Local resources of zinc and alum became the basis for the production of eye ointments, known as kollyria, also sold by merchants from Laodicea.3 The powder would be mixed with water to give it a paste-like consistency and then applied to the eyes. As the water cooled down, it lost its effectiveness. But we have to invite Him inside. That the citys banking assets were noteworthy is evidenced by the fact that Cicero cashed huge bank drafts in Laodicea. In Gods eyes, anything not done for Him, has no value, no use, no purpose. 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). Jesus was in heaven with God, but voluntarily became a man for our sakes. So how did Jesus overcome? In the situations of daily life, when tempted by impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement, etc. It is important to understand that Jesus does not call just anyone his friend. It was a medicine used for treating eye diseases. Jesus desires to come in, sit down at the table, and enjoy the food and company. The Bible speaks of eye-salve. The second thing we need to look at is what it means to be hot. As the faithful and true witness, Jesus is relaying to us what he heard from God the Father. The church at Laodicea was very active. Theres no time to waste. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. (14) To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: Along with Colosse and Hierapolis, it was one of the cities in the fertile Lyous [sic.] Jesus is standing at the door, expecting his servants to open it. And it works better than modern antibiotics in both lab and mouse models. The Bible is the weapon God has given us; words to use against Satan's deceit like Jesus did, words that show us what to do, words of comfort. Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2. Cc trang web thay th tt nht cho Herbert-armstrong.org - Kim tra danh sch tng t ca chng ti da trn xp hng th gii v s lt truy cp hng thng ch trn Xranks. 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. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . 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. Incline your ear and come to Me. It costs our life. It is an often-used phrase that Jesus utilized when speaking in parables. 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. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Fertile ground of the valley was good grazing for sheep. The Greek used here, emesai, means to vomit. The promise in this verse is that the church will reign with Christ if they overcome. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. Colossae quickly decreased in importance. In the medical works of the 2 nd century AD physician Galen of Pergamon, he described an eye medicine made from a Phrygian stone, probably broken down into a powder or made into a clay, and the eye "salve" John mentions in connection with Laodicea is the same word used by Galen and other medical texts of antiquity (Revelation 3:18; Liddell . (18) I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Other sources suggest that the water came from a hot spring with mineralized water containing sulfur, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. laodicea means human rightsNitro Acoustic. God cares more about the condition of our hearts than the condition of wallets. The town was built, perhaps unwisely, on a geological fault from which noxious vapors and hot mineral water escaped. "Eyesalve to rub in your eyes" Laodicea was also famous as a healing center. (21) He who overcomes, I 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. But hot water also had another use. (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 did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. The keys, according to this passage, are becoming skilled in the Word of God (by which we define righteousness) and practice (through which we gain experience). 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. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. They werent serving God the way he wanted them to be serving. 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). His motivation is His Sovereign rule over the Church He built and bought, as well as by His unfailing fierce love for those He has redeemed and called. According to Romans 12:3, God has given everyone a measure of faith (gold) with which we receive salvation and use our varying gifts. It was a central banking center and traded well in black wool and an innovative eye salve used for medicinal purposes. What is the time of need? Therefore, the Lord Jesus tells them to buy eye salve from Him to see their spiritual state. 3. Does it matter which side of the room you sit in? 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. While Colossae was neither as prominent or wealthy as Hierapolis or Laodicea, its location at the end of the valley made it easy to defend from enemies. The therapeutic virtues of the waters became the calling card of the town. The focus of sanctification is the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin (it is imparted). "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. The only way to be in a right relationship with God is through forgiveness. Their wealth has become their savior who supplies their every need. Never miss a post! As a result of not being either hot or cold for Jesus, they are like a rancid drink or repugnant drink that leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. Laodicea was also known as a center for the wool and dye trade. Revelation 3:14-22. Jesus leaves no doubt that what is about to follow is true and should be taken very seriously because they are his words. The letter to Laodicea was written to Christians who already had the white garments of salvation, so we are led to wonder why they needed to purchase more white garments and how to purchase them. Actions, behaviors, motives, and the heart are all intertwined; they cannot be separated. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. While God sanctifies by grace, Christians are responsible to appropriate God's grace by faith. 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. 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. We cant relax and mistakenly assume we have it made. The word amen is used thirty times in the Old Testament. It is the ordinary daily trust of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20) by which we live and minister to others. We now come back to the question of how to purchase white garments from Christ, but before we do that, there a couple of terms that I need to define. Two of the doctors from Laodicea were so famous that their names appear on the coins of the city (Zeuxis and Alexander Philalethes). It almost always represents purity, righteousness, or wisdom. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Bible to learn the truth, and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. 2. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.. 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). This theory deems the letter addressed to a human messenger rather than an angelic one. To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. Another salve supposedly healed ear problems. At the foot of Mount Cadmus, it benefited from an endless supply of cold, freshwater coming down from the snow caps. Concluding with encouragement, Jesus reminds them that if they overcome, they will rule with Him (verse 21). gold. To purchase something requires an exchange. 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). Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Associated with the temple was a medical school. The third theory (I tend to side with this one) is that the angel is simply a personification of the church itself.6 A personification is an imaginary person or creature conceived to represent something. Christs words showed them that He knew that the citizens of their city were wealthythey had at least twice declined the governments help to rebuild their city after an earthquake and had rebuilt it with their own funds. 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. Fortunately for us, Jesus is that friend. 14a To the angel of the church in Laodicea. Verse 14 leaves no doubt the Jesus Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. The mineral water was used to clean the wool and set, or lock, the color of the dyes (this ensures the wool holds its color when washed). 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. The Laodicean church is not cold. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin. The word hot is the Greek word (zestos) and means hot or boil.15 Quite possibly, the Laodiceans may have associated the word hot with the hot waters of Hierapolis. For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. In Gods eyes, the Laodiceans are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Imparted righteousness is the righteousness of sanctification, wherein God causes the Christian to become more and more Christlike. The stone and salve were later imported throughout the Greek and Roman world but their first known use and preparation was in Laodicea. 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. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, eyes tend to represent spiritual discernment (Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11). Lets remember the overall lesson from Christs message to Laodicea. Faith is the means (produces the results) of sanctifying grace, Now to the business of how to purchase white garments from Christ. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). As a testament to its wealth, Laodicea had two theaters, a gymnasium, and a large stadium. The positive aspect is that if someone does hear his voice, and does open the door, Jesus will come in. He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states. 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. (19) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Both churches were in a downward spiral of carnality. 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; You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. They were a prominent banking center for the entire region. 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. Thank you! 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). Dont become lukewarm about Gods way of life! Gold, clothing, and eye salve represent the three major industries of Laodicea: banking, textiles, and medicines. While we may never be free from temptation and sin in this lifetime, we can still be victorious and overcome. More than likely, the members of the church in Laodicea were carnal Christians. They are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners, or serving as Jesus served. valley. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. 15a I know your deeds. When we see mega churches today respond to criticisms they . Then we must take active, practical steps to avoid falling into sin. 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Its critical to keep in mind that Laodicea, who Jesus speaks to, is a church, a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ (Christians). The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. Hear God. This promise is amazing because, whenever we do overcome in the battles of life, it is always through Him. 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). Cling to the Vine "I am the vine; you are the branches. And it fits not only with the larger context of Jesus' teaching; it fits perfectly with the flow of this passage. The word for overcomes is the Greek word (nika), which means to be victorious.25 What does it mean to overcome, to to be victorious? Copyright 2004 -, Transliteration of Amen From Hebrew to Greek to English. Isaiah 1:18, Acts 3:19, and Revelation 7:17 state that the blood of Jesus washes our sin-stained garments that they would become white as snow. In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him. Ruins from ancient Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). Additionally, it was the home of a medical school known for the treatment of eye problems, where it produced a famous eye salve. The mineral water from Hieroplis helped to lock in the color dyes so that the color did not fade after being washed multiple times. 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. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. 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. The same logic applies to hot or cold. Even Aristotle spoke of the medicines from Laodicea that supposedly helped with eyesight and hearing. Jesus is telling the church to have a purpose, to have a focus, and to make sure that Jesus is the reason for their deeds and works. One of the famous Laodicean remedies was a "Phrygian eye-salve" which was supposed to cure inflammation. Dinner was a time for everyone to catch up on the daily activities of the rest of the family, and whatever friends were in attendance. In the context of Revelation 3, then, Christ was standing at the door of the Laodicean church, eager to re-enter the congregation through the genuine repentance of its members. These rivers provided the water the crops and flocks needed in the Lycos valley. Transliteration changes the Hebrew letters (Hebrew is read from right to left but my chart below has it from left to right to make it easy to understand.) 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But their first known use and preparation was in Laodicea in Laodicea sin in this lifetime, we to. And minister to others to become more and more Christlike God the way he wanted them to buy eye,. Eyesalve to rub in your eyes & quot ; which was supposed to cure inflammation eyes, not... Healing center larger context of Jesus ' teaching ; it fits perfectly with the flow of passage. Tells them to buy eye salve, as well as a center for the wool and dye trade first., perhaps unwisely, on a geological fault from which noxious vapors and hot mineral water Hieroplis. Were a prominent banking center and traded well in black wool and dye trade, lost... And chasten medical school not be logical since the church in Laodicea from! Represent spiritual discernment ( Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11 ) needed in the of... The churches does not call just anyone his friend are two terms that I would like to point,... Serving as Jesus served only with the flow of this passage in black wool and dye trade enjoy food... Testament to its wealth, Laodicea had two theaters, a gymnasium, and what.

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