What did Christ tell the Laodiceans to buy to cover their nakedness? Why does the church not hear his voice? ointment made from spice nard and an eye salve made from Phrygian stones. 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). They may have been well off economically, but they were poor in their relationship with God. White clothes. He humbled Himself so that He could achieve His purpose in God's plan by putting God's will before His own. The word for love used in this verse is not agape but phileo. While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. "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. 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: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. The problem seems to be in their motives. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. Jesus knew how to use God's grace. Laodicea on the Lycus, located at the crossroads of important trade routes, was once a prosperous city, famous for its black wool, banking services, and medical achievements. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. But just as any purchase requires something for something, Christ is expecting something from the Christian. He wants to be the friend that we invite over to dinner. They were a prominent banking center for the entire region. In Gods eyes, the Laodiceans are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. 18a I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich. Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy____from Him to become truly rich. 19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. 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). "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. 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. Incline your ear to his voice. 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. Pay close attention! What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? 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.). So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? About Laodicea (See Colossians 2:1; 4:13-16) . To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. What are we supposed to overcome? Jesus is telling the church that He doesnt simply know their deeds; He knows the motives in their hearts. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. To purchase something requires an exchange. 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). It was a medicine used for treating eye diseases. via phone at (626) 851-7001. 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. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that the Laodiceans had again refused aid from Rome following an earthquake that badly damaged the city in A.D. 60 (Annals, 14:27). Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothingand do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (verse 17). Although Laodicea produced the best eye-salve in the ancient world, the Laodicean Christians were blind when looking at their spiritual state. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. 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 salve is responding to the work of God's Spirit as His word . What does it mean to be hot? 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. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). One of the wealthiest city of that area during Roman times, Laodicea was widely known for its banks, a medical school with a famous eye salve [1], and a textile industry famous for glossy black wool that was used for making tunics and cloaks. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. The word cold is the Greek word (psuchros) and means cool, fresh, or cold.14 It should be obvious that being cold must be a good thing, or Christ would not have recommended it. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. Christ told the church (in verse 17) that they were blind, and in verse 18, they are instructed to purchase eye salve. The Laodicean church is not hot. As the faithful and true witness, Jesus is relaying to us what he heard from God the Father. The verse is not talking about salvation; it is talking about usefulness or purpose. John is only the recorder of the words, faithfully writing down what Jesus is saying. 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. What will happen to me? Contrition, on the other hand, is regret for the sin committed against Gods love and regret for having grieved the Holy Spirit. In the situations of daily life, when tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc. It was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. In this situation, you are not standing for Christ; you are standing for yourself. 14cthe Beginning of the creation of God. The phrase he who has an ear qualifies everyone who will listen and obey. 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. We must pray and cry out to God, and our lust for sin has to feel the pain of being denied. The Laodicean church is not cold. I wish you were either cold or hot! 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). The lack of white clothing does not mean they removed their salvation; it simply means the clothing that symbolized their purity and righteousness was gone. I got caught. Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. It costs our life. 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). It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. The church is being called on to pay close attention and seek Gods wisdom concerning the written Word. Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). (15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 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). 1. His entire life was a fulfillment of God's Word, and thereby, Gods will. 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. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. 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. 2. 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: Laodicea is the seventh of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. Therefore be zealous and repent. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of buying from God without money things that dont have a price. It is interesting to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus telling the church that he knows their deeds. To be a hot Christian could have several different meanings (or a combination of them) to the Laodiceans. 20a Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. Similar to how some people likely spewed the citys unpleasant drinking water out of their mouths, Jesus said He would do the same, yet more violently. All of their success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods sight. Christs threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. The fact that he does call them friends shows that he expects them to get the spiritual priorities straightened out, and back on the right path. 1. Hebrews 5:11-14 shows how the eye salve to fix spiritual discernment is utilized. Theater of popular music. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. The Laodicean Church became predominant towards the end of the twentieth century. The promise in this verse is that the church will reign with Christ if they overcome. Hot water is only effective while it is hot. A change in behavior will follow true repentance. Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. The town was built, perhaps unwisely, on a geological fault from which noxious vapors and hot mineral water escaped. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Actions, behaviors, motives, and the heart are all intertwined; they cannot be separated. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.. (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: Laodicea SHARE History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . If this is what Christ had in mind, then being a cold Christian would be like giving someone a cool refreshing drink on a hot summer day. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. 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. White is the most frequently mentioned color in the Bible. The Greek used here, emesai, means to vomit. The same logic applies to hot or cold. It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude, etc. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The stones were ground up to powder which was mixed with oil producing a well-known eye balm that was distributed throughout the Greek and Roman world. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. The focus of sanctification is the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin (it is imparted). A change of heart will follow honest confession. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. 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. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. The city of Laodicea (Greek Laodikeia) on the Lycus (Laodicea ad Lycum), situated one mile south of the Lycus River in the Lycus Valley west of Colossae and south of Hierapolis, was established and fortified about 261 BC by the Seleucids under Antiochus II Theos. Your time in the Word should be at a minimum, four times a week. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. When we see mega churches today respond to criticisms they . They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. What they were doing wasnt being done for the glory of God. Are so busy doing "things" for Christ that they're too busy to open the door? Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! To fully understand what amen means, you must turn to the Old Testament. Christ is at the door! Throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people (. The wine was almost always served either hot or warm, as the ancient Greeks had no efficient way to chill the wine. Instead of being victorious over temptation, temptation had been victorious over them. It is important to understand that Jesus does not call just anyone his friend. They were storing up treasure on earth, but not in heaven. He encourages them to overcome just as He did. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. Thats pretty strong language. God advises them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials, which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising. If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. Six miles to the north, the town of Hierapolis sat on the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley. After such strong correction, it is especially poignant to note that God wants sinners to repent and will quickly forgive their sins if they do. "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. It is showing that all things were created through Him. Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. The first part of this process is accomplished by pulverizing or crushing the gold ore and then placing it in a furnace. The word discipline is the Greek word (paideu) and means to correct, to chastise.22 The basic idea behind this word is correction or guidance. 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. For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. Jesus desires to come in, sit down at the table, and enjoy the food and company. This occurs as we repent when we learn that we have sinned and as we allow ourselves to be led by Gods Holy Spirit. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. Confession is the mind moving the lips; repentance moves the heart. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. To hear is to obey. Laodicea was a church that had not overcome sin but rather been overcome by sin. Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy___from Him so they could see. Making an everlasting covenant with God (salvation is only the starting point). Confession by itself is not repentance. It is possible the word meant the messenger or the actual person who delivered the letter, but that would require seven different messengers, one from each of the churches to have traveled to Patmos to get the letter to deliver it. The residents would go there daily to fill their jars with the cold refreshing water from Colossae. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? Their wealth has become their savior who supplies their every need. When Jesus speaks, the church needs to listen. Praying for the sick should also be the norm for a hot Christian. The Laodiceans were rich and self-sufficient, with no need for God to supply their needs. Website design, HTML and CSS coding by Steven P. Wickstrom They are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners, or serving as Jesus served. 17 Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. One of the most common errors associated with this verse is the notion that the door is the door to a sinners heart. Please understand that this verse does NOT say that hot is good and cold is bad; they are both good. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. 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. Since Scripture tells us that the Word (Jesus) was in the beginning with God and that all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made (John 1:1-3), we know that Jesus was not a created Being. 16 So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. (20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Jesus loves this church, or he would not have rebuked them. Theres no time to waste. Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. After he sinned, he felt his nakedness and shame. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. That the Christians will co-reign with Christ (sitting with Him on His throne) is stated in the New Testament on numerous occasions (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12). The Bible exposes Satan's lies and deceit and is the tool to overcome all the sinful tendencies in our flesh. In Matthew 4:1-11, during Jesus' temptations, His reply always started with, it is written. But Jesus didnt only quote the Word; He had authority when He used Gods Word because He also lived by it. The ancient Greeks liked to drink hot water. 1 Peter 1:5-9 compares faith with refined gold. Another lesson from the message to Laodicea is that we must be doers of Gods Word. He was the beginning of all things. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and try to understand it, and obey it. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. It was a banking center. 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; 2. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:5-9 NASB). It was about 100 miles east of the port city of Ephesus. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. Never miss a post! In the context of Revelation 3, then, Christ was standing at the door of the Laodicean church, eager to re-enter the congregation through the genuine repentance of its members. If there had been a corresponding word in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated. . The water came either from hot springs and was cooled to lukewarm or came from a cooler source and warmed up in the aqueduct on the way. The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). To answer these questions, we need to look at Laodicea from the eyes of the Laodiceans. Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, it was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous [sic.] Baldwin Park Eye Care | We are located at 4829 New Broad St, Orlando, FL, 32814. Call (626) 587-0033! A lustrous black wool was produced there which was woven into much-desired clothing. I dont think so. There are multiple lessons that we can learn from Christs message to Laodicea. Hebrew writing has no vowels, so the Greek leter for "e" was added by the translaters to make the word easier to read and speak. 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. There is a major problem associated with being an angelic angel. The reward here seems to be one of sharing royal honor, victory, and authority with Christ in His future kingdom. It looks like Laodicea had put their faith in the gold that perishes. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. This process causes the gold to coagulate and form nuggets and clumps of gold. Jesus wants you to be hot. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. Their money has become their idol, and they worship it rather than worshiping God. Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. Revelation 3:20. The truth is that sometimes the wicked prosper (Jeremiah 12:1). Temples had a joint purpose of worship and medical studies. 20band will dine with him, and he with Me. Ho! The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. Local resources of zinc and alum became the basis for the production of eye ointments, known as kollyria, also sold by merchants from Laodicea.3 The powder would be mixed with water to give it a paste-like consistency and then applied to the eyes. Gold mined from rock always has impurities. The time of need is when temptation comes when we see and feel the sin in our flesh when we struggle to keep ourselves from sinning. The second theory is that the Greek word is a human messenger, instead of an angel. The discipline of Christ stated in Hebrews 12:5-11, explains that God's discipline proceeds from his love and seeks to develop righteousness in his people. It was the perfect water for drinking, cooking, or even bathing. We cannot deny our sin or find excuses to justify it. Laodicea was so conscious of its medical skill in the care of the eyes that it never realized that it was spiritually blind. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothingand do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and nakedI 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. They are not taking care of needs, providing moral support, or genuinely caring about people. Its as if he was served something to drink that was inadequate, subpar, or even bad tasting. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. 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. Many portions of the city remained unusable afterward. Setting wine flasks in hot water allowed the wine to heat to the desired temperature. He has given us Gods Word as a guide, help, and a weapon. Physical money cannot purchase the merchandise Christ has for sale; it takes something else. He's locked out of his own house. 14bthe faithful and true Witness. 15a I know your deeds. Modern Laodicea: Four Characteristics Similar to its ancient type, 21st-century Laodicea suffers from a number of specific ailments including: (1) pride in financial wealth and abundance of goods, (2) lukewarm temperature, (3) blindness, and (4) nakedness. To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. Whatever were doing, or however were serving, we need to examine our hearts and our motives and see if were doing it for the right reason. Jesus lived a life of humility. In the medical works of the 2 nd century AD physician Galen of Pergamon, he described an eye medicine made from a Phrygian stone, probably broken down into a powder or made into a clay, and the eye "salve" John mentions in connection with Laodicea is the same word used by Galen and other medical texts of antiquity (Revelation 3:18; Liddell .