Matthew James Elliott
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| Bibleinfo.com |
In the Bible, there are seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Have you ever wondered why they were the churches mentioned and how they came into existence? I know that was one of the biggest questions on my mind when I was in college earning my degree in Biblical Studies.
I was so fixated on those seven churches that I missed some important discussion about the different beliefs about the end times and had to go back and study those on my own. There was something about those churches that just seemed important. Otherwise, why would they have been mentioned? For the next few posts, I intend to dive into the history of those seven churches. First on this deeper dive is the city of Laodicea.
It may be the last church mentioned in the book of Revelation, but its history merited being one of the first three I researched for this series. Why? Well, because its history lies hand in hand with Colossae, the city I wrote about last month. Truthfully, once I knew I was going to write that article, I knew I was going to do this one too. After all, Colossae is only one of three cities that are part of the Tri-City network I talked about last month. Let's not forget Ephesus from a few months ago either.
Laodicea was a wealthy and strategically placed city. Its position along the major trade routes from the east and west meant it played a huge role in several industries. Financially, it was one of the wealthiest cities of its time. Medically, it produced several industry-moving discoveries because it was home to a thriving medical school. Commodity, the black wool industry contributed significantly to its reputation for prosperity.
When we hear about the city in Revelation 3:14-20, verses 15-16 talk about a lukewarm church. That's not just a spiritual statement; aqueducts positioned miles away from the city walls brought their water in. By the time it found its way there, it was tepid and lukewarm. Hierapolis had hot, mineral-rich springs. People knew Colossae for its cool and refreshing water. Laodicea had neither, and its water tasted horrible.
Around 60 AD, Laodicea was hit with a devastating earthquake, and not the one that destroyed Colossae approximately four years later. This is a critical event because the city was wealthy enough to rebuild itself without any assistance from Rome. Historians consider this an important historical fact. If we take another look at 3:17-18, scripture calls them out on this sentiment.
One of the more well-known passages from Revelation comes from 3:20. “Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in…” It reminds us, or at least me, that I’m a work in progress, just as much as this church was. Paul expresses his concern for the church in Laodicea when he writes to the Colossian church, and he encourages them to share his letter with the Laodiceans.
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| Painting of Epaphras from safequardyoursoul.com |
There is also a rumored letter that was written to the church by Paul, but that has been lost. Even just the mention of Laodicea and Hierapolis in Colossians 4:13-16 means that it had value to the ministry of Paul and his companions. Scripture doesn’t actually tell us who founded the church in Laodicea, but the most historically grounded explanation is Epaphras, based on the scripture I just provided. This means that between 50 AD and 60 AD, Laodicea was an active community recognized by the early church.
When Revelation was written in the 90s AD, the city failed to meet this calling. During Domitian's reign, the city had temples dedicated to the imperial cult. Archeology confirms that builders constructed temples, which likely honored Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, and even emperor worship. This stands to show that there was a diverse group of people living in Laodicea, and echoes that lukewarm spirit mentioned in Revelation.
All of this history makes for a good story, doesn't it? It also reminds us that history is shaped by more than just the people who lived it. History can be shaped by the industries of the past as well. What are some places you have learned about that echo this?
See you in the pages,
MJE
PS, (Next Time we get to visit two cities, Smyrna and Philadelphia)
~ Biography ~
Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.
Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.
~ Highlighted Release ~
If you're curious about The Hope of Inheritance or any of my books. Right now, my followers on my REAMStories Author Page are being entered into a drawing for some fun gifts. To check it out, just follow me there. You can also read Mysteries in Ephesus, Season 2 of The Ephesus Pages, while you're at it.
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One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.
Together, their Message will speak to Many.
The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach.
The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.
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