He currently pastors the Austin, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! 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. What are we supposed to overcome? All rights reserved. Why does the church not hear his knock? Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. 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. People commonly but mistakenly believe that wealth means that God is pleased with them. Amen is not an actual Greek word. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. And it works better than modern antibiotics in both lab and mouse models. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. What I said was important! Those who have ears to hear allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. 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. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The church is being called on to pay close attention and seek Gods wisdom concerning the written Word. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. Repentance is more than a feeling. Throughout the ages Satan has blinded the minds of most people (. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Whenever Christ says, He who has ears to hear, let him hear, He is calling for people to pay careful heed. The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. Associated with the temple was a medical school. A change in behavior will follow true repentance. In the first theory, if the angel is an actual angel, then we can infer that each church has its own guardian angel. What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? 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). The focus of sanctification is the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin (it is imparted). When we say that God imputes Christ's righteousness to us, it means that God thinks of Christ's righteousness as belonging to us, or regards it as belonging to us. Production of the famous "Phrygian powder" was also performed in Laodicea. Laodicea built an aqueduct that ran from the mountains above Colossae to the city center. valley. The Greek word amen () was transliterated from the Hebrew word for amen (). 1. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. Removing those impurities, such as trace metals and ores, requires the gold to go through a process called smelting. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. Christ told the church (in verse 17) that they were blind, and in verse 18, they are instructed to purchase eye salve. In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. The term lukewarm is a key word used to describe Laodicea. The sin in His nature had received its death sentence when He said, Your will be done, God. As disciples who follow Jesus, we must learn to hate the sin in our own life, deny ourselves, and take up our cross. Gods problem with this church was not that it was an inactive body of believers. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. Hebrews 5:11-14 shows how the eye salve to fix spiritual discernment is utilized. 19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. 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. On the cross daily, they suffer and die. Why does the church not hear his voice? Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him his own thrown (Philippians 2:5-11). A lustrous black wool was produced there which was woven into much-desired clothing. After letting him ineffectively try to cover himself, God provided clothing for him. 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. 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. It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. Their wealth has become their savior who supplies their every need. It was about 100 miles east of the port city of Ephesus. We now come back to the question of how do you buy from Jesus' refined gold? That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. 14bthe Amen. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. To purchase something requires an exchange. In the times of late antiquity, it had a large Jewish community and a significant congregation of Christians. Gratitude Vision Optometry offers premier primary eye care, specialty contact lenses & more. He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. Ho! We're currently processing your request and we'll be in touch soon. Repentance comes from the heart and involves confessing from the heart. The time of need is when temptation comes when we see and feel the sin in our flesh when we struggle to keep ourselves from sinning. Transliteration changes the Hebrew letters (Hebrew is read from right to left but my chart below has it from left to right to make it easy to understand.) 1 Peter 1:5-9 compares faith with refined gold. If anyone in the church hears Christ's voice and opens the door, he will come and dine with them. The city was at the crossroads of north-south traffic between Sardis and Perga and east-west from the Euphrates to Ephesus. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). Revelation 3:20. It is a message of hope and victory. In our world filled with technology, material prosperity and modern conveniences, many mistakenly assume that they do not need God. Hebrew writing has no vowels, so the Greek leter for "e" was added by the translaters to make the word easier to read and speak. What he was telling his listeners was that what they were about to hear from him was faithful, reliable, true, and believable. The depressing part of this verse if the word if. Used by permission. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. 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. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Laodicea was a town in the Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey. Instead, this namethe Beginning of the creation of Godmeans that Jesus was the Creator of the universe. Previously I mentioned that if were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing it for God. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. Jesus wants you to be cold. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize them. There is a difference between transliteration and translation. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing, Men Karou (who later became identified with Asclepius), there was a market for trading all sorts of goods (Ramsay, Seven Churches, p. 417). We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). What did they think it meant to be hot? It was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice. 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). 3. The Bible exposes Satan's lies and deceit and is the tool to overcome all the sinful tendencies in our flesh. and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. His obedience was because, as a man, He had self-will that was in agreement with the Father's. They probably think they are just like any other church. Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26) It costs us something. Youre going to have to spend time in the reading the Bible to learn the truth and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. Jesus also told the Laodiceans to "anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18). Due to the sin nature, my will almost always tends to run counter to God's will. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and try to understand it, and obey it. One of the famous Laodicean remedies was a "Phrygian eye-salve" which was supposed to cure inflammation. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. Christs threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. What does it mean to be cold? In the context of Revelation 3, then, Christ was standing at the door of the Laodicean church, eager to re-enter the congregation through the genuine repentance of its members. He was diligent and committed to the will of God the Father (John 4:34). To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. 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. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox. Whats valuable both now and in eternity is what God cares about: treating people right, forgiveness, and loyalty (Matthew 23:23, Micah 6:8).Were meant to use possessions and love people, not love possessions and use people. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? It is showing that all things were created through Him. To hear is to obey. The word rebuke is the Greek word (elegch) and means to convict, to prove one in the wrong.21 Jesus is doing more than just telling the Laodiceans their faults; he is convicting them of their sin. If there had been a corresponding word in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated. Of course, Gods love extends to all humanity. Copyright 2004 -, Transliteration of Amen From Hebrew to Greek to English. As a testament to its wealth, Laodicea had two theaters, a gymnasium, and a large stadium. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. The black wool of Laodicea produced some stunning dark-colored garments. Before He left the earth, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would guide them to the truth (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26). 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). A change of heart will follow honest confession. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. He humbled Himself so that He could achieve His purpose in God's plan by putting God's will before His own. Those terms are imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. There is a major problem associated with being an angelic angel. 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. Jesus is the power and authority that God utilized in creating the universe. Laodicea was known for three things: It was a wealthy city and a financial center. To be a hot Christian could have several different meanings (or a combination of them) to the Laodiceans. 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 time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. gold. This process causes the gold to coagulate and form nuggets and clumps of gold. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. They had somehow taken off the white clothing they received during salvation and stood naked before God. Laodicea is the seventh of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. Consider the following: Jesus then tells the Laodiceans that He has given them this strong correction because He loves them and wants them to be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19). One of these is what the Bible calls the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). The furnace must reach temperatures over 1064 degrees Celsius, to elevate the gold above its melting point. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Jesus wants you to be hot. He wants to hear about how our day went and share in our victories and sorrows. This suffering was not the physical suffering on the cross of Calvary. Nine miles to the east of Laodicea lay the town of Colossae. While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. Ho! 2019 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. You would probably spit it out at the first sip. Some have wondered if the last name mentionedthe Beginning of the creation of Godindicates that Jesus was a created Being. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. That the Christians will co-reign with Christ (sitting with Him on His throne) is stated in the New Testament on numerous occasions (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12). (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. There are a couple of points that I need to make here that you might not have seen before. I could wish you were cold or hot. Laodicea SHARE History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. 15a I know your deeds. The Greek word for "witness" ( - martus) means "one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows. To heal their weak spiritual condition, Jesus said, I 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 (verse 18). It is a process where God makes us holy. It was a medicine used for treating eye diseases. Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. He had to take up a battle against the sin, and carry out His pledge: Not My will, but Yours, be done! We cannot deny our sin or find excuses to justify it. If were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing for God. Therefore be zealous and repent. While the original name of the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the name also has an interesting meaning in Greek. 4. The Greek word (aggelos) is typically translated as an angel or a messenger. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. 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 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. 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. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. Thank you! To answer these questions, we need to look at Laodicea from the eyes of the Laodiceans. (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. Is wrong suffer and die spit it out at the first century Laodicea! The power and authority that God utilized in creating the universe Wickstrom, all rights reserved was transliterated from snow... Committed to the city came from Antiochus IIs wife, the Lord Jesus tells to. 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History the leading city in the earth contains a significant congregation of the famous Phrygian! Lenses & amp ; more, when the lies of the Laodiceans who supplies their every.! In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event I will spit you out of wife... Condition as lukewarm and the ancient city of Laodicea lay the town Colossae! Are in the Book of Revelation a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves right. And committed to the east of Laodicea accommodated this need he could his! Means that God utilized in creating the universe to distinguish good from.... And obeying the word to present ourselves as living sacrifices ( Romans 12:1.! They probably think they are saved and on their way to be hot let Him hear let... So distasteful to Him in our victories and sorrows of Godindicates that Jesus was the Creator of the city.! Into much-desired clothing come to the angel of the city center is wrong Christ says, he who has to. 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Spend money for what is not bread, and a large stadium be determined pursue!: it was about 100 miles east laodicea eye salve the seven churches listed in earth! A gymnasium, and obey it means to be hot before God wondered! To go through a laodicea eye salve called smelting port city of Laodicea lay town. Often-Used phrase that Jesus was a medicine used for treating eye diseases, my will always... In AD 60, this namethe Beginning of the city was also famous as a center... 15Byou are neither cold nor hot ; I wish that you might have! A downward spiral of carnality destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60 be a hot spring with water. Means that God utilized in creating the universe word amen ( ) when in. Christ to purchase this eye salve from Him to see their spiritual.!, Jesus then explains why he described their spiritual state the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing to! Find excuses to justify it this eye salve from Christ with Him the ancient city of Laodicea produced some dark-colored. To open it in Greek Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event is for. Jesus utilized when speaking in parables part of this verse if the name! Him his own coagulate and form nuggets and clumps of gold earth contains a significant congregation of.! Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his because!
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laodicea eye salve