Laodicea was a very prosperous, ancient town in Asia minor (modern-day Turkey). It sat at the intersection of major roadways and controlled trade on the river that flowed through it to the seacoast. Its prominent position made it one of the wealthiest commercial centers in the ancient world. Even from the ruins, you can see they spared no expense in building this city.
At one point in their history, an earthquake severely damaged the city. The neighboring cities of Sardis and Philadelphia were destroyed. The people in Laodicea were so wealthy and proud that they refused to accept any help from Rome. They gladly used their own resources to rebuild their city. One Roman historian (Tacitus), said “Laodicea rose from ruin by the strength of her own resources and with no help from us.”
Laodicea had a fairly large Jewish population. Some estimated that around 7,500 adult Jewish men lived in the area. The Jews were often in conflict with the Roman authorities over local regulations restricting free exercise of the Jewish customs and ceremonies. These Jews were very religious, but most were not exactly “poor in spirit.” They were depending on their works for salvation. The Christian church was probably following in the steps of their Jewish counterparts and assumed that Christian religious ceremonies and moralism were now the ticket to salvation.
Against that cultural backdrop we have the verses written by John in Revelation 3. In these verses, John is speaking directly for Jesus. Let’s start in verse 14:
“14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Righteousness, not Ceremony
Christ came down hard on Laodicea because its people thought their morality and religious ceremonies were adequate for winning God’s approval. They were not passionately pursuing Jesus nor did they realize their true need for a Savior. They were religious and probably largely unsaved because they were not yet “poor in spirit.”
“Lukewarm”
In the area surrounding Laodicea, there are hot mineral springs. Actually, they are tepid or lukewarm springs. The water they produce tastes terrible and causes nausea. Jesus was likely using the springs as an object lesson to communicate how He felt about their ceremonial, moralistic Christianity. It was enough to make Him gag!
A lukewarm Christian is a contradiction in terms. Either a person is for Christ or against Him. There is no halfway position. Jesus, through John, communicated that even though they thought everything was okay, everything was not right between them and God. Look at verse 17:
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
The Laodiceans were so wealthy that they could not see that they needed help from God. They were inclined to work their way into God’s favor. Their culture believed that they could work for and buy anything – including salvation if needed. Jesus was telling them that in spite of their great material wealth, they were poverty-stricken in the things that really mattered. They were spiritually bankrupt and didn’t even know it!
Not Dark Wool, but White Garment of Christ’s Righteousness
The Laodiceans were known for producing a special dark wool derived from black sheep. It was a significant source of revenue for them. Jesus was likely using their profitable industry as another object lesson when he said in verse 18a, “18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself.”
The Laodiceans took great pride in the black clothes they exported all over the world, but their souls were naked. Jesus was telling them, “Your soul doesn’t need your man-made black wool, instead it needs to be clothed in the white garments of My righteousness.”
Eye Salve for Spiritual Blindness
The Laodiceans were also world-famous for a certain eye powder that they produced. It was thought to be a remedy for weak or ailing eyes. Once again, Jesus seems to be using it as an object lesson when He says at the end of verse 18 to buy from Him, “salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” They were famous for their medicine to treat physical blindness while they remained completely unaware of their spiritual blindness.
Laodicea sounds just like us!
Like Americans, the Laodiceans put their trust in material property, outward luxury, and physical health. They fully relied on the things of this world to build a lasting kingdom.
Just like Americans today, they figured if they worked hard to give people better housing, more profitable employment, and good medical care that a golden age would dawn. Heaven would come to earth and we would all be right before God
There is nothing wrong with housing, jobs, or medicine. Don’t get me wrong. These are all good things that God gives to people as tools to steward in this present age. However, the reality of the material world is not what ultimately matters.
Men who possess wealth without possessing the eternal, life changing presence of the Spirit are destitute beyond measure, no matter how many zeros are in their bank account. The church at Laodicea is was being warned not to put their hope in material things while ignoring spiritual realities.
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