27. THE KINGDOM PARABLES – THE SEVENTH – THE DRAGNET – PART 3 OF 6
THE DRAGNET - LAODICEA BACKGROUND AND LETTER
In every Parable of the Kingdom, we have seen that each Parable remarkably fitted the church from Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that matched that Parable. I will not revise the previous 6 parables, but in coming to this last parable, the Dragnet, we arrive at the last church and that is LAODICEA. The letter fits both Town and History.
[H]. BACKGROUND FOR LAODICEA THE CITY
Laodicea was a city located in the western part of Asia Minor, with its ruins near present-day Denizli, about 150 km east of Ephesus. Originally known as Diospolis and Rhoas, it was reconstructed in the third century B.C. by Seleucid King Antiochus II, who renamed it after his wife, Laodice. Positioned in the fertile Lycus River valley, Laodicea was a crucial hub at the crossroads of significant trade routes, connecting it to other major cities such as Ephesus, Pergamum, and Philadelphia.
Because Laodicea was situated where highways meet, it became an important commercial and financial centre of wealthy bankers and financiers. The city thrived as a centre for manufacturing and banking, a testament to its substantial wealth.
This is exemplified by the fact that following severe earthquake damage during Emperor Nero’s reign, Laodicea managed to rebuild itself without financial aid from Rome, as noted in Tacitus’ “Annals,” though some think the city received financial aid from Emperor Tiberius.
Laodicea was renowned for its glossy black wool and the high-quality garments produced from it.
However, Laodicea faced a significant challenge regarding its water supply. Unlike its neighbours, Hierapolis with its therapeutic hot springs, and Colossae with its invigorating cold water, Laodicea had no direct water source. Water was transported over long distances, being piped in from aqueducts originating from hot springs and arriving lukewarm, through an aqueduct initially and subsequently via cubical stone blocks that were hollowed out and joined with cement.
Beautiful buildings, luxurious baths and shopping centres were part of this wonderful city. Caravan routes came from distant places and trading was paramount.
The city was well known for its school of medicine and the range of ointments produced there, particularly one for use on the ear. It was famous too for an eye powder, which was mixed with water to become a paste, and then smeared on the eyes as a cure for various ophthalmic diseases. It likely manufactured the renowned Phrygian powder, an eye medicine. Asclepius, the god of medicine, was among the principal deities worshipped there.
The city also had a substantial Jewish population. Records, including a letter from Laodicean officials cited by Josephus in “Jewish Antiquities,” indicate that under the directive of Gaius Rabirius, Jews were permitted to observe their Sabbaths and other sacred customs. The wealth among Laodicean Jews is inferred from an episode where Governor Flaccus seized their temple contributions, amounting to over 20 pounds of gold, destined for Jerusalem.
Archaeological excavations have revealed much about the layout and life in ancient Laodicea. The city was meticulously planned with a square street grid, featuring sophisticated urban elements such as:
• Numerous gates and broad streets designed for easy access and robust trade.
• Temples, bathhouses, and public buildings that illustrate the city’s cultural and social life.
• Two theatres and a stadium, indicating a rich tradition of entertainment and public gatherings.
• A central market (agora), which was the heart of commercial activities.
• An advanced water distribution system, showcasing engineering prowess.
These findings not only highlight the city’s architectural and urban planning achievements but also its role as a significant economic hub.
The city was affluent, with interest only in the material. It was a proud and self-satisfied city, well aware of its economic status. The word Laodicea means, “Rule by the People” or “The People Rule” or we could say, “Anything goes”. We have already seen in all the previous churches in the studies that the name is very significant. The name always matched the condition, just as it does here as well in Laodicea.
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[I]. THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA. A CAREFUL EXAMINATION
As we have done with all the churches we examine the letter it received and see how that connected with its corresponding parable and later on with its position in Church History. We begin:-
[[A]]. THE LORD IS SUPREME
{{Revelation 3:14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:”}}
This was a very lax church with no good commendation for it. It was a disgrace to Christ, so what does the opening statement tell us? Firstly, Christ is called “THE AMEN” and that means this - “Amen” (Hebrew: ?????, ?amen) is a transliteration from the Hebrew language meaning “truly,” “so be it,” or “faithful.” It is iterating the fact that Christ is faithful in the face of the church’s unfaithfulness.
Comment from “The Patmos Letters” by Dr A Tatford [[ The church at Laodicea was unstable and unreliable and our Lord presented Himself in a threefold character which was very appropriate to their condition. (Revelation 3:14). He is firstly the “Amen” - the Hebrew form, of which the Greek is “Verily”, (Truly”), so often used by Him in His earthly life. The term emphasised not merely His veracity, but the fact that He was the embodiment of God, He is the affirmation of Divine truth and with Him there is finality. Where others are fickle and changeable, He is stable and unchanging. He is the “Amen”. No one can question His word. ]]
The next title is “THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS.” Faithfulness and Truth are hallmarks of the Divinity. Jesus is often called Faithful in the scriptures, and Jesus Himself said He is The Truth (John 14:6). This morning for the church service I chose the hymn “Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, My Father.”
Three times in Revelation, Jesus is called Faithful and here is one reference – {{Revelation 1:5 “and from Jesus Christ, THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood –“}}. The Lord witnessed to the holiness and faithfulness and love, and all the attributes of God. Faithfulness and truth are NOT what the Laodicean church had.
Again “The Patmos Letters” by Dr A Tatford - [[ See Isaiah 55:4 and John 18:37. Jesus is one whose testimony is marked by undeviating fidelity and unswerving loyalty to God. He faithfully represented the Father and bore witness to Him in the midst of unfaithfulness and death. All other testimony for God has been defective but He is the faithful and true witness. This character of consistency and fidelity was just what Laodicea lacked.
Given to compromise, flirting with temptation, attracted by the lure of earthly things, this self-complacent community was always changeable, undependable and neutral. It was never definite, straight or true. These traits of the Laodicean church are exactly what describes the late 20th century church which is always willing to accommodate any view that comes around and can accept any new idea or liberalism, or compromise any doctrine that is faithful to God. ]]
The third description used of the Lord is this one – “THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD,” and that takes us to the One who not only created the universe and all it contains, but in the new creation, has made us new people in Christ through His sacrificial death. The Laodiceans are reminded of the power of God – {{John 1:3 “ALL THINGS CAME INTO BEING BY HIM, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”}}. See Colossians 1:15.
Thus, in this opening verse the people at that church are being presented with Almighty God in His power, and that is a rebuke to their pitiful condition.
[[B]]. INSIPID AND MEANINGLESS AND LIFELESS
{{Revelation 3:15 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot,”}}
After introducing Himself, the very next thing Lord NEEDS to say is a condemnation of this church. They are exposed. They have no solid ground. There is no zest among them.
How does the Lord expose them? He uses something they knew all about, and that is the condition of their water supply. They were as appealing and as palatable as their own water.
God’s estimation of them was that they were neither hot nor cold. The word for hot is “zestos,” or boiling, and translated “fervent” in {{Romans 12:11 “not lagging behind in diligence, FERVENT in spirit serving the Lord”}}.
“The Patmos Letters” by Dr A Tatford - [[ “Lukewarm, and compromising with no definite values and no proper conviction or commitment. Such an attitude can produce the kindlier virtues of tolerance and broadmindedness, but in the face of evil, will usually cause weakness and a reprehensible spirit of compromise. The characteristics of their environment was reflected in the Christians. Like the city, the church was neutral and lukewarm. It adapted itself to all circumstances and to all comers, and had no pronounced character or view of its own. Basically, there was a complete indifference to Christ and His claims.” ]]
The Lord actually said He preferred them to be on fire or dead, not having some pretense of being both.
From A. Tatford - [[ “The Lord desired they would be hot or cold. Why this? There is some hope the cold, untouched by the warmth of grace and love may be won to the truth, while, on the other hand, there is good prospect that the hot, enthusiastic spirit may have its powers and energies directed into devotion to and activity for the Saviour. But a nominal Christianity with its carnal indifference to spiritual realities, is powerless for God and useless to men. It will never amount to any real effectiveness and will be rejected with nausea and vomiting.” ]]
A question always arises in these situations as to the cause of the condition. Why were the attendees like that? Maybe a word that comes to mind immediately is apathy. Why were these people so apathetic? Why were they careless about the Christian faith? It is a common enough question these days to ask about a lot of churches.
There are two words I always use for what is required in Christians, and they are COMMITMENT and FAITHFULNESS. They are strong and serious words for a successful Christian life. We can also add another which I do from time to time, and that is RELATIONSHIP. The Laodiceans were gravely lacking in all three words.
[[C]]. LUKEWARM AND FIT ONLY TO BE SPEWED OUT
{{Revelation 3:16 “so because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”}}
This is the Lord speaking to them. Their condition was such that it was impossible for the Lord to be glorified there, and then to use them. They would be rejected.
Ephesus was a good church at face value, only lacking in stepping aside from their first love, but for that, they were warned – {{Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and REPENT and do the deeds you did at first, or else I am coming to you and will REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND out of its place - unless you repent.”}} Removing the lampstand would make them impotent and meaningless as Christians, and as a witness to the world. It was a serious danger.
BUT the Laodiceans – well they would have had their lampstand removed definitely. They were expelled from the word of God’s testimony.
Lukewarmness in foods and drink is not appetising and the desire is to spew such food out. In pagan sacrifices the ancients sometimes drank hot drink; sometimes they poured cold on their grains or their wines, but no services were conducted with lukewarm.
The letter to them was a chastening one - they were self sufficient, proud of their standing, materially rich, independent, lukewarm in the things of God and completely indifferent to God. The Lord declared that they were only fit to spew out. It’s a graphic warning to every one of us.
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