In this foundation it is well to note that the church in laodicea under the roman empire became wealthy and had a profitable. These are the words of the amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of gods creation. 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 and to the angel of the church of the laodiceans, write. For i believe that the church of laodicea represents the modern day church of the twentiethcentury in christianity. There was nothing that was praiseworthy, nothing about which he could commend them. The age of laodicea has arrived next comes the rapture and. The name laodicea means judging the people which matches the seventh day adventist teaching, since 1844, that we are in the time of judgment now, with christ cleansing the heavenly sanctuary. To the church in laodicea to the angel of the church in laodicea write. And to the angel of the church of the laodiceans write laodicea lay south of philadelphia in the way to return to ephesus. The church of laodicea is the last of seven churches. To the church of laodicea sermon by johnny small, revelation. Unto the angel of the church of the laodiceans write. Sep 30, 2010 we can learn from all these churches, but its generally accepted that we are now in the final church era, represented by the laodicean church.
Last week we studied the church of philadelphia, an almost perfect church. The letter to the church in laodicea ligonier ministries. There are seven letters, starting in chapter 2 and ending at the end of chapter 3. The message to laodicea is one of judgement with a call to repentance. The church of laodicea in the bible and archaeology biblical. The epistle to the laodiceans is a lost although witnessed in codex fuldensis letter of paul the apostle, the original existence of which is inferred from an instruction to the congregation in colossae to send their letter to the believing community in laodicea, and likewise obtain a copy of the letter from laodicea greek. Tonight, we are wrapping up our look at revelation 1, 2, and 3. Lessons from the church of laodicea september 30, 2017 charles cooley this is the last letter out of seven that jesus dictated and it is perhaps the saddest for it highlights how easy it is for all of us to get complacent and satisfied with the status quo. These words are from the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation. Christ uses the attitude of the surrounding environment to illustrate that those in the church of laodicea are affected by the attitudes of the world. The book of revelation was penned during the roman. The church was established in the apostolic age, the earliest period of christianity, and is probably best known for being one of the seven churches of asia addressed by name in the book of revelation rev. Why did the church in laodicea receive a direct message from the lord.
In his letter to the church of laodicea, jesus warns us about the danger of selfsufficiency. What insight do these verses give to help you understand the meaning of that. Jul 06, 2000 knowing that even the shocking and sobering part of christs message to laodicea applies to the church of god throughout the ages, lets see what we might learn from it. Pauls reason for singling him out of the church at laodicea, in this special way, is probably to be found in the words following. Laodicea is the final church age before jesus comes for his church. The 59th canon forbade the readings in church of uncanonical books. Mar 23, 2020 laodicea was a wealthy city during the roman period. Not only was laodicea located on major trade routes that connected it to important cities like ephesus, smyrna and sardis, but also it was a center of textile production and banking. We can learn from all these churches, but its generally accepted that we are now in the final church era, represented by the laodicean church. Perhaps not surprisingly, the church of laodicea is noted as being wealthy in the bible see revelation 3. The lord rejects such churches and christians, for christ does not compromise with men. Today we are looking at the lukewarm church of laodicea. In august 1987, a wellknown evangelist in the church of god said, you would be surprised how often the work internally mirrors the world externally.
Oct 15, 2016 to the church in laodicea and to the angel of the church in laodicea write. The influence from the world is pouring into the church. The church of the laodiceans is mentioned in colossians 4. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 3. Also notice what jesus says in a parable concerning the time just before his return. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of phrygia in the lycos valley. The book of hebrews begins, in the past god spoke to our forefathers through.
Knowing that even the shocking and sobering part of christs message to laodicea applies to the church of god throughout the ages, lets see what we might learn from it. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at laodicea, and to nympha and the church in her house. Johns vision of the holy spirits message to the church at laodicea is a message of chastisement for lukewarm faith that had compromised with a pagan world. Before considering the significance of this term and the rest of the message from christ, lets note a few things about laodiceas. February 2008 this sermon was delivered at the iron hall evangelical church in belfast, northern ireland, by pastor david legge. We know that epaphras was a near neighbour, colossae being only some six or eight miles distant from laodicea. It is not only that they are laodicean, but also that they are blind to their own state. Laodicea was a wealthy banking center and proud of her rich resources. Lacking in every way, it was compromising, conceited, and christless. Have you ever tried to read the book of revelation. Paul himself, either written at laodicea, or as is more likely written to the laodicean church, and to. Salute the brethren which are in laodicea, and nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
This sermon is entitled the church of laodicea revelation 3. This means that all the seven churches with all their rebellion have come together in one church. But i dare say, if the same thing happened today, the church would probably break up, because it doesnt have the spirituality to hang together. Colossians 4 commentary beets commentary on selected books.
To the church in laodicea and to the angel of the church in laodicea write. The church of laodicea in the bible and archaeology. What was jesus message to the church in laodicea in revelation. Revelation commentary chapters volume 1 graff, ron on. And there were times when the church was able to rise to the occasion, as in 1979. The world, the church, and laodiceanism church of the.
Jesus tells the laodicean church that they are just like their water. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 3. In this verse jesus commands the apostle john to write to the church in laodicea in care of the angel of the church, likely the pastor. I am not saying that laodicea was ever part of his body to start with.
Since revelation is an endtime book, the overview given in revelation 2 and 3 is especially significant at this time. So, because you are lukewarmneither hot nor coldi am about to spit you out of my mouth. It doesnt make any difference to the laodicean church what it doesnt matter. The seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient asia minor is to the church in the city of laodicea. In this foundation it is well to note that the church in laodicea under the roman empire became wealthy and had a profitable business arising from the black wool for cloth. Age of laodicea the last days of the final church age are. We are in the final stage of church history, the church that will see the end times. But if that evil servant says in his heart, my master is delaying his coming, and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards. Members of the church must take this observation into consideration because we have an urgent and critical responsibility to prevent the world from. This is the 10th sermon in the book of revelation sermon series. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. The new testament does not record anything about the founding of the church at laodicea. It was originally called diospolis and then rhoas, but afterwards laodicea, from laodice, the wife of antiochus ii. Christs message to his church at laodicea was direct and unyielding.
This age is the age of laodicea, the last of the church ages described in revelation. What the bible says about laodicea from forerunner commentary. The laodicean church in the revelation of john revelation 3. They were meeting, going through the motions, carrying out their programs but nothing they were doing was pleasing to the one who died for the church, who is the head of the church.
Then there was sardis, a church with only a few genuine believers, a church which had a name but was actually dead. It seems perfectly clear, from the obvious parallelism of this epistle from laodicea with the epistle to the colossians itself, that it was a letter not from the laodicean church, not from any other apostle, or apostolic writer, but from st. It is described as a time when m en shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unholy, luke warm, lacking true knowledge, etc. Christ in the book of revelation what is in the old testament spoken of jehovah. David guzik commentary on revelation 3 continues the letters jesus wrote to the seven churches. Laodicea was known as the richpoor church, high on reputation, low on substance.
Sep 09, 2015 this is the eighth and final part in the bible study series. John was w ritten, as everyone allows, after the epistles of the other apostles included in the canon of the new testament. Lessons from the church of laodicea prophecy for today. Pauls reason for singling him out of the church at laodicea, in this special way, is probably to be found in the words. Laodiceanism is so subtle that those who seemingly are bestequipped to detect it are blind to it. This lesson will study seven aspects of the cultural history of laodicea and how it influenced the church of laodicea. The laodicean period of the church is where we are today. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. The seventh and last study about the seven churches of revelation is concerning the letter to the church at laodicea.
The laodicean church was a christian community established in the ancient city of laodicea on the river lycus, in the roman province of asia, and one of the early centers of christianity. The lord himself in the letter to the church at laodicea warns and instructs us against the deadening and lukewarm effects of trusting in material wealth the details of life rather than pursuing a vital faith relationship with jesus christ. And i saw the dead, small and great, standing before god, and books were opened. We are at present at the end of the age of the laodicean church which is described in revelation 3. Index books of the bible revelation church in laodicea. May 12, 2009 in his letter to the church of laodicea, jesus warns us about the danger of selfsufficiency. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, i will spit you out of my. How many churches, and how many churchgoing people, may, and probably have, seen their portraitures in this sad letter to the church at laodicea. The 60th canon listed canonical books, with the new testament containing 26 books, omitting the book of revelation, and the old testament including the 22 books of the hebrew bible plus the book of baruch and the epistle of jeremiah. Lukewarmness in the church introduction all of the messages to the churches of asia are extremely practical, but perhaps none fits the conditions in both europe and in north america as does the message to laodicea, the church that had become so lukewarm in its deceptive selfsufficiency.
This is the message from the one who is the amenthe faithful and true witness, the beginning of gods new creation. We use amen as a last word, and it has that meaning too, when god speaks. Sep 30, 2017 lessons from the church of laodicea september 30, 2017 charles cooley this is the last letter out of seven that jesus dictated and it is perhaps the saddest for it highlights how easy it is for all of us to get complacent and satisfied with the status quo. It was transcribed from the tenth recording in his the book of the revelation series, entitled laodicea, the lukewarm church transcribed by preach the word. The city of laodicea was one of a triad of cities with colossae and hierapolis and was the southernmost of the seven cities.
Does christ aim this message directly to the church in our timethe most critical moment in world history. As many as i love, i rebuke and chasten, he thundered, therefore be zealous and repent. The term lukewarm is a key word used to describe laodicea. They cannot be said to be cold and so utterly disregardful of religion, or of christian faith and custom. Why does the author of the book of revelation call the church of laodicea lukewarm. We will compare ourselves and our church to this self.
The nasb reads that he is the beginning of the creation of god. Mar 30, 2017 have you ever tried to read the book of revelation. The words of the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of gods creation. Laodicea lay on the south bank of the river lycus, approximately 100 feet above the valley floor on a flat plateau. Age of laodicea the last days of the final church age. What was jesus message to the church in laodicea in. It applied to the water of the city, and it was part of the message from jesus christ to the church of god that was located there revelation 3. Today we will look at the last church of the seven churches of the book of revelation and the most despised of the seven churches. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. The poignant plea, though directed first to the church at laodicea. The laodicean church is a lukewarm, indifferent, insipidly spiritual church. The city of this name mentioned in scripture lay on the confines of phrygia and lydia, about 40 miles east of ephesus revelation 3. May 16, 2019 this sermon is entitled the church of laodicea revelation 3.
However, like most of the other six churches, it was likely established during pauls ministry in ephesus acts 19. Rather than accepting aid from the roman empire, the people of laodicea refused any help and rebuilt the city themselves with. In fact, if there were any believers in this church, they arent even referred to in the letter at all. When christ comes for his spiritual body he vomits this laodicean church out of his body into the tribulation. Robert baralepistlespaperon the lukewarm church at laodicea2032006 adpage 4 abstract st.
These things saith the amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of god. Salute the brethren which are in laodicea, and nymphas, and. One of the important lessons that we have learned from the study of the cultural history associate with these churches is if the church doesnt change the culture, the culture will change the church. A lot of people start reading the bible and skip to the end to find out what happens.
Laodicea was a wealthy city during the roman period. Colossians 4 commentary beets commentary on selected. Revelation 10 and the laodicean church bible tools. Bible commentaries joseph beets commentary on selected books of the new testament colossians 4. Revelation 10 and the laodicean church prophecy, seven thunders, and laodicea. Tiese things saith the amen, tie faithful and true witness. This teaching is embodied in the sacred books of persia, of which the oldest, the. Unfortunately, the church in laodicea, like the frog in the kettle, slowly adjusted to the cultural. Church members bring the worlds ways into the body. A commentary about the seven churches church in laodicea.
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