Nevertheless, the sin nature, also known as the natural man, is the impurity that interferes with a souls faith coming forth as pure gold just as impurities in nature prevent pure gold from being found. 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. 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; Time. Christ calls out to us, letting us know that because He overcame, we can also overcome. He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. The Laodicean Church became predominant towards the end of the twentieth century. Jesus lived a life of humility. If we pray for help as Jesus did, with humility and desperation to gain victory, then we will get help. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. We cant relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. 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. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. In Gods eyes, anything not done for Him, has no value, no use, no purpose. Keep in mind as you read about the Laodiceans that they are a church filled with Christians. 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? Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. I got caught. The act of hearing implied obedience. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. 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 whole point of this verse is that lukewarm has no use. While the original name of the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the name also has an interesting meaning in Greek. To answer these questions, we need to look at Laodicea from the eyes of the Laodiceans. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Never miss a post! Youre going to have to give him your time. The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). The focus of justification is the removal of the guilt of sin. The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. Its like lukewarm coffee. Jesus' friendship with this church is so deep that he is willing to point out their problems. 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.). Jesus is reminding us that he is God, and as such, cannot lie. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. There is a major problem associated with being an angelic angel. 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. 3 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Lukewarm Church. 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. 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. 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. 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. The time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. 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). Only a few are willing; the rest have ears, but they do not have ears to hear (Matthew 7:1314, 2427). 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. 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. It is through our relationship and identification with Christ and His work, and our faithfulness in the conflict with sin as we draw upon Christ, that we get to share in His reign as a reward for faithful service. Some have wondered if the last name mentionedthe Beginning of the creation of Godindicates that Jesus was a created Being. Therefore be zealous and repent. Another salve supposedly healed ear problems. This promise is amazing because, whenever we do overcome in the battles of life, it is always through Him. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. Moses was rebuking the rebellious Israelites by saying, But to this day, the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. He was not referring to physical hearing, but to those who may hear the commands of the Lord but who lacked comprehension and desire to act upon those words (Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2). Revelation 3:14-22. Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. 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). First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. 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. Laodicea was a city that was so rich; it minted coins that bore the images of Apollo, Asclepius, and Zeus.16 The reproach in verse 17 assumes that the Christians in Laodicea were also rich, as the passage would have no meaning to poor people. As for rebuilding the city after an earthquake, history records that the Laodiceans did this again a few decades later. The red dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn. This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. As a result of not being either hot or cold for Jesus, they are like a rancid drink or repugnant drink that leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. 4. There is also a problem with assigning the pastor or bishop to the role of the messenger because they are not referred to as messengers anywhere in the New Testament. Its critical to keep in mind that Laodicea, who Jesus speaks to, is a church, a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ (Christians). Hear God. 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. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. Production of the famous "Phrygian powder" was also performed in Laodicea. 14bthe Amen. 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. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. Perhaps the most famous ones they produced were an ointment for the ears (for a time produced only in Laodicea), and an eye salve made from Phrygian powder and oil. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Associated with the temple was a medical school. As the water cooled down, it lost its effectiveness. Isaiah 55:1-3 (NASB). The Laodicean church is not hot. It is the foundation of wisdom. 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). To hear is to obey. 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). We know from this introduction that what follows is being said by Jesus. His obedience was because, as a man, He had self-will that was in agreement with the Father's. He humbled Himself so that He could achieve His purpose in God's plan by putting God's will before His own. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and try to understand it, and obey it. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, credited to a person enabling him/her to be justified in the eyes of God. He's locked out of his own house. Jesus starts by calling himself the Amen, a term reserved for God himself in the Old Testament. What did they think it meant to be hot? What does it mean to purchase something? Hydrotherapy for the sick became accompanied by religious practices in the local temples. You would have thought that this was the ultimate act of humility. He humbled Himself to the Father's will. Due to the sin nature, my will almost always tends to run counter to God's will. Uniquely situated on a large flat-topped hill, the town was protected from the flooding in the spring when the snow melted off the nearby mountains. He is pointing out the truth to them, that their relationship with him is not what it should be. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat. We cannot deny our sin or find excuses to justify it. It is a process where God makes us holy. Yet this wealth had blinded them from seeing their true spiritual condition. 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. It is showing that all things were created through Him. This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. Pay close attention! Incline your ear to his voice. 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). Instead of being victorious over temptation, temptation had been victorious over them. (19) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. via phone at (626) 851-7001. Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing there was a market for trading all sorts of goods. 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. It costs our will. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. "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 verse is not talking about salvation; it is talking about usefulness or purpose. A change in behavior will follow true repentance. A change of heart will follow honest confession. Repentance is more than a feeling. 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). One of the famous Laodicean remedies was a "Phrygian eye-salve" which was supposed to cure inflammation. Incline your ear and come to Me. They are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners, or serving as Jesus served. Serving wine lukewarm would be considered an insult. According to Roman writer Tacticus, Rome offered to pay for the city to be rebuilt, but the people declined, saying that they were wealthy enough to restore their own city. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. He reckons it to our account.18 The process of reckoning is what we call salvation. The furnace must reach temperatures over 1064 degrees Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting point. 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. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). 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. You would probably spit it out at the first sip. Theologians have struggled for two thousand years, trying to determine who exactly they are. This suffering was not the physical suffering on the cross of Calvary. It doesnt matter if you sit on the hot side of the room, or the cold side of the room, dont sit in the lukewarm center. If we are humble and willing to obey, He will give us the strength and resolve we need to endure in the battle. Jesus is telling the church that He doesnt simply know their deeds; He knows the motives in their hearts. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Hot water is only effective while it is hot. The Greek word (aggelos) is typically translated as an angel or a messenger. Setting wine flasks in hot water allowed the wine to heat to the desired temperature. In short, to be a cold, Christian is to serve as Jesus served. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. 20a Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. 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 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. Gold mined from rock always has impurities. 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). Allowed the wine to heat to the Vine ; you are the branches by God 's declaration of righteousness it! Two thousand years, trying to determine who exactly they are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners or. Was the ultimate act of humility God must not allow material things to lull into. Dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn this was! 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