The residents of Laodicea would have also traveled up to Hierapolis to sit in the hot mineral baths. 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. We cant relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. Laodicea boasted of one of the most renowned medical schools in the world, and with it came all of its associated industries like pharmaceuticals. Ho! The letter to Laodicea was written to Christians who already had the white garments of salvation, so we are led to wonder why they needed to purchase more white garments and how to purchase them. Used by permission. Jesus is the power and authority that God utilized in creating the universe. If it were a common practice to refer to the chief person in the church as a messenger, this would be evident in the other letters contained in the New Testament, especially in Paul's. Temples had a joint purpose of worship and medical studies. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize it. What he was telling his listeners was that what they were about to hear from him was faithful, reliable, true, and believable. The city also became renowned throughout the empire for it's eye and ear salve. The church at Laodicea stands accused of being shamefully naked. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. In the Old Testament, the sacrifice could not be slain until it had been presented to the priest. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? We now come back to the question of how to purchase white garments from Christ, but before we do that, there a couple of terms that I need to define. The word hot is the Greek word (zestos) and means hot or boil.15 Quite possibly, the Laodiceans may have associated the word hot with the hot waters of Hierapolis. 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. People came from all over the empire to purchase this medicine. 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. Copyright 2004 -, Transliteration of Amen From Hebrew to Greek to English. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. Removing those impurities, such as trace metals and ores, requires the gold to go through a process called smelting. Nine miles to the east of Laodicea lay the town of Colossae. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. In the times of late antiquity, it had a large Jewish community and a significant congregation of Christians. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. The also liked to add a little hot water to their wine. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. Amen is not an actual Greek word. Laodicea was also known as a center for the wool and dye trade. Listen that you may live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you. Buying gold tried in the fire from God requires several things from us: In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. 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.) The ancient Greeks liked to drink hot water. Therefore be zealous and repent. Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. Laodicea Located in the Lycus Valley in SW Phygia Two important trade routes met here Hierapolis was 6 miles to the north across the Lycus River (mentioned in Col. 4:13) Colossae was ten miles away Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia. I got caught. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. Jesus just informed the wealthy Laodiceans that they were quite poor, and now hes telling them to purchase gold from him. 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. The phrase he who has an ear qualifies everyone who will listen and obey. Gratitude Vision Optometry offers premier primary eye care, specialty contact lenses & more. It is a process where God makes us holy. The wine was almost always served either hot or warm, as the ancient Greeks had no efficient way to chill the wine. 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; Is that type of failure even possible for an angel? Having gotten their attention, Jesus then explains why He described their spiritual condition as lukewarm. The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. In the situations of daily life, when tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc. Even though Jesus spent time with sinners, he never called them friends. Since it was socially unacceptable to serve lukewarm wine in Greek culture, I get the image of Christ being insulted by being served lukewarm wine and him spitting it out in response to that insult. 19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. You would probably spit it out at the first sip. Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. 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. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . He is the one who addressed the church at Laodicea. That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. It was a central banking center and traded well in black wool and an innovative eye salve used for medicinal purposes. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. It is possible the word meant the messenger or the actual person who delivered the letter, but that would require seven different messengers, one from each of the churches to have traveled to Patmos to get the letter to deliver it. Jesus loves this church, or he would not have rebuked them. (14) To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that the Laodiceans had again refused aid from Rome following an earthquake that badly damaged the city in A.D. 60 (Annals, 14:27). While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. All rights reserved. If we pray for help as Jesus did, with humility and desperation to gain victory, then we will get help. Have you ever been locked out of your own house? Imparted righteousness is the righteousness of sanctification, wherein God causes the Christian to become more and more Christlike. Instead of being victorious over temptation, temptation had been victorious over them. ointment made from spice nard and an eye salve made from Phrygian stones. 15byou are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 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 showing that all things were created through Him. Verse 14 leaves no doubt the Jesus Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Kris Udd In Revelation 3:18, God advises the church in Laodicea to purchase eye salve from him, "so that you may see." In the context this is clearly a metaphor for gaining spiritual sight and avoiding spiritual blindness, but the metaphor is based off of a well-known Roman practice. From sexual promiscuity to getting drunk while meeting together to quarreling amongst themselves, these people were far from the ideal loving and thriving church body. Ruins from ancient Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). Their wealth has become their savior who supplies their every need. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. 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. Hear God. 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. 18cand eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. What does it mean to be cold? There was still hope for the church at Laodicea. He was diligent and committed to the will of God the Father (John 4:34). The first part of this process is accomplished by pulverizing or crushing the gold ore and then placing it in a furnace. Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda, RPH is a Pharmacist based in Baldwin Park, California. Keep in mind as you read about the Laodiceans that they are a church filled with Christians. 1. 20a Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. As we await the return of Jesus Christ to earth, we need to avoid becoming callous to Gods way of life and His expectations of us. Gold, clothing, and eye salve represent the three major industries of Laodicea: banking, textiles, and medicines. Ho! If I go to the store to purchase something, I exchange my money for the goods I wish to purchase. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. Many portions of the city remained unusable afterward. Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. 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