The Laodiceans Had Material Wealth Only
Excerpt
They were urged to buy not ordinary gold, but refined gold, referring to that which would glorify God and make them truly rich. Through its banking industry the city had material wealth. But the church lacked spiritual richness. Though they had beautiful clothes, they were urged to wear white clothes (cf. v. Rev 3:4), symbolic of righteousness which would cover their spiritual nakedness. As wool was a major product of the area, Laodicea was especiallyfamous for a black garment made out of black wool. What they needed instead was pure white clothing.
Then Christ exhorted them to put salve … on their eyes. A medical school was located in Laodicea at the temple of Asclepius, which offered a special salve to heal common eye troubles of the Middle East. What they needed was not this medicine but spiritual sight. The church at Laodicea is typical of a modern church quite unconscious of its spiritual needs and content with beautiful buildings and all the material things money can buy. This is a searching and penetrating message. To all such the exhortation isbe earnest, and repent. Christ rebuked them because He loved them, which love would also bring chastisement on this church.More
Walvoord, John F. “Revelation.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 940. Print.
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