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). The fruit of godly repentance is unmistakable: earnestness (zeal) to do what is right in the eyes of God. If were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing for God. Colossae had been a major trade center on the trade route from Sardis to Konya and was famous for the dark red wool cloth that carried that its name, colossinum (also derived from the madder root). For the Laodiceans, this meant forsaking whatever might perpetuate the lack of spirituality and unwarranted self-sufficiency in which they languished. Although the Bible does not reveal how the Church of God began in Laodicea, a faithful minister named Epaphras served this congregation as well as members in Colosse and Hierapolis sometime during the first few decades after Christs death. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. Verse three follows with, Incline your ear and come unto Me. It is a process where God makes us holy. Gods problem with this church was not that it was an inactive body of believers. 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. NPI number for Mrs Salve Aldea Pineda is 1669536868 and her . If you have, you can probably imagine what Jesus is experiencing. Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. The town was built, perhaps unwisely, on a geological fault from which noxious vapors and hot mineral water escaped. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). The second theory is that the Greek word is a human messenger, instead of an angel. 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. 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. Coffee, for example, can be served either hot or iced (cold). Jesus lived a life of humility. He wants to be a friend with whom we enjoy spending time. 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. (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) It is the absolute truth and a powerful weapon against temptation and sin. That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. It was uncontaminated water straight from the mountains. Here we see Christ speaking as a merchant, advising the church to buy his merchandise. What, or rather, who, are these angels? By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 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). Gratitude Vision Optometry offers premier primary eye care, specialty contact lenses & more. But we have to invite Him inside. If we are humble and willing to obey, He will give us the strength and resolve we need to endure in the battle. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. 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. Christs threefold prescription to cure their condition paralleled the physical circumstances that had apparently deceived them. What exactly is forgiveness? God advises them to obtain spiritual riches produced through trials, which the self-sufficient Laodicean avoids by compromising. In other words, the name indicated that people made their own decisions. If you think back to the Garden of Eden, clothing was the first thing which Adam felt the need of, after he had sinned. Rather this is the Creator of the Universe, adjuring those He loves to recognize and admit their spiritual emptiness and turn to Him for complete healing and righteousness. Is that type of failure even possible for an angel? There are several thoughts on who they are: (1) actual angels, (2) a human representative of them, i.e., the bishop of the church, (3) they are a personification of the church. Jesus used scripture as a weapon. In this case, the angel represents the church. Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. The Bible speaks of eye-salve. (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, They stood on an important junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and west to west. What did Christ mean? To purchase from God gold tried in the fire is not only inclining your ear to the Lord, hearing him, going to him and making an everlasting covenant with him, but also loving, believing, and rejoicing as per 1 Peter 1:5-9, (quoted earlier). If we pray for help as Jesus did, with humility and desperation to gain victory, then we will get help. Making an everlasting covenant with God (salvation is only the starting point). Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. The hot mineral water was brought down from Hierapolis and used by the textile industry. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. They were a prominent banking center for the entire region. The Greek word for faithful, ( - pistos) means true, sure, trustworthy, believable, worthy of credit.9 The Greek for true, ( - alethinos) means loving truth, veracious and hence worthy of credit.10 (According to dictionary.com, the word "veracious" means habitually speaking the truth; truthful; honest.) 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. What does it mean to be hot? Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. Only a few are willing; the rest have ears, but they do not have ears to hear (Matthew 7:1314, 2427). The Greek word arche, which is translated Beginning, has a range of meanings from beginning, origin to the person or thing that commences to that by which anything begins to be to the first place, principality, rule, magistracy (Thayers Greek Lexicon). Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. 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. After all, He's knocking at the door. The word beginning (arch) could be translated as that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause.12 The New Testament scriptures are very clear about Christ's role in creation. The residents would go there daily to fill their jars with the cold refreshing water from Colossae. Jesus leaves no doubt that what is about to follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words. It was about 100 miles east of the port city of Ephesus. No, it does not; just dont sit in the center. Why does the church not hear his knock? They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. Praying for the sick should also be the norm for a hot Christian. Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. According to Romans 12:3, God has given everyone a measure of faith (gold) with which we receive salvation and use our varying gifts. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. Laodicea SHARE History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. 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 mineral water from Hieroplis helped to lock in the color dyes so that the color did not fade after being washed multiple times. 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. In the first theory, if the angel is an actual angel, then we can infer that each church has its own guardian angel. 1 Peter 1:7 states that spiritual gold is your faith in Christ, and every true believers faith in Jesus will go through a fiery trial during which all that is dross is to be done away with (burned away) to bring forth a finished product of pure, refined gold. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. It is very important to understand that this verse is NOT saying that Jesus was the first thing created; rather, it is stating that Jesus was the source of creation. It applied to the water of the city, and it was part of the message from Jesus Christ to the Church of God that was located there (Revelation 3:16). You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize them. We're currently processing your request and we'll be in touch soon. When they heard this letter for the first time, what did they hear? And it works better than modern antibiotics in both lab and mouse models. In Matthew 4:1-11, during Jesus' temptations, His reply always started with, it is written. But Jesus didnt only quote the Word; He had authority when He used Gods Word because He also lived by it. We know from this introduction that what follows is being said by Jesus. 1. 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. 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). The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. 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. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). The church at Laodicea stands accused of being shamefully naked. The red dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn. Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude, etc. If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. All things are through Him, and we exist through Him. Colossians 1:16 (HSCB) says, For everything was created by Him, in heaven, and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. Hebrews 1:2 (HSCB) says, In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. All rights reserved. "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. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.. Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Your time in the Word should be at a minimum, four times a week. Confession by itself is not repentance. The also liked to add a little hot water to their wine. Temples had a joint purpose of worship and medical studies. It was a medicine used for treating eye diseases. -- Revelation 3: 14 (ESV) . 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. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe. "11 (According to dictionary.com, the word "aver" means to declare positively, or state something as a fact.) The wine was almost always served either hot or warm, as the ancient Greeks had no efficient way to chill the wine. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. What was it the Laodiceans were supposed to be victorious over? Laodicea also produced a special eye salve that was made by powdering a special Phrygian stone. The time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. Used by permission. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. 14cthe Beginning of the creation of God. The white clothing we need to purchase from Christ is imparted righteousness. What did they think it meant to be cold? The word amen is used thirty times in the Old Testament. 14bthe faithful and true Witness. The Greek word (aggelos) is typically translated as an angel or a messenger. Thats pretty strong language. There are two terms that I would like to point out, and those are attrition and contrition. Attrition is regret for sin prompted by fear for oneself: Oh, no. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. The name is derived from two words: laos, meaning people and dike, meaning decision (Strongs Concordance). Its critical to keep in mind that Laodicea, who Jesus speaks to, is a church, a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ (Christians). Repentance is more than a feeling. He had to take up a battle against the sin, and carry out His pledge: Not My will, but Yours, be done! The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? The Greek word amen () was transliterated from the Hebrew word for amen (). 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. It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. Industry The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. 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. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. There was no corresponding word in the Greek language to match the Hebrew word amen. Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. 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. Pay close attention! The positive aspect is that if someone does hear his voice, and does open the door, Jesus will come in. ""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. There is also a problem with assigning the pastor or bishop to the role of the messenger because they are not referred to as messengers anywhere in the New Testament. In our world filled with technology, material prosperity and modern conveniences, many mistakenly assume that they do not need God. Incline your ear to his voice. It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. They may have lost their focus and strayed in their Christianity, but they are still a body of believers that Christ wanted to straighten out. "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. 21bI will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. It is to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. Revelation 3:14-22. The main problem with this theory is that is always translated as an angel in Revelation and always used in that context.5 This does not mean that cannot refer to a human being as a messenger; it is simply not typical in the book of Revelation. Unfortunately, Colossae did not have the wealth that Hierapolis or Laodicea possessed, and the city did not completely rebound from the earthquake in 60 A.D. as well as they did. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. Jesus loves this church, or he would not have rebuked them. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. Ruins from ancient Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.19 Imparted righteousness is applied imputed righteousness, or to put in simpler terms; sanctification is applied justification. It was the perfect water for drinking, cooking, or even bathing. 1 Peter 1:5-9 compares faith with refined gold. We now come back to the question of how do you buy from Jesus' refined gold? Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy____from Him to become truly rich. But just as any purchase requires something for something, Christ is expecting something from the Christian. The city was also known as a health resort, one of the best in the Graeco-Roman world owing mostly to its lukewarm . Laodicea was a church that had not overcome sin but rather been overcome by sin. Christ told the church at Laodicea to buy___from Him so they could see. The term lukewarm is a key word used to describe Laodicea. (16) So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. The Laodicean Church became predominant towards the end of the twentieth century. Verse 20 is not a salvation message for non-Christians; it is a warning to Christians. What did we read in Isaiah 55:1-3? A change of heart will follow honest confession. Baldwin Park Eye Care | We are located at 4829 New Broad St, Orlando, FL, 32814. It is important to understand that Jesus does not call just anyone his friend. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. 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