Difference between revisions of "Letter to the church at Laodicea"
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The letter concludes with a positive image in [[Revelation 3:20]] where Jesus affirms that he is standing outside and waiting for them to let him enter and eat with them. This image is among the most famous in Revelation, and is the subject of the famous painting [[The Light of the World]] by [[Holman Hunt]]. It is a metaphor of intimate fellowship. | The letter concludes with a positive image in [[Revelation 3:20]] where Jesus affirms that he is standing outside and waiting for them to let him enter and eat with them. This image is among the most famous in Revelation, and is the subject of the famous painting [[The Light of the World]] by [[Holman Hunt]]. It is a metaphor of intimate fellowship. | ||
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{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[New Testament]] -> [[Revelation]] -> [[Revelation 3]] | {{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[New Testament]] -> [[Revelation]] -> [[Revelation 3]] | ||
Revision as of 20:17, 10 July 2008
| The Letter to the Church at Laodicea in Revelation 3 | |
| RELATED TOPICS | |
| SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS |
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| CONTENTS | |
The letter to the church at Laodicea is a call for the church to stand out from the rest of the town and be useful. Jesus spoke into the context of the Laodiceans who were known for the poor quality luke-warm water supply and also their material wealth, famous eye-ointment and textile industry. The letter is found from Revelation 3:14-21
- Template:Revelation 3:14 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:15 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:16 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:17 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:18 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:19 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:20 (WEB) edit Template:Revelation 3:21 (WEB) edit
Context
Laodicea lay along one of the major trade routes of the Roman Empire. Imports from the east via the Black Sea to the Dardenelles, along with trade with the western provinces of Rome made Laodicea one of the wealthiest cities in the Roman Empire. Besides a great accumulation of wealth, the Laodiceans also prided themselves in a lucrative textile industry, along with being the leader of eye medications for the Empire.
Message
Revelation 3:14-18 shows Christ's disapproval of the congregation of Laodicea.
The people who lived in this region knew that the water brought to Laodicea via the aquaducts was not the best in the area. The water was not refreshing, it was lukewarm and full of minerals like iron and calcium. This was in contrast to the hot springs of nearby Hierapolis and cool pure water of nearby [[Colossae]. The imagery of the Laodicean aqueduct suggests that both hot and cold water are useful, whereas lukewarm water is useless. Thus the Laodicean church was being called to stand out and be useful.
Furthermore, the appearance of being wealthy, being a leader in textile production and also a leader in ointments for the eyes was well known throughout Asia Minor. Revelation 3:17 shows that the Laodicean congregation was however, poor, naked and blind, despite it's worldly prominence.
So this was a message by Christ instructing the Laodiceans to correct their way of thinking in regard to their pursuit of material things back to their original purpose which. The church was being called to rely on Jesus and pursue spiritual things and spread the good news throughout the region.
The letter concludes with a positive image in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus affirms that he is standing outside and waiting for them to let him enter and eat with them. This image is among the most famous in Revelation, and is the subject of the famous painting The Light of the World by Holman Hunt. It is a metaphor of intimate fellowship.
Quotes
Links
Return to Christianity -> Bible -> New Testament -> Revelation -> Revelation 3
