Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 8 Revelation 3:14 Revelation 3:14 And unto 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. Many people believe their wealth and position will carry them through life and they need nothing else, certainly not God whom they look on as a crutch for those less fortunate. Jesus had a different view of people who thought they didn’t need Him. He told them they were poor and needy. Jesus told John to send a letter to the most influential of the churches. On the outside, they looked like they had everything, wealth and position because of where they were situated in the world. However, their situation was the worst of locations. The people of Laodicea were wealthy. Located on a trade route in a valley between two rivers, Asopus and Caprus, it became a city of much importance and prosperity. It became one of the most important and flourishing city in Asia minor with most of their trade in black wool. An aqueduct crossed the valley south of Laodicea. At its starting point, the water was cold. However, by the time it reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. Hence Jesus’ reference to the Laodicean church as being lukewarm like its water. Their commerce in black wool also caused eye irritation which meant they needed eye salve for their eyes. Jesus told them all their wealth would mean nothing if they didn’t repent of their ways and return to their faith. Along with the many gods worshiped in Laodicea, there was a large Jewish community who believed in Jesus and sent their wealth to help the church in Jerusalem. However, their physical wealth, blinded their eyes, just as their commerce in black wool did. Today, you can find the ruins of Laodicea and see the wealth the city once enjoyed. As Christians, you need to keep your focus on Jesus Christ, not on the world and what it offers. What it offers looks good, but causes blindness to your faith. You see the familiar verse of Jesus knocking on the door and waiting to gain entrance so He can eat with you. Don’t let your pride or wealth blind you to what Jesus offers through His Word. His Word will make you rich in Him as you follow Him in the path, He prepared for you. Let’s pray: Father, help me see the path You prepared for me and not turn aside to the world and its many temptations. Help me be prosperous in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Information on Laodicea gleaned from Wikipedia and the course of study I had in Bible college. Copyright © 6 July 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay