The Letter To Laodicea
In 250 B.C. this small town was taken by the Syrians. Antiochus II rebuilt the town and named it after his wife, Laodice. In 190 B.C. It became part of the kingdom of Pergamos, and ultimately fell into the hands of the Roman empire. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, there was a large Jewish colony there.
Now it's important to understand that this was a city of merchants, bankers, and gold refiners. It was located at a junction of roads leading from Ephesus and Smyrna. This meant that most of the wealth of the region would pass through Laodicea to the inland. There was caravan trade as far east as the Yellow River in Punjab by the China Sea. It's hard to imagine... we don't think of these early days as being that prolific. So the economy here is substantial. In fact, Cicero held court there and did his banking there.
Now there was an earthquake in 62 A.D. that devastated the city. However one of the main events of that time was the rebuilding of the city by its wealthy citizens, and without the aid of Rome. As several of the other cities had problems with earthquakes, Tiberius (or whoever at the time) would extend support to help rebuild it. In gratitude those cities would adopt the ways of celebrating Caesar. Here, because the wealthy citizens did it themselves, it's becomes pretty obvious that they are driven by pride. They are wealthy and have need of nothing. So they are known for their prosperous neutrality. Since Laodicea was never militarily defendable its posture was always one of compromise. They were a very highly successful commercial center, and there is to this day the remains of aqueducts, baths, gymnasiums, stadiums...all testifying of this cities early luxury. The principle products are worth mentioning because they echo through the letter. One of the main things they did there was textile manufacturing. It turns out Laodicea was well known for the quality of black wool produced from a particular strain of sheep bred in the Lycus valley, and for the cloth and carpets manufactured from it. Another aspect of Laodicea was their medical school. It was well known for an ophthalmic ointment that was mixed there. This was a mixture of oil and collyrium powder that Aristotle referred to as Phrygian powder. Laodicea was part of a tri-city area which included Colossae and Hierapolis, all between four and six miles of each other. Hierapolis was renowned for its hot springs. While Colossae was known for its fresh cold water. Laodicea would have hot water transported from Hierapolis for medicinal uses. However, by the time the water arrived it would be lukewarm.
- And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14) -
First lets start with the name of the letter. The word "Lao" means "people," while "Diceans" means "rulers." Thus we have "Rule by the People." Now some scholars suggest that this word may allude to democracy or democratic rule... and it may or may not. The point however is this... who is supposed to be ruling over the church? Jesus Christ. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God... It's interesting here that Jesus draws upon the foundations of His character in the title He uses to address this church. He's going back to the basics here. Next we come to His concerns... but have you noticed yet what is missing? The commendations. Normally the commendations come first but there aren't any.
- I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15,16) -
I was taught early on that being hot (or on fire for Jesus) was what I was to aspire to. While being lukewarm or cold meant that you were lost. It wasn't until years later that I learned how wrong all of those pastors and teachers were. Jesus says that He wants us to be hot or cold. Both are something to aspire to. Cold waters are used for washing and for drinking. Hot waters are also used for drinking... as well as soothing and medicinal purposes. Think of the waters of Colossae and Hierapolis. Both of these waters served different purposes in Christ. However, the lukewarm waters cause nausea, headaches and vomiting. Which is what the word "spue" means in the Greek... to "spit" or to "vomit." This is very serious... Jesus Himself is saying that those who are lukewarm in the church make Him sick, and He will vomit them out.
- Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23) -
This is pretty straight forward.
- Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17) -
This brings us to the exhortation.
- I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:18,19) -
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is awesome news. You see, these in Laodicea while they are blind and naked, they can still hear. Their condition is not incurable. The Ultimate Refiner offers His gold, but it comes at a price...
- The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psalms 19:7-11) -
- The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.(Psalms 12:6) -
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13) -
The Bridegroom offers His covering... the white raiment. Not the glossy (raven colored) black wool. The Great Physician offers His remedy to really open their eyes... the Holy Spirit.
- Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) -
How many have heard this verse before? Sure most of us have heard this verse many, many times over, typically from an evangelist at an altar call. Be that as it may, where this verse stands is the final indictment of the church of Laodicea. Why? Well take a close look at the verse. Where is Jesus in respect to the Church of Laodicea? He's outside...
We have been introduced and had it echoed all throughout chapter one to three that Jesus not only has the Churches in His hands, but He is in the midst of them. He is in the midst of us now, glory to His name... but not at Laodicea. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him. You see, the commitment of Jesus isn't even to this church as a whole... but to any individual on the other side of that door that is willing to hear, and receive Christ in spite of the church, not because of it.
- To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:21,22) -
This should clarify the confusion about Christ's throne. Jesus was promised a throne. Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would receive a throne. And what throne was that? David's throne! Is Jesus on His throne right now? No He's not. He never has been... but He will be. Right now Jesus is seated on His Father's throne. And let us not forget who the overcomers are.
- For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4,5) -
So now having gone over the seven letters we see that the two who received no commendations were the Church at Sardis and Laodicea. Strangely enough, these two churches are the two that characteristically describe the churches today, and I don't mean just here in America. You think we have problems here, then you should also go into some of these other countries where there used to be living, dynamic churches. Today they are nothing but empty shells of dead formalism, totally devoid of the Spirit of God. There is an inscription on a church in Lubeck Germany that I think is a fitting wrap up for the letter to the church at Laodicea.
Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:
Ye call Me Master and obey me not,
Ye call Me Light and see Me not,
Ye call Me Way and walk not,
Ye call Me Life and desire Me not,
Ye call Me wise and follow Me not,
Ye call Me fair and love Me not,
Ye call Me rich and ask Me not,
Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not,
Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not,
Ye call Me noble and serve Me not,
Ye call Me mighty and honor Me not,
Ye call Me just and fear Me not,
If I condemn you, blame me not.
On the prophetic timeline which displays the life span of the church on earth we have Ephesus as the Apostolic Church, Smyrna as the Persecuted Church, Pergamos as the Married Church, Thyatira as the Medieval Church, Sardis as the Denominational Church, and Philadelphia as the Missionary Church, and lastly Laodicea the Apostate Church. How many pulpits in America will you hear a sermon on the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all sin? How many churches still preach about the old rugged cross? How many churches still trumpet a message on judgment, holiness, and repentance? How many even preach the Gospel anymore! Moving on... the first three letters have the promise to the overcomer post scripted... a P.S. added on at the end of the letter. However, the last four will have the promise to the overcomer within the body of the letter as they will endure to the end in their own way. Also included within the last four letters are explicit references to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Thyatira has the threat that if they don't shape up they will go into the Great Tribulation. Sardis is silent on that subject. However, the Missionary Church is promised to be out of here! The Denominational Church and the Apostate Church remain ambiguous. So I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions. I know this is repetitive by now if you've been following these notes, but it bears repeating. All of these letters apply to all churches.
EPHESUS: Devotion and intimacy, not just doctrine and service. (Don't become so absorbed with the business of the King that you neglect to make time for Him.)
SMYRNA: Endure persecution. Hang in there. (Remember, there are more Christians under persecution today then ever before in history. And the storm is swiftly approaching America.)
PERGAMOS: Fight against marrying the world. (It's Passover not Easter! Saturday is the Sabbath, not Sunday. Remember, there are many other churches out there besides the Vatican that are married to the world. Paganism is everywhere and we are to stand against the world.)
THYATIRA: Turn from the pagan practices and traditions.
SARDIS: Be watchful. Be diligent.
PHILADELPHIA: Missionary outreach. Evangelism. The model for this as it always has been is home fellowships. This is something that we will be returning to as the church is being prepared to go underground.
LAODICEA: Prosperous compromise with the world because of prosperity. This is an affliction that affects us all. We're all guilty of becoming overly comfortable and lazy in our prosperity. In looking at the unemployment rates... yes some of us may be out of a job right now. But we're still better off than most people in the world.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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