This is the last of these Ekklesia Shepherd (Pastors) that the LORD Jesus speak of to John. After this one we have another between the chapter notes sect to look at.
Revelation 3:14, 15-21, 22 "'And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; 'These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest 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 eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh 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.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'" (KJV)
Revelation 3:14, 15-21, 22 "'And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with Me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (ESV)
Revelation 3:14, 15-21, 22 "'And to the [1]Shepherd of the Ekklesia in [2]Laodicea write: 'He who speaks is [3]the Amen; He is the ultimate [4]evidence and the one who defines [5]faith; He personifies the [6]truth; [7]she is the very [8]source of GOD'S creation. (The word often translated Shepherd-Messenger or Messenger, [1, G32 from G71 compare to G34] aggelo, has two components, (G71) ago, to lead as a Shepherd leads and (G34) agele, a herd of cattle or company. [2, G2993 is from a compound of G2992 and G1349]Laodikeia is from (G2992) laos, meaning people, and (G1349 from G1166) dikea, meaning right, justice, thus the righteousness of the people-their claim to fame was their self-righteousness. Look also at verse 17. The word [3, G281 from H543]amen is from a Hebrew word (H543 אָמֵן 'âmên, sure, faithness), aman, meaning support, confirmation, faithful, certainty, reliable, uphold, nourish; foster-parent, nurse; also a word used for pillars, supporter of the door. This one is the sustainer and fulfillment of all that GOD has spoken. Literally, "The one who speaks is the [3]Amen, the [4]Testimony, the [5]Faith, the [6]Truth, and the [7]Source of Creation!" The two component of the word translated truth, [6, G228 from G227 has two parts G1 and G2990] alethinos are (G1) ha, a negative and (G2990) lanthano, hidden, be ignorant of, thus unveiled. [7]While the rest of the sentence is masculine, the phrase, "Source of Creation," ἡ ἀρχή κτίσις, (G3588,G746,G2937) is in the Feminine Gender.
The word, [8, G746 from G756] arche, suggests commencement or beginning, is from (G756) archomai, to rehearse from the beginning! Look at John 1:1, To go back to the very beginning (Genesis 1:1-3, 26-27) is to find the Word already present there; face to face with GOD. The Word is I am; GOD'S eloquence echos and concludes in Him. The Word equals GOD. John 1:2-3, The beginning mirrors the Word face to face with GOD. The Logos is the source; everything commences in Him. He remains the exclusive Parent reference to their existence. There is nothing original, except the Word! The Logic of GOD defines the only possible place where humanity can trace their genesis (Genesis 1:26-27 came before 2:6-7, 18, 21-22).
Look also at Isaiah 40:18-19, 21, To whom then will you liken GOD, or what likeness compares with Him? The Idol? a workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and cast for it silver chains. Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? The Septuagint reads, eks arches - sourced in the beginning.)
I am familiar with your works and you remind me of the typical situation in Laodicea! How I wish that your lives were like the cold, refreshing waters of Colossae or like the waters of the healing thermal springs of Hierapolis! But they are neither cold nor hot! (By the time the waters arrive via aqueducts in Laodicea.) This is what really disappointed: when you anticipate a refreshing cool drink but instead get a mouthful of lukewarm Sulphur-tasting water, you would naturally spit it out! ( There is no substitute for living from the source. Compromise could never suffice! This metaphor has been drawn from the water supply of the city, which was lukewarm, in contrast to the hot springs at nearby Hierapolis - [6 miles north] and the cold, refreshing waters from Colossea [11 miles east]. Laodicea had aqueduct suggests not that "hot" is good and "cold" is bad, but that both hot and cold water are useful, whereas lukewarm water is emetic. Hierapolis became a healing center where doctors used the thermal springs as a treatment for their patients. Laodocea is called by Ramsay "the City of Compromise!" This again highlights the danger of a mixed message, not drawn directly from the source but, en-route, mingled with one's own ideas, efforts and performance-just like Paul warning the Galatians about a little leaven, leavening the entire lump of dough!) As your name suggests, you are experts in [1]justifying yourselves, you are convinced that you have all your ducts in a row-your plumbing is sorted, your trade and economy are thriving industries-you think that you are completely independent. Yet you have no idea of how bankrupt you really are! Your entire economy is flawed since you are trading with "Monopoly money!" It is fake currency--your [2]scales are [3]rigged! If only you knew how desperately in need you are of someone to show you tender compassion and mercy! I mean, look at you! On the outside you may appear to be standing tall and proud in your self-righteousness but in reality you are in a pitiful state! You are like a [4]crouching, cringing beggar! Your [5]smoke-screen has blinded your view! You think you're hiding in your fancy brand-name clothes but you don't realize how [6]naked and exposed you are! ([1]Laodikeia is from dikea, thus the righteousness of the people. Their claim to fame was their self-righteousness. The word [2, G5005 from the base of G5007 and a derivative of the base of G3984] talaiporos, occurs only twice in the NT - Romans 7:24 and Revelation 3:17 - and both times it is translated wretched!? It has two components, (G5007) talanton, to bear, which is the word for the scale of a balance, that which is weighed, a talent, and (G3984 with the base G4008) poros, which is a trade word. See also emporos, [en + poros] a merchant, trader. The word, poros, derives from peira, to test as in testing the weight of a thing. A talent of silver weighed about 100 pounds (45kg) and a talent of gold weighed in at about 200 pound or (91kg). The Hebrew word for scale of balances is the word, azan, which literally means to broaden out the ears with cupped hands, weighing words, to give undivided attention to. Is from 'ozen, ear. [3]Rigged scales ie..gold not thoroughly refined - see vs 18. Two of their most famous and successful products were an ear ointment from spice-nard and eye-salve made from "Phrygian power" mixed with oil. They seem to have the monopoly on this strategic trade-route; yet, while their ear salve and eye ointment medicines were in unique demand they themselves suffered from hearing and seeing wrong! The word, [4, G4434] ptochos, means to cringe or crouch like a beggar. The word, [5, G5185 from G5187] tuphlos, means smoky eyes, blind, and is from (G5187) tuphoo, to envelop with smoke. The word, [6, G1131] gumnos, means nude, naked. Look at Isaiah 64:6, "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. They fade like a leaf, instead of covering our nakedness they emphasize our shame!" Revelation 3:4.
Situated near Colossea and Hierapolis, the great road from the coast to the inner country passed through the middle of Laodicea - the city was the doorkeeper to the great eastern highway and central trade-route of the Roman Empire from Ephesus to the east. The city was renowned for three main industries: A banking center for the province of Asia Minor, including a gold exchange; The textile center where glossy, black wood was woven into garments called trimata that were prized in the Roman world; The location of a major medical school known worldwide and where an eye salve called Phyrigian powder was made from a local stone. The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. According to Roman writer Tacticus, Rome offered to pay for the city to be rebuilt, but the people declined, saying that they were wealthy enough to restore their own city; this coincides with John's writing!) I invite you to talk business with Me! Come, [1]let us resolve this together! I want to make you really rich! I advise you to [2]to buy gold [3]from me! Gold that is thoroughly refined in the fire-not the flawed currency of your own trade! We're not talking a mixture here! No dross! And from now on, buy your clothing from me; white garments-not the blended brands of your own making! Clothe yourself completely with these and there will be not even a [4]hint of shame! For your eyes, buy [5]eye-salve from Me to [6]anoint your eyes so that you may clearly see yourself in Christ! (The word, [1, G4823 from G4862 and G1011 ] sumbouleo, is from (G4826) sun, jointly, together and (G1011) bouleo, to reason, to resolve. [2]Come and buy from Me! Heaven's currency is to "pay" attention! To cup your ears! In an effort to hear better. See commentary in verse 17! This translation reminds us of Isaiah 55:1-3, "Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and the finest wheat without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? [In Hebrew the word for grain and buying or selling is the same - shabar - crushed grain.] Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to Me, hear, that your soul may live, and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, My steadfast, sure Agape for David. [3]"From Me, 'par' emon - para closest possible proximity of nearness.
[4]No shame! See Genesis 3:7, 9-10, Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.... GOD called to the Man: 'Where are you?' He said, "I heard You in the garden and I was ashamed because I was naked. And I hid. [Note, GOD wasn't hiding from them!]
The word, [5, G2854] kollourion, is the name for a famous Phryian powder for the eyes made in Laodicea. To anoint, [6, from G1722 and G5548] enchrisai, is from (G1722) en, in and (G5548) chrio, Christ.) It is with [1]affection that I address every one of you, whoever you are. I would [2]earnestly persuade you as a parent would [3]instruct and nurture their children: [4]eagerly [5]acquaint yourselves with all that I have in mind for you. (The word, [1, G5368] phileo, is a friendship word and suggests fondness and affection; [2] enlencho, means to encourage, convince, to persuade. This is a quote from father communicates with the son in whom he delights. Here the Hebrew word, yakach, is used, which in this context suggests to reason together; see Isaiah also 1:18. The word, [3, G3811] paideuo, means to nurture and train a child; [4 from G2205] tzeleuo, is from (G2205) zelos, means to be fervently eager, to have strong feelings of excitement. The word often translated 'repentance' is actually [5, G3340 from G3326 and G3539] metanoeo, which has nothing to do with penance! It means to join thoughts about something, to co-know.) You have shut Me out in your self-righteousness, but behold, here I stand knocking at the door! if anyone recognizes My voice and lets Me in, I am so ready to join you for a feast! Yes, I will dine with you and you with Me! (Song of Songs 5:2, I was asleep, but my heart was awakened. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night." Revelation 3:3, Remember therefore what it felt like when you first heard and embraced the word as your own! It was like discovering a priceless treasure! Now make up your mind once and for all! Why should i surprise you like a thief and break into your space whilst you are fast asleep and not even aticipating my intimate intent, not knowing the moment of my visitation?
See John 6:58 also Revelation 2:20 on the significance of meals as wells as the extended commentary at the end of Rev. 2.
It is characteristic of John to note the sayings of Christ which express the reciprocal relations of himself and his followers See also John 6:56, 10:38, 14:20, 15:4-5, 17:21, 26. Compare john 14:23.) And everyone's personal triumph will be celebrated together with Me, by being jointly seated together in My Kingship! It is on exactly the same basis of [1]My victory celebration and My joint seatedness with My father in His Throne-room! (Not the words, [1] hos kago enikesa where enikesa is the first Aorist Active Indicative of (G3528) nikao, to conquer, looking back on the victory as over in the past. A.T.Roberston compares this to John 16:33, where before the Cross Jesus says, ego nenikeka ton kosmon, which is in the perfect active tense, emphasizing the abiding effect of the victory!)
Now listen up with your inner ears! hear with understanding what the Spirit is saying to the Ekklesia!'" (The Mirror, with editing.)
With our next visit the LORD willing I shall share this chapters notes as we have in the past. This time its on "Thief in the Night, Our GOD-identity, and the City-Bride."
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