REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.14b

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 3

 

The Letter to the Church at Laodicea

(Continued)

 

OUTLINE

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (3:14)

3.  The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

4.   The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (None)

5. The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (3:15-17)

6.  The Appeal – The application to change (3:18-19)

7.  The Advice – The recommendation to change (3:20-22)

 

 

 

3. The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed

 

(Verse 14)

 

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.

 

Continuing our study in the letter to the Laodiceans, immediately we recognize three attributes of Christ from Chapter 1 that identifies the addresser:

1. The Amen (1:8a, 11a, 17b; 18a, b)

2.  The Faithful and True Witness (1:5)

3.  The Beginning of the Creation of God (1:8a; 11a; 17b)

 

ATTRIBUTES OF CHRIST

1.  The Amen

Amen is a word that is used primarily at the end and secondarily at the beginning of a sentence. It is a word often translated as verily, surely, firmly, or trustworthy. It is also a transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning truth, an affirmation of truth, or truth in its finality and beyond any reasonable doubt. We would say, “So be it.”

 

This is the only place in Scripture amen is used as a title for Christ. By using Amen, Jesus, the Speaker of this letter, is designating Himself as trustworthy, and the surety of His promises and revelation will come to pass concerning His divine totality: His Omnipotence (all-powerful), Omnipresence (all present), and Omniscience (all-knowing).

 

2.  The Faithful and True Witness

a.  Faithful. Faithful simply means trustful or trustworthy.

 

b.  True. To the Philadelphians, He wrote:

Revelation 3:7 – I Am He that is true.

 

c.  Witness. A witness is a person who sees with his own eyes judicially or figuratively.

For example, before Pilate, Jesus said:

John 18:37 - To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.

 

Jesus is not only a witness of God to man but also a witness of man to God.

 

3.  The Beginning of the Creation of God

Since Jesus and the Creator are one, Jesus existed before creation and Christ is the origin of creation.

Revelation 1:8 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

 

He will also be the Creator of a new creation or a new beginning.

Isaiah 65:17 - For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

 

Evolution may be an impressive speculative theory, but creation is God’s word – Truth – Fact.

 

4. The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (none)

 

 (Verse 15)

 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would (wish) thou wert [either] cold or hot.

 

There is nothing for Jesus to commend. He knows and has seen with His own eyes (the Faithful Witness) what the Laodiceans are about and what they are doing. They are neither hot nor cold in terms of their spirituality.

Interesting to note is the language used. He knows what they are and what they are not. In effect, He is saying, “Oh, how I wish you were hot or cold.”

 

Hot – Greek: ζεστός, zestos [Strong’s G2200], from which we derive our word zest or zesty, boiling or fervently hot. This term describes Christians who have an intense zeal for the love of God and a passion for Christ as the Ephesians once had, being on fire for the Lord.

 

Cold – Greek: ψυχρός, psuchros [Strong’s G5593], cold, (literally or figuratively), frosty, frigid, chilly, cold; by a reduction in temperature. These are people who have hardened their hearts to God and the things of God. In the King James language, the expression used is waxed cold.

 

Talking about spiritual temperature, the implication is Jesus wishes the people of this church were one or the other – preferably hot. If they were cold, there is a chance they can be reached, rejuvenated or born again. Also, notice that Jesus addresses the cold first.

 

Someone has anecdotally referenced this church as the Religious Refrigerator, the First Church of the Deep Freeze, (subscript: many are cold but few are frozen) pastored by Dr. Jack Frost.

 

 

5. The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities

 

(Verse 16)

 

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Verse 16)

 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

 

In the overall imagery, Jesus is likening this church assembly to a nauseating lukewarm drink from the waters that flowed from the other two cities (the Phrygian Snowcap Mountains of Colossae and the Hot Springs of Hierapolis) via aqueducts. By the time each respectively reached Laodicea, their temperatures were lukewarm.

 

Lukewarm – Greek: χλιαρός, chliaros [Strong’s G5513], this is the only place in the Bible the word is used. It means tepid. It represents a state or condition of indifference.

 

The church is vividly described by Christ as being so nauseating that He vomits them out of His mouth.

Spue - Greek: ἐμέω, emeo [Strong’s G1692], vomit.

 

Question:

How does a church or a person become lukewarm?

Answer:

When a church loses sight that Jesus Christ is the head of the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19: Ephesians 1:10, 22; 5:23) – a theocracy (governed by God) and becomes a democracy (governed by the people).

 

Today we have many churches governed by either two positions: (1) extreme fundamentalism and (2) extreme liberalism. The few that are theocratic are scarce.

 

Biblical Examples:

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus came to set the captives free (from addictions of sin).

Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

 

There was hope for the atheists, sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes:

Matthew 21:31 - Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you.

 

Concurrently there was little or no hope for hypocrites.

Matthew 9:11-12 - And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

 

It is easier for Jesus to deal with a person who is spiritually dead than one who is false, worldly, disobedient, indifferent, and in denial. To them, the Bible speaks:

Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

2 Peter 2:20-22 - For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

 

Question:

What are some earmarks of being lukewarm?

Answer:

1.  Prideful

2.  Love of money

3.  Lust of the flesh

4.  Narcissism

5.  Idolatry

6.  Worldliness

7.  Hypocriticalness  

 

(Verse 17)

 

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

 

In the city of Laodicea, the people enjoyed luxury, pleasure, and self-gratification. But notice the Lord’s evaluation of their character: The contrast between thou sayest and knowest not presents a classic example of self-deception.

 

Taken from the secular characteristics of the city populous, our Lord demonstrates how this church adopted its culture because they proudly boasted:

1.  Rich - Financially wealthy

2.  Increased with goods - Materialism personified

3. Have to need of nothing – Completely content in their self-satisfying social atmosphere

 

On the outside, although this may be physically true, however unaware, Jesus, who is our Master Physician makes a different diagnosis by saying, “On the inside of your hearts you are miserably, pitiably, beggarly poor, spiritually blind and naked.”

1.   Wretched

Talaipōros is a Greek word meaning chronically miserable.

2. Miserable

Eeleeinos is the Greek word meaning tragically pitiable.

3.  Poor

Ptōchos is a Greek word meaning lowly beggarly poor.

4.  Blind

Tuphlos is the Greek word for physical or mental blindness, i.e., spiritually blind.

5.  Naked

Gumnos is the Greek word meaning nude and without clothes, i.e. figuratively having a spiritual condition of nakedness.

 

Paul, in writing the Corinthian church, imparts a similar comparison between the natural and the spiritual:

1 Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man (a person without the Holy Spirit) receiveth not (accept) the things of the [Holy] Spirit of God: for they are foolishness (silly) unto him: neither can he know (understand) them, because they are spiritually discerned (or evaluated).

 

Continuing lovingly, Jesus will appeal to change, and advise the Laodiceans on how to become spiritually rich in the eyes of God in the next segment.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  Why is Jesus described as the Amen?

2.   How does creation square against evolution?

3. What is the meaning of lukewarm?

4.  Describe the worldly condition of the Laodiceans.

5.  Describe the spiritual condition of the Laodiceans.

6.  How do some of today’s churches fit the Laodicean profile?

7.  Name three biblical causes of being lukewarm.

8. How would you counsel the people of Laodicea to change?

 

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

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REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.14a

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 3

 

The Letter to the Church at Laodicea

 

OUTLINE

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (3:14)

3.  The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (3:14)

4.  The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (None)

5.  The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (3:15-17)

6.  The Appeal – The application to change (3:18-19)

7.  The Advice – The recommendation to change (3:20-22)

 

Introduction

The study of the Laodicean Church closes the second major division of the Book of Revelation known as “The Things Which Are.” Out of hundreds of churches that existed during John’s writing, Our Lord chose seven churches in Asia Minor that are the personification of every church of any age.

 

Laodicea is the last church to whom Jesus addresses His seven letters. As Ephesus is acknowledged as the first period of church history, prophetically, Laodicea is representative of the final days or end times (its demise will be deliberated in Chapter 17). As such, it is labeled the most wretched, sinful, hypocritical, and apostate church. They have nothing noteworthy for the Lord to commend. Therefore, Laodicea is typical of a church that is not a genuine church but a ruse or deception.

 

There is an inscription in stone on the walls of a cathedral in Lubeck, Germany by an unknown author that dramatically accentuates the thought of what Christ is trying to convey to this church: 

 

You call Me "Master" and obey Me not.

You call Me "Light" and seek Me not.

You call Me "Way" and walk Me not.

You call Me "Life" and desire Me not.

You call Me "wise" and follow Me not.

You call Me "fair" and love Me not.

You call Me "rich" and ask Me not.

You call Me "eternal" and seek Me not.

You call Me "gracious" and trust Me not.

You call Me "noble" and serve Me not.

You call Me "mighty" and honor Me not.

You call Me "just" and fear Me not.

If I condemn you, blame Me not.

 

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed

 

(Verse 14)

 

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.

 

Unlike the other letters, Jesus addresses or names this church the Church of the Laodiceans instead of writing to the church in Laodicea. In a dramatic artistic literary fashion, He sets this assembly apart simply by changing three words.

 

LAODICEA

THE CHURCH

Little is known regarding the genesis of this church. Again, it most likely was an outgrowth of Paul’s ministry in the school of Tyrannus during his two-year stay at Ephesus.

Acts 19:10 – [His teaching] continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews, and Greeks.

 

Even though Paul contended for them, the epistle to the Colossians presents evidence he never visited the church of the Laodiceans.

Colossians 2:1-2 - For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and Christ.

 

According to Colossians and the letter to Philemon, three individuals who are servants of Paul are named in involvement with Laodicea:

1.  Epaphras – his friend and associate, possibly its founder (cf. Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13; Philemon 1:23)

 

2.  Nymphas (in some translations, Nympha) – a wealthy person with a large house where the faithful assembled on the Lord’s Day (cf. Colossians 4:15)

 

 

3.  Archippus – “a fellow soldier” of Paul most likely became the bishop of the church (cf. Colossians 4:17; Philemon 1:2)

 

Evidently from the time of its inception to the writing of John’s letter (about A.D. 96), spanning thirty years, the people had gone awry, thus making it an established corrupted church. The church is a classic parabolic example of tares overgrowing the wheat.

 

Also interesting to note is the progression of Jesus’ statements to each church toward His Second Coming:

1.  To Ephesus – “Or else I will come unto thee quickly.” (2:5)

2.  To Smyrna – A promise they “shall not be hurt of the second death.” (2:11)

3.   To Pergamos – “Or else I will come unto thee quickly.” (2:16)

4. To Thyatira – “Hold fast until I come.” (2:25)

5.   To Sardis – “I will come on thee as a thief.” (3:3)

6.  To Philadelphia – “Behold, I come quickly.” (3:11)

7. To the Laodiceans – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” (3:20)

 

Also, in the meaning of their names:

1.   Ephesus – Desirable as in bride-to-be

2. Smyrna – Myrrh crushed for the sweet aroma

3. Pergamos – Elevated tower

4.  Thyatira – Continual sacrifice

5.  Sardis – A remnant

6.   Philadelphia – An open door of brotherly love

7. Laodicea – Judgment of the people

 

 

 2. The Address – To where the letter is addressed

(Verse 14)

 

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans.

 

THE CITY

Laodicea is the name of the last city in the sequential oval of literal churches that once existed in Asia Minor.

 

Definition

Laodicea is a combination of two Greek words: Laos, meaning “the laity” or “of the people,” (vox populi, vox Dei [the voice of the people is the voice of God]), and Dike, connoting judgment - the condemnation of the people. In His letter, this congregation is given one last chance to repent and be overcomers before they enter into the Great Tribulation Period.

 

Geography

In the southern ancient region of Phrygia was a cluster of three cities: (1) Hierapolis, (2) Colossae, and (3) Laodicea. Three main trade routes converged at Laodicea which was located about 110 miles north of Ephesus thus making it another major commercial center of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Eskihisar in the Denizli Providence of Turkey and Alasehir (now called Philadelphia) are towns nearby the archeological ruins that once were part of the ancient city.

 

Commerce

Laodicea enjoyed a life of luxury. As a result of caravans passing through from the east and south toward Rome, it became a great commercial center of world trade. The city became wealthy and well-known for several things:

1. Wool - From a certified breed of sheep, high-quality soft black glossy wool was an important textile commodity and was uniquely mass-produced for clothing and carpets. Besides trending the world with fashion, a Trimatteria, a warm inner garment, was provided and used by soldiers under their tunic and was in demand.

 

2.  Agriculture - Apart from various exotic and tropical fruits and vegetables, agriculture in the region was bountiful.

 

3.  A University – Known for science and literature. This was associated with a temple to the healing god Aesculapius or Asclepius.

 

4.   Eye Salve – From the nearby Phrygian hills of Hierapolis clay was extracted and mixed with spikenard to formulate an expensive eye salve. The ointment was then shaped into a little bread roll called kollyrian which was distributed throughout the Empire. In recent times, however, scientists chemically tested the clay and revealed nothing to be medicinal.

 

5.  Lukewarm water – While Colossae was known for their pure drinkable ice-cold mountain springs, Hierapolis was famous throughout the Empire for their mineral hot springs and supposedly healing spas. The Romans built two aqueducts to transport the hot and cold water from each town. By the time it reached Laodicea, respectively the cold water warmed, and the hot water became tepid.

 

6.  Banking - Their lucrative banking industry had the wherewithal to mint the demand for their bronze, silver, and gold coins. When an earthquake destroyed Laodicea in A.D. 60, the Laodiceans refused funds from the Nero administration and independently rebuilt the city using their resources. It is said the great Roman orator, lawyer, and writer Cicero cashed his banknotes here.

 

History

Historically, the territory was conquered by Alexander the Great. After his death, his kingdom became divided, a fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.

Daniel 8:8 - Therefore the he goat (Alexander) waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn (Alexander’s Empire) was broken; and for it came up four notable ones (his four generals) toward the four winds of heaven (four corners of the Roman Empire).

Alexander’s four generals:

1.  Cassander – Macedonia, and Greece

2.  Ptolemy - Egypt, Cilicia, Palestine, Cyprus, and Petra

3.  Lysimachus – Thrace and most of Asia Minor

4.  Seleucus – Persia, Babylon, Syria, and the rest of Asia and India

 

Laodicea was originally called Diospolis, (City of Zeus). At the end of Alexander’s reign, Seleucus appropriated some territory from Lysimachus including Laodicea.

 

Earthquakes shattered the area several times: A.D. 17, 23, and a major one in A.D. 60 leaving it devastated. It was rebuilt again by a Seleucid king, Antiochus II (261-253 B.C.), and named in honor of his wife Laodice.

 

Religion

The ancient near east entertained a pantheon of gods. Those who acknowledged polytheism became burdensome with sacrifices, whereas the worshipers of Jesus – the one true God who took upon Himself human form and became the Sacrificial Lamb once and for all – satisfied all the requirements for appeasement. Simply by belief in His death, burial, and Resurrection, one would inherit eternal life and no longer need to sacrifice animals for conciliation.

 

Succeeding Jupiter (Zeus), the mythological supreme god, Laodiceans prided themselves on Aesculapius or Asclepius, the god of healing. A tertiary deity, Apollo, the son of Zeus, was also paid homage to for healing. Caesar worship was also prominent.

 

Interestingly, Laodicea had a large Jewish population (approximately 11,000), many of whom were entrepreneurs. Yearly at Passover, they would remunerate their Temple tax in gold. In A.D. 62, Flaccus, the Roman governor of Asia, stopped and seized all gold being shipped illegally to Jerusalem.

 

Today the city lies in ruins. Foliage, which looks like wild oats, permeates the landscape. Excavation sites reveal a stadium, gymnasium, Roman baths, temples, a theatresta, a bouleuterion (administration building), aqueducts, and three Christian churches.

 

 

In the following studies, we will hear from our Lord concerning the Laodiceans, and examine how and why a church and Church Age deteriorates into apostasy.

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  What does the word Laodicea mean?

2.  What made the city of Laodicea famous?

3.  How was the church formed?

4.   What do we know about their character thus far?

5. How does Laodicea fit into the scheme of church history?

6.  What key feature stands out from other churches?

7.  What led to their destruction?

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

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