Main Verse: Revelations 3:14-22

Good morning!

            Antiochus II re-founded the city around 250 BC as a military stronghold because of the mountain ranges that surrounded it. Antiochus’ named the city in honor of his sister/wife Laodice. was a modern metropolis in the mid to late first century AD. Because of the Lycus Valley and the Maeander river, which was the largest river in Western Asia, Laodicea was a bustling town in the late first century businesses thronged to the city and the city attracted wealthy landowners. Laodicea had everything it needed including warm water channeled in via aqueducts and warmed by the sun was suitable for bathing. The city architects-built health spas around the warm waters and mineral springs; unfortunately, the water also had lime deposits which caused sickness. The city’s source of income derived from sales of black or purple dyed wool. Architects built Temples in honor of the local gods. To appease the Romans, the City Planners built a temple in honor of the emperor or, the “Imperial Cult” ( (Johnson, 1950).

The English idiom, “Sometimes you have to play along to get along” applies to Laodicea more specifically, the church. For the church to do business in the community, the church tweaked its rules to become more “inclusive.” The Lord called the church at Laodicea, “Lukewarm” which, is an insult (revelations 3:15-16). Luke-warm water is not cold enough to drink and not hot enough to clean with; so, beyond bathing, the water had no practical use. The church’s only purpose was to keep people from sliding spiritually (Matthew 5:13). The church at Laodicea did not start out “Lukewarm,” changes were slow until the church became “Lukewarm.” Churches in America, just like Laodicea, have adopted changes to the church core beliefs to suit the demands of the people. A generation from now, the church in America, like the church at Laodicea, may not exist. For this reason, we are to order our lives uprightly (Titus 2:12-13, Proverbs 10:9). My encouragement for you today is, check your spiritual foundation to see where the cracks are and take steps to correct them (Proverbs 27:23-24).

I.H.S.

MK