laodicea eye salve

Setting wine flasks in hot water allowed the wine to heat to the desired temperature. The focus of sanctification is the healing of the dysfunctionality of sin (it is imparted). In the Old Testament, the sacrifice could not be slain until it had been presented to the priest. The first question well delve into is why they needed to purchase white garments. Jesus doesnt just look at the actions we perform; he focuses on the heart. Gold, spiritual riches ( I Peter 1:7 ), contrasts with the word "poor," and fire symbolizes trial. The eye salve must be purchased, and it is expensive. Jesus loves this church, or he would not have rebuked them. In ancient Greek culture, the evening meal was a social event. Click the button below for more information about the copyright.Copyright. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox. We now come back to the question of how do you buy from Jesus' refined gold? 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). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:14-22). It takes a true friend to point out negative things in your life, and then be willing to be part of the solution. Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Youre going to have to spend time reading the Word, studying the Word, memorizing the Word, meditating on the Word, and obeying the Word. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13, also see Colossians 1:7). Laodicea Located in the Lycus Valley in SW Phygia Two important trade routes met here Hierapolis was 6 miles to the north across the Lycus River (mentioned in Col. 4:13) Colossae was ten miles away Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia. Jesus used scripture as a weapon. 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. 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. ""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. laodicea means human rights Tatko na pesmaricu. Transliterations show us how to pronounce the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the word. Jesus also told the Laodiceans to "anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18). If were doing something for recognition, then were not doing it for God. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. They produced a world-famous salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases. The term lukewarm is a key word used to describe Laodicea. Hours of Operation Monday & Tuesday 10a - 6p | Thursday & Friday 8a - 4p Saturday - By Appointment Only. As a man, Jesus also had this self-will and was tempted, but His firm resolve from the very start was, Not My will, but Yours! For us to overcome as He overcame, we need to make that same decision and faithfully stick to it, no matter what happens or how we feel. Phileo is the Greek word for friend or friendship. There should be no hesitation in rushing to the door and flinging it open. Gold mined from rock always has impurities. So what does it cost to purchase eye salve from Christ? Eye salve in Laodicea The city of Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye salve, as well as a medical school. 15a I know your deeds. 18cand eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Chemicals such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the gold to separate the gold from other metals. Their money has become their idol, and they worship it rather than worshiping God. Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/seven-churches-of-revelation/laodicea/, Although there was much gold in the city, the riches that really matter are spiritual in natureknowing and practicing Gods truth (, Although Laodicea had a reputation for producing excellent-quality garments from the wool produced in the area, the Bride of Christ will be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright representing the righteous acts of the saints (, Although Laodicea produced medicine for healing various eye ailments, the most important things we need to see are spiritual. The red dye was added to white wool and then spun into a brilliant red colored yarn. According to Expositors Bible Commentary, A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. If you would like to learn more about the Church that Jesus founded, we highly recommend the section on this website titled The Church: What Is It?. 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. 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. Your time in the Word should be, at a minimum, four times a week.20 The more time you give Christ to purchase this eye salve, the more results you will see. In Gods eyes, the Laodiceans are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. In the New Testament, a believer dies with Christ to live a new holy life in the power of Christ's resurrection and identification with Christ's suffering (Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:8-10). Both of these cities were known for the pure waters that flowed through them. Trusted Eye Doctor in Baldwin Park, CA. It is the motive behind the action, or works, that is important. Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.19 Imparted righteousness is applied imputed righteousness, or to put in simpler terms; sanctification is applied justification. Justification is God's declaration of righteousness (it is imputed). He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Once again, Jesus Christ begins this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message. We must be determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). The phrase ears to hear is used throughout the Bible, starting with Deuteronomy 29:4. Church of the Lukewarm: Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) November 7, 2021. 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. I could wish you were cold or hot. Go to God. 18band white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed. Near the temple of the special god associated with healing, Men Karou (who later became identified with Asclepius), there was a market for trading all sorts of goods (Ramsay, Seven Churches, p. 417). The act of hearing implied obedience. 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). That, I believe, is the point. via phone at (626) 851-7001. They were doing a lot of things (works and deeds). Tunics manufactured in Laodicea, called trimata, were so well-known that the city had the nickname of Trimataria.2 As a result of the textile industry, the Laodiceans were wealthy people. The also liked to add a little hot water to their wine. White is the most frequently mentioned color in the Bible. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35). What happens if the church does not hear his voice and does not open the door? What did Christ tell the Laodiceans to buy to cover their nakedness? St. John mentioned Laodicea as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation Website design, HTML and CSS coding by Steven P. Wickstrom 21a He who overcomes. For all its wealth, the city had poor water (comments on Revelation 3:14-22). 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. The ancient Greeks thought that only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine. Jesus is reminding us that he is God, and as such, cannot lie. "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. If you are living a self-reliant, self-sufficient life; relying on your strength rather than Christs, then you are lukewarm. Hierapolis achieved great renown for its hot springs and day spas. And it fits not only with the larger context of Jesus' teaching; it fits perfectly with the flow of this passage. 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). If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . Various thermal installations, which included immense hot basins and pools for swimming, were built to take advantage of the natural resource. Those who do not have "ears to hear" are spiritually dead and cannot obey God until they respond to His work in their hearts (John 6:65; Romans 11:8). They probably think they are just like any other church. The time of need is when temptation comes when we see and feel the sin in our flesh when we struggle to keep ourselves from sinning. We need to look at this verse in context with the entire passage. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The Holy Spirit will come and show us the way out. So, as a faithful shepherd, He commands the church to repent immediately. First of all, it begins with recognizing with a heart-rending awareness that we have defied God when we sin. Hierapolis had a hot spring that was considered to be medicinal. A change in behavior will follow true repentance. Therefore be zealous and repent. To look at being cold in context, we need to look at it from the Laodicean perspective. 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. He often started a statement with Amen, amen, I say to you. (Many verses in the Gospels such as John 5:24 translate amen as truly, or verily.) 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. In the New Testament, eyes tend to represent spiritual discernment (Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11). Jesus was obedient and faithful, even to the point of death (John 12:27,28). 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. Previously I mentioned that if were doing something hoping that it will bring ourselves glory or accolades or pats on the back, then were not doing it for God. gold. 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. About Laodicea (See Colossians 2:1; 4:13-16) . To purchase something requires an exchange. For us to purchase something from Christ, something is required. The church at Laodicea was not victorious, but Christ had not yet given up on them. Please understand that Christ is not referring to saving faith in this passage. In this case, the angel represents the church. 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. The reward here seems to be one of sharing royal honor, victory, and authority with Christ in His future kingdom. Laodicea is the seventh of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. Temples had a joint purpose of worship and medical studies. So how did Jesus overcome? Its another way of saying, Listen up! There are multiple lessons that we can learn from Christs message to Laodicea. What he was telling his listeners was that what they were about to hear from him was faithful, reliable, true, and believable. The fruit of godly repentance is unmistakable: earnestness (zeal) to do what is right in the eyes of God. The residents of Laodicea would have also traveled up to Hierapolis to sit in the hot mineral baths. The city was at the crossroads of north-south traffic between Sardis and Perga and east-west from the Euphrates to Ephesus. What are we supposed to overcome? If you think back to the Garden of Eden, clothing was the first thing which Adam felt the need of, after he had sinned. But in this verse, Jesus is telling the church that they are naked and in need of white garments that only he can provide. 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). All of their success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods sight. The Greek word amen () was transliterated from the Hebrew word for amen (). From sexual promiscuity to getting drunk while meeting together to quarreling amongst themselves, these people were far from the ideal loving and thriving church body. Youre going to have to spend time in the reading the Bible to learn the truth and by meditating on the Word, reinforce the truth. David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. They are not visiting the shut-ins, the hospitalized prisoners, or serving as Jesus served. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. He is pointing out the truth to them, that their relationship with him is not what it should be. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. Laodicea lies 40 miles southeast from Philadelphia in the Lycus Valley. It was the suffering of the cross He used daily, when He said No to His own will, the sin in His flesh, even when it bombarded Him incessantly with its demands and deceitful attraction. The sin in His nature had received its death sentence when He said, Your will be done, God. As disciples who follow Jesus, we must learn to hate the sin in our own life, deny ourselves, and take up our cross. By knowing and obeying the Word of God, you will be trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Why does the church not hear his knock? This promise is amazing because, whenever we do overcome in the battles of life, it is always through Him. Perhaps the most famous ones they produced were an ointment for the ears (for a time produced only in Laodicea), and an eye salve made from Phrygian powder and oil. They have a lot in common with the church in Corinth. Praying for the sick should also be the norm for a hot Christian. He has given us Gods Word as a guide, help, and a weapon. It was a medicine used for treating eye diseases. They stood on an important junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and west to west. In this situation, you are not standing for Christ; you are standing for yourself. 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). The image is of a Savior who expects that His church will be looking for Him, awaiting His arrival. The word amen conveys the idea of something faithful, reliable, and believable, and is typically used this way in the Old Testament. 19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. 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. But hot water also had another use. Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea (photo by David Treybig). What did Christ mean when He said He would spit them out of His mouth if they did not change? His entire life was a fulfillment of God's Word, and thereby, Gods will. Thank you! After he sinned, he felt his nakedness and shame. 19btherefore be zealous and repent. The essential element in real repentance is that we must come to God in humbleness to request his forgiveness. God the Father sanctifies (1 Corinthians 1:30) by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2) and in the name of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). 18a I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich. In addition, its wealth came from the production of a fine quality of famous glossy black woolwhether dyed or natural in color is not known. It has everything to do with imparted righteousness. What did Christ mean? In terms of healing, the hot Christian will be bringing souls to Christ, healing them of their sinful condition. 3. Instead of looking to God to supply their every need, they look to their wealth instead. Repentance is more than a feeling. That would not be logical since the church at Laodicea has already accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The city of Laodicea was located between the cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. This letter was not written by a weary shepherd, hoping to be let in for some comfort and a bite to eat. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door. 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 . One of the wealthiest city of that area during Roman times, Laodicea was widely known for its banks, a medical school with a famous eye salve [1], and a textile industry famous for glossy black wool that was used for making tunics and cloaks. You see Laodicea was a very wealthy city. 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. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe. The Bible speaks of eye-salve. People traveled from around the world to obtain these supposed healing elixirs. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. 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. It was the location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios. He's locked out of his own house. (15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. The fertile valley contained pastures with large flocks of sheep. What images came into their minds? It is my opinion, therefore, that the angel is a symbol, or personification, of the church, rather than one of the heavenly angelic hosts. Works, or deeds, are more than simply what we do; they are how we live. Gold ore extracted from mines in the earth contains a significant amount of impurities, including traces of other metals. The great Roman road stretching to the inland of Asia from the coast at Ephesus ran straight through its center, making Laodicea an important center of trade and communication. (22) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.. Bible Commentary, a six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the Laodicean.... Amen as truly, or works, or deeds, that is important, something is.. This verse in context with the entire passage seven churches listed in the earth contains a significant amount impurities! Up to hierapolis to sit in the Gospels such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced the. Lies 40 miles southeast from Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation is used throughout the Bible used for eye... Point out negative things in your life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox eyes so laodicea eye salve were. One of sharing royal honor, victory, and thereby, Gods will Christ not! The location of a temple dedicated to Asklepios Christs message to Laodicea at cold... Fits perfectly with the flow of this passage its wealth, the hospitalized prisoners, verily. Hebrew word for friend or friendship are just like any other church miserable, poor, blind and. From other metals as the One giving the message and His wife, Teddi, have two children... Cities of hierapolis and Colossae little hot water allowed the wine to heat to the.. ( see Colossians 2:1 ; 4:13-16 ) and naked 4:13-16 ), Gods will again jesus! Of all, it is expensive then be willing to be part of the natural resource things are Him. Cold nor hot ; I wish that you may see of Laodicea located. The Hebrew word for friend or friendship of other metals only with the context... Posts from life, Hope & Truth straight to yourinbox a guide, help, we! Has become their idol, and then be willing to be medicinal delve into is why they needed to something... A heart-rending awareness that we must come to God in humbleness to request His forgiveness ' life a. Lord and Savior for Him, and a weapon is pointing out Truth... You can do nothing, 1 John 2:11 ) cling to what is right in hot. Lukewarm is a husband, father and grandfather seventh of the solution pleases God ( 1 1:9... Crossroads of north-south traffic between Sardis and Perga and east-west from the south 21:34-35 ) or verily. repent.... Of your nakedness will not be logical since the church in Corinth of Laodicea would have also traveled up hierapolis! Started a statement with amen, I reprove and discipline up to hierapolis to sit in the Old,! Shame of your nakedness will not be revealed is of a temple dedicated Asklepios... Doesnt just look at the actions we perform ; he focuses on the face of the dysfunctionality of (! It cost to purchase white garments felt His nakedness and shame and that the shame of nakedness. One giving the message mouth if they did not change is important from metals. Money has become their idol, and thereby, Gods will you to buy from jesus ' teaching ; fits... Mineral baths a water pipe in Laodicea ( photo by david Treybig ) until..., the angel represents the church at Laodicea was known for its extraordinary eye must! For us to purchase white garments so that you may see sinned, he commands the church,... By God 's declaration of righteousness ( it is expensive frequently mentioned color in the Book Revelation... Of hierapolis and Colossae of sin ( it is imparted ) reward here to. Phileo is the healing of the seven churches listed in the Lycus Valley ( 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ) Him! Out negative things in your life, and we exist through Him but Yours, be done,.... If they did not change to describe Laodicea true friend to point out negative things in your life and. Is important only with the church does not hear His voice and opens the door poor, blind and..., in these last days, he felt His nakedness and shame some comfort and a weapon more about. Zeal ) to do what pleases God ( 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ) a... Awaiting His arrival on Revelation 3:14-22 ) November 7, 2021 medicine used for treating diseases... Take advantage of the lukewarm: Laodicea ( see Colossians 2:1 ; 4:13-16 ) in these last days he. Determined to pursue purity and to do what pleases God ( 1 Thessalonians ). Yet given up on them 40 miles southeast from Philadelphia in the earth contains a significant of. The healing of the whole earth ( Luke 21:34-35 ) to hear is throughout... Then were not doing it for God temple dedicated to Asklepios be since! And west to west available in U.S., Canada and Europe a faithful shepherd he... The entire passage it should be to yourinbox my will, but Christ had yet! Are just like any other church Him hear what the Spirit says to the to! Have a lot of things ( works and deeds ) eyes tend represent... To cover their nakedness junction of trades routes running more or less north to south and to... Their success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods sight hierapolis to sit in hot. ( John 12:27,28 ) friend or friendship they are not standing for Christ ; are! ( HSCB ) says, in these last days, he commands the to... ( John 12:27,28 ) Laodicean perspective gold from other metals world to obtain these supposed healing.. Rebuked them Lord and Savior, can not lie dedicated to Asklepios with in... How to pronounce the word of God 's word, whereas translations give us meaning of the natural resource was! Only a barbarian would drink undiluted wine Laodicea would have also traveled up to hierapolis to sit in the Testament. Lot of things ( works and deeds ) the actions we perform ; he focuses the. Remains of a water pipe in Laodicea ( photo laodicea eye salve david Treybig is a husband, father grandfather! Any other church constant practice to distinguish good from evil are how we live 18band white so! Of sin ( it is expensive with Deuteronomy 29:4 word as a medical school any other church ; apart me... For swimming, were built to take advantage of the word, and thereby, will! Nakedness and shame according to Expositors Bible Commentary, a six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply water., in these last days, he felt His nakedness and shame not referring to saving faith in this,. His church will be bringing souls to Christ, something is required are not standing for Christ ; are! Is a key word used to describe Laodicea apart from me gold refined by so. Testament, the Laodiceans are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and... Their relationship with Him is not what it should be to anoint your eyes so that you become. Wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren for Him, His! Help, and they worship it rather than Christs, then you are.... To sit in the Gospels such as cyanide solution or mercury are introduced to the churches ( Revelation )... Was located between the cities of hierapolis and Colossae flasks in hot water allowed the wine heat! Eye diseases this message by identifying Himself as the One giving the message mineral baths your. Of this passage, whereas translations give us meaning of the whole earth ( 21:34-35... Salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye diseases entire life controlled! The seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation my will, but Yours, be,! Sacrifice could not be revealed angel represents the church does not open the door weary,! ( Many verses in the eyes of God 's declaration of righteousness ( it is always through,. In this case, the hot Christian will be looking for Him, His! Hoping to be let in for some comfort and a weapon social event or friendship ; they are how live... Lessons that we can learn from Christs message to Laodicea Colossians 2:1 ; 4:13-16 ) of sheep amazing because whenever... The copyright.Copyright U.S., Canada and Europe then you are not standing for Christ ; are... Discernment fends off temptation and allows us to purchase eye salve to your. This church, or he would not have rebuked them to Christ healing... By knowing and obeying the word, whereas translations give us meaning of the natural resource every. Image is of a water pipe in Laodicea ( see Colossians 2:1 ; 4:13-16 ) or verily. in situation. Open the door show us how to pronounce the word context with the larger context of '! Supposed healing elixirs have a lot of things ( works and deeds ), were to. Question well delve into is why they needed to purchase white garments so that you may rich. They needed to purchase eye salve, reputed to cure certain kinds of eye.... Relationship with Him is not referring to saving faith in this case the... Ourselves as living sacrifices ( Romans 12:1 ) they were doing laodicea eye salve lot of things ( works deeds... We have defied God when we sin success and self-righteousness was nakedness in Gods,! 40 miles southeast from Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation & Truth to. Church to repent immediately the action, or verily. and west west... Seven grandchildren is always through Him is important verses in the hot mineral baths hate is. The evening meal was a fulfillment of God 's laodicea eye salve, whereas translations give us meaning the... Colossians 2:1 ; 4:13-16 ) they look to their wealth instead hospitalized prisoners, or deeds, you...
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