City of Laodicea

Laodicea lay 43 miles southeast of Philiadelphia in the Lycos valley, near its companion cities Hierapolis and Colossee (cf. Colossians 4:13). Either Paul had written a letter to Laodicea which has been lost (Colossians 4:16), or as some scholars contend, the Ephesian letter was also intended for the church in Laodicea. The city was added to the Roman Empire in 133 B.C. and became notably wealthy as a banking center. It was an important trading city, famous for the fine, black wool of its sheep and medicinal Phrygian eye powder. When destroyed by earthquake in A.D. 60, Laodicea refused Imperial help and rebuilt at their own expense.

Address

The Lord addresses "the angel of the church of the Laodiceans." As with Sardis, Jesus had no commendation but only a scathing condemnation for Laodicea.

Self-Identification of Christ

Christ identifies Himself as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." The term "amen" means "in truth, most certainly, so be it" (Mounce. 1079; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20). Isaiah calls the Lord "the God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16), and the term there translated "truth" is the Hebrew word "amen."

Thus, He is the "faithful and true Witness." Jesus came from God to bear witness of God and His will (John 3:11; 8:13; Matthew 11:27), and His testimony is "faithful and true" (Matthew 24:35).

Christ is also "the Beginning of the creation of God." Since the Son of God is indeed God (John 5:17-18; 8:58; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 15:47; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:1), He, as the eternal Word, is the beginning, the source or origin, of all the creawtion, the One through Whom God created the heavens and the earth (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17) and not a created being.

The message from Christ is absolutely true and faithful and stamped with divine authority. We must believe it and obey it.

Commendation
(verses 15-17)

As citizens of Laodicea were generally self-sufficient and unconcerned, so were the disciples there. I enjoy piping hot coffee or ice cold tea, but I detest a beverage that is room temperature. The Lord wants His people to be on fire with zeal for Him and His work (Titus 2:14). Of course, one who is ice cold, having turned away from the Lord, is lost (John 15:1-6). But the one who truly nauseates the Lord, so that He will vomit him out unless he repents, is the lukewarm Christian, one who hasn’t turned away in unbelief and rebellion but isn’t concerned about or zealously working for the Master.

He’s the one who attends the worship assemblies when he feels like it, if nothing more important is going on (Hebrews 10:24-25). He seldom comes to Bible class, and if he does, he hasn’t studied the lesson (1 Peter 2:2). Don’t expect him to energetically worship the Lord; he wants to be entertained (John 4:23-24). He would never be so unsophisticated as to talk to a lost friend about Christ (Mark 1:16-18). And why should he be hospitable, when others will do it (1 Peter 4:9)?

A church like this is in danger of having its lampstand, its identity of belonging to Christ, taken away.

Whereas Smyrna was the poor church that was really rich (2:9), Laodicea was the rich church that was really poor (verse 17). They apparently thought they could buy their way to heaven with big contributions but no personal effort. Yes, we should contribute generously to the work of the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), but the Lord doesn’t want your money (Acts 8:18-20); He wants you as a dedicated worker in His vineyard (Matthew 16:24). You can’t buy your salvation (1 Peter 1:17-19). If you think contributing to the church without personal, dedicated effort will lead to your salvation, you are simply saying, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Exhortation
(verses 18-19)

Lukewarm Christian, you need to buy from the Lord without money (Isaiah 55:1-3) the refined gold of heavenly riches (Matthew 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) and the white robes of righteousness (Revelation 7:13-14; 19:8). You need to anoint the eyes of your mind with the eye salve of His word to see your true condition (Psalm 19:8).

It is because the Lord loves you that He rebukes and chastens you to persuade you to repent. It is through love that preachers and dedicated Christians also reprove and discipline you. Preachers and Christians who will not do so do not love you.

You desperately need to get zealous, on fire, about one thing, repenting, changing your will and subsequently your life to dedicated service to the Lord.

Invitation
(verse 20)

The Savior stands at the door of your heart, not to break down the door and to forcibly control your life, but meekly appealing for entry, that he might share with you the great supper of heavenly blessings (cf. Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 14:15-24; Ephesians 1:3).

Promise
(verse 21)

Christ presently sits on the throne of David (Acts 2:29-32), the throne of the Lord (1 Kings 2:12; 1 Chronicles 29:23) reigning as “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). He conquered Satan and the grave (John 16:33; Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 2:14), and if you will overcome sin by repenting, you may share in the spiritual blessings of His heavenly reign both now and throughout eternity.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (verse 22)

Works Cited

Mounce, William, Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.