February 28, 2022
“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: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”’ Revelation 3:14-16
Laodicea, the last city on the mail route of Asia Minor, was situated in the Lycus Valley on the major trade road between Ephesus and Syria. Two other notable cities, Hierapolis and Colossae, were nearby. The city was fabulously wealthy. They were well-known for a very fine quality of soft, glossy black wool used in clothing and rugs that were exported all over the known world. This commercial activity made the city a center for banking. Enormous quantities of gold were stored here. A famous medical school was here, with an excellent reputation for treatment of eye diseases, including a popular eye salve.
In the Jewish mindset, material wealth was a sign of God’s favor. For all the prosperity enjoyed by Laodicea, there was a water problem. Hierapolis, six miles away, had hot springs that supplied water via Roman aqueduct. Colossae, also a few miles away, was known for its delightfully cold, crisp mountain water. Either way, by the time the water arrived at Laodicea, it was distastefully lukewarm. Hence, a perfect metaphor for Jesus to make His point. Spiritual pride, based upon material wealth, was sadly the source of the problem.
Jesus identifies Himself several ways: the “Beginning of the creation of God” means He is the Source of all that has been made (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). He is also the Source from which all problems are to be corrected. He, as “the Faithful and True Witness” is giving the readers an eyewitness testimony of this very problematic and potentially fatal condition. As the “Amen,” which is the first way He identifies Himself, He is saying that this world is coming to a close, and He has the last word. Ultimately, all — both the saved and the lost — will agree with His divine judgements that are to be pronounced. In a one-of-a-kind moment just ahead…
I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath… Isaiah 45:23 (see also Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:1-15)
The name “Laodicea” means “judgement of the people.” In the stream of time, this is the condition of the last-day church shortly before He returns to collect His faithful people. At His coming, those who are His will be elated; and those who are not will be terrified. Therefore, it is especially important to hear, with spiritual ears, the message to Laodicea, for “the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). Of course, in every age and stage, there are timely messages… God’s love and His Word are truly amazing!
As illustrated with the nearby sources of good water, being near the Source is not the same thing as being at the Source. This important distinction has been all but lost in the last hundred and fifty years. Even among various denominations who wrote their creeds on solid, valid points of theology, there is a trend of moving away from those very teachings and slipping back toward false doctrines from which they had earlier escaped. The worldwide ecumenical movement is emphasizing unity, albeit in error, above a personal relationship with the “Faithful and True Witness.” But God’s people are to be unified in truth.
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9 (see also Isaiah 29:13 and Jeremiah 12:2)