The Church of Laodicea in Revelation

Laodicea was located on the Lycus River, at the intersection of major trade routes, and was one of the wealthiest commercial centers of its time. It was adjacent to Colossae and Hierapolis and was known for its banking, black wool textiles, and eye salve. It was also a hub for a large Jewish population. It was a self-sufficient city; after a massive earthquake in 17 AD, it was rebuilt with funding from Emperor Tiberius, but after another earthquake in 61 AD, the city famously rebuilt itself without Roman aid. The Roman historian Tacitus (56–120 AD) recorded, “They did not require our relief, but by their own efforts recovered themselves.”

The church in Laodicea was founded by Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13), and Paul wrote a letter to this church (Colossians 4:16). By the time of Revelation, the church of Laodicea had devolved into a classic example of a self-satisfied, affluent community. Among the seven churches, the Lord’s rebuke of Laodicea was the most severe.

Nearby Laodicea were the hot springs of Hierapolis and the cold springs of Colossae. Hierapolis had 17 hot springs with temperatures ranging from 35-100 degrees Celsius. The high calcium carbonate content in the water formed hard, white limestone terraces, known as Pamukkale (meaning “cotton castle”). The hot springs had healing properties, while the cold springs were refreshing. However, the lukewarm spring water, after cooling down, was too rich in minerals to be either healing or refreshing; it was sometimes used by doctors as an emetic. The inhabitants of Laodicea were very familiar with this “neither cold nor hot” water that was only fit to be vomited out.

The church in Smyrna was poor in earthly terms but “rich” in the eyes of the Lord. The church in Laodicea was rich on earth but, in the Lord’s eyes, “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Laodicea was famous for its eye salve, but only the “eye salve” that comes from paying the price to accept the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit can enable us to truly “see” our own spiritual “blindness.”

Among the seven churches, the Lord’s rebuke of Laodicea was the most severe. It is the only one of the seven churches that received only criticism and no praise, yet it was still “loved” by the Lord, and the promise for its overcomers was the highest honor. The phrase, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,” is a personal call to every believer. Even if the church as a whole refuses to repent, individuals can still heed the warning, open their hearts to the Lord, and become overcomers.

“What the Spirit says to the churches” is not only for the church of Laodicea but for believers throughout all ages. Today is truly a Laodicean generation, where society is concerned with freedom, democracy, wealth, and human rights, rather than with the need for Christ. Believers pursue methods for good fortune, healing, and comfort, rather than Christ Himself. The church offers motivational speeches and social care, but often without Christ at its center. Yet, the Lord uses the intimate phrase, “I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me,” to gently exhort all lukewarm believers who have lost their spiritual effectiveness, revealing how much He loves the people He redeemed with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Any believer who is willing to one day sit with the Lord on His throne can, by admitting that they are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked,” open their hearts and “eat with Him”!