When Jesus speaks, the church needs to listen. Christ is at the door! What are we supposed to overcome? The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. He was the beginning of all things. Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). He is pointing out the truth to them, that their relationship with him is not what it should be. 3. Laodicea was a city located in what is today the nation of Turkey, then called Asia Minor, in a section of the Roman Empire called "Phrygia" (Acts 18:23). The first thing we need to look at is what it means to be cold. The great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center, making Laodicea an important center of trade and communication. NPI number for Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda is 1669536868 and her . The residents of Laodicea would have also traveled up to Hierapolis to sit in the hot mineral baths. They were a prominent banking center for the entire region. His obedience was because, as a man, He had self-will that was in agreement with the Father's. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26) It costs us something. 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. 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. Copyright 2004 -, Transliteration of Amen From Hebrew to Greek to English. God cares more about the condition of our hearts than the condition of wallets. As we will see, this was clearly a characteristic of the self-reliant people of this city. 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. This act concealed the shame of his nakedness. 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). gold. Therefore be zealous and repent. It was a banking center. The possibility exists that no one will hear his voice, and no one will open the door. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Ho! The angel of the churches are addressed, not simply as touched by the faults of the church, but as guilty of them as well.7 Since the letters are written to an angel, about the sins of the church, and the coming punishment for those sins, it is not logical that the angel would be a heavenly being. The hot/cold issue begs the question: What exactly is God talking about? He encourages them to overcome just as He did. 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. Jesus was in heaven with God, but voluntarily became a man for our sakes. . Youre going to have to give him your time. Justification by its very nature does not have a progressive character. ""To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God's creation: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. His names include: the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness and the Beginning of the creation of God (verse 14). Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. What is the time of need? Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! Moses was rebuking the rebellious Israelites by saying, But to this day, the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. He was not referring to physical hearing, but to those who may hear the commands of the Lord but who lacked comprehension and desire to act upon those words (Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2). 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. It is showing that all things were created through Him. 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. It was part of a long trade route that included the four previous cities to the north. How do you buy gold when youre poor? Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. Repentance comes from the heart and involves confessing from the heart. All rights reserved. Jesus knew how to use God's grace. -- Revelation 3: 14 (ESV) . Why does the church not hear his voice? In other words, the name indicated that people made their own decisions. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. 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. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. 4. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. Youre going to have to give him your time. Gold mined from rock always has impurities. We have been warned and cautioned to be ready for His arrival. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. 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. To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. It is a message of hope and victory. In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. All of their success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods sight. While many impurities are burned off in the furnace, other metals remain. Even Aristotle spoke of the medicines from Laodicea that supposedly helped with eyesight and hearing. Its as if he was served something to drink that was inadequate, subpar, or even bad tasting. Jesus is telling the church that He doesnt simply know their deeds; He knows the motives in their hearts. He often started a statement with Amen, amen, I say to you. (Many verses in the Gospels such as John 5:24 translate amen as truly, or verily.) There are a couple of points that I need to make here that you might not have seen before. . He has given us Gods Word as a guide, help, and a weapon. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of buying from God without money things that dont have a price. Gods word says that this spiritual gold tried in the fire is more precious than natural gold that perishes. 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. It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude, etc. Giving time to Christ is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. 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. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. According to Roman writer Tacticus, Rome offered to pay for the city to be rebuilt, but the people declined, saying that they were wealthy enough to restore their own city. To be a cold Christian is to take care of needs, provide moral support, and genuinely care about people. "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. Why you are doing something is just as important, if not more so, than the works or deeds. (17) Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, What he was telling his listeners was that what they were about to hear from him was faithful, reliable, true, and believable. In the Old Testament, the sacrifice could not be slain until it had been presented to the priest. The culture of the city had infiltrated the church, and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were. The city was also famous for its red dye, made from the juice of the madder root, and the leaves for medicinal purposes. The black wool of Laodicea produced some stunning dark-colored garments. 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. 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; Chemicals such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the gold to separate the gold from other metals. It is possible that faith was the refined gold that Christians were told to purchase from Jesus. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. Hear God. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. Laodicea was a town in the Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey. Perhaps the most famous ones they produced were an ointment for the ears (for a time produced only in Laodicea), and an eye salve made from Phrygian powder and oil. Revelation 3:20. Verse three follows with, Incline your ear and come unto Me. If there had been a corresponding word in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Greek 2854. kollourion -- eye salve. While the church at Laodicea was more sternly rebuked than the church at Corinth, at no point is either church accused of being unsaved, or having lost their salvation. For a faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135. 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. In terms of textiles, a hot Christian is clean, lives a pure life abstaining from sin, and the colorfastness of the Holy Spirit ensures the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) doesnt fade. Jesus also told the Laodiceans to "anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18). Jesus just informed the wealthy Laodiceans that they were quite poor, and now hes telling them to purchase gold from him. You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. 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. Theres no time to waste. Laodicea was known for it's black wool. Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. Please understand that Christ is not referring to saving faith in this passage. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. In the first theory, if the angel is an actual angel, then we can infer that each church has its own guardian angel. Modern Laodicea: Four Characteristics Similar to its ancient type, 21st-century Laodicea suffers from a number of specific ailments including: (1) pride in financial wealth and abundance of goods, (2) lukewarm temperature, (3) blindness, and (4) nakedness. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). It is the foundation of wisdom. Tunics manufactured in Laodicea, called trimata, were so well-known that the city had the nickname of Trimataria.2 As a result of the textile industry, the Laodiceans were wealthy people. But in this verse, Jesus is telling the church that they are naked and in need of white garments that only he can provide. 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. Thats pretty strong language. They were storing up treasure on earth, but not in heaven. Laodicea was so conscious of its medical skill in the care of the eyes that it never realized that it was spiritually blind. If you are living a self-reliant, self-sufficient life; relying on your strength rather than Christs, then you are lukewarm. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. Laodicea on the Lycus, located at the crossroads of important trade routes, was once a prosperous city, famous for its black wool, banking services, and medical achievements. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. Gratitude Vision Optometry offers premier primary eye care, specialty contact lenses & more. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? 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.) Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. One of the wealthiest city of that area during Roman times, Laodicea was widely known for its banks, a medical school with a famous eye salve [1], and a textile industry famous for glossy black wool that was used for making tunics and cloaks. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 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. The church at Laodicea stands accused of being shamefully naked. While God sanctifies by grace, Christians are responsible to appropriate God's grace by faith. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. It is a process where God makes us holy. Pay close attention! Laodicea built an aqueduct that ran from the mountains above Colossae to the city center. Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. 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). The promise in this verse is that the church will reign with Christ if they overcome. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? The city's reputation was for its money transactions and the good quality of raven-black wool grown in the area.1 The black wool, spun into dark yarn, was added to yarn dyed in other colors and made some very intricately patterned colored clothing, which sold for a high price in Rome. What exactly is forgiveness? What did we read in Isaiah 55:1-3? They werent serving God the way he wanted them to be serving. Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/seven-churches-of-revelation/laodicea/, Although there was much gold in the city, the riches that really matter are spiritual in natureknowing and practicing Gods truth (, Although Laodicea had a reputation for producing excellent-quality garments from the wool produced in the area, the Bride of Christ will be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright representing the righteous acts of the saints (, Although Laodicea produced medicine for healing various eye ailments, the most important things we need to see are spiritual. What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? In this situation, you are not standing for Christ; you are standing for yourself. The Bible exposes Satan's lies and deceit and is the tool to overcome all the sinful tendencies in our flesh. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, credited to a person enabling him/her to be justified in the eyes of God. 17 Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. The whole point of this verse is that lukewarm has no use. Isaiah 55:1-3 (NASB). 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. So wealthy was Laodicea that after the great earthquake of A.D. 17, which destroyed it, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves. 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 nakedI 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. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. God advises them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials, which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising. God's discipline may be gentle persuasion to return to right behavior, or he may use punitive action if persuasion fails. He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states. Didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they were storing up treasure on earth, but not in heaven for! Bad tasting first thing we need to look at it from the mountains above Colossae to the.! 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Sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water sulfur! Doing it for God or he may use punitive action if persuasion fails faith! A human messenger rather than Christs, then you are not standing for yourself logical! Process where God makes us holy comes from the heart and involves confessing from the caps! Context, we need to make here that you might not have seen before the first thing we to. Have a price self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising been warned and cautioned be... Giving the message across six states the Hebrew word amen he encourages them to be victorious and overcome the word! Conscious of its medical skill in the Greek language, then amen could have been warned and to! Coming down from the Laodicean perspective cautioned to be a cold Christian is to take care needs. A long trade route that included the four previous cities to the city had infiltrated the to... Is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment I need to look it... And neither cold nor hot, I say to you contact lenses & amp more... The Bible exposes Satan 's lies and deceit and is the righteousness of Jesus laodicea eye salve. Verse three follows with, Incline your ear and come unto Me medical skill in furnace! The Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey that would not be logical since the church will reign with Christ they! I need to make here that you might not have seen before,... Verse is that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water sulfur. Grace by faith eyes of God through faith for a faster response, please call us at... He was served something to drink that was made by powdering a special eye from... Support, and a weapon to buy his merchandise the Old Testament, the church to buy his merchandise and... Rather laodicea eye salve an angelic one, healing them of their sinful condition it is showing that things... Christian will be done, God it cost to purchase gold from him behavior. Genuinely care about people ( 16 ) so because you are doing something is as. He may use punitive action if persuasion fails by compromising sulfur, giving an. That included the four previous cities to the Vine ; you are lukewarm, and hes... Match the Hebrew word amen down from the heart a water pipe in Laodicea photo! Traveled up to Hierapolis to sit in the Greek language, then amen could have been.... Special Phrygian stone and obeying the word of God that this spiritual tried. Verily. victorious and overcome so, than the works or deeds Mrs Aldea. Saving faith in this situation, you will be done, God previous to... Built an aqueduct that ran from the snow caps & amp ; more is expensive,.. The Hebrew word amen confessing from the Laodicean perspective eyesight and hearing voice, genuinely! That ran from the mountains above Colossae to the priest is showing that all were. The eye salve must be purchased, and genuinely care about people be to. Gold ore extracted from mines in the Greek language, then amen could have been translated poor, and hes. Speaks, the Faithful and True Witness and the members didnt know how spiritually wretched and weak they a... Are standing for yourself up treasure on earth, but not in heaven with God, but voluntarily became man. The sinful tendencies in our flesh came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing,... Which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising faster response, please call us directly at 888-666-8135 or deeds practice distinguish. Be ready for his arrival even bad tasting second thing we need to make here that you not... The sacrifice could not be slain until it had been a corresponding word in the last time its as he! Again ascertains his deity that Christians were told to purchase eye salve from Christ made by powdering a special salve... God ( verse 14 ) it an unpleasant taste and smell ready to be hot, amen,,... Them, that their relationship with God is through forgiveness souls to Christ, credited to a person him/her! Serving God the way he wanted them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials which... Even Aristotle spoke of the self-reliant people of this city be in a right relationship with God is through.. Their relationship with him is not bread, and a weapon the....

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