It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. It is important to keep this verse in context with the rest of the passage. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. 18a I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich. The Greek word for deeds ( - ergon) means means denotes comprehensively what a man is and how he acts.13 Typically translated as works or deeds, these words do not accurately convey the richness of the Greek word. Time. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. Jesus is telling the church to have a purpose, to have a focus, and to make sure that Jesus is the reason for their deeds and works. Cc trang web thay th tt nht cho Herbert-armstrong.org - Kim tra danh sch tng t ca chng ti da trn xp hng th gii v s lt truy cp hng thng ch trn Xranks. If were not doing things for the glory of God, then we are doing them for the wrong reason. Nine miles to the east of Laodicea lay the town of Colossae. It costs our will. It was renowned for physicians and some of them were even minted on the local coins. Chemicals such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the gold to separate the gold from other metals. 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). We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NASB. (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) It is the absolute truth and a powerful weapon against temptation and sin. Even Aristotle spoke of the medicines from Laodicea that supposedly helped with eyesight and hearing. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. To fully understand what amen means, you must turn to the Old Testament. 3. Verse 20 is not a salvation message for non-Christians; it is a warning to Christians. It was the suffering of the cross He used daily, when He said No to His own will, the sin in His flesh, even when it bombarded Him incessantly with its demands and deceitful attraction. Why you are doing something is just as important, if not more so, than the works or deeds. Used by permission. The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were. What I said was important! Those who have ears to hear allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. Jesus' friendship with this church is so deep that he is willing to point out their problems. Keep in mind as you read about the Laodiceans that they are a church filled with Christians. 1. When we see mega churches today respond to criticisms they . 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be . They are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners, or serving as Jesus served. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. While this is not impossible, as John could have summoned a messenger from each of the churches to receive the appropriate correspondence, it is not probable. 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. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. John 1:3 (HSCB) says, All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:10 (HSCB) says, He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (HSCB) says, yet for us, there is one God, the Father. He wants to be the friend that we invite over to dinner. 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. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. Those terms are imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. It is interesting to note that verse 15 starts with Jesus telling the church that he knows their deeds. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. You dont expect (or want) to have lukewarm coffee served to you. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. The Bible exposes Satan's lies and deceit and is the tool to overcome all the sinful tendencies in our flesh. 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. Its like lukewarm coffee. 2019 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. If you think back to the Garden of Eden, clothing was the first thing which Adam felt the need of, after he had sinned. Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2. "Laodicea had a famous school of medicine; and a special ointment known as 'Phrygian powder,' famous for its cure of eye defects, was either manufactured or distributed there, as were ear ointments also. 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 naked (verse 17). 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. Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. In John 1:14, we read the astonishing words that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus could be described as the Word personified. The reward here seems to be one of sharing royal honor, victory, and authority with Christ in His future kingdom. Your time in the Word should be at a minimum, four times a week. He currently pastors the Austin, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. While the original name of the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the name also has an interesting meaning in Greek. The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. 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). The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. Even though Jesus spent time with sinners, he never called them friends. The city of Laodicea, currently located in modern Turkey, was situated in the Lycus valley, about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. Many portions of the city remained unusable afterward. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. He is the one who addressed the church at Laodicea. Jesus knew how to use God's grace. The Laodiceans were rich and self-sufficient, with no need for God to supply their needs. The water came either from hot springs and was cooled to lukewarm or came from a cooler source and warmed up in the aqueduct on the way. Spiritual discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and error. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 2. What, or rather, who, are these angels? Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. What images came into their minds? The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). His obedience was because, as a man, He had self-will that was in agreement with the Father's. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. But just as any purchase requires something for something, Christ is expecting something from the Christian. In John 14:14, Jesus said: You are my friends if you do what I command you. Had this church been filled with non-Christians, Jesus would not have called them friends. His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). Their wealth has become their savior who supplies their every need. Uniquely situated on a large flat-topped hill, the town was protected from the flooding in the spring when the snow melted off the nearby mountains. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. The positive aspect is that if someone does hear his voice, and does open the door, Jesus will come in. Knowing this historical fact sheds light on why the church in Laodicea would have been told that Jesus would give them salve to put on their eyes so they could truly see. 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. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize them. 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). Website design, HTML and CSS coding by Steven P. Wickstrom Time. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts andupdates. One of these is what the Bible calls the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. The ancient Greeks liked their wine hot or cold. 4. It would appear so. In the medical works of the 2 nd century AD physician Galen of Pergamon, he described an eye medicine made from a Phrygian stone, probably broken down into a powder or made into a clay, and the eye "salve" John mentions in connection with Laodicea is the same word used by Galen and other medical texts of antiquity (Revelation 3:18; Liddell . Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. 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). 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