Seven Churches -
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Laodicea
Laodicea
Laodicea was a wealthy town that was known as a strategic banking center. They used their own wealth to pay for the reconstruction of the city after a devastating earthquake in A.D. 60, rejecting offers of financial aid from Rome. The city was also famous for the soft, black wool it produced and its ancient medicine, particularly an eye salve. All three industries – finance, wool, and eye salve – came into play in this letter. Laodicea’s water supply was also relevant to the message in this letter as the water had to travel several miles through an underground aqueduct before reaching the city. Therefore, the water arrived foul, dirty, and tepid – lukewarm, just like the people in the church.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
The message opens with a three-fold description of Jesus
the Amen - The acknowledgement of a word which is valid, and the validity of which then is binding on me. We say “so be it”
Kittle - “the Amen meant engagement to fulfill” - Christ is the fulfillment of all of the promises of God’s Word! They are sure and steadfast!
The Faithful - Pistos in Greek meaning “trusting” or “reliable”; as a solider’s confidence in his weapon! Describes those in a contractual relationship; Reliability or certainty; Not generally used in regards to things but rather of men and of matters constituted or pursued by them.
True Witness - alathinos martus - the one who can and does speak from personal experience about actions in which He took part
It refers to not merely to the establishment of events or actual relations of facts of experience on the basis of direct personal knowledge. It signifies also the proclamation of views or truths of which the speaker is convinced! Kittle
We can be assured of the reliability of the work of Christ! He is the faithful one in whom God was pleased!
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
The beginning -
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He is the fulfilment of the promises of God - He is the true and faithful witness - He is the source of creation and new life!
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
The condition of the church - totally indifferent to the things of God
They thought they ha it all because of their riches but they really had nothing!
They had no purpose - cold water was refreshing, quenching; Hot water was for cleansing and healing referring to the springs of Hierapolis but they were totally useless! Dead spiritually and totally unaware of their condition
The things of the world had overtaken the things of God and the church was lulled to sleep!
Lukewarm anything is unbearable! The water was piped in but when it arrived it was dirty and lukewarm - Hierapolis the water was hot when it left but lukewarm on arrival; Water from Colosse cold water from the spring but lukewarm on arrival. It was recored that visitors to the city would spit out the water but the residence had become accustomed to it! Have you become accustomed to your spiritual apathy?
Cause: How did it happen?
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Self sufficiency “I have need of nothing” No ned for anything from God they could do it on their own!
Having wealth and material possessions is not wrong but they are not your security! This will led to spiritual apathy
In regards to the things of this world Paul tells us:
Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Don’t lose your sense of dependance on God! Where is your security?
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
He alone is completely trustworthy
Self-deception
You are wretched and poor and blind and naked
They don’t even know how bad it really is! wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked!
Of course these words are in regards to their spiritual condition! They were blinded to the truth! They could not see their need for Christ
Cure:
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.
Gold refined in the fire - His Word; It brings wholeness and fulfillment They were trusting in their financial system to sustain them but really they needed God
White garment - the robe of righteousness - Known for producing black wool! How appropriate that Christ implores them to trade their black robes (life of sin) for the robe of His righteousness so our life of sin will be hidden in Him!
Eye-salve - Known for producing this ointment for their physical ailment now Jesus pleads with them to use “spiritual” ointment so that their eyes will be open to the truth
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
The key to true freedom comes through repentance
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
We have discussed this many times - when you are invited in or invite someone in to sup with you, the relationship changes from acquaintance to family!
What is your relationship today with Christ?
Are you in the self-sufficient camp? Are you trusting in the things of this world to satisfy you?
Why not surrender today and receive new life?
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.