Category: Daniel Burton

The letter to the church in Laodicea ends with Jesus knocking asking to come in.  Yet, for John, the door is wide open for his invitation to the throne room of God.  In chapters 2 and 3, we see the explicit commands for the church on how they should be the church.  Starting in chapter 4, John describes the visions God gives to him.  It seeks to answer not the how but the why. Thus, John is caught up in the Spirit and given an image of the Throne room of God consistent with other biblical depictions of the Throne Room of God in Isaiah and in Daniel. From the specifics of the gems, the nature of the angelic presence, and various other details, John’s vision aligns with previous apocalyptic literature.  This should not lead a person to feel that the work was plagiarized or simply a parroting, but rather speaks to the internal consistency of John’s vision with the rest of scripture.

The city of Laodicea was known for a few things that allowed them to be financial self-sufficient. First, the minerals that had built up around the area allowed them to become the center of ophthalmology, producing various eye salves which people came from all around to be treater. Then there was the fine wool they produced fine clothing with in order to produce elegant clothing.  Finally, with their centralized location along major trade routes, Laodicea had riches beyond understanding.  Likewise, the church profited from their surroundings, becoming supposedly self sufficient in the process.  Yet, for all of it’s riches, the water of that particular area was borderline undrinkable, causing people to often vomit.  Thus, with a set of dual aqueducts, water traveled from two cities to be used in the town.  The Hieropolis became known for their hot springs which acted as a medical mineral baths.  Colosse, on the other hand, had a cold water spring that seemed to continually produce cool and refreshing water.  By the time the water reached Laodicea, it too had become lukewarm and disgusting, becoming known for people causing people to vomit.  

The church in Philadelphia, by human standards, would not have been successful.  While they were in a large city, this city was loyal to Rome and resistant to any Christian influence. They did not present a great deal of wealth or influence.  They city had been ravages by volcanic activity and earthquakes having to be rebuilt in the image of the Rome. Yet, for everything stacked against this church, it is mentioned by name by Jesus Christ in Revelation.  Furthermore, like the church in Smyrna, Christ brings nothing against the church but rather exhorts them to continue in the faith.

As this letter to the church in Sardis starts, we are reminded of the nature of God.  He is all knowing and sovereign overall.  He holds the sevenfold Spirit and reigns from the throne of God.  We see similar things in the church Ephesus whom had lost their love and passion.  Yet, the condition of Sardis is much more grim.  The church remained dead though the world saw them as alive.  There is more to their faith than merely going through the motions but an in-depth relationship with Jesus Christ and the expression of the presence of God in every aspect of their lives.