THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

The church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) is well known by students of the Revelation as the church that was lukewarm, and so distasteful that the Lord said he would spew it (vomit - King James Version) out of His mouth. This is also where the Lord Jesus says He is outside the church, knocking at the door, asking to be allowed inside. Wow! What a condemnation.

This church thought that it was wealthy, and had need of nothing, but Jesus said that it was really wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I fear that many of our Twenty-First Century churches fit the pattern of Laodicea. They have large, comfortable sanctuaries, and lots of politically correct programs, but no longer remember or preach the Gospel of Jesus.

Dr. Gary Stearman, in the October 2008 issue of Prophecy in the News Magazine (http://www.prophecyinthenews.com) made some interesting observations about the city of Laodicea. This city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) was located on a major trade route and had become a banking center. In addition, it was known for an eye salve, tephraphyrgia, produced from clay found in the area. Its third major industry was the manufacture of wool clothing.

The Roman statesman, Cicero, confirms that Laodicea was a major banking center and it had an extensive trade in black wool. The Greek geographer, Strabo, noted that the city had a large medical school. Dr. Stearman believes the medical school was to substantiate the eye salve made in Laodicea. Modern studies of tephraphyrgia and the clay from which it is made have found no medicinal qualities.

Is it not remarkable that the Lord described the Laodicean church as poor (major banking center), blind (eye salve) and naked (clothing manufacturer)? This description of the church at Laodicea is the description of modern wealthy denominations and individual churches that are blind to their condition and think they have need of nothing.

I pray that these churches would hear the knock of Jesus and allow Him into their buildings and into their hearts so that His name may be praised forever.