Expedition 44 Letters to the Church: Laodicea (The Church part 10)
Revelation 3:14-22
Background/History Laodicea was named after Laodice the wife of Antiochus II, the founder of the city. Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae were the 3 major cities in the Lycus valley and build among the Lycus river. In the first century Laodicea was the banking capitol of Asia minor (It was the home of the millionaires) Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in 61 AD and when offered aid to rebuild from Rome it refused because they were so rich that they were self-sufficient to do it on their own. This plays into the attitude of the church in Laodicea as well. Laodicea was known for 3 things besides it’s wealth: It’s black wool industry, their medical eye salve ointment, and their lukewarm water.
Description of Jesus (v14)
The Amen: The Faithful and True Witness We are used to “amen” being what we end our prayers with. In Greek it means “so be it” but in Hebrew it has connections to the covenant and promises. 2 Cor 1:20 says that all God’s promises find their yes and amen in Jesus.
The “beginning” of the creation of God- The NASB, which we read from, translates this as the “beginning of God’s creation” but this is probably not the best translation. The Greek word is arche and that is better translated as the ruler of God’s creation. This is a better connection with Amen and faithful/true witness
Jesus’ correction to Laodicea (v15-18) Jesus gives no praise to this church. They are very entangled to the mindsets of the world- individualism, materialism, and the systems of Babylon.
Neither hot nor cold Laodicea built aqueducts to bring the hot water to town from Hierapolis but by the time it made it to Laodicea it would be lukewarm. Laodicea built aqueducts to carry the cold water from Colossae but by the time it reached Laodicea it would have also been lukewarm. Jesus uses this fact about their water to talk about the spiritual life in Laodicea. To Jesus their pride and arrogance of being independent, individualistic, and having no need for Jesus (self-reliance) is the opposite of being a faithful witness. And it makes Jesus sick. He says he’ll throw them up. The point is that in being this way they are not usable for the kingdom of God. He’s rather them be hot, like the healing waters of Hierapolis, Or cold, like the refreshing waters of Colossae. But instead, they are so self-absorbed that they are of no use for the kingdom. He wants to spit them out.
Rich, healthy, no need James 5:1-6; Rev 18:2-3
Repentance (v18-20)
Gold refined by fire
Isaiah 55:1-5 Revelation doesn’t describe what it means to be truly rich but the echo if Isaiah 55:1-5 gives us some clues. Verses 3-5 talk about an everlasting covenant, being a true witness, and the result is the nations coming running into the true Israel because they display the splendor and beauty of the Lord
Today- The job of the church is to make Christ so beautiful the world cannot resist it! Our job is simply to enthrone Christ and meet his needs and evangelism, discipleship, correct doctrine and all else will take care of itself. Let’s just behold him and explore the vastness of who Christ is… THE AMEN! “Buying” in revelation has to do with worship