Jesus’ Letters to the Churches - Laodicea

Reading: Revelation 3:14-22

I.         The City

            A.        Laodicea was a banking and financial center – sort of like Omaha. It also had a large clothing operation. The sheep in the area were noted for their soft, violet-black, glossy wool.

            B.        It also had a famous medical center noted for its treatments of the eyes and ears.

            C.        It was a wealthy city. When an earthquake destroyed parts of the city in 61 A. D., it refused aid from Rome and used its own resources to rebuild.

            D.        It was a popular retirement area for the wealthy. Because these people had retired, they concluded they had served their purpose and had reached their goal. As a result, they were indifferent to social issues. One historian, Ramsay, describes Laodicea as a city of no extremes; a city that had no peculiar characteristics unless this lack of character was its character.

            E.        The water supply for the city came from hot mineral springs about five miles from the city. The warm, sulphur water was nauseating to the taste and smell.

            F.        We don’t know when the church was founded in this city, but Paul mention writing to it in Col 4:16

II.        The Letter

            A.        Jesus emphasizes his final authority

                        1.         The Amen - II Cor 1:20

                                    a.         From a Hebrew word meaning “firm” or “steadfast.”

                                    b.         We use it at the end of prayers to mean “so be it.” In other words, that which we have prayed for is firmly desired.

                                    c.         Jesus often introduced his teaching by saying “verily” or “truly”, which is the same Greek word.

                        2.         The faithful and true witness

                                    a.         Jesus accurately knows what is going on - John 8:14

                        3.         The beginning of the creation of God (active, not passive)

                                    a.         The origin of the creation - John 1:1-3, 10

                                    b.         Being first, Jesus has the preeminence - Col 1:15-19

            B.        Their works were only lukewarm, like their water supply.

                        1.         Neither hot nor cold

                                    a.         They were not on fire for Christ

                                                (1)       Apollos was spoken of as being fervent, or on fire - Acts 18:25

                                                (2)       Paul urged Christians to be fervent as well - Rom 12:11

                                    b.         They were not dead to Christ

                        2.         Jesus would have preferred an extreme, at least there would have been something to do with them

                                    a.         We can understand to be on fire for Christ is the best position

                                    b.         Why would Christ prefer them to be dead (unsaved) over lukewarm?

                                                (1)       An unsaved man can be brought to the gospel

                                                            (a)       Heb 6:4-6 - Impossible to restore one who falls away

                                                            (b)       Heb 10:23-35 - Do not caste away what we have obtained

                        3.         Jesus would spew them out - reject them

            C.        How they got to this position

                        1.         They became rich - Deut. 31:20; 32:15

                        2.         Ps 73:3-18 - It is easy to think the rich are better off, but the rich lose their trust in God.

                        3.         How easy it is for people to think that when things are going well for them monetarily, that they must be right with God - Hos 12:8

                        4.         Rather we need a humble attitude, which the lack of wealth often forces on people - Luke 17:10

            D.        How to correct the problem

                        1.         Buy from Jesus gold refined by fire

                                    a.         Mal 3:1-3 - Talking of the coming Messiah

                                    b.         That refining is done through the trials we face - I Pet 1:6-7

                                    c.         Refining though means facing persecutions! They would have to come out of their comfortable shells and do things that may get them in trouble with the ungodly.

                                    d.         They should be dealing in spiritual wealth, not physical things.

                        2.         Buy white garments

                                    a.         Rev 19:8 - righteous acts of the saints

                                    b.         In other words, cover themselves with good deeds

                                    c.         Ps 110:3 - God’s people in holy garments.

                                    d.         A contrast to the glossy, black garments Laodicea was noted for.

                        3.         Buy eye salve

                                    a.         See things as they truly are.

                                    b.         Just before writing about falling away, the Hebrew writer mentions problems with seeing - Heb 5:11-14

                                    c.         After listing many virtues, Peter says we need to grow and do these things otherwise we will become blind - II Pet 1:8-9

                                    d.         We need to look for eternal things - II Cor 4:18

                        4.         We have to face our trials, if we are to improve - Heb. 12:6-13

            E.        Jesus wants them to return

                        1.         He stands at the door knocking, calling for us to open up to him. We have but to open up to him.

                        2.         If we do, Jesus is offering a close fellowship with him. - II Cor 6:15-18

            F.        To those who overcome, they will sit with Christ on his throne

                        1.         Jesus sits at God’s right hand - Eph 1:19-23

                        2.         He is both priest and king - Heb 8:1

                        3.         He holds authority and Jesus is offering those who overcome the right to rule with him. - II Tim 2:12

                        4.         What Christ offered his disciples - Matt 19:28

                        5.         We will judge the world - I Cor 6:2-3

III.       Will you, this day, accept the Savior’s invitation?