PAX and all:
Attention passengers. Welcome to Laodicea. Please remove all your personal belongings from the overhead prayer compartments. This flight terminates here. Please do not remove your faith seat belts until we are completely stopped at the Jesus terminal.
THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA
Background to the Church:
The church of Laodicea is the last of the seven churches, in more ways than one. This city was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 B.C.). Although the area appears to be in the region given by Alexander to Lysimachus, it was taken by Selelucus, ruler of Syria after Alexander's death. Laodicea was about 40 miles east and inland from Ephesus (see a map) on the Lycus River which flows into the Maeander River. It is located at what is called the "Gate of Phrygia." Out of the Oriental East, the great camel caravans came down through this "Gate" and through Laodicea. This road came out of the East and went to Ephesus, to Miletus, and also up to what is called Ismir today, but was then Smyrna. Laodicea is located in a great valley. Today its ruins are largely covered up with the growth of what looks like wild oats. Its name means "justice of the people" or "the people rule." It was named for Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II. Although there were several cities which bore this name, this was the most famous of all.
Between Laodicea and going on up to the Phrygian mountains, there was in this valley a great Anatolian temple of the Phrygian god, Men Karou. This was the primitive god of that area. The temple was the very center of all society, administration, trade, and religion. There was a great market there, and strangers came from everywhere to trade.
Laodicea was a place of great wealth, of commerce, and of Greek culture. It was a place of science and of literature. It boasted an excellent medical school, which, again, was very primitive and actually very heathen. Here is where they developed what was known in the Roman world as Phrygian powder, a salve for the ears and the eyes, made from the clay deposits in the nearby hills. This clay has been examined and found to be of absolutely no value for healing purposes. Laodicea was also a center of industry with extensive banking operations. Cicero held court here, it is said that he brought notes here to be cashed in this city. Jupiter, or Zeus, was the object of Roman worship in Laodicea.
The city was finally abandoned because of earthquakes. The very impressive ruins of two Roman theaters, a large stadium, and three early Christian churches are still there today. The city itself has not been excavated. In other words, these ruins which can be seen to protrude through the debris and wild growth have not been examined by archaeologists.
Laodicea was a place of commerce where clothing and medicines were manufactured. You can stand on the ruins and see as far as Colossae and also Hierapolis. The greatest ruins are at Hierapolis. Also, you can see the hot springs that bubble up near the confluence of the Lycus and Meeander Rivers. Steam rises from the springs and the government today harnesses this for energy.
The Message to Laodicea
Jesus is going to tell these people to get the real eye salve and to stop using that tepid water carried from the springs.
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 (Rev 3:14)
This is the only place in Scripture where Amen is used as a proper name, and it is the name of Christ. Isaiah 65:16, should read "the God of the Amen." In Isaiah 7:9, the word believe is amen. In II Cor 1:20, "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." The Lord Jesus has the Last Word in all things. He is the one who will fulfill all of the promises of God. He lets the Laodiceans know this because this church is denying the deity of Christ. He is the faithful and true witness in a day of apostacy when people don't know who to believe.
The Liberal Church is Not the Apostate Church
You cannot believe anything that the liberal church leaders teach today. They look at Jesus as a historical figure, a man, and try to expound their pet theories about Him. They are in active opposition to the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ. They lead many people into error. The reference to the beginning of the creation of God shows us that Jesus is the Creator. It was Jesus who actually did the creating. God the father willed it, and Jesus performed it through the power of the Spirit. Yet, the Church of Laodicea really isn't the liberal church. It is the church which is luke warm, the church of the status quo. This church that is not trying disprove anything, liberal or fundamental.
I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth (Rev 3:15, 16)
The Laodiceans got their water in two ways. One was by aqueduct that they had built into the Phrygian mountains. This water was snow water, but by the time it got to the valley below, it was warm. The other source was the hot springs. By the time this water was brought to the town, it also would be luke warm. This "lukewarmness" had meaning to the local people.
The Lukewarm Church
The lukewarm church is the middle-of-the-road church. This was the Laodicean church. Many churches fit this pattern today. They attempt to maintain a semblance of faith. They do not want to come out strongly for the Word of God, nor do they want to be branded as out-and-out liberals. They want to play it safe. This position is worst of all.(See II Tim 3:5) A form of godliness, but denying the real power of it. The Lord will spue them out, literally vomit them out of his mouth. Wow, this is really strongly worded. You think of Jesus in the temple with the money changers.
Today, the Laodicean church stands side-by-side with the Philadelphian church. A line of division runs between them, but it is not unbridgable.
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 (Rev 3:17)
This city was a rich city, Sardis and Laodicea may have been the richest in the entire area. This contrasts to the poverty of the Ephesian and Smyrnan churches. Many of our churches, by the world's eyes, are rich. Large budgets, fancy buildings, many social programs for their members. But, worldly wealth is an illusion. Spiritually, these churches may be poverty-stricken. This church as failed to raise the cross of Christ. Do they teach about sin? How important is the individual to them, i.e. do they have a hunger for the lost? Do they teach of the saving grace of Christ? The answer is no, they do not.
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 they nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see (Rev 3:18)
The gold is the precious blood of Jesus.
The raiment speaks of the righteousness of Christ
The eye-salve is the Holy Spirit who opens the eyes of believers today
The church of Laodicea is blind, but not incurably so . It is suffering from a disease, and needs medical treatment. The physician they need, however, is not found in the clinics they are attending. What they need is a few Promise
Keeper conventions to wake them up, which is exactly what Coach McCartney has in mind.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Rev 3:19)
Be zealous means to get hot! Get on fire for God. Repent. Next we have a general invitation for all churches of all time:
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 (Rev 3:20)
You have all seen the famous picture by Holman Hunt of Christ at the door. Did you ever notice that something is missing on that picture? The handle is missing! Holman, when asked about that, replied. This is a human heart door and the handle is on the inside only. Jesus stands at the door, patiently waiting. He knocks, continually calling each person. Each must open the door for him. He will not force himself upon the unwillling.
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 (Rev 3:21)
Jesus is alluding to the future millenium when we will share the kingship of Jesus on the earth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Rev 3:22)
Only the spirit of God can make the Word of God real to us. It is by His Spirit that we have understanding of these things.
The Parable of the Drag Net
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (vs. 47-50)
Those within this apostate church will see the Great Tribulation unless they remove the scales from their eyes. Some will be saved, but many will be condemned to eternal fire. It is a complacent church, rich in the worlds goods, but utterly poor spiritually. The spiritual eyes of this church are closed. This is not merely the liberal church that attacks the deity of Christ as much as it is the formal, status quo church that fails to move right or left. Sad to say, it probably accounts for the majority of those calling themselves Christian today..
The Parable of the Householder - A Summary Parable
Do you understand these things? They are like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old. vs 52
Jesus points out the wisdom gained by one who understand the New and the Old of Scripture. In other words, one who has a historical understanding of these things and can draw upon them. Old interpretations become new as we relate these parables to the background of the seven churches of the Revelation,and to the types given in the Old Testament under the tutillage of the Holy Spirit.
Shalom and Blessings of Our Lord Jesus Christ be unto you all,
Lee |
