Where was Laodicea?

Laodicea was an early Christian church located in the city of the same name in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. Laodicea was located in a region of the Roman Empire called Phrygia (Acts 18:23) and on a major road the Romans used as a business and mail delivery route.

The city was named Laodicea by the Greek ruler Antiochus II Theos around 260 BC in honor of his wife Laodice. The city was wealthy from its trade with other parts of the empire. It was a major exporter of black wool, a product much in demand. It was also the site of a well-known medical school that treated ear and eye conditions. Laodicea had a large Jewish population, some of whom became Christians. John names Laodicea as one of the seven churches in Revelation 1:11.

The church of Laodicea is mentioned several times in the Bible: Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13-16; Revelation 1:11 and Revelation 3:14-22.

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Laodicea’s Spiritual Problems

Jesus directed John to write a letter to seven churches in Asia Minor. One of those churches was the church in Laodicea. Laodicea’s letter was about its current spiritual condition, and John’s report was not very favorable. The Laodicean church, the letter said, had some very serious spiritual problems. (See Revelation 3:14-21). Unlike John’s messages to the other six churches, nothing in this letter praised the church of Laodicea!

John’s letter to Laodicea included the following main points:

1. A Description of Jesus
2. The Condition of the Church
3. Some Recommendations
4. An Invitation
5. A Reward
 

Description of Jesus

“The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God…” (Revelation 3:14).

John’s letter to the church of Laodicea begins with a description of the sender, Jesus Himself. Christ is described as the place where truth itself begins. Therefore, there can be no question that this message is true and faithful. The Laodicean church had better pay attention.

The Condition of the Church

The Faithful and True Witness describes a church with two major problems. Laodicea is neither hot nor cold, but “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). This church just goes with the flow. It is not even awake enough to realize it's second problem. Laodicea thinks itself to be rich, rich from its commercial center of trade, but the church is, in fact, spiritually “wretched, miserable, blind, poor and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

These conditions applied to the ancient Laodicea church but can also apply to us, especially to people who have had great spiritual light and many opportunities, and yet have not appreciated them. Are we too sleepy to notice our own spiritual condition? To notice that we are spiritually poor and blind? To notice that we need Jesus, the True and Faithful Witness, more than anything else? Maybe we also need the remedies offered in the next verses.

Some Recommendations

Jesus offers a solution to Laodicea’s problems. He recommends that they wake up from their complacency and buy three things from Him that will remedy their current situation. He used the verb “buy”, knowing that they can never buy what He has to offer. But He uses this term because, as a commercial city, they will understand the idea. He does this even while planning to give it to them freely if they ask.

Refined gold “Buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18). Jesus offers the Laodiceans spiritual riches to compensate for their spiritual poverty. John's fellow apostle Peter wrote: “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, ESV). We need Jesus to give us even our faith in Him. That faith is so precious. Faith in Jesus and His saving power is more valuable than the finest earthly gold.

White garments “Buy from Me… white garments, that you may be clothed.” (Revelation 3:18). Jesus offers white garments to a people that is familiar with black wool and whom he calls naked. The Laodiceans were naked because they relied on their own righteous acts, but a person’s actions are never enough to save them from the trap of sin. Only Jesus’ saving grace can give us the righteousness we need. Black wool was a major Laodicean export. Using a spiritual comparison, John’s message says that Jesus turns black cloth into white outfits, representing the righteousness of Christ. Only Jesus offers us the plan of salvation. White garments represent the free gift of Christ’s righteousness given to each person in the Laodicean church and given to us as well (Isaiah 61:10).

Eye salve “Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” The city of Laodicea was noted for a medical school that specialized in ear ointment and eye salve. But Jesus still called them blind. Because of their spiritual blindness, the Laodiceans could not see their need of Christ. “Eye salve” represents the restoration of spiritual eyesight. Spiritual eyesight helps us discern what is truly important and distinguish what is precious from what is worthless. It helps us identify the indescribable value of Christ.

An Invitation

Jesus loves this church of Laodicea so much that He calls them to wake up and be passionate about repenting (Revelation 3:19). He invites them to obtain from Him living faith, righteousness and spiritual eyesight. But, still, He does not force His way into their lives. Instead, He stands at the door of their hearts and knocks, waiting for them to open the door and let Him in. He gives this promise to those who answer His knock, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). He is inviting us to dinner! What a great opportunity! Wouldn’t you like to have dinner with the King of Heaven?

A Reward

But it gets even better. Not only is Jesus inviting us to dinner, but He also invites us to sit on with Him on His throne, to be right next to Him for all eternity! “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” (Revelation 3:21).

Jesus calls us out of our complacency to recognize our true spiritual condition. Then He offers us the most priceless solutions and a reward too valuable to pass up. Will you accept His offer to eat dinner with Him and to sit with Him on His throne in heaven?