The Letter to the church at Laodicea

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The Letter to the church at Laodicea

• Revelation 314-22

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(No Transcript)
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The City of Laodicea

• Originally built as a military base.
• Having no source of fresh water, water was piped
  to the city from hot springs via an aqueduct. The
  water arrived at the city lukewarm.
• City was famous for its high level of trade and
  glossy black wool.
• The city was famous for its riches. When
  destroyed in the 60A.D. earthquake it needed to
  financial help to rebuild because it was so
  wealthy.
• Location of a famous school of medicine known
  mostly for its eye salve

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The City of Laodicea

• There were a great number Jews in the city.
• Its main deity was Zeus Laodicenus. They
  worshiped various other gods as well.

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The Speaker

• Vs. 14
• The Amen Amen By God, it is and shall be
  soby men, so let it be. Jesus is the amen
  because Through Him all of Gods will is done
  (Eph. 311 2 Cor. 120). His words are done.
• Faithful and true witness In contrast with
  their unfaithfulness. His testimony is not bias.
  He is in the presence of God and what He reveals
  is faithful and true.
• Beginning of the creation of God Not first
  thing created, but one having preeminence over
  all creation. He is the source of creation (Col.
  116). All things began or originated from Him.
• Some use this verse to teach that Jesus was the
  first thing created.
• The Greek word here literally means, principle,
  headship, eminence.

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Spiritual Condition of the Church

• Nothing mentioned as being right with the church.
  
• What was wrong with the church?
• Neither cold nor hot Like the water that came
  from the aqueduct. Literally little zeal either
  way. Not zealous for or against the Lord.
• Christians need zeal. They need to be cold or hot
  (Tit. 214 Gal. 418).
• To simply not care or to be self-satisfied is
  not good enough. Christians who are satisfied
  with doing what they are doing without a sense or
  urgency to increase more and more are not
  fulfilling their role as Gods people.

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Spiritual Condition of the Church

• What was wrong with the church?
• Consider Ps. 5110