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The Seven Prophetic Churches of Revelation
Laodicea


The Seven Prophetic Churches of Revelation
Laodicea

 
Picture of Ruins from Laodicea.  Laodicea is one of the seven churches in Revelation given a spiritual assessment by God.
Ruins of the city of Laodicea
 
     Laodicea is the last of seven churches in Asia Minor that received an evaluation of its overall spiritual condition from God:

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

"These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich;  and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed;  and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:14-27, NKJV).

     The city was originally called Diospolis (which means "city of Zeus") and then Rhoas.  It was renamed Laodicea by Antiochus II, king of Syria, who rebuilt the city and whose wife's name was Laodice.

     Laodicea, built on seven hills like the city of Rome, was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor.  It minted its own coins, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus, Apollo and the emperors.  At a very early period Laodicea became one of the chief seats of Christianity (see Colossians 2:1, 4:15; Revelation 1:11).

     Laodicea often suffered from earthquakes.  The city was completely destroyed when an earthquake occurred during the reign of Emperor Nero.  Laodicea declined Roman assistance to rebuild the city and was instead restored by its own inhabitants.

     The apostle Paul mentions the city and believers of Laodicea several times in his epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 2:1, 4:13, 15-16).

Sources: Adam Clark's Commentary on the Entire Bible;  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible;  Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
 

The Seven Prophetic
Churches of Revelation

Ephesus  -  Smyrna  -  Pergamos  -  Thyatira  -  Sardis  -  Philadelphia  -  Laodicea

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