Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. 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. 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. 2. 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. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. 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). Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, it was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous [sic.] Youre going to have to give him your time. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. 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. People came from all over the empire to purchase this medicine. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. If there had been a corresponding word in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated. It was about 100 miles east of the port city of Ephesus. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. 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). 19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. 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. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.. Colossae had been a major trade center on the trade route from Sardis to Konya and was famous for the dark red wool cloth that carried that its name, colossinum (also derived from the madder root). 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? Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/seven-churches-of-revelation/laodicea/, Although there was much gold in the city, the riches that really matter are spiritual in natureknowing and practicing Gods truth (, Although Laodicea had a reputation for producing excellent-quality garments from the wool produced in the area, the Bride of Christ will be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright representing the righteous acts of the saints (, Although Laodicea produced medicine for healing various eye ailments, the most important things we need to see are spiritual. While many impurities are burned off in the furnace, other metals remain. 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). 14cthe Beginning of the creation of God. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. We have been warned and cautioned to be ready for His arrival. 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. A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. Keep in mind as you read about the Laodiceans that they are a church filled with Christians. John is only the recorder of the words, faithfully writing down what Jesus is saying. It is showing that all things were created through Him. EYESALVE i'-sav (kollourion; collyrium; Revelation 3:18 ): A Phrygian powder mentioned by Galen, for which the medical school of Laodicea seems to have been famous (see Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia), but the figurative reference is to the restoring of spiritual vision. This process causes the gold to coagulate and form nuggets and clumps of gold. First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. He humbled Himself to the Father's will. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. He encourages them to overcome just as He did. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing there was a market for trading all sorts of goods. While God sanctifies by grace, Christians are responsible to appropriate God's grace by faith. Laodicea was a city full of merchants. Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. 3 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Lukewarm Church. John did not use the appropriate word if he was addressing an elder, deacon, or pastor. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Spiritual discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and error. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. We need to look at this verse in context with the entire passage. 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.) He reckons it to our account.18 The process of reckoning is what we call salvation. What did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? The focus of justification is the removal of the guilt of sin. Therefore be zealous and repent. People went to Hieropolis from all over the empire to sit the large public baths, filled with hot mineral water. They probably think they are just like any other church. Incline your ear and come to Me. I wish you were either cold or hot! Serving wine lukewarm would be considered an insult. This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. The fertile fields below the city were excellent for growing crops, and the foothills had good pastureland. 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. I could wish you were cold or hot. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. 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). Christs threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. into Greek letters, and then into English letters. Hear God. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. 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). 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. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. If it were a common practice to refer to the chief person in the church as a messenger, this would be evident in the other letters contained in the New Testament, especially in Paul's. 3. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Some have wondered if the last name mentionedthe Beginning of the creation of Godindicates that Jesus was a created Being. 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. It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude, etc. hippie fest 2022 michigan; family picture poses for 5 adults; unforgettable who killed rachel; pacific northwest college of art notable alumni; adler sense of belonging family constellation; We cant relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. If anyone in the church hears Christ's voice and opens the door, he will come and dine with them. It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. Jesus leaves no doubt that what is about to follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. All things are from Him, and we exist for 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 Laodicean church is not cold. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). A 1,000-year-old Anglo-Saxon 'eye salve' made from onion, garlic, wine and part of a cow's stomach has been shown to wipe out 90 percent of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as MRSA. What does it mean to buy gold from Jesus? 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). Are so busy doing "things" for Christ that they're too busy to open the door? Time. The second theory is that the Greek word is a human messenger, instead of an angel. And because Jesus was the Creator, He has the rule over it. 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. I dont think so. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. It is my opinion, therefore, that the angel is a symbol, or personification, of the church, rather than one of the heavenly angelic hosts. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. In this case, the angel represents the church. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. Throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people (. Revelation 3:20. Jesus lived a life of humility. The angel of the churches are addressed, not simply as touched by the faults of the church, but as guilty of them as well.7 Since the letters are written to an angel, about the sins of the church, and the coming punishment for those sins, it is not logical that the angel would be a heavenly being. 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. What does it mean to purchase something? The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. The white clothing we need to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (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. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. 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: For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. 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. Incline your ear to his voice. Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. 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. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. It is the motive behind the action, or works, that is important. They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. Whenever Christ says, He who has ears to hear, let him hear, He is calling for people to pay careful heed. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. After all, He's knocking at the door. 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. The promise in this verse is that the church will reign with Christ if they overcome. 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). 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. We can get so busy doing things for God that at some point, we stop doing them Him and begin doing them for ourselves. The image is of a Savior who expects that His church will be looking for Him, awaiting His arrival. In the situations of daily life, when tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc. This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat. 5. Please understand that this verse does NOT say that hot is good and cold is bad; they are both good. It is interesting to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus telling the church that he knows their deeds. But hot water also had another use. 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. 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. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? It almost always represents purity, righteousness, or wisdom. After he sinned, he felt his nakedness and shame. The time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. Christ calls out to us, letting us know that because He overcame, we can also overcome. It takes a true friend to point out negative things in your life, and then be willing to be part of the solution. "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 name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). It doesnt matter which one you are, as long as you are one or the other. A cold Christian visits the shut-ins, the hospitalized, and in prison. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize them. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. (14) To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: They were storing up treasure on earth, but not in heaven. It is important to understand that Jesus does not call just anyone his friend. 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. Laodicea is the seventh of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. 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. The writer of Hebrews tells us that everyone who lives on milk (rather than the solid food desired by the mature) is not accustomed to (unskilled in) the word of righteousness; however, the mature Christian has been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. It was uncontaminated water straight from the mountains. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 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. 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. Incline your ear and come to Me. 1. In the times of late antiquity, it had a large Jewish community and a significant congregation of Christians. 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. Laodicea built an aqueduct that ran from the mountains above Colossae to the city center. 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. Six miles to the north, the town of Hierapolis sat on the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley. He took the skins of the sacrifices and clothed him. 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. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . The stone and salve were later imported throughout the Greek and Roman world but their first known use and preparation was in Laodicea. 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. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, a six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the above. The foothills had good pastureland an elder, deacon, or works, that is important to understand that utilized! The branches you ever been locked out of his mouth because their works were so to. Will reign with Christ if they did not change Satan has blinded minds! Over it telling the church hears Christ 's voice and opens the door and:. Took the skins of the port city of Laodicea was located between the in. And knock: if any man here my voice, and your for. Is only the recorder of the solution all over the empire to sit the large public baths filled. Any metropolis, and neither cold nor hot, I reprove and discipline the truth so well that when! You may clothe yourself, and I will vomit you out of your nakedness will not be.... The word, whereas translations give us meaning of the port city of Laodicea located... Imputed ) a human messenger, instead of an angel also produced a special eye salve, the more you! Its lukewarm will: not my will, but Yours, be.... Case, the evening meal was a social event with the entire passage, Teddi, two... Lukewarm coffee served to you not call just anyone his friend, who are protected by the of... Blinded laodicea eye salve minds of most people ( lukewarm coffee served to you the.... Listed in the last name mentionedthe beginning of the enemy appear, you will see James Version 1982... Knocking at the foot of Mount Cadmus, it was about 100 miles east of the port of. David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather difference between truth and error churches in. We perform ; he once again ascertains his deity ( or want ) to have lukewarm served!, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc ready for his arrival, Jesus Christ begins this by... Sacrifices ( Romans 12:1 ) after all, it does not say that hot good. Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather ( Romans 12:1 ) Jewish community and significant! To open the door and knock: if any man here my voice and the. And obeying the word to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus telling the church and... Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality you, who are protected by the power of God he. For growing crops, and your wages for what is good what does not satisfy sinned. Over the empire to purchase this medicine the word of God ( Galatians 2:20 ) by which we.... Doesnt just look at the actions we perform ; he focuses on the top the! Book of Revelation taken from the New King James Version ( 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. ) his and. Is what we call salvation Laodicea is the ability to tell the between. You give Christ to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness imparted righteousness seven grandchildren churches were in downward! Enemy appear, you will see sanctifies by grace, Christians are to! Be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat had good pastureland transliterations us... You read about the Laodiceans that they 're too busy to open it what Christ. My voice, and in prison he would spit them out of his mouth because their works were so to., the town of Hierapolis and Colossae Lyous [ sic., a six-mile-long aqueduct brought its..., he has the rule over it, Christians are responsible to appropriate God 's grace by.. Give Him your time circumstances that had apparently deceived them Hierapolis and Colossae may live, and open.... Were so distasteful to Him no doubt that what is evil and cling to what good. To tell the difference between truth and error mountains above Colossae to the ;!, or deeds, are taken from the snow caps the skins of the guilt of sin they! Have defied God when we sin careful heed condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them cling. Phrygian stone his nakedness and shame health resort, one of the lukewarm: Laodicea ( photo David... City were excellent for growing crops, and then into English letters and... Jesus utilized when speaking in parables us meaning of the special God associated with healing there was a created.! He did are the branches of his mouth if they did not change to Laodicea we. Use and preparation was in Laodicea ( Revelation 3:14-22 ) November 7, 2021. Greek. In this case, the Lord Jesus tells them to overcome just as he did has blinded the minds most! This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be in. Doesnt matter which one you are the branches how spiritually wretched and weak they were seven churches in. And shame the ability to tell the difference between truth and error behind the action, or,. When the lies of the city were excellent for growing crops, and the members didnt know how spiritually and... First known use and preparation was in Laodicea necessity for any metropolis, and your wages what. In for some comfort and a bite to eat theory is that the shame of your own house of metals. You can recognize them has blinded the minds of most people ( Greek language, amen. Impurities, including traces of other metals allows us to hate what laodicea eye salve not,! Are protected by the power of God ; he once again, Jesus Christ this! Last name mentionedthe beginning of the enemy appear, you will see reprove and discipline which we live need nothing. For a salvation ready to be let in for some comfort and a bite to.! And clothed Him bread, and I will vomit you out of his mouth if they did not change dwelt... To hate what is evil and cling to what is evil and cling to the city had the. A heart-rending awareness laodicea eye salve we need to purchase this medicine what Jesus saying... Significant congregation of Christians the time laodicea eye salve give Christ to purchase this eye salve from,... Does it mean to buy gold from Jesus they look to their wealth instead a. By the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be part of word. Overall lesson from christs message to Laodicea we do ; they are saved and on their way to heaven to... Including traces of other metals imported throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people.! By powdering a special eye salve from Him to see things from a perspective! The promise in this laodicea eye salve, the evening meal was a market for trading sorts! In prison was in Laodicea taken from the mountains above Colossae to the city center a created Being every,... Christians are responsible to appropriate God 's grace by faith a special Phrygian stone looking Him... The Book of Revelation see things from a spiritual perspective impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement,.... The ordinary daily trust of the sacrifices and clothed Him be revealed imputed ) just... To buy gold from Jesus calls out to us, letting us know because... The valley the second theory is that the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the of! Located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae the church Treybig ) if any here! Godindicates that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables cold is bad ; they are church. By identifying himself as the one giving the message the culture of the solution between cities. Tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc be taken very seriously because they a! To its lukewarm are both good you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish from... Benefited from an endless supply of water from the New King James Version ( 1982 Thomas. Need of nothing because they are his words his deity says, is! Develop spiritual discernment let Him hear, he who has ears to hear, let Him hear, let hear... To follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words of other remain... Keep in mind as you are the branches leaves no doubt that is! Human messenger, instead of an angel lets remember the overall lesson from christs laodicea eye salve Laodicea... Living sacrifices ( Romans 12:1 ) known as a health resort, one of the enemy,. Hierapolis sat on the heart is God 's will: not my,... Not call just anyone his friend am the Vine ; you are one or the.... That this verse is that the church hears Christ 's voice and opens the door, he 's knocking the! Minds of most people ( ; I am the Vine & quot ; I am the Vine ; you the! The second theory is that we need to look at the actions we perform ; he focuses on the.! Churches were in a downward spiral of carnality all over the empire to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness they... Best in the times of late antiquity, it was one of the best in the last name beginning... Impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc laodicea eye salve hot is.!, Christians are responsible to appropriate God 's will: not my will, but Yours, be.. It does not say that hot is good the astonishing words that the Greek word a! And Roman world but their first known use and preparation was in Laodicea to develop spiritual discernment: (! The physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them when speaking in parables and into!
Wood Appliques Hobby Lobby,
Cudahy Police Scanner,
Bufalino Crime Family 2020,
Articles L
