To the Church in Laodicea
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation. I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other. So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth!
LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (Revelation 2-3)
One of the most extensive and well-preserved archeological sites is the ancient city of Ephesus, where Paul spent more than two years (Acts 19:1-10). The Apostle John was bishop of the Ephesian church before he was exiled to Patmos. The traditionally accepted tombs of John and Mary, the mother of Jesus, are located in Ephesus. The oldest church dedicated to Mary is located here, dating to around 350! There is a large 8-sided baptismal pool clearly intended for adult baptisms in this church! Once an important seaport with 250,000 citizens and 50,000 slaves, the ruins of the city now lie 5 miles from water. It was in the theatre of Ephesus that Paul was accused by members of the silversmith gild of ruining their trade by his preaching. More than 24,000 people could be seated in this theatre, but the public toilet in Ephesus only seated 20 persons judging by the number of keyhole-shaped openings in the stone benches! Men of the city would sit here and talk politics or close business deals. The latrine even had running water and was pure luxury compared to a typical Turkish toilets today (holes in the floor that you squat over). Tourists can recognize the prevailing wickedness of ancient Ephesus in the ruins of a large brothel located across the street from the ornate and well preserved library. (now read Revelation 2:1-7)
Smyrna, is now the thriving seaport city Izmir. It is located on the Aegean Sea and only a few marble columns, the remains of a heathen temple, are left from Bible times. (read Revelation 2:8-11)
According to Revelation 2:13, “Satan’s throne” was located in Pergamum. Today, one can view a large theatre and several heathen temples in the extensive ruins of this city (read Revelation 2:12-17).
Thyratira (now Akhisr) was the home of Lydia, the purple seller who helped the Apostle Paul. A small enclosed area in the center of the modern city contains what is left of the ancient city (read Revelation 2:18-29).
Sardis had a reputation that it lived, but was dead. Today, one can view the well-preserved and partly restored ruins of this once magnificent city. It contains a large Apollo Temple, perhaps the largest synagogue in Asia Minor, a fantastic gymnasium, sports arena, bath house and theatre (read Revelation 3:1-6).
Philadelphia, now called Alasehir, received the highest praise and no negative comment from the Lord. All that is left of the “City of Brotherly Love” today, however, is the ruins of an early Christian church dedicated to St. John (c. 600 AD - read Revelation 3:7-13)
The acres of ruins in what was once Laodicea give an idea of the former size and importance of this city. Water was piped from the hot springs of Hierapolis to this city, but it was lukewarm and contaminated by the time it reached Laodicea. The poor water quality of the city was renowned and we can begin to realize why Christ said that Laodicea would be "spewed out" because it was neither cold nor hot (read Revelation 3:14-22).
search.php?keywords=Laodicea&t=2&sf=msgonly Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:46 pm
chapter 26 review
http://carm.org/irenaeus-heresies5-19-31
Warning from the remnant was forwarded: As we see Amos and the warning to the land of Dan now as reported the Harbinger has been sent to the City, he is essentially correct. It is not a historical documentation difficulty we note at all as we have covered lately. They have no excuse but one path now to there very future now. It is out of our hands. As we noted here from the Patmos letters to be unbiased these events have been and other views as stated beyond the explanation since the seal is in the forehead. I can reference others who bear witness also to these days. Many still confuse the Mithradic tradition and hubris from the imperial cult and cannot see what, or even pretend to care.
reprint:
After 133 BC it fell under Roman control. It suffered greatly during the Mithridatic Wars but quickly recovered under the dominion of Rome; and towards the end of the Roman Republic and under the first emperors, Laodicea, benefiting from its advantageous position on a trade route, became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, in which large money transactions and an extensive trade in black wool were carried. The place often suffered from earthquakes, especially from the great shock in the reign of Nero (60 AD), in which it was completely destroyed. But the inhabitants declined imperial assistance to rebuild the city and restored it from their own means.
It received from Rome the title of free city. During the Roman period Laodicea was the chief city of a Roman conventus, which comprised twenty-four cities besides itself; Cicero records holding assizes there ca. 50 BC. We are told in Revelation 3 of the 7 Churches. The last church or church age is symbolized by the Church of Laodicea. Laodicea means "the rights of the people." Thus, this was a church governed by the will of the people, rather than the will of God. This is the church age from which the Antichrist and the False Prophet will emerge. It is the church age Paul talked about that would not endure sound doctrine. Many of Laodicea's inhabitants were Jews, and Cicero records that Flaccus confiscated the considerable sum of 9 kg of gold which was being sent annually to Jerusalem for the Temple (Pro Flacco 28-68). I continue to monitor the church's faithfulness to the teaching of the Word of God, realizing that the church of the last days will be marked by apostasy and a falling away. This does not mean that God is not moving and doing great things but can we identify the wolves in sheep's clothing in the spirit of our age. Remember, we teach at Home for a reason and the Wolves will never understand nor care. As we are Banks and Governments will give political contributions to Socialist lawmakers members to vote in favor of giving the country away. One thing I do know if those in need are adulterated the consequeces will be certain disaster.
Notes:
The term conventus is lastly applied to certain bodies of Roman citizens living in a province, forming a sort of corporation, and representing the Roman people in their district or town; and it was from among these that proconsuls generally took their assistants. Such corporations are repeatedly mentioned, as, for example, at Syracuse (Cic. in Verr. II.13, 29, III.13, IV.25, 31, V.36, &c.), Capua (Caes. De Bell. Civ. I.14; Cic. p. Sext. 4), Salona (Caes. De Bell. Civ. III.9), Puteoli (Cic. in Vat. 5), and Corduba (Caes. De Bell. Civ. II.19; cf. Provincia).aedens
He is conveying the apostasy of the Church with the comment better a atheist who is cold than a hypocrite in the Church.
Nothing more since he would warn us. The two witnesses are the sum of all fears.