Founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC)
Laodicea –
was one of the richest cities of this area or even in the world as known at the time.
The church was grown in the affluent society. It was noted for its banking
and manufacturer of wool clothing. In addition it was known for its medical school,
so intelligence was a trait as well. The city was proud of its financial independence.
The city’s religious life…
a colony of 7,000 Jews were allowed to preserve their own customs. The Christian
church arose from among them at the preaching of the Gospel by Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4: 12-13).
Paul wrote a letter to this church as documented in Col 4:16, but this letter is lost, and some claim it is the letter
to the Ephesians. The church had deteriorated here, and this church receives
the severest condemnation of all the seven to whom letters were sent.
(14) Titles of Christ
not taken from Chapter 1. Here faithfulness and faithful and true witness and
authority stressed. John again identifies the church with the city in which it
is located. It had neither hot enthusiasm, nor cold antigonsim??? Towards religious
matters. It would be better if it had strong feelings one way or the other, but
the indifference is repulsive. Christians of this city are unfaithful in contrast. Many similarities with the Colossian church (Col. 4:16). John may be brining this to their attention. (Col
1: 15-18)
John 1:3 Jesus has authority He is ruler
over God’s creation because all things were created for Him and by Him. He
is the AMEN. The harshness of God’s reproof is evidence of His great love
for them and desire to see them turn or repent. God disciplines those He loves.
He
disciplines his church. Religious matters are just not important to this church. Spiritually, this church is poor, blind and naked.
(15) The Deeds of this
church? Lukewarm – neither hot nor cold.
This city had access to hot springs as a water supply, but they were some distance away – the water arrived
to the city – lukewarm – they could relate. Other areas had access
directly to the hot or cold springs, but not Laodicea.
Hot water heals and cold water refreshes,
but lukewarm water?
It is not good for anything as is.
So the Christianity of this church was
the same way – lukewarm!
What a powerful statement to this church
(see 2 Peter 2:21-22). It would be better in God’s view to completely reject
the Gospel of Christ than to profess acceptance and then live as though it doesn’t matter! There is more hope for those openly reject than for those who are indifferent. Their “coolness” was a denial of all that Christ stands for.
(16) Because you
are “lukewarm” – a repeating of this condition and again “neither hot nor cold” – a repulsive
condition to God. But – he says – “I am about to …”
– but it hasn’t happened yet. While this is the strongest statement
made to any of the churches so far, it is still a warning, and there is time to change – a chance to repent because
God is merciful. Lukewarmness cannot be tolerated. The Ephesians were condemned for their zeal, but the Laodiceans for too little.
(17) “I (the
church) am rich and do not need a thing” Compare this to the church in Smyrna,
who was poor materially but rich spiritually. It was materially well off, and
could handle a great deal financially. However, this resourcefulness does not
count for but against this church in the spiritual realm. But – they are
“wretched” literally, “the wretched one.” They are pitiful
(in need of mercy), poor, blind, and naked. Physically, they had banking (poor),
a medical school (blind), and clothing manufacturers (naked). God is awesome!
(18) Three areas
of deficiency revealed in v. 17 The remedy is in Christ. They should buy from HIM – Jesus – the remedies to their problems…
Gold – real wealth –
that has stood the testing of the refiners fires.
Whiteclothes – though
they make clothing, they are found naked – Nakedness in this culture was absolute humiliation as opposed to the
honor of fine clothing. So the covering Christ provides is true clothing and
stands against nakedness.
Salve for the eyes –
famous remedy for sore eyes at the time – eye salve – but Jesus’ salve will heal their blinded eyes –
He gives real sight.
“I once was blind, but now
I see.” Newton
(19) “Those”
- God disciplines all “those” He loves – that’s all of us! Chastening does not come out of hostility,
but from the God of Love. This chastening love comes to the church who least
deserves it. Just like us – Where would we be without God’s corrective
love? The church must decide to repent and receive God’s love and acceptance.
(20) “Here
I am!” John sees it as a present reality – Christ is there –
standing at the door and knocking! This is a present tense thing – Jesus
is knocking continually and waiting for a response. (Painting of the door with
no doorknob on the outside, and Jesus waiting to be invited in.) We must open
the door to Him. It always takes a response on our part. God initiates the move toward us, but we must acknowledge and respond!
“If anyone” not the general church as before, but to the individual –
* Sad/Happy News - Response to God is an
individual thing. – Not all in the church will respond. Jesus promises
to enter into anyone who responds – He will establish a relationship with all who respond and acknowledge Him. So some, even in the church, will not recognize Jesus for who He really is, and
only a select few will experience the true fellowship with Christ that is afforded to all.
This is a “wake up” call to a church that has gone far away form its intended goal.
(21) “…I
will give the right to sit with Me on My throne…” - an honorable place.
For the Christian, this is a place of honor – highest honor – Just like Jesus is enthroned with the Father.
“Just as I overcame” - How
did Christ overcome? By dying on the cross!
What would have been considered defeat by the world was Jesus’ victory on the cross. He overcame by the cross – no matter what they may face (or we) – what seemed as a defeat for
Christ, turned out to be the victory. They too will conquer even if they suffer. In suffering they will conquer!
Their self-confidence blinded them
to the fact they were poor, blind, naked! They thought they had it all together. Complacency yields lukewarmenss. Buy
from Him – spiritual wealth – white robe of true righteousness - clear spiritual vision. He waits knocking on every believer’s heart for the invitation to come in and share the joy of personal
fellowship.
The city was founded by Antialicus in the
3rd century BC and named after his wife and sister, Laodice.
Was a very wealthy city of ancient
Rome – excellent grazing land – raised a special
breed of sheep with fine black wool – in demand at the time.
Prosperity brought in banking industry
to Laodicea. So
prosperous that they rebuild the city after the great earthquake of 60 AD on their own resources.
They arose from this devastation on their
own strength and prosperity.
A well known medical school emerged there
and some very fruitful medications were developed there. One was a special ointment
for the ears and other was a special salve for the eyes.
They lacked a good water supply! Luke warm! (See other notes.)
Many Jews that were brought there to settle
from Babylonian captivity. The church here was probably founded by Paul when
he stayed at Ephesus during this third missionary journey. His letter to them (Col
4:14) is lost.
14 – Amen
– binding and committed. “The faithful and true witness” –
trustworthiness / faithfulness of Christ vs. unfatihfulness of the Laodecian church.
“The ruler of God’s creation” Col. 1:15ff – Christ designated – “the beginning.”
Col 1:18 – “the firstborn over all creation.” Col.
1:16 – “by Him and for Him” all things were created – pre-exisistence of Christ! Had to exist to create all things.
15-16
“I know your deeds” NG – Lukewarm repulsive to Jesus. Hot mineral-laden water traveled across the plateau and cooled to lukewarm … it flowed over a cliff
encrusted with calcium carbonate. Visitors would try to drink only to immediately
spit this tainted water out onto the ground. The picture was clear to the Laodician
church! So was their Christianity! (See previous notes) neither spiritual refreshment
nor healing (Colossea /Hicroplis) they were ineffective! Nothing to do with spiritual
fervor. The admonition is not against their spiritual temperature, but the barrenness
of their works. This is how Christ could prefer either hot or cold – rather
than lukewarm.
16
- Wealth, wealth, wealth – Laodecia had it all
and was in want for nothing! This leaked over into their spiritual lives as well. They gained everything they had by their own resources and wealth. They didn’t need anything or anyone. They prided themselves
on their financial wealth, textile industry and the eye salve they exported all over the world. Yet - they were poor, naked, and blind. Worst of all…they
didn’t recognize their true condition.
18 – Jesus instructs
them to make purchases from Him in the areas they feel the least need. Why would
they purchase what they think they possess?
Gold – spiritual richness –
tested and proven. This comes only from Christ!
They need white clothes to cover their true nakedness. Black wool vs.
white linen? Nakedness symbolizes humiliation and judgment – usually. Fine clothes = honor. They could
purchase this clothing at no cost. – but – they didn’t know they were naked.
They
couldn’t acknowledge their shameful condition because they were spiritually blind.
They were confident of their spiritually clear vision - but – they actually needed their own eye slave to heal
their vision (John 9:39)
True spiritual sight comes through Jesus.
