medical studies. 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. The Greek word for "witness" ( - martus) means "one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows. If were not doing things for the glory of God, then we are doing them for the wrong reason. What did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? We now come back to the question of how do you buy from Jesus' refined gold? What are we supposed to overcome? Jesus' life was controlled by God's will: Not my will, but Yours, be done. When Jesus came into the world, He declared, God, You have given Me a body, and I have come to do Your will. (Hebrews 10:5-7) Similarly, when He was facing enormous trials at the end of His life, He said, not My will, but Yours, be done (Luke 22:42). They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. When Jesus speaks, the church needs to listen. 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. As the faithful and true witness, Jesus is relaying to us what he heard from God the Father. For the Laodiceans, this meant forsaking whatever might perpetuate the lack of spirituality and unwarranted self-sufficiency in which they languished. 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. 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. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. It costs our will. Their money has become their idol, and they worship it rather than worshiping God. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. 14bthe Amen. (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, Used by permission. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . He wants to hear about how our day went and share in our victories and sorrows. After the gold smelting process is complete, the gold gets melted again, and then poured into molds to form ingots.17. But just as any purchase requires something for something, Christ is expecting something from the Christian. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing there was a market for trading all sorts of goods. Baldwin Park Eye Care | We are located at 4829 New Broad St, Orlando, FL, 32814. One of the wealthiest city of that area during Roman times, Laodicea was widely known for its banks, a medical school with a famous eye salve [1], and a textile industry famous for glossy black wool that was used for making tunics and cloaks. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). And because Jesus was the Creator, He has the rule over it. 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. The first question well delve into is why they needed to purchase white garments. In Gods eyes, anything not done for Him, has no value, no use, no purpose. The verse is not talking about salvation; it is talking about usefulness or purpose. The Lord rebukes the wealthy Christians, not because of their wealth, but rather because their money has substituted God. If you have, you can probably imagine what Jesus is experiencing. The first part of this process is accomplished by pulverizing or crushing the gold ore and then placing it in a furnace. That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. Please understand that Christ is not referring to saving faith in this passage. If this is what Christ had in mind, then being a cold Christian would be like giving someone a cool refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. One of the famous Laodicean remedies was a "Phrygian eye-salve" which was supposed to cure inflammation. 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. The truth is that sometimes the wicked prosper (Jeremiah 12:1). Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. Therefore be zealous and repent. Gold mined from rock always has impurities. Time. Instead, this namethe Beginning of the creation of Godmeans that Jesus was the Creator of the universe. People commonly but mistakenly believe that wealth means that God is pleased with them. We need to look at this verse in context with the entire passage. As the water cooled down, it lost its effectiveness. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. Also, read Proverbs chapter eight. 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. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? 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. Never miss a post! Jesus is telling the church that He doesnt simply know their deeds; He knows the motives in their hearts. God expects His people to maintain zeal for His way of life. 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.). 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. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. If you think back to the Garden of Eden, clothing was the first thing which Adam felt the need of, after he had sinned. Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. 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. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. We know from this introduction that what follows is being said by Jesus. This promise is amazing because, whenever we do overcome in the battles of life, it is always through Him. The word for overcomes is the Greek word (nika), which means to be victorious.25 What does it mean to overcome, to to be victorious? 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. In other words, the name indicated that people made their own decisions. 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).