1 Peter 1:5-9 compares faith with refined gold. Its like lukewarm coffee. In short, to be a cold, Christian is to serve as Jesus served. It was uncontaminated water straight from the mountains. 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 Greek word (aggelos) is typically translated as an angel or a messenger. 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; Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. So how did Jesus overcome? 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. Jesus wants you to be hot. In John 14:14, Jesus said: You are my friends if you do what I command you. Had this church been filled with non-Christians, Jesus would not have called them friends. The phrase ears to hear is used throughout the Bible, starting with Deuteronomy 29:4. "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. 4. 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). The Corinthian believers were engaged in some seriously messed up things. They think they have need of nothing because they are saved and on their way to heaven. Jesus' life was controlled by God's will: Not my will, but Yours, be done. When Jesus came into the world, He declared, God, You have given Me a body, and I have come to do Your will. (Hebrews 10:5-7) Similarly, when He was facing enormous trials at the end of His life, He said, not My will, but Yours, be done (Luke 22:42). 16 So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 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. Those terms are imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. John 1:3 (HSCB) says, All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:10 (HSCB) says, He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (HSCB) says, yet for us, there is one God, the Father. Laodicea boasted of one of the most renowned medical schools in the world, and with it came all of its associated industries like pharmaceuticals. We can get so busy doing things for God that at some point, we stop doing them Him and begin doing them for ourselves. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. Repentance comes from the heart and involves confessing from the heart. 15a I know your deeds. If anyone in the church hears Christ's voice and opens the door, he will come and dine with them. The Bible speaks of eye-salve. Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. Since Christ is referring to spitting something out of his mouth, the image of lukewarm wine comes to mind. What does it mean to purchase something? Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man here my voice, and open the . gold. 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. What he was telling his listeners was that what they were about to hear from him was faithful, reliable, true, and believable. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. Hydrotherapy for the sick became accompanied by religious practices in the local temples. The word cold is the Greek word (psuchros) and means cool, fresh, or cold.14 It should be obvious that being cold must be a good thing, or Christ would not have recommended it. Zeus, the supreme god, was also worshiped in the city (Expositors). Gods perspective of their condition was a stark contrast as to how they saw themselves. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. Gods problem with this church was not that it was an inactive body of believers. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. We're currently processing your request and we'll be in touch soon. 3. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. Laodicea was a town in the Lycus River valley in present-day Turkey. It was important for ancient Greeks to eat with company. 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. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. People traveled from around the world to obtain these supposed healing elixirs. It is showing that all things were created through Him. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). If were not doing things for the glory of God, then we are doing them for the wrong reason. 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. In our world filled with technology, material prosperity and modern conveniences, many mistakenly assume that they do not need God. But this can only happen when we are in the right relationship with him. Please understand that Christ is not referring to saving faith in this passage. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. ""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. Be referring to himself as the beginning of the creation of God; he once again ascertains his deity. Additionally, it was the home of a medical school known for the treatment of eye problems, where it produced a famous eye salve. Chemicals such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the gold to separate the gold from other metals. Laodicea was a city that was so rich; it minted coins that bore the images of Apollo, Asclepius, and Zeus.16 The reproach in verse 17 assumes that the Christians in Laodicea were also rich, as the passage would have no meaning to poor people. You would probably spit it out at the first sip. "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. What did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? He would vomit them out of His mouth because their works were so distasteful to Him. Christ told the church (in verse 17) that they were blind, and in verse 18, they are instructed to purchase eye salve. We cant relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. But we have to invite Him inside. People who are going to be faithful to God must not allow material things to lull them into a false sense of spiritual security. 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. For the Laodiceans, this meant forsaking whatever might perpetuate the lack of spirituality and unwarranted self-sufficiency in which they languished. Yet this wealth had blinded them from seeing their true spiritual condition. Water is an important necessity for any metropolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea accommodated this need. Nevertheless, the sin nature, also known as the natural man, is the impurity that interferes with a souls faith coming forth as pure gold just as impurities in nature prevent pure gold from being found. via phone at (626) 851-7001. His entire life was a fulfillment of God's Word, and thereby, Gods will. Making an everlasting covenant with God (salvation is only the starting point). Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. The ruins, now called Eski Hissar, or old castle, lie near the modern Gonjelli on the railroad, and they have long served as a quarry to the builders of the neighboring town of Denizli. 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. Gold, clothing, and eye salve represent the three major industries of Laodicea: banking, textiles, and medicines. 2019 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. laodicea means human rightsNitro Acoustic. The act of hearing implied obedience. The black wool of Laodicea produced some stunning dark-colored garments. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Both churches needed a severe rebuke. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. 2. Theater of popular music. He encourages them to overcome just as He did. 3. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? We know from this introduction that what follows is being said by Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. When Jesus speaks, the church needs to listen. It costs our will. They werent serving God the way he wanted them to be serving. 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). One of these is what the Bible calls the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) It is the absolute truth and a powerful weapon against temptation and sin. Since Scripture tells us that the Word (Jesus) was in the beginning with God and that all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made (John 1:1-3), we know that Jesus was not a created Being. 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. The Greek word for deeds ( - ergon) means means denotes comprehensively what a man is and how he acts.13 Typically translated as works or deeds, these words do not accurately convey the richness of the Greek word. Christ calls out to us, letting us know that because He overcame, we can also overcome. If we are humble and willing to obey, He will give us the strength and resolve we need to endure in the battle. Jesus himself used the word amen in this context many times. 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. You must know the truth so well that, when the lies of the enemy appear, you can recognize it. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Gold, spiritual riches ( I Peter 1:7 ), contrasts with the word "poor," and fire symbolizes trial. 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. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. One of the most common errors associated with this verse is the notion that the door is the door to a sinners heart. Among them nothing from before the Roman period has appeared. 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