TEACHING NOTES Part 9: The Church in Laodicea Introduction In this session we will finish the letters to the seven churches. As we have seen, only two of the seven churches are in really good shape. These were also the two poorest churches in the region. The large and wealthy churches received the most criticism from Jesus, indicating that the large and wealthy churches had the most issues with compromise and complacency in their faith. The Church in Laodicea (Rev. 2:14-22) Location: (see map) Historical Context: Laodicea had already become very wealthy by 51 BC. Glossy black wool was the city’s most popular export. They made sleeved tunics, hooded cloaks, and carpets. Laodicea was also known for its medical school and production of an eye salve which was an effective remedy for inflammation. In AD 60 an earthquake devastated the city. Laodicea was so wealthy that they were the only city in the region that refused financial assistance from Rome to rebuild. They “needed nothing” as Jesus said (Rev. 3:17). Laodicea was located between Hierapolis (hot springs) and Colossae (cold streams). Paul’s letter to Colossae (Colossians) mentions Laodicea several times. Paul’s letter to the Colossians was also read in the church at Laodicea. Paul also mentions that he wrote a letter to Laodicea, but it has never been found (Col. 4:16). Epaphras was an early leader in the church in Laodicea, but seems to have been imprisoned with Paul when he wrote Colossians (Col. 4:12-13). The early church in Laodicea met in a woman’s home named Nympha (Col. 4:15). Because her husband is not mentioned, Nympha was likely single. Introduction of the Son of Man ​ Revelation 3:14 ESV 14 “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. The Amen = Grk. Amen - literally, “it is true” or “the truth.” In John’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Faithful and true witness = In Rev. 1:5 Jesus is called “the faithful witness.” The Greek word for “witness” here is martys, which refers to one who testifies in court. This word in also associated with one who dies for their testimony. We see this description again in Rev. 19:11 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” The beginning of God’s creation = The Greek word translated “beginning” here is arche, which means originator or ruler. Jesus was not the first thing God created, because Jesus was not created. Rather, Jesus is the Creator and Ruler of creation. In Gen. 1, God creates by speaking 10 times. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is called “the Word” and is presented as the Creator in the beginning (John 1:1-3). Also see Col. 1:16-18. Why does Jesus introduce Himself this way? The church in Laodicea has become complacent, comfortable, and prideful. Toward the end of Revelation, Jesus is presented as the Faithful and True warrior against evil (Rev. 19:11). This church needed to understand that Jesus is a righteous warrior and judge who will not tolerate their sinful behavior. The Positive: None The Negative ​ Revelation 3:15–16 ESV 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. You are neither cold nor hot = In our modern minds, cold is bad and hot is good. But that is clearly not what Jesus is saying, because He wants them to be one or the other. This is connected to the geographical location of Laodicea. This city was between Hierapolis and Colossae. Hierapolis has cliffs of hot springs and Colossae has streams of very cold water. The hot springs in Hierapolis were considered to have healing properties. The cold streams in Colossae were useful for drinking water. Both were good and helpful sources of water in the area surrounding Laodicea. Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out = The issue here is being complacent, overconfident, and self-sufficient. The Greek word for “spit” here is emeo, which is the word for vomit. Laodicea had an aqueduct that came from Hierapolis, but the water had high calcium content. By the time the water reached Laodicea it was warm and bitter. ​ Revelation 3:17 ESV 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I am rich, I need nothing = This is connected to the historical fact that Laodicea refused financial help from Rome after the earthquake in AD 60. Wealth can often deceive us into thinking that we need nothing. Financial security can lead us away from God because it creates a false sense that we don’t need God. Wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, naked = These are all connected to socio-economical situations in Laodicea. In their minds, they were none of these things that Jesus has called them. They were in high esteem, rich, experts in eye treatment, and mass producers of clothing. But Jesus calls them pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Good standing in the world does not equal a good standing in God’s kingdom. Instructions ​ Revelation 3:18 ESV 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Gold refined by fire = Connected to the immense wealth of Laodicea. Refined gold is heated until impurities come to the top and are removed. This is a symbol of how suffering can purify the heart and soul. The church in Laodicea needed to be refined because their longterm sense of security and wealth had led them to become lukewarm and useless in God’s kingdom. White garments = Laodicea was famous for producing black wool for clothing. In Revelation, white or white garments are a symbol of purity. Jesus sees this church as financially rich and famous, but also impure and unrighteous. Spiritually, they are wearing black garments (impure) and need the white garments (pure) that only Jesus can provide. The shame of your nakedness = This is likely connected back to the Old Testament where God commanded His people to wear long robes when approaching the tabernacle or temple. They were not to allow any nakedness to be exposed in the tabernacle or temple as that would be shameful. Jesus wants this church to know that it is exposing itself and should be ashamed. Salve to anoint your eyes = Laodicea was famous for producing an eye salve that relieved inflammation. Jesus sees this church as a group of the blind leading the blind. They have essentially become just like the Pharisees (see Matt. 15:14; 23:16). ​ Revelation 3:19–20 ESV 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 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 eat with him, and he with me. Those whom I love, I discipline = While many Christians don’t want to believe that God disciplines His children, this is a vital part of our relationship to the Father. We need His discipline or we will destroy ourselves. God disciplines us because He loves us. Hebrews 12:6-11 “6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Be zealous and repent = In Greek the word for zealous is zeleuo, which means to be intensely serious and eager about something or set your heart on it. Jesus wants His church to snap out of complacency and get serious about their faith. I stand at the door and knock = This is often interpreted as an invitation to salvation, but Jesus is talking to the church. This is not an invitation to the first step of salvation, but rather an invitation into deeper relationship. The church in Laodicea was a display of surface-level Christianity—everything looks fine but there is no spiritual intimacy with God. I will come in to him and eat with him = The Greek phrase translated “I will come in” is kai eiserchomai, which means to move into. This phrase is strikingly similar to John 14:23 “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Lukewarm Christianity = Shallow Christianity Promises ​ Revelation 3:21–22 ESV 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” I will grant him to sit with me on my throne = This is a reference to our being “seated with Christ in heavenly places” (Eph. 2:6). This means that we become co-rulers with Christ in the new creation. This is what God has always wanted. In Gen. 1-2 we see that God created humans to be co-rulers with Him over His creation. Application for Today Being lukewarm is often the result of comfort and/or prosperity. Wealth and comfort over time can lead to a false sense of security and cause us to become self-centered. Believers who are willing to take up their cross in this life will rule with Christ in the life to come.