Revelation 3:14: “And to the messenger of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.’”
Paul mentions the Church of Laodicea in Colossians 4:15-16, “Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
“The word Laodicea comes from two Greek words: laos (meaning ‘people’ or ‘nation’) and dike (meaning ‘custom,’ ‘justice,’ or ‘judgment’), translating literally to ‘people's rule’ or ‘custom of the people.’” [1] “The ancient city of Laodicea was a wealthy, self-reliant banking and trading metropolis in what is now modern-day Turkey.” [2]
In Colossians 2:1, Paul mentions that he experienced a great conflict (ἡλίκον ἀγῶνα) for the Christians in Colossae and Laodicea. The word he used for conflict in the original Greek text is ἀγῶνα from which we get our English word, “agony.” Originally, it referred to athletic contests or races in an arena, but it evolved metaphorically to mean a rigorous mental, spiritual, or physical strain. [3]
In Colossians 4:12-13, Paul wrote that Epaphras, a bondservant of Christ, always labored fervently in prayers so that the Colossians and Laodiceans would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Epaphras had a great zeal for the Colossians and for the Laodiceans.
Jesus introduced Himself to the Laodiceans as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” The phrase “Faithful and True Witness” comes from the Greek words pistos (πιστός), alēthinos (ἀληθινός), and martys (μάρτυς). Faithful (Pistos - πιστός) means trustworthy, reliable, and dependable. It describes someone whose actions match their promises and who is worthy of full confidence. True (Alēthinos - ἀληθινός) means real, genuine, and truthful in character. It stands in contrast to what is false or fake.
Witness (Martys - μάρτυς) means someone who gives testimony based on personal knowledge or experience. This Greek word is the origin of our English word martyr because early witnesses for Christ often faced death to share their testimony.
Thus, the Laodiceans, like the people of Israel in the days of Jeremiah, had been given a faithful and true witness from the Lord, and were without excuse for their lackluster service unto God.
In Jeremiah 35:15, the Lord said, “I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.” So, what did the Lord do with Israel in Jeremiah’s days? He spewed them out of the Promised Land!
Revelation 3:15-16: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, the Lord says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” Why did the Laodiceans lack heat? When the Holy Spirit fire came to them, they hardened theirs hearts against Him.
Revelation 3:17-18: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
Laodicea was famous for worldly gold not spiritual gold. They were famous for physical not spiritual healing. They were famous for black clothing not garments made white by holy living.
In Mark 8:36, Jesus asked us a question to help us get our priorities right. He asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Worldly speaking, the Laodiceans were rich and finely clothed. In their minds, they had mastered the art of how to be followers of Jesus and enjoy the pleasures of the world at the same time.
Jesus looked into their souls with His eyes a fire, and described to them the condition of their souls. The five Greek words Jesus used to describe them are as follows:
ταλαίπωρος (talaipōros): Wretched, miserable, or distressed.
ἐλεεινὸς (eleeinos): Pitiable, miserable, or inspiring compassion.
πτωχὸς (ptōchos): Poor, destitute, or beggarly.
τυφλὸς (typhlos): Blind.
γυμνός (gymnos): Naked, poorly clothed, or stripped. [4]
The English word gymnasium is derived from the Greek word γυμνός which means “naked.” Greek athletes competed in the nude. Perhaps, the Laodicean Christians joined in this practice. How many Christians nowadays are rich with worldly pleasures, but poor in their spiritual souls?
In John 9:40-41, when Pharisees heard the words of Jesus, they asked Him, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” They lacked faith in Jesus Messiah. In John 8:24, Jesus told them, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul wrote of how the flesh and the Spirit struggle for control of a person’s mind: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, Paul spoke of keeping the flesh in check so that the soul may prosper. He wrote, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
In Galatians 5:24, Paul wrote, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions (παθήμασιν – pathēmasin) and desires (ἐπιθυμίαις – epithumiais).” παθήμασιν refers to passions, affections, or sufferings. In this specific context, it refers to internal passions, uncontrolled emotional impulses, or deep-seated unruly affections. ἐπιθυμίαις refers to desires, cravings, or lusts. In New Testament Greek, it refers to sinful cravings or worldly desires.
In Galatians 6:8, Paul wrote, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” The Greek word φθοράν (phthoran) means corruption, decay, or destruction.
Revelation 3:19: “ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.”
William Barclay wrote, “Jesus’ great love was expressed in His rebuke. It is, in fact, God’s final punishment to leave a person alone.” Laodicea was the worst of the seven churches, but Jesus still loved them. Therefore, He brought to light the condition of their souls before Him.
In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul wrote, “When we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”
Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
In Luke 12:36, Jesus urged us to be like men who wait for their master... “that when He comes and knocks they may open to Him immediately.”
May the Lord help us to be like the lover in Song of Solomon 5:2, saying, “I sleep, but my heart is awake. It is the voice of my Beloved! He knocks, saying, ‘Open for Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My perfect one...” The Lord wants a close relationship with us.
In Jeremiah 2:2, the Lord commanded Jeremiah to, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.” In the early days of their relationship with Him, they loved God fervently, but by and by their fire for Him went cold.
The Lord wants His people to be as close to Him as a beautiful article of clothing about His body. In Jeremiah 13:11, the Lord said, “For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me, says the Lord, that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.”
In John 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
In John 15:5-6, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Jesus received no respect from the Laodiceans. They left Him on the outside of their gatherings. They did not talk about Him during their personal conversations with one another.
Jesus urged the Laodiceans to let Him in. The text does not say, “If the Church will open the door.” It says, “If anyone hear My voice and open the door.” It must be done by individuals. The Church gets right with God as each Christian gets right with God. If they opened their hearts to Him, Jesus would sit and sup with them.
Revelation 3:21-22: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
In Matthew 19:28, Jesus told His disciples, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
The one who overcomes apathy, compromise, and self-reliance, gets to sit with King Jesus. Laodicea is the worst of the seven Churches. Thus, enthronement with Christ is promised to the faithful witnesses for Christ in this Church.
Attached is a link to a power point version of this article which I have recorded on my YouTube channel:
[1] GotQuestion.org
[2] Ligonier Ministries
[3] Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
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