A young man came to his pastor and said, “I have a sinful thought life, and I want your help. I come to church on Sunday and can’t help thinking I’m the most handsome man in the congregation. I know I ought not think that, but I can’t help it. Can you help me?” The pastor replied, “Charlie, don’t worry, this is not a sin. It’s just a terrible mistake.” (adapted from Haddon Robinson’s “Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Us Guys,” Preaching Today.)
The Laodicean church also had a false view of themselves. They were self-deceived. They had confidence in themselves. Perhaps so much confidence in themselves that they lost their dependence upon God. They, like the city they lived in, took great pride in their physical assets but did not care for their purpose of being a church. The lesson we learn today is, it is a mistake for a believer to live that way.
Laodicea was about forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia and about one hundred miles due east of Ephesus. It was in a fertile valley along with Colossae and Hierapolis. The great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center. This made Laodicea an important center of trade and communication.
The area was known for their springs. The city of Hierapolis, which was only six miles from Laodicea, was known for its hot volcanic springs and pools. People from distant regions came to soak in hot baths and seek healing for arthritis, skin diseases, and even abdominal problems. Near the mountain range, about 11 miles away, stood the city of Colossae which was known for its cool springs. People in the fertile Lycus River Valley commonly talked about this wonderful, invigorating water of Colossae.
Yet the city of Laodicea was the richest and most prominent of those three cities and one of the richest in the world. Despite its prosperity, however, Laodicea had a serious problem. Its water, unlike the healing hot springs of Hierapolis or the fresh, cold mountain water of Colossae was lukewarm and not very inviting to drink. The water become known as the lukewarm water of Laodicea.
Laodicea was also known for 3 attributes.
1) It was known for its wealth. It was self-sufficient in its banking trade and was a place of incredible wealth. In fact, one ancient writer noted that when and earthquake destroyed many cities of the region in AD 17, the citizens of Laodicea refused to accept money from the Roman emperor to rebuild. Basically they told him we don’t need your money we are financially secure and they rebuilt their city.
2) It was known for the production of a fine quality of famous glossy black wool which would be exported throughout the known world.
3) It was famous for its school of medicine and particularly for a special eye ointment known as “Phrygian powder.”
These three attributes made Laodicea a thriving city with all of the lures and desires of the ancient world at its fingertips.
But for all its fame, Laodicea was known infamously for its poor quality of water. Despite its wealth, it did not have a local water supply sufficient to provide for its population and so an aqueduct was built to bring water. On its journey overland to Laodicea it became lukewarm.
Jesus also introduces Himself with 3 attributes.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” Revelation 3:14
Three attributes of Jesus.
1) Jesus calls Himself the “Amen.” We are all familiar with this word. We say it after a prayer and occasionally it is said when we want to express our agreement with a meaningful statement. It is a word that Jesus used in the gospels. Jesus began many statements with the words, “Truly, truly, I say unto you.” The King James Version renders it, “Verily, verily.” In the Greek language, that is “Amen, Amen.” When “Amen” is used it indicates that Jesus is saying something important and marks His words with true true.
2) Jesus elaborates His claim to be the faithful and true witness. He not only tells the truth, but he tells all the truth all the time. Jesus underscored what He will say to this church as not only true, but it is important.
3) The third phrase Jesus used was “the beginning of God’s creation.” It is the same concept in the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” John 1:1. Two verses later in the gospel of John, “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made,” John 1:3. Jesus is the origin, the beginning of God’s creation. All in this creation came from Jesus and so it is not surprising that He would know what is best for the believers in Laodicea or what we need in our current situation.
What was the truly important message for these believers?
The Heart of the Issues at Laodicea
God speaks directly to the people at the church in Laodicea. He points out that He knows their deeds; He sees what they are all about.
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” Revelation 3:15
According to Jesus; they were lukewarm. This word lukewarm was used historically, going back into the 14th century to mean: indifferent, halfhearted, apathetic, unconcerned, and couldn’t-care-less. I certainly think it meant the same to the believers in Laodicea in A.D. 90.
When studying the bible, context is important to determine meaning. The context of Revelation, chapter 2 and 3 is about churches. As we study them, Jesus was admonishing them to stay on focus and serve God’s purpose for a church. The point is that this church did not put their best effort into serving, discipling, teaching, and caring for people. They were lukewarm in the Great commission.
The Effects of Being Lukewarm
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16
I hope that you don’t get distracted by the physical water issue at Laodicea. Jesus used this as the backdrop or illustration to explain a spiritual truth. Jesus pointed out to the believers at the church in Laodicea that their spiritual work is much like the water source; it provides water, but it was repulsive.
Here is a theological footnote of significance that certainly applies to this passage. Water in Scripture is often used with incredible imagery. There are over 600 references to water in the bible. Water is used in three main ways: as a cosmic element that God controls (Job 5:10, Matthew 5:45), as a source of life (Jeremiah 14:22, Revelation 22:1) and third, as a cleansing agent (Exodus 29:4, John 9:7).
Back to the geographical area of Laodicea; The hot springs at Hierapolis provided healing for those who were hurting. The cold water of Colossae provided refreshment and hydration for those who were weary. The water at Laodicea simply made you reject it.
On top of having a ministry of lukewarmness, there is evidence the believers at Laodicea also had an attitude of spiritual indifference. Unlike the other churches, Jesus did not accuse them of heresy or immoral activity. However the seriousness of this matter made Jesus refuse fellowship with them because they were complacent in their spiritual work. Perhaps they had been happy with their security in Jesus, but were indifferent to the spiritual needs of others in their community.
Suffice it to say that the Laodicean church needed to be a place that promoted healing and refreshment to their community and the world.
They had Spiritual Disabilities to Overcome.
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. 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.” Revelation 3:17-18
Metaphorically Jesus is using a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy.
Jesus instructs them to buy refined gold, white clothes, and anoint their eyes. Notice the adjectives Jesus used. The words “refined”, “white” and “anoint” certainly refer to a quality of spirituality. But Jesus told them that they were spiritually broke, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
They were Given three Prescriptions, a way to remedy their problem.
- Buy Refined Gold
Now Laodicea was a banking center for the province, and it included a gold exchange. Jesus is saying that the believers are going to the wrong place to build their treasure. Believers were investing in the wrong place.
First let me say that there isn’t anything wrong with a believer who physically invests or is wise about one’s finances. Remember contextually, Jesus is speaking metaphorically; The spiritual problem was that they were devoted to the wrong type of riches. Their hope was in the things they had, they needed to invest in what really will last. Here is a similar Old Testament passage where God is asking His people to trust Him and be faithful to Him.
Isaiah 55:1-3 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and those who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.”
Maybe they weren’t ignorant about their financial well-being; but they seemed to be ignorant about spiritual treasure. Jesus said though they were physically well off, spiritually they were poor.
- Buy White Linens
Earlier I explained that Laodicea was known for fine textiles. They were known for making glossy black woven wool garments that were prized in the Roman world. Jesus instructs the church to buy from Him, white clothes to wear.
I think it is interesting that Jesus instructs them to buy white clothes, which would stand out in a culture wearing dark clothes.
The believers shouldn’t miss the idea that buying white clothes was in direct contrast to the well-known black wool that was prominent in the area. After all, the color of white clothes in the bible is symbolic of being spiritually set apart.
In verse 18, Jesus encouraged them to buy white clothes, which will cover the shame of their nakedness. White clothing of Jesus in the bible is a token of honor. Those without proper clothing equals humiliation. (See 2Samuel 10:1; Isaiah 67:2,3; Hosea 2:3, 2:9; Zechariah 3:3-5; Revelation 16:15; Luke 15:22.) The Laodicean believers should invest in their faith in Jesus so that the shame of their nakedness does not appear—or, much better, be not made manifest.
Allow me to take you to another group of believers that had the similar problem of not living for Jesus. (Colossians 3:10-17 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”)
The third prescription…
- Anoint your Eyes
Furthermore, Laodicea had a popular medical school where an eye salve called Phrygian powder was made from a local stone. The salve was said to be a remedy for weak eyes. Again, the problem in the Laodicean church was not physical blindness. The people were able to see just fine. They were spiritually blinded.
They could see, but they were blind to the things that really matter in life. They couldn’t see the most important things to focus on in life and ministry. They couldn’t see that the best things in life aren’t things, it’s seeing people live for Jesus and enter into heaven. (see Luke 12:18; Do you remember the account of a man storing up in his barn and the next day his life was over.)
Their spiritual eye sight needed to be restored, so their focus could be on the purpose of their life, which is laying up treasures in Heaven not just on earth! Something Jesus said to the disciples in Matthew 6:19-24 applies to the Laodicean believers:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Jesus gave them a choice to change how they were living.
Repent and Be Zealous
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19
Jesus made another charge to them.He tells them that it is those He loves whom He reproves and disciplines, therefore they were to repent and be zealous.
Christian author Larry Crabb said, “The core problem is not that we are too passionate about bad things, but that we are not passionate enough about good things.”
We live in a world which can get zealous and excited about many things. Just talk to people about politics or sports. The world needs the church to show forth zeal for the Lord. We should be passionate about that which is really important and of eternal value.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20
Verse 20 is often quoted as an invitation to non-Christians. It is true that Jesus wants people to open the door of their hearts to let Him come in. But in this letter, Jesus is speaking to the church. He tells these believers that they’re too busy, too distracted to hear God knocking on the door to fellowship together with them in their ministry.
The word picture is such a vivid reminder of how it is to be complacent and self-sufficient in our Christian lives.
In verse 21 Jesus promises all believers that one day we will be physically close to Him. This idea is conveyed in the Beatitudes as Jesus declares, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Notice Jesus words:
To anyone who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” – Revelation 3:21
Believers will fellowship with Jesus and find perfection in God’s eternal kingdom. However the future orientation of verse 21 does not diminish the significance of Jesus fellowship with the church in its current situation.
The word “overcomers” as some bible translations use could also be the word conqueror. That word implies active participation in serving in God’s army, His mission on earth. A church has a ministry to do. We are to serve until He comes again.
The message to the church at Laodicea ends with the same formulaic statement found at the end of each of the other messages:
“He who has an ear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22
These words have a message for every believer who will listen. The Laodiceans had work to do. It wasn’t time to take the easy road.
What can we learn as a Church?
- Let’s be careful with our earthly security and not make that a priority over eternal treasures.
- Let’s pray that we never lose or get distracted from our purpose for God on earth.
- The work is not finished, let’s keep working, serving, teaching, and discipling others until He comes again.
Finally Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are hardly the end. As chapter 4 opens, we see another door, Jesus assures the believers they are the Church Triumphant. The rest of the chapters leave no doubt as to the security and victory of God’s people. We have a refuge in the shelter of God’s throne. When Jesus enters the door of our hearts, we enter into a living fellowship with Him, a relationship that should affect everything we do for Him on earth.