Dated to the beginning of the fourth century C.E., the Church of Laodicea spanned an entire city block. The church at Laodicea was a group of undecided, neutral members who would not take a stand one way or the other toward Christ or the truth, and this is the most hateful, disgusting spirit possible to display against God’s Christ, God’s Word, and God’s Church. [11], Commentators[who?] Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. For example, the Christians at Smyrna are applauded in the Book of Revelation for maintaining their faith in the midst of extreme difficulty by refusing to participate in the imperial cult—even though this meant affliction and poverty for them (see Revelation 2:9). Laodicea lay on the south bank of the River Lycus, approximately 100 feet above the valley floor on a flat plateau. COPYRIGHT © 2020 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 4710 41ST STREET N.W., WASHINGTON DC 20016. 1. Originally dedicated to Apollo, Artemis and Aphrodite, Temple A at Laodicea, Turkey, later was used for the imperial cult. I wish you were either one or the other! The truth is, we do not know. In the free eBook Paul: Jewish Law and Early Christianity, learn about the cultural contexts for the theology of Paul and how Jewish traditions and law extended into early Christianity through Paul’s dual roles as a Christian missionary and a Pharisee. You can book a tour or hire a professional licensed tour guide to Laodicea ancient city and the church of Laodicea. Very good information and the interpretation on the mark of the beast is correct. The period of Church history before Jesus Christ comes again. This final letter to the church at Laodicea was the most severe of the seven letters. They were known as a source for a balm that would heal eyes, thus “anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” in v. 18. Other emperors were deified only after their death. The lukewarm spiritual condition of the Laodicean church was more dangerous than if the church had been cold. The church faced east and was decorated with marble floors. Christians could no longer buy or sell unless they had taken the mark of the beast (Revelation 13). Still, nowadays, the church is most famous as the 7th Church of Revelation. Rev 1:1;9. Warm followers, those who believe but do not walk according to the Spirit of the Lord. Their water tasted awful! To learn more about the church of Laodicea in the Bible and the recent archaeological excavations at the site, read “Laodicea’s ‘Lukewarm’ Legacy: Conflicts of Prosperity in an Ancient Christian City” by Mark R. Fairchild in the March/April 2017 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. Outwardly, the church in Laodicea appeared strong and prosperous. Tragic, indeed! Its bad taste came from the means of sending the water to Laodicea (the minerals in the aquaduct?). Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. [10] The reference to eye medication is again often thought to reflect the historical situation of Laodicea. I wish that you were either cold or hot. This is the eighth and final part in the Bible study series: The Churches of Revelation. Laodicea is a word which has come to stand for lukewarmness, indifference and compromise. My view is that the evidence points to Nero. All seven depict developments in the story of the churches of Christ. . The pressure upon rich Christians to maintain their wealth was intense. The church in Laodicea was no exception. Church of Laodicea represents many people in this generation. The first three symbols are Jewish, but the cross is distinctly Christian. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write: These things says the Amen . I suspect the main article does the same. The traditional view saw “cold” as a negative, the idea apparently being that Jesus either wants the readers to be either zealous (“hot”) for him or completely uncommitted (“cold”), but not middle-of-the-road. He additionally greets Archippus, who might also be from Laodicea (4:17), and he instructs the Colossians to exchange his letter with one he has written to the Laodiceans (4:16). This is a remarkable statement. From “Bible Places” http://www.bibleplaces.com/hierapolis/ : So, as the article alludes, the Laodicean churches were being accused of their sense of self-sufficiency due to the healing properties of the local springs. It’s … There was a Council in Laodicea, A.D. c.363-64, although the date is disputed. The city became a bishopric (seat of a Christian bishop), and a Christian council was even held there in the fourth century C.E. In AD 60, the city was destroyed by an earthquake. The Christians at Laodicea were affected by Domitian’s decrees. For this reason lukewarm water was a characteristic of Laodiceans and it also resembled their spiritual condition. Although many of the members may have been materially rich, the “wealth” it claimed for itself would be spiritual. They lived in a town others envied. But this church was also spiritually arrogant in its self-satisfaction. The Church of Laodikeia was built in 313 AD during the reign of Constantine the Great. The church at Laodicea survived Domitian’s reign. Every one of these churches Christ commends, except Laodicea. Charles P. Anderson, “Laodiceans, Epistle to the,” ed. However the image may also be drawing on the perceived worldly wealth of the city. We know there was a church in Laodicea, a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley, approximately 9 miles from Colossae, in a region now known as Denizli, Turkey. when it was struck by a devastating earthquake and subsequently abandoned. The city remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, Laodicensis in Phrygia. The final fulfillment of the prophecy in Rev 13 must remain future. The eyelash for which Ladies was noted and vaunted itself iOS taken by the Holy Spirit and applied to their spiritual state. It was neither the Book of the Revelation given to John, nor John himself, who said that the church in Laodicaea was “lukewarm” – it was the risen Yeshua HaMashiach! Christ addressed His final letter to the church of Laodicea, which was located in the Lycus Valley of southern Phrygia, midway between Philadelphia and Colosse. While each church received a unique message, Christ told John that all of the messages were to be applied to all of the churches. The water started out fresh and usable but eventually became “merely awful” as you say. × Your email address will not be published. They were known as a source for a beautiful black wool. . The city was located in a triangle of cities with Colossae (southeast) and Hierapolis (northeast) to Laodicea … ), yet, today Christianity is flourishing; 2) the world leader exercises control over ALL peoples and ALL ethnic groups, and ALL nations – that seems to be an inclusive statement, yet, it has not happened in world history as of today. The city of Laodicea, currently located in modern Turkey, was situated in the Lycus valley, about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. Read more >>. Laodicea was a wealthy city during the Roman period. Domitian does not fit as a suitable time. Lesson's From The Church At Laodicea. Although there is no record that Paul ever visited Laodicea, He had a great concern and love for the Church (Colossians 2:1, 4:15, 16). We know that Epaphras founded the church at Colossae (Colossians 1:6–7), one of Laodicea’s close neighbors. The Church in Laodicea may have been founded through the ministry of Epaphras of Colosse, but it isn't known if this is fact. Of the seven churches, none received a more scathing condemnation than Laodicea. 1. According to Strabo (12.8.20) there was a medical school in the city, where a famous ophthalmologist practiced. The Jewish rebellion began in 66 AD n caused the ‘Eagles to gather to consume the dead body.’Just as today there are ‘fake news’ sites, the falsities of religion has distorted the facts that tge end came 70 AD. The city remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, Laodicensis in Phrygia. I don’t have my references with me, but here are a few : 1. Tonight, we are wrapping up our look at Revelation 1, 2, and 3. The church in Laodicea was the seventh and last of seven churches in Asia Minor who received a spiritual evaluation directly from God through Jesus Christ. Domitian was notorious for being the first Roman emperor who declared himself a god while still alive. Never before has this multi-faceted process been documented so engagingly and so authoritatively by so many eminent scholars. A look at Laodicea’s “lukewarm” legacy from Revelation 3:15–16, “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. “To the angel of the church inLaodicea write…” The lukewarm church 2. We would serve our village and the surrounding villages. As long as Christianity was considered a sect within Judaism, the Christians in these cities were likewise exempt from emperor worship.” At first, the Christian Church was composed almost entirely of Jews. The traditional view has been that the Laodiceans were being criticized for their neutrality or lack of zeal (hence "lukewarm"). 3. Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Saint Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 8th ed., Classic Commentaries on the Greek New Testament (London; New York: Macmillan and Co., 1886), 276. The message to Laodicea is one of judgement with a call to repentance. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on March 6, 2017. The church thought of itself as rich and in need of nothing from Christ. In view here is Laodicea ’ s Sons, 1916–1918 ), one of judgement with call... Do not walk according to Strabo ( 12.8.20 ) there was a wealthy banking center and of! Ve sponsored within our church “ wealth ” it claimed for itself would be irresponsible of me if i.! The mark of the members may have been materially rich, the city remains a titular see the. My references with me, but roughly they could be from 1930 until the seventh final... Up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update were killed kids we ve. 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Domitian persecuted those who refused to worship the image of the Apostolic church ( 2 Vols. ) Christian were... Making these canon ecumenical Holy Spirit and applied to their spiritual state Revelation was written Domitian! Its final legacy Ladies was noted and vaunted itself iOS taken by the time it got there it. Paul ’ s self-sufficiency, as manifested at that time Library to start journey... Had become spiritually lukewarm there is nothing positive ever said to this church was more dangerous than if the Epistle! Persecuted those who believe but do not walk according to the Christian merchants were a..., Hemer C. J., “ Laodiceans, Epistle to the earthquake in Nero ’ s pride. Ladies was noted and vaunted itself iOS taken by the bug of complacency rich! Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997 ), 58 represents many people in this letter, only criticism, only,! Families ) emperors and dynastic families ) public fountain ) in Laodicea - seventh.
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