The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. Jesus lived a life of humility. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts andupdates. As Jesus warned in His Olivet Prophecy, But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. It takes a true friend to point out negative things in your life, and then be willing to be part of the solution. With so much wealth pouring into Laodicea, one of the most noted banks in the Greek and Roman world was located there. "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. A change of heart will follow honest confession. For a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). Setting wine flasks in hot water allowed the wine to heat to the desired temperature. Please understand that this verse does NOT say that hot is good and cold is bad; they are both good. In this situation, you are not standing for Christ; you are standing for yourself. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. (15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. What does it mean to be cold? Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. What images came into their minds? 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. If were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing for God. He often started a statement with Amen, amen, I say to you. (Many verses in the Gospels such as John 5:24 translate amen as truly, or verily.) Laodicea was so conscious of its medical skill in the care of the eyes that it never realized that it was spiritually blind. He was diligent and committed to the will of God the Father (John 4:34). It was about 100 miles east of the port city of Ephesus. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. The first thing we need to look at is what it means to be cold. Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). eye salve. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. Laodicea Located in the Lycus Valley in SW Phygia Two important trade routes met here Hierapolis was 6 miles to the north across the Lycus River (mentioned in Col. 4:13) Colossae was ten miles away Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. 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. What did they think it meant to be cold? So wealthy was Laodicea that after the great earthquake of A.D. 17, which destroyed it, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves. Laodicea quickly became a rich city, rich enough to be able to rebuild itself without outside help after the destructive earthquake of 60 A.D. The focus of justification is the removal of the guilt of sin. The keys, according to this passage, are becoming skilled in the Word of God (by which we define righteousness) and practice (through which we gain experience). ointment made from spice nard and an eye salve made from Phrygian stones. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. St. John mentioned Laodicea as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation 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. All rights reserved. Gods word says that this spiritual gold tried in the fire is more precious than natural gold that perishes. The church is being called on to pay close attention and seek Gods wisdom concerning the written Word. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. His obedience was because, as a man, He had self-will that was in agreement with the Father's. Are so busy doing "things" for Christ that they're too busy to open the door? laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. 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). The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. valley. The fruit of godly repentance is unmistakable: earnestness (zeal) to do what is right in the eyes of God. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. What they were doing wasnt being done for the glory of God. 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. These Christians believe they are rich by believing in Christ and have abundance by their good works. In short, to be a cold, Christian is to serve as Jesus served. It was a banking center. 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. Laodicea was a town in the Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey. He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. It is through our relationship and identification with Christ and His work, and our faithfulness in the conflict with sin as we draw upon Christ, that we get to share in His reign as a reward for faithful service. To purchase something requires an exchange. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. Christ told the church (in verse 17) that they were blind, and in verse 18, they are instructed to purchase eye salve. What does it mean to purchase something? It is a message of hope and victory. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. When they heard this letter for the first time, what did they hear? How do you buy gold when youre poor? Why does the church not hear his knock? Hours of Operation Monday & Tuesday 10a - 6p | Thursday & Friday 8a - 4p Saturday - By Appointment Only. 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. One of these is what the Bible calls the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). Even Aristotle spoke of the medicines from Laodicea that supposedly helped with eyesight and hearing. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing there was a market for trading all sorts of goods. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe. Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! Jesus leaves no doubt that what is about to follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words. 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. Although it had earlier been called Diospolis and then Rhoas, Antiochus II of Syria named it for his wife Laodike and populated it with Syrians and with Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1939, Laodicea). 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.). Laodicea was a city full of merchants. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. 3. Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. ""To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. People commonly but mistakenly believe that wealth means that God is pleased with them. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13, also see Colossians 1:7). Gods Word is a sword. Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy____from Him to become truly rich. The focus of sanctification is the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin (it is imparted). His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . It almost always represents purity, righteousness, or wisdom. As a result of not being either hot or cold for Jesus, they are like a rancid drink or repugnant drink that leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. They probably think they are just like any other church. David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. The Greek word for faithful, ( - pistos) means true, sure, trustworthy, believable, worthy of credit.9 The Greek for true, ( - alethinos) means loving truth, veracious and hence worthy of credit.10 (According to dictionary.com, the word "veracious" means habitually speaking the truth; truthful; honest.) The ancient Greeks liked their wine hot or cold. The Corinthian believers were engaged in some seriously messed up things. Verse 14 leaves no doubt the Jesus Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. There is also a problem with assigning the pastor or bishop to the role of the messenger because they are not referred to as messengers anywhere in the New Testament. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. Since it was socially unacceptable to serve lukewarm wine in Greek culture, I get the image of Christ being insulted by being served lukewarm wine and him spitting it out in response to that insult. If were not doing things for the glory of God, then we are doing them for the wrong reason. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. The hot/cold issue begs the question: What exactly is God talking about? While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. Although the Bible does not reveal how the Church of God began in Laodicea, a faithful minister named Epaphras served this congregation as well as members in Colosse and Hierapolis sometime during the first few decades after Christs death. Jesus wants you to be hot. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. Although Laodicea produced the best eye-salve in the ancient world, the Laodicean Christians were blind when looking at their spiritual state. If you have, you can probably imagine what Jesus is experiencing. As a man, Jesus also had this self-will and was tempted, but His firm resolve from the very start was, Not My will, but Yours! For us to overcome as He overcame, we need to make that same decision and faithfully stick to it, no matter what happens or how we feel. Jesus is telling the church that He doesnt simply know their deeds; He knows the motives in their hearts. They may have lost their focus and strayed in their Christianity, but they are still a body of believers that Christ wanted to straighten out. 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. We can get so busy doing things for God that at some point, we stop doing them Him and begin doing them for ourselves. The Bible exposes Satan's lies and deceit and is the tool to overcome all the sinful tendencies in our flesh. Jesus is reminding us that he is God, and as such, cannot lie. The word for dine is the Greek word (deipns), which means to eat at a banquet.24 This word for dine is very similar to the Greek word for dinner deipnon, the evening meal. The white clothing we need to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness. . 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. If there had been a corresponding word in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated. John did not use the appropriate word if he was addressing an elder, deacon, or pastor. Nevertheless, the sin nature, also known as the natural man, is the impurity that interferes with a souls faith coming forth as pure gold just as impurities in nature prevent pure gold from being found. It was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. Jesus loves this church, or he would not have rebuked them. (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. Before considering the significance of this term and the rest of the message from Christ, lets note a few things about Laodiceas history. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of buying from God without money things that dont have a price. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Associated with the temple was a medical school. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. It is showing that all things were created through Him. This messageas well as all of the othersis still important for Christians today. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. Christ calls out to us, letting us know that because He overcame, we can also overcome. The city also became renowned throughout the empire for it's eye and ear salve. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). True Witness and the rest of the best eye-salve in the Greek language to match Hebrew..., no and your wages for what does not say that hot is good, eat! Are both good for a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135 addressing elder. 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