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Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW022262S
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00:14 ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪
00:18 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 00:19 >>John Bradshaw: This is "It Is Written." 00:21 I'm John Bradshaw. 00:22 Thanks for joining me. 00:23 In the well-known children's story, too hot is too hot, 00:28 too cool is not warm enough, but somewhere in the middle 00:32 things were just right. 00:35 So why is it that in the Bible lukewarm is a bad thing? 00:40 To answer this, we're visiting a place famous for its apathy, 00:45 a place that's become synonymous with the word 00:48 lukewarm. 00:50 A place called 00:51 Laodicea. 00:53 ♪Middle Eastern music♪ 01:02 Laodicea was an ancient city. 01:05 It was located on a plateau in the Lycus Valley. 01:08 This was a fertile area surrounded by creeks and rivers. 01:12 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 01:13 This wealthy city was laid out in a grid system 01:16 and stretched out over five square kilometers. 01:18 And it's in this city that we find the last of the seven 01:23 churches of Revelation. 01:26 Laodicea was home to several incredible buildings. 01:30 There were giant porticoes, agoras, and theaters. 01:35 There were public baths, a gymnasium, a stadium. 01:40 There were also temples. 01:42 After all, the city used to be called Diospolis, 01:45 which means the city of Zeus. 01:48 There was a temple dedicated to Artemis and Apollo. 01:52 Another was dedicated to Zeus and Athena. 01:57 The whole gods thing was important here. 02:00 And, keep in mind, Rome didn't care if you cared 02:04 about their gods. 02:05 You didn't have to believe in them, 02:07 you just had to go through the motions. 02:09 You had to recognize them. 02:10 It wasn't a question of loving the gods, 02:13 it was a question of loyalty to them. 02:15 And this loyalty united society. 02:18 In fact, Laodicea applied to be granted the privilege of 02:22 establishing an imperial cult temple here. 02:25 These were temples built in honor of the emperors 02:27 who were now considered, if not actual gods, 02:31 that they had joined the gods. 02:32 God enough. 02:34 Christians who believed in a Creator God, in one True God, 02:39 were enemies of the state. 02:41 Christians were the unbelievers in the eyes of the Romans. 02:45 In fact, when trials were conducted of Christians who 02:48 refused to worship the Roman gods, 02:51 a statue of the emperor would be present so that the accused 02:55 could offer the appropriate sacrifices then and there 02:59 and therefore avoid punishment. 03:01 ♪[somber music]♪ 03:02 Laodicea wasn't the only place with a Christian community. 03:05 There were other believers just a few miles away from here. 03:10 To the north of Laodicea was the city of Hierapolis and to 03:13 the southeast was Colossae. 03:17 In the book Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, 03:20 he greets those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 03:25 "For I bear him witness that he, Epaphras, 03:28 "has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, 03:32 and those in Hierapolis." 03:34 So, there's a cluster of places here that show up in the Bible. 03:37 ♪[dramatic music]♪ 03:44 This area is surrounded by mountains, 03:47 some reaching up to around eight thousand feet or close to 03:50 two thousand five hundred meters. 03:54 And Turkey is one of the most seismically active regions 03:58 in the world. 03:59 A devastating earthquake affected the east of Turkey in 04:02 2023. 04:05 But as far back as the year A.D. 60, 04:08 an earthquake destroyed Laodicea, Philadelphia, 04:13 and other towns. 04:15 But unlike other cities devastated by the earthquake, 04:19 Laodicea made a surprising choice. 04:22 After that earthquake, Laodicea turned down financial aid from 04:27 the Roman Empire, choosing to rebuild itself 04:31 using its own resources. 04:35 The city's commercial and political prominence had a lot 04:38 to do with its advantageous position 04:40 on the local trade routes. 04:42 The city minted its own coins. 04:45 They had inscriptions on them to such pagan gods as Apollo 04:48 and Zeus and any number of Roman emperors. 04:52 It was a well-to-do place. 04:55 And while there's nothing wrong at all with wealth, 04:58 there's a real danger that prosperity can distract a 05:00 person from faith in God, and that's what happened here. 05:05 Laodicea became comfortable and that comfort became 05:09 spiritually deadly. 05:12 I'll tell you more in just a moment. 05:14 ♪[dramatic music]♪ 05:22 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 05:24 ♪[calm, piano music]♪ 05:25 >>Announcer: For 2,000 years it's been the hope of the 05:27 Christian church. 05:28 It's a major theme of the Bible and the focal point of the book 05:31 of Revelation: the return of Jesus to the world. 05:35 Call now for your free copy of "The Soon Return of Jesus." 05:39 Learn what the Bible says on this vital subject and untangle 05:42 many modern myths. 05:43 Call 800-253-3000. 05:46 That's 800-253-3000. 05:49 Or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 05:53 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 05:54 ♪[dramatic music]♪ 05:55 >>John Bradshaw: He had it all. 05:56 Extravagant wealth, immense power, 06:00 and wisdom far greater than any person before him. 06:03 He'd seen the glory of God, had spoken personally with God, 06:07 and was told by God he could have anything he wanted. 06:11 But as his focus shifted over time, his life collapsed. 06:15 As he contemplated his existence, 06:17 he concluded that all was vanity. 06:21 Don't miss "Great Characters of the Bible: Solomon," as we look 06:25 at the story of the wisest man who ever lived, 06:28 a man who wrote three books of the Bible, 06:30 a man who was revered by monarchs 06:32 and feared by his enemies. 06:34 The man who constructed what may have been the most 06:36 beautiful temple ever built, and yet turned away from 06:40 faithfulness to God. 06:41 But God didn't turn from him. 06:43 The story of Solomon is a tragedy and a victory. 06:47 Don't miss "Great Characters of the Bible: Solomon," 06:50 brought to you by It Is Written TV. 06:53 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 06:57 ♪[Middle Eastern music]♪ 07:01 >>John Bradshaw: We're exploring the ancient city of 07:03 Laodicea, about an hour's drive southeast of Philadelphia 07:07 in the valley of the Lycus River. 07:09 This was home to the last of the seven churches 07:13 of Revelation. 07:15 It was named for Laodice, the wife of the Seleucid ruler, 07:19 Antiochus II, in around 260 B.C. 07:23 And that name is important in the context of Jesus' remarks 07:27 to this church. 07:29 Laodicea means "a people judged." 07:34 This whole region is filled with centuries of incredible 07:37 history and natural wonder. 07:41 Just a few miles north of Laodicea is the ancient city of 07:45 Hierapolis. 07:48 Hierapolis is a fascinating place. 07:51 The first thing you notice are the brilliant white terraces. 07:54 They are mineral deposits formed by the hot springs that 07:58 flow from here. 08:01 Back then, people believed that these hot springs 08:03 had healing properties. 08:05 Today, they attract tourists from all over the world. 08:11 Just past the thermal pools is another incredible structure. 08:17 This theater was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian 08:20 in the second century A.D. 08:21 and could accommodate 15,000 people. 08:24 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 08:25 The theater is mostly made of marble, 08:29 and even today you can see the elaborate decorative features. 08:34 Jesus speaks to the church at Laodicea and says: 08:37 "These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, 08:43 the Beginning of the creation of God." 08:45 This isn't to say that Jesus was a created being. 08:49 He was not. 08:50 John is writing that Jesus is the Originator of creation, 08:54 the Creator Himself. 08:56 Where Paul writes to the Colossians that Jesus is the 08:59 Firstborn of every creature, he's writing of Jesus' 09:03 preeminence, not that He was less than divine or more human 09:07 than he actually was. 09:09 Now Jesus wastes no time getting to the point here. 09:13 He says to the Laodiceans, "I know your works, 09:16 "that you are neither cold nor hot. 09:19 I could wish that you were cold or hot." 09:23 He's contrasting the Laodiceans with the hot water that came 09:28 from Hierapolis over there and the cold water that come from 09:32 Colossae over there 09:33 Hot water good, cold water good, but you Laodiceans, 09:38 you're neither one thing nor the other. 09:40 You're lukewarm. 09:41 He's speaking about their spiritual condition. 09:45 The problem the Laodiceans had is they were indifferent. 09:50 They were spiritually neutral. 09:52 Professing the name of Jesus, but not committed in any real 09:56 way to actual Christianity. 09:59 Not an all-out rebellion, but they were not all in. 10:03 Not committed. 10:05 And Jesus shows us just how serious that is when He says: 10:09 "So then, because you are lukewarm, 10:11 and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." 10:25 Lukewarm water can have a certain emetic quality about it. 10:30 Hot water, as long as it's not too hot, goes down easily. 10:33 Cold water, the same. 10:35 But lukewarm water can be a little sickly. 10:38 Can leave you feeling a bit unsettled. 10:41 Now, we don't often talk together about vomiting, 10:45 but why don't we do that for just a moment. 10:47 The act of throwing up isn't a voluntary act. 10:51 It's not something you can typically do without, 10:54 without some kind of intervention, 10:56 some kind of help, if, if, it that's the right word. 11:00 The throwing up is involuntary. 11:03 You've experienced that. 11:04 You don't want to, you don't want to, 11:05 you don't want to and then--it happens. 11:07 You don't plan it, you don't work it up. 11:12 Jesus isn't saying here, "I want to eject you." 11:15 He's not saying, "I want to spew you out." 11:19 He's simply not able to accept these people 11:21 in their lukewarm state. 11:23 So, to these people just going through the motions of their 11:26 faith, which isn't really genuine faith, Jesus says, 11:30 "I just can't keep this down." 11:33 Now, is that God being less than gracious? 11:35 Well, no, it's God being honest, 11:38 endeavoring to wake up the world. 11:41 It's why in the book of Revelation there are 11:42 three angels with important messages for the world, 11:46 pictured as flying in the midst of heaven and calling to the 11:49 world with a loud voice. 11:51 It's important. 11:53 Time is running out for planet earth. 11:55 The movements we're seeing in the world today, 11:57 the signs of the times being fulfilled, 12:00 it's like God has pressed His foot down 12:02 on the accelerator of time. 12:04 And so here, Jesus is just being honest. 12:08 He's saying, so much of what's going on in the world today, 12:12 even in the church today, is nauseating to Him. 12:16 This thing being presented as faith in Jesus, but it isn't. 12:20 He doesn't want people thinking they're saved, 12:22 when they're lost. 12:23 Thinking they're having a genuine Christian experience, 12:26 and they're actually not having that at all. 12:30 One of the greatest problems facing the world has to be that 12:33 people are self-deceived, thinking they're okay with God 12:37 when they're not. 12:38 And that was true of the church of Laodicea. 12:41 Listen to this. 12:42 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, 12:45 "and have need of nothing- -and do not know that you are 12:48 wretched, miserable, poor, blind, 12:52 and naked.'" They were in a perilous situation. 12:57 The Laodiceans were actually rich. 12:59 Again, nothing wrong with wealth, 13:01 but it brings with it certain temptations. 13:04 These people became comfortable in their comfort and they lost 13:07 sight of what it meant to have a vital Christian experience. 13:11 They said in their hearts, "We have need of nothing." 13:15 They were satisfied. 13:17 And this isn't just speaking about material things. 13:19 Jesus is speaking to the church about its spiritual condition. 13:24 They were just fine. 13:26 Or, so they thought. 13:30 In actuality, they were wretched. 13:32 The only other time that word is used in the New Testament, 13:35 it's when Paul speaks to the Romans and says, 13:39 "Oh wretched man that I am." 13:41 The difference is with Paul, he was aware of his wretchedness, 13:45 which is why he was able to cry out to God in desperation. 13:48 But this group of people, 13:50 unaware of their true spiritual condition, 13:52 they cannot cry out to God for a remedy. 13:57 Jesus said they were miserable. 13:59 Now, this is another word that only appears twice 14:02 in the New Testament. 14:03 And again, the only other time it is used it's used by the 14:06 apostle Paul. 14:08 He wrote to the church in Corinth and he said, 14:11 "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, 14:14 we are of all men most miserable." 14:24 The condition of people who only had hope in this world and 14:28 had no hope in the world to come is described as miserable. 14:33 The Laodiceans, although they didn't know it, were miserable. 14:37 These well-off people were described as poor, 14:41 as well as blind and naked. 14:44 But true to the rest of the letters to the seven churched, 14:47 there was hope even for the Laodiceans, 14:51 which is phenomenal, isn't it? 14:53 Wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, 14:56 but they could have hope, and that's Jesus' way. 15:01 It's often been said that the most famous verse in the Bible 15:03 is John 3:16. 15:06 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten 15:10 "Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but 15:14 have everlasting life." 15:17 But the very next verse is another you don't want to miss. 15:20 John 3:17. 15:23 "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; 15:28 but that the world through Him might be saved." 15:35 Even three centuries after John's letter the Laodiceans 15:39 continued to deceive themselves. 15:41 The town of Laodicea hosted an important event known as the 15:45 Council of Laodicea, between 363 and 364 A.D. 15:52 It took place during the reign of Emperor Julian. 15:55 He was called the apostate due to his attempts to revive 15:59 paganism and diminish the influence of Christianity. 16:04 The Council of Laodicea is significant because it outlawed 16:08 the keeping of the original seventh-day Sabbath and 16:11 encouraged rest on Sunday. 16:14 It also attempted to establish a biblical canon which included 16:18 apocryphal books such as First Esdras, Baruch, 16:21 and the epistles of Jeremiah. 16:24 Although the Council of Laodicea wasn't specifically 16:27 from the Laodicean church, it represented the overall 16:31 attitude of the church at that time. 16:34 The council highlighted the Laodiceans' failure to 16:36 prioritize the Word of God as supreme. 16:43 So, where was the hope for a people described by Jesus as 16:47 wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked? 16:50 Well, there was a lot of hope. 16:53 I'll share that with you in just a moment. 16:55 ♪[dramatic music]♪♪ 17:03 ♪[calm piano music]♪ 17:05 >>John Bradshaw: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 17:07 exists because of the kindness of people just like you. 17:10 To support this international life-changing ministry, 17:14 please call us now at 800-253-3000. 17:18 You can send your tax -deductible gift to the 17:19 address on your screen or you can visit us online at 17:23 itiswritten.com. 17:25 Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. 17:27 Our number again is 800 -253-3000 or you can visit 17:32 us online at itiswritten.com. 17:34 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 17:36 ♪[epic music]♪ 17:37 >>John Bradshaw: It's a land rich with culture. 17:38 Colorful bazaars, stunning mosques, 17:41 and ancient ruins now occupy the same territory once 17:45 conquered by the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. 17:48 In the midst of this tumultuous history, 17:51 followers of Christ began to form their first churches. 17:54 One of these churches was instructed by Jesus to "be 17:57 watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are 18:01 ready to die, for I have not found your works 18:04 perfect before God." 18:06 What were the believers in Sardis missing? 18:09 And how is this letter to a church that existed two 18:12 thousand years ago relevant to the church today? 18:16 Find out by watching, "The Seven Churches of Revelation, 18:20 Sardis," and learn what it means to truly overcome. 18:26 "The Seven Churches of Revelation, 18:28 Sardis" brought to you by It Is Written TV. 18:32 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 18:39 ♪[piano music]♪♪ 18:43 >>John Bradshaw: The ruins of this Christian church in 18:44 Laodicea dates to the fourth century A.D. 18:48 The church wasn't standing when the early Christians were here 18:52 and that's because those early Christians typically faced a 18:55 lot of persecution and didn't worship in church buildings in 18:59 those days. 19:01 The first reference we have to a Christian community in 19:03 Laodicea can be found in the Apostle Paul's epistle to the 19:06 neighboring Colossians. 19:08 He says in Colossians 4:16: "Now when this epistle is read 19:12 "among you, see that it is read also in the church of the 19:15 "Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from 19:20 Laodicea." 19:21 Either the Laodiceans had written to Colossae or to Paul 19:25 and the apostle wanted the Colossians to be aware of that. 19:28 The epistle to the Colossians may, in fact, 19:30 have been a circular letter, to be sent to each of the various 19:34 congregations in the territory. 19:36 Some of the Greek manuscripts of Paul's first epistle to 19:39 Timothy read, "written at Laodicea." 19:42 Paul may have been visiting Laodicea when he wrote his 19:45 first letter to his protégé Timothy. 19:49 Jesus' message to the church that was here was as straight 19:54 as can be. 19:56 "You say that you're rich and increased with goods and have 20:00 "need of nothing, but you are unaware that you are wretched, 20:04 miserable, poor, blind, and naked." 20:09 But Jesus was quick to share hope with the Laodiceans and He 20:13 does that with all of the seven churches. 20:16 "Ephesus, you have left your first love, but if you repent, 20:21 you'll be okay." 20:23 "Smyrna, you're facing terrible persecution, 20:26 but you don't have to fear, I'll give you a crown of life." 20:32 "Pergamos, I have a few things against you with your false 20:36 "teachings and your immorality and more, but if you repent, 20:41 I'll give you a white stone and a new name." 20:44 "Thyatira, you put up with Jezebel and all that false 20:49 "teaching, but I'll give you power over nations and I'll 20:54 give you the morning star." 20:56 That's Jesus. 20:58 "Sardis, you have a name that you're alive, 21:02 "but you're actually dead. 21:04 "But in spite of that, you may be clothed in white clothing 21:09 and your name will stay in the Book of Life." 21:13 "Philadelphia, I'll make you a pillar in the temple of My God." 21:18 "And Laodicea, the church that makes me sick to my stomach, 21:23 there is hope for you." 21:25 And here's what Dr. Jesus prescribed for these 21:28 self-deceived Laodiceans, He said, 21:32 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, 21:36 "that you may be rich; and white garments, 21:40 "that you might be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may 21:43 "not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, 21:48 that you may see." 21:51 Gold tried in the fire that you may be rich. 21:55 They thought they were rich, many of them in this banking 21:58 center, but Jesus is talking about true riches. 22:01 He doesn't mind if you have earthly riches, too, 22:04 as long as that's dedicated to Him, 22:06 and isn't acting as a millstone around your neck. 22:10 I've heard gold tried in a fire being described as faith that 22:13 works by love. 22:15 Gold tried in the fire. 22:16 Jesus said, "You need that, and then you'll be really rich. 22:20 You'll have something of real value." 22:24 And then Jesus says, "You need white garments that you might 22:28 be clothed." 22:29 Now, this is interesting. 22:31 Historians say that back in those times Laodicea produced 22:34 soft, black wool, which was used to manufacture clothing. 22:39 Jesus says to a people in a place known for its black wool, 22:42 "What you need is white clothing." 22:45 And, of course, that white clothing is the righteousness 22:49 of Christ. 22:51 What we all need to know is that our own righteousness is 22:53 of no value. 22:55 Isaiah described it as, "Filthy rags." 22:58 But we can freely receive the perfect righteousness of Jesus. 23:04 God offers that to you right now. 23:08 Jesus went on to say that the Laodiceans needed to anoint 23:12 their eyes with eye salve so they could see. 23:15 Laodicea was home to a medical school in the first century. 23:19 One of its first graduates was an ophthalmologist, 23:22 an eye doctor, who wrote an influential textbook on the 23:26 subject of the eye. 23:27 And a popular eye salve was produced here. 23:30 It was sold by the merchants of the city. 23:34 And Jesus says, "I can offer you the eye salve that really 23:38 works, and that works for you spiritually." 23:42 He wanted to open the eyes of the Laodiceans to the beauty of 23:46 the Gospel, which, of course, is the work of the Holy Spirit. 23:49 Jesus says, "I'll give you My Holy Spirit, 23:53 who will transform you, who will remake you." 23:58 Jesus tells us why He is so direct with the Laodiceans when 24:02 He says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. 24:07 Therefore be zealous and repent." 24:11 And then He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 24:17 "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, 24:21 I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me." 24:27 This is Jesus knocking on the door of the heart. 24:30 Notice, he doesn't force His way in. He knocks and allows 24:35 you to open, or not. 24:37 He says if you'll open the door, 24:39 He'll come in. And notice it says, "We'll dine together." 24:44 That's real hospitality. 24:46 "We'll be friends," Jesus says. 24:48 "We'll eat together. 24:49 We'll have fellowship." 24:52 What an invitation from the Divine Son of God. 24:56 ♪[happy piano music]♪♪ 24:57 >>Announcer: For 2,000 years it's been the hope of the 25:01 Christian church. 25:02 It's a major theme of the Bible and the focal point of the book 25:05 of Revelation: the return of Jesus to the world. 25:09 Call now for your free copy of "The Soon Return of Jesus." 25:13 Learn what the Bible says on this vital subject and untangle 25:16 many modern myths. 25:17 Call 800-253-3000. 25:20 That's 800-253-3000. 25:23 Or visit us online at iiwoffer.com. 25:26 ♪[music ends]♪♪ 25:37 ♪[piano music]♪ 25:43 >>John Bradshaw: Patmos was a lonely island when John was 25:47 here two thousand years ago. 25:49 Which is interesting because the letters to the seven 25:52 churches reached their crescendo with an invitation to 25:55 anything but loneliness. 25:57 Jesus said that He knocks on the door of your heart. 26:00 Doesn't force His way in. He says if you will open the door 26:03 then He will come in and dine with you and you with Him. 26:07 That's Jesus saying friendship, fellowship, 26:11 unity for you and Him throughout the ceaseless ages 26:14 of eternity. 26:15 No loneliness. 26:17 No solitude. 26:18 Very much unlike what John experienced right here on 26:21 Patmos two millennia ago. 26:24 Do you want that friendship? 26:25 That's where the letters to the seven churches lead, 26:28 to you and Jesus being one forever. 26:31 If you'll say yes, you have eternity to look forward to, 26:35 with the one the Book of Revelation calls the King of 26:37 Kings and the Lord of Lords. 26:40 Let me pray with you now. 26:42 Our Father in heaven, we thank You that above all things You 26:45 wish that we, that's You and us, be connected, 26:47 be one forever and ever. 26:49 Let that be, dear Lord. 26:53 In spite of our weakness, in spite of our sin, 26:57 in spite of our faults, join us to Yourself through faith in 27:02 the Christ of the Revelation, the Christ of the Bible. 27:05 We thank You for what You have prepared for us in the letters 27:09 to the seven churches. 27:11 As we live by that instruction, as we live by that guidance, 27:16 prepare us more and yet more for eternity when Jesus comes 27:20 back to take us home. 27:23 Let that day come soon, we pray, in Jesus' name. 27:27 Amen. 27:29 Thank you so much for joining me. 27:31 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 27:33 ♪[theme music increases]♪ 27:34 Until then, remember: "It is written, 27:37 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 27:39 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 27:42 ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪ 28:22 ♪[music ends]♪♪ |
Revised 2023-09-20