Laodicea
Rev. 3:14-22
A city in the Lycus Valley of the province of Phrygia where one of the seven churches of Asia Minor was situated. It was about 40 miles east of Ephesus and about 10 miles west of Colossae, Laodicea was built on the banks of river Lycus, a tributary of the Maeander River. The words of the risen Christ to Laodicea in Revelation contain allusion to the economic properity and social prominence of the city. Founded by the Seleucids and named for laodice, the wife of Antiochus II (261-247 B.C.), Laodicea became extremely wealthy during the Roman period. For example, in 62 B.C. Flaccus seized the annual contribution of the Jews of Laodicea for Jerusalem amount to 20 pounds of gold. Moreover, when the city was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 60 (along with Colossae and hierapolis), it alone refused aid from Rome for rebuilding (compare the self sufficient attitude of the church of Laodicea in Rev. 3:17. Laodicea was known for its black wool industry; it manufactured garments from the raven-black wool produced by the sheep of the surrounding area.
The Apostle Paul does not seem to have visited Laodicea at the time he wrote Colossians 2:1 Epaphras, Tychicus, Onesimus, and Mark seem to have been the early messengers of the gospel there (Col. 1:7; 4:7-15). A letter addressed to the Laodiceans by Paul (Col 4;16) has apparently been lost; some consider it to be a copy of the Ephesian letter. A church council was supposedly held at Laodicea (A.D. 344-363) but all that has come down to us are statements from other councils.
The site of Laodicea is now a deserted heap of ruins that the Turks call Eski Hisar, or “old castle”.
According to the comments about the church at Laodicea in Revelation, this congregation consisted of lukewarm Christian. The living Lord demands enthusiasm and total commitment from those who worship Him.
· I know thy works
· Thou are neither hot or cold, but lukewarm
· I will spue thee out of my mouth
Because thou sayest ( you profess) I am rich, (Saved, Sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost), and have need of nothing ( totally complete in Him),
It’s one thing for us to say this about ourselves, but what is Jesus saying about us. Is he please with our life.
And don’t know (blind to the fact), that thou are wretched (full of sin) Romans 7th chapter. You are miserable (No good for God, and no good for the world), you are in a state of wretchedness. Thou are poor (without salvation), and blind, (just like the Pharisees, (just religious). And naked, without God, separated from his presence.
I counsel thee (Let me give you some good advice), buy of me gold (An experience) tried in the fire, that you may actually have what you are professing., and that thou mayest be clothed (with salvation), and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. (everyone can see you condition that you are in). Anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Let the Holy Spirit give you a anointing in your life that you may spiritually see).
As many as I love I rebuke ( chastise, correct, and admonish). Heb. 12:7-29. be zealous (Get a zeal that’s according to knowledge), true zeal, not a hypocriting zeal. Rom 10:1-3 and repent, turn from this lukewarm condition.
Behold I stand at the door ( the door of your heart) and knock (the convicting power of the Holy Spirit), If any man will hear my voice (His Word) and open the door. Christ will not force Himself in, you must let Him in. I will come in to him, and sup with him. (that is have fellowship with). And he can have fellowship with me. 1 John 1:1-10; 2:1-6;5:1-21.
To him that overcometh (this lukewarm condition) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, (reigning with Christ) even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. ( In order to reign with Christ in victory, I must first get to the throne of mercy and get the victory of sin, so that I can truly reign with him in power and authority over all this world below.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit (The Holy Ghost) saith unto the churches.
