This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. 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. Jesus desires to come in, sit down at the table, and enjoy the food and company. (18) I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. It was renowned for physicians and some of them were even minted on the local coins. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. The term lukewarm is a key word used to describe Laodicea. Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). Instead of being victorious over temptation, temptation had been victorious over them. And because Jesus was the Creator, He has the rule over it. First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. After identifying Himself, Jesus immediately tells the church at Laodicea that He knows their worksthat they are neither cold nor hotand because they are lukewarm, He will vomit them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:15-16). Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. With so much wealth pouring into Laodicea, one of the most noted banks in the Greek and Roman world was located there. If we pray for help as Jesus did, with humility and desperation to gain victory, then we will get help. The white clothing we need to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness. According to Romans 12:3, God has given everyone a measure of faith (gold) with which we receive salvation and use our varying gifts. You will know Gods character and will, and that is the heart of spiritual discernment being able to distinguish the voice of God from the voice of the world. Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda is licensed to practice in California (license number 45219) and her current practice location is 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd, Baldwin Park, California.She can be reached at her office (for appointments etc.) Just in case you're beginning to get the point that the person referred to here is truthful, honest, believable, and worthy of credit (trustworthy); that is exactly the idea that John is pointing out. 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. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). Thank you! The time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. The ancient Greeks liked their wine hot or cold. The word for love used in this verse is not agape but phileo. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. In the New Testament, a believer dies with Christ to live a new holy life in the power of Christ's resurrection and identification with Christ's suffering (Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:8-10). 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). It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. The furnace must reach temperatures over 1064 degrees Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting point. To purchase from God gold tried in the fire is not only inclining your ear to the Lord, hearing him, going to him and making an everlasting covenant with him, but also loving, believing, and rejoicing as per 1 Peter 1:5-9, (quoted earlier). Jesus starts by calling himself the Amen, a term reserved for God himself in the Old Testament. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? Both churches needed a severe rebuke. . God the Father sanctifies (1 Corinthians 1:30) by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2) and in the name of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). Laodicea was a city that was so rich; it minted coins that bore the images of Apollo, Asclepius, and Zeus.16 The reproach in verse 17 assumes that the Christians in Laodicea were also rich, as the passage would have no meaning to poor people. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize them. 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. 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; In short, to be a cold, Christian is to serve as Jesus served. Jesus lived a life of humility. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. We need to look at this verse in context with the entire passage. Even though Jesus spent time with sinners, he never called them friends. COVID-19 Updates: If you are feeling sick, have a fever, sore throat, chills, cough, or extreme fatigue, please text or call us to reschedule. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. But hot water also had another use. It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. Christ is at the door! 15a I know your deeds. It applied to the water of the city, and it was part of the message from Jesus Christ to the Church of God that was located there (Revelation 3:16). So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. The first question well delve into is why they needed to purchase white garments. His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). One of the two Roman theaters is remarkably well preserved, and there may still be seen the stadium, a colonnade, the aqueduct which brought the water across the valley to the city by an inverted siphon of stone pipes, a large necropolis, and the ruins of three early Christian churches (ISBE). via phone at (626) 851-7001. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? For a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135. 16 So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. He has given us Gods Word as a guide, help, and a weapon. They werent serving God the way he wanted them to be serving. Are so busy doing "things" for Christ that they're too busy to open the door? 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. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. The residents of Laodicea would have also traveled up to Hierapolis to sit in the hot mineral baths. That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. 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. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. The phrase ears to hear is used throughout the Bible, starting with Deuteronomy 29:4. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. What images came into their minds? Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. This suffering was not the physical suffering on the cross of Calvary. 14bthe Amen. And it fits not only with the larger context of Jesus' teaching; it fits perfectly with the flow of this passage. For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. Hydrotherapy for the sick became accompanied by religious practices in the local temples. He reckons it to our account.18 The process of reckoning is what we call salvation. 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). Incline your ear and come to Me. 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. 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. laodicea means human rightsNitro Acoustic. To purchase something requires an exchange. 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. Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. They may have been well off economically, but they were poor in their relationship with God. 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. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). 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. 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. 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). Colossae quickly decreased in importance. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. What I said was important! Those who have ears to hear allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. Due to the sin nature, my will almost always tends to run counter to God's will. In the first theory, if the angel is an actual angel, then we can infer that each church has its own guardian angel. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. 1. Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Never miss a post! Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. For example, lets say that I issued instructions for you to sit either on the left or the right side of the room but not in the center. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Why does the church not hear his voice? 21bI will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Industry Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. Therefore be zealous and repent. They stood on an important junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and west to west. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize it. Serving wine lukewarm would be considered an insult. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. God cares more about the condition of our hearts than the condition of wallets. Wrapping up His message, Jesus then explains that He is standing at the door and knocking, meaning that He wants to come in and dine with them (Revelation 3:20). Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. When the messages to the churches of Revelation 2-3 are viewed as a chronological development of the Church, this passage also indicates that the return of Christ is near. It is the motive behind the action, or works, that is important. 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. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). To be a cold Christian is to take care of needs, provide moral support, and genuinely care about people. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. It can only come by the revelation of Jesus Christ to the believer, and then must be developed by way of training in righteousness (Hebrews 5:14) and prayer (Ephesians 6:18). 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. 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. Six miles to the north, the town of Hierapolis sat on the top of the cliffs overlooking the valley. But we have to invite Him inside. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. 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. A third lesson is that we need to vigilantly maintain our spiritual eyesightour ability to see things from a spiritual perspective. 2. Before considering the significance of this term and the rest of the message from Christ, lets note a few things about Laodiceas history. It is my opinion, therefore, that the angel is a symbol, or personification, of the church, rather than one of the heavenly angelic hosts. It is showing that all things were created through Him. Jesus' friendship with this church is so deep that he is willing to point out their problems. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. 1. The church at Laodicea was very active. 2. 1. 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. The Greek word arche, which is translated Beginning, has a range of meanings from beginning, origin to the person or thing that commences to that by which anything begins to be to the first place, principality, rule, magistracy (Thayers Greek Lexicon). So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. Following the pattern of the other letters, this one was also to the angel of the church. It was the perfect water for drinking, cooking, or even bathing. The city also became renowned throughout the empire for it's eye and ear salve. Its another way of saying, Listen up! The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. Why you are doing something is just as important, if not more so, than the works or deeds. 3. 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. Your time in the Word should be, at a minimum, four times a week.20 The more time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. 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. John is only the recorder of the words, faithfully writing down what Jesus is saying. 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