A STUDY OF REVELATION

Chapter 3:14-22

The Church at Laodicea

“BLESSED IS HE THAT READETH”

Jerusalem

John Exiled

LaodiceaLaodicea was well known in the ancient world for

its wealth. The extent of its wealth is illustrated by the fact that Laodicea was rebuilt without the financial help of Rome after the disastrous earthquake of A.D. 60. Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool and in the banking industry. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eyesalve. The major weakness of Laodicea was its lack of a water supply. This need was met by bringing water six miles north from Denizli through a system of stone pipes (another sign of Laodicea’s wealth). Some believe the Pastor was Archippus (Col. 4:17).

Eastern Gate

Aqueduct The water that was piped to Laodicea was rich with calcium which over time would cause the pipes to clog.  The engineers designed the aqueduct with vents covered with stones that could be removed

periodically for cleaning.

LukewarmnessLukewarm - not zealous; cool; indifferent; as

lukewarm obediencePeople in the ancient world customarily

drank what was either hot or cold—never lukewarm. Physicians used lukewarm water to cause vomiting.

This rebuke would have been especially meaningful to this church, for water was piped to the city from Hierapolis, a few miles north. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm!

1. A condition of un-concernedness; a state of the mind when it feels no anxiety or interest in what is presented to it

2. Comfortable with the way things were3. Thought they were doing well

(Ps123:4, Amos 6:1)

Indifference

The great sin a Laodicea and throughout Revelation was that of compromised religion.

Exo 34:15-16 God hates Idolatry

Laodicea had a good start, a foundation had been laid, they were wealthy and had a great opportunity to spread the gospel yet they compromised God’s truth

Compromised Religion

The Nature of Compromise:

It begins with a little step. Your conscience becomes desensitized to sin or error.

You start defending your choices.         

Danger of Personal Compromise

Fear of Rejection Fear of Conflict Desire for acceptance

Reasons for Compromise

We lose our fellowship with God. It results in disobedience to God or His Word, rebellion toward Him.

When we compromise God’s truth, our witness is compromised.

Consequences of Compromise

“Spue thee out” V-16 & 17Referring to the well-known fact that tepid water

tends to produce sickness at the stomach, and an inclination to vomit. The image is intensely strong, and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the church at Laodicea. The idea is, that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a church.

Their being lukewarm spiritually was evidenced by their being content with their material wealth and their being unaware of their spiritual poverty. Christ used strong words to describe them: wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Strong Rebuke

Purified Gold which represents God’s pure truth

White raiment—Holiness of heart and life.Anoint thine eyes—Pray for, that ye may

receive, the enlightening influences of my Spirit, that ye may be convinced of your true state, and see where your help lies

Gold Tried in the Fire

God had not utterly cast this church. He still had a great love directed toward them.

Their wealth had hindered them and their spirituality and a command to repent was issued to them.

Are we willing to receive the Lord’s rebuke?

Are we willing to truly come before Him with an open heart?

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: V-19