VII. Laodicia – Background – Named for the wife of a Hellenistic king during the 200’s B.C. An extremely wealthy city perhaps the wealthiest of the seven cities listed in Revelation. Source of wealth – trade, banking, and textiles (primary source for black wool.) Laodicea was the financial and banking center of the region. Communities near Laodicea placed their wealth in the city’s banks. Following an earthquake in 60 A.D., Laodicea was the only city to refuse financial assistance from Rome. Paid for the recovery themselves. Laodicea’s wealth was evident in its massive architecture – monuments, temples, theaters, etc. A large percentage of the population was in the upper income bracket, including Jews who lived in Laodicea. They annually sent 20 bags of gold to Jerusalem for the support of the Temple. In modern terms, Laodicea=Northern VA; Philadelphia=SW VA. The city worshipped Greek gods such as Zeus, Apollo, and Asclepius. Participated in mystery cults. The city also had a renowned medical school that produced and manufactured a popular eye salve. Laodicea’s biggest problem was its water supply. The Lycus river was a mile away but it dried up every summer. The nearest water supply was a hot springs 5 miles away. The city built an aqueduct to bring the water to the city. By the time the water reached Laodicea it was lukewarm.
1. How does Jesus introduce Himself? a) the Amen – a solemn expression of certainty. Every word spoken prior to saying “amen” is true with emphasis. b) Faithful and True Witness – Ever watching. Speak truth about everything He sees. c) the beginning of God’s creation – the First. I cam before everything in creation.
2. Words of praise – none
3. Words of criticism – plenty. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot … you are lukewarm. Basically Jesus is telling the church you are useless in a way they could understand and in graphic language. Cold water is useful/has benefits: drinking. Hot water is useful/has benefits: healing properties (hot springs); bathing; killing germs. Lukewarm water is pretty much useless – not good for bathing or drinking. Not good for drinking or anything else. In order for the Laodiceans to make their lukewarm water useful, they put the water in animal skins to make it cooler for drinking and they had to boil it in order to bathe in it. Jesus angrily informed the Laodicean church I would prefer you to be hot or cold, in other words useful, to me. At least you would be doing some good. However you are lukewarm, useless, therefore I am going to spit you out of my mouth. For an example of a lukewarm church in the Bible, read the book of James. Another issue the Laodicean church had was with hubris/pride/arrogance. But Jesus, the Faithful and True witness, saw the members for what they truly were. Read vs. 17. The church believed it was self-sufficient. It did not need anything from anybody including God. Their faith in God rested in their possessions. What might have happened to their faith in God had they lost all their wealth and possessions? Tell story of foolish rich man. Read Luke 12:16-21. Jesus gave the church some advice using three things the city was renowned for as illustrations – banking, textiles, and eye salve. Jesus told the church to seek Him for their wealth not banks, seek him to clothe their nakedness in white garments (purity) not black garments (sin), and seek him for eye salve that will enable them to see spiritually. Jesus explains that the reason He is coming down so hard on the church is so that they might repent. If they do so, He will welcome them back
4. If they don’t repent… - Jesus will not fellowship with them
5. Promise if they overcome – Just as I got to sit on the throne with my Father and ruled after I conquered sin and death so shall you sit with me on My throne and rule after you conquer sin and death.
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