John is only the recorder of the words, faithfully writing down what Jesus is saying. The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. This occurs as we repent when we learn that we have sinned and as we allow ourselves to be led by Gods Holy Spirit. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. Nine miles to the east of Laodicea lay the town of Colossae. All of their success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods sight. 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. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. Removing those impurities, such as trace metals and ores, requires the gold to go through a process called smelting. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. So, as a faithful shepherd, He commands the church to repent immediately. What images came into their minds? That, I believe, is the point. The Greek word for "witness" ( - martus) means "one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows. For a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135. Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. Many portions of the city remained unusable afterward. Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. Jesus is reminding us that he is God, and as such, cannot lie. All rights reserved. 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. (20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. They probably think they are just like any other church. 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. (15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. Verse 20 is not a salvation message for non-Christians; it is a warning to Christians. Of course, Gods love extends to all humanity. A change of heart will follow honest confession. He has given us Gods Word as a guide, help, and a weapon. 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. Before considering the significance of this term and the rest of the message from Christ, lets note a few things about Laodiceas history. 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. Laodicea quickly became a rich city, rich enough to be able to rebuild itself without outside help after the destructive earthquake of 60 A.D. What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. People commonly but mistakenly believe that wealth means that God is pleased with them. The residents would go there daily to fill their jars with the cold refreshing water from Colossae. 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. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. Website design, HTML and CSS coding by Steven P. Wickstrom Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? What did they think it meant to be hot? What did we read in Isaiah 55:1-3? It costs our life. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. Jesus leaves no doubt that what is about to follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words. 2019 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. via phone at (626) 851-7001. After he sinned, he felt his nakedness and shame. 3. 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 was uncontaminated water straight from the mountains. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. To purchase something requires an exchange. Six miles to the north, the town of Hierapolis sat on the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley. The keys, according to this passage, are becoming skilled in the Word of God (by which we define righteousness) and practice (through which we gain experience). John did not use the appropriate word if he was addressing an elder, deacon, or pastor. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. 20band will dine with him, and he with Me. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? In the New Testament, eyes tend to represent spiritual discernment (Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11). That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. But it's written that it was as a man that He humbled Himself, and was obedient. 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. gold. Kris Udd In Revelation 3:18, God advises the church in Laodicea to purchase eye salve from him, "so that you may see." In the context this is clearly a metaphor for gaining spiritual sight and avoiding spiritual blindness, but the metaphor is based off of a well-known Roman practice. 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. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. We have been warned and cautioned to be ready for His arrival. Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. In Gods eyes, the Laodiceans are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:14-22. Due to the sin nature, my will almost always tends to run counter to God's will. eye salve. 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. He wants to hear about how our day went and share in our victories and sorrows. Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. They were doing a lot of things (works and deeds). One of these is what the Bible calls the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. 4. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. 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. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. It costs our will. The church is being called on to pay close attention and seek Gods wisdom concerning the written Word. 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 is a process where God makes us holy. 18cand eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Isaiah 55:1-3 (NASB). 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. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda, RPH is a Pharmacist based in Baldwin Park, California. What did they think it meant to be cold? God advises them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials, which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising. Additionally, it was the home of a medical school known for the treatment of eye problems, where it produced a famous eye salve. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. Jesus lived a life of humility. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. The city of Laodicea, currently located in modern Turkey, was situated in the Lycus valley, about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. Pay close attention! Another salve supposedly healed ear problems. The word discipline is the Greek word (paideu) and means to correct, to chastise.22 The basic idea behind this word is correction or guidance. 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. After all, He's knocking at the door. As the water cooled down, it lost its effectiveness. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea and share in victories... As the water cooled down, it benefited laodicea eye salve an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming from! City had infiltrated the church at Laodicea has already accepted jesus as their personal Lord Savior. Is saying spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an taste. 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