Letter to LaodiceaLetter to Laodicea

Rev 3:14-22Rev 3:14-22

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 –

20)20) Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition

(2:1 – 3:22)(2:1 – 3:22) Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to Ephesus Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to Ephesus

(2:1-7)(2:1-7) Church of Martyrdom – Message to Smyrna (2:8-11)Church of Martyrdom – Message to Smyrna (2:8-11) Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance – Message to Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance – Message to

Pergamum (2:12-17)Pergamum (2:12-17) Church of Compromise – Message to Thyatira (2:18-29)Church of Compromise – Message to Thyatira (2:18-29) Church of Complacency – Message to Sardis (3:1-6)Church of Complacency – Message to Sardis (3:1-6) Church of Promised Deliverance – Message to Church of Promised Deliverance – Message to

Philadelphia (3:7-13)Philadelphia (3:7-13) Church of Lukewarmness – Message to Laodicea (3:14-Church of Lukewarmness – Message to Laodicea (3:14-

22)22)

Seven Churches of Revelation: Seven Churches of Revelation: LaodiceaLaodicea

Church of Lukewarmness:Church of Lukewarmness:To the Church at LaodiceaTo the Church at Laodicea

(Rev 3:14-22)(Rev 3:14-22) BackgroundBackground

1) Relationship to Colossae1) Relationship to Colossae 2) Textile Industry2) Textile Industry 3) Medical School3) Medical School 4) Extreme Wealth4) Extreme Wealth 5) No Local Water Source5) No Local Water Source

Church of Lukewarmness:Church of Lukewarmness:To the Church at LaodiceaTo the Church at Laodicea

(Rev 3:14-22)(Rev 3:14-22) Attributes of the Speaker (14)Attributes of the Speaker (14)

““The Amen” (Isa 65:16; 2 Cor 1:20)The Amen” (Isa 65:16; 2 Cor 1:20) ““The Faithful and True Witness” (Rev 19:11; cf. 21:5, The Faithful and True Witness” (Rev 19:11; cf. 21:5,

22:6)22:6) ““Beginning of the Creation of God”Beginning of the Creation of God”

1) Start of God’s creation (first being that God ever 1) Start of God’s creation (first being that God ever created)created)

2) Source of God’s creation (being from which all that 2) Source of God’s creation (being from which all that God created came)God created came)

3) Ruler of God’s creation (supreme ruler over all that 3) Ruler of God’s creation (supreme ruler over all that God created)God created)

Reasoning from the Scriptures (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society)Reasoning from the Scriptures (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society) Some take the view that what is meant is that the Son was “the Some take the view that what is meant is that the Son was “the

beginner of God’s creation,” that he was its “ultimate source.” But beginner of God’s creation,” that he was its “ultimate source.” But Liddell and Scott’s Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English LexiconGreek-English Lexicon lists “beginning” as its first lists “beginning” as its first meaning of meaning of ar·khe′ar·khe′. (Oxford, 1968, p. 252) The logical conclusion is . (Oxford, 1968, p. 252) The logical conclusion is that the one being quoted at Revelation 3:14 is a creation, the first of that the one being quoted at Revelation 3:14 is a creation, the first of God’s creations, that he had a beginning.God’s creations, that he had a beginning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible and Simon Kistemaker (NTC)Holman Christian Standard Bible and Simon Kistemaker (NTC) ““Originator of God’s creation”Originator of God’s creation” The Lord calls himself the “origin [Greek The Lord calls himself the “origin [Greek archēarchē] of God’s creation.” We ] of God’s creation.” We

should not interpret the word should not interpret the word originorigin passively, as if Jesus were created passively, as if Jesus were created or recreated, but actively, because Jesus is the one who generates and or recreated, but actively, because Jesus is the one who generates and calls God’s creation into being (John 1:1; Col. 1:15-18; Heb 1:2). What calls God’s creation into being (John 1:1; Col. 1:15-18; Heb 1:2). What then is the purpose of this description? To show that Jesus Christ made then is the purpose of this description? To show that Jesus Christ made all things and thus possesses and controls them. Also, all things were all things and thus possesses and controls them. Also, all things were made to praise and serve him.made to praise and serve him.

New International Version and John Walvoord (BKC)New International Version and John Walvoord (BKC) ““Ruler of God’s creation”Ruler of God’s creation” As “the Ruler of God’s creation” Christ existed before God’s Creation As “the Ruler of God’s creation” Christ existed before God’s Creation

and is sovereign over it (cf. Col 1:15, 18; Rev 21:6). This description and is sovereign over it (cf. Col 1:15, 18; Rev 21:6). This description was in preparation for the stern word of rebuke which Christ would was in preparation for the stern word of rebuke which Christ would give the church in Laodiceagive the church in Laodicea

hē archēhē archē tēs ktiseōs tou theou tēs ktiseōs tou theou BeginningBeginning

In the In the beginningbeginning God created the heavens and God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1)the earth (Genesis 1:1)

But all these things are merely the But all these things are merely the beginningbeginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8)of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8)

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the Him who has been from the beginningbeginning (1 John (1 John 2:13)2:13)

RulerRuler And they will appoint for themselves one And they will appoint for themselves one

leaderleader (Hosea 2:2 [1:11 English]) (Hosea 2:2 [1:11 English]) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor nor angels, nor principalitiesprincipalities … (Romans 8:38) … (Romans 8:38) Remind them to be subject to Remind them to be subject to rulersrulers, to , to

authorities… (Titus 3:1)authorities… (Titus 3:1)

hē archē tēs ktiseōs tou theouhē archē tēs ktiseōs tou theou Beginning – 27xBeginning – 27x Ruler – 13xRuler – 13x Either Way: beginning or ruler Either Way: beginning or ruler a part ofa part of … …

Abib the “beginning of months” (Exodus 12:2)Abib the “beginning of months” (Exodus 12:2) Wars, earthquakes, famines: the “beginning of Wars, earthquakes, famines: the “beginning of

birth pangs” (Mark 13:8)birth pangs” (Mark 13:8) Behemoth: “chief of the creation of the Lord” Behemoth: “chief of the creation of the Lord”

(Job 40:19)(Job 40:19) Gershon, Kohath, Merari, etc…: “heads of the Gershon, Kohath, Merari, etc…: “heads of the

family of the Levites” (Exodus 6:16-25)family of the Levites” (Exodus 6:16-25)

Attributes of Speaker -> John’s Attributes of Speaker -> John’s Vision of ChristVision of Christ

Attributes of Speaker John’s Vision of Christ

The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (2:1)

having turned I saw seven golden lampstands (1:12) … and in His right hand He held seven stars (1:16)

The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life (2:8)

 I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore (1:17-18)

The One who has the sharp two-edged sword (2:12)

out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword (1:16)

The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze (2:18)

His eyes were like a flame of fire and His feet were like burnished bronze (1:14-15)

He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars (3:1)

from the seven Spirits who are before His throne (1:4) … and in His right hand He held seven stars (1:16)

He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens (3:7)

I have the keys of death and of Hades (1:18)

Revelation 3:14 Revelation 3:14 Revelation Revelation 1:51:5

Faithful WitnessFaithful Witness Ruler of the Kings of the EarthRuler of the Kings of the Earth

““archōn” (ruler) is a cognate of “archē” archōn” (ruler) is a cognate of “archē” (beginning, ruler)(beginning, ruler)

Does this argue for “ruler” in Revelation 3:14?Does this argue for “ruler” in Revelation 3:14? Firstborn of the deadFirstborn of the dead

Phrase found one other time: Colossians 1:18Phrase found one other time: Colossians 1:18 In apposition to hē archē (“the beginning”)In apposition to hē archē (“the beginning”) John, like Paul, is linking archē with “firstborn John, like Paul, is linking archē with “firstborn

of the dead”of the dead” Does this argue for “beginning therefore ruler” Does this argue for “beginning therefore ruler”

in Revelation 3:14? (beginning…first place in in Revelation 3:14? (beginning…first place in Colossians)Colossians)

““Of the dead”??? Look at Colossians 1:15-20Of the dead”??? Look at Colossians 1:15-20

Church of Lukewarmness:Church of Lukewarmness:To the Church at LaodiceaTo the Church at Laodicea

(Rev 3:14-22)(Rev 3:14-22) Knowledge of the People (15-16)Knowledge of the People (15-16)

Neither cold nor hotNeither cold nor hot Hot – Romans 12:11 (cf. Apollos)Hot – Romans 12:11 (cf. Apollos) Cold?Cold? Christ addressing unbelief in a message to the church?Christ addressing unbelief in a message to the church? Note the contrast with the letter to the ColossiansNote the contrast with the letter to the Colossians

State of the Church (17-19State of the Church (17-19)) They (kept on) saying: I have need of nothing…They (kept on) saying: I have need of nothing… Remember the background: textile industry, medical school, Remember the background: textile industry, medical school,

extreme wealth.extreme wealth. Were the Laodiceans talking materially or spiritually?Were the Laodiceans talking materially or spiritually? Gold, Garments, and eye salveGold, Garments, and eye salve ““Buy”?Buy”? Repent (now) and be zealous (continually)Repent (now) and be zealous (continually)

Church of Lukewarmness:Church of Lukewarmness:To the Church at LaodiceaTo the Church at Laodicea

(Rev 3:14-22)(Rev 3:14-22) The Lord’s Coming (20):The Lord’s Coming (20): A voice and knocking at the A voice and knocking at the

doordoor ““Knocking on the door of a sinner’s heart”Knocking on the door of a sinner’s heart” Biblical examples:Biblical examples:

Song of Solomon 5:2 – “A voice! My beloved was knocking…”Song of Solomon 5:2 – “A voice! My beloved was knocking…” Matthew 24:33 – “recognize that He is near, right at the door” (cf. Mark Matthew 24:33 – “recognize that He is near, right at the door” (cf. Mark

13:39)13:39) Luke 12:36 – “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he Luke 12:36 – “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he

returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks”door to him when he comes and knocks”

James 5:9 – “Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door”James 5:9 – “Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door” SupperSupper

Luke 22:29-30: just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you Luke 22:29-30: just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdomthat you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom

Perhaps the marriage supper of the Lamb is in viewPerhaps the marriage supper of the Lamb is in view Significance of sharing a meal in biblical times (remember the Significance of sharing a meal in biblical times (remember the

discussion on food sacrificed to idols?)discussion on food sacrificed to idols?)

Church of Lukewarmness:Church of Lukewarmness:To the Church at LaodiceaTo the Church at Laodicea

(Rev 3:14-22)(Rev 3:14-22) Promise to the Overcomer (21)Promise to the Overcomer (21)

The Father’s ThroneThe Father’s Throne Christ’s ThroneChrist’s Throne Sharing with ChristSharing with Christ

Matthew 19:28 – Promise to 12 disciples Matthew 19:28 – Promise to 12 disciples (Luke 22:30)(Luke 22:30)

1 Corinthians 6:2 – Promise to all believers 1 Corinthians 6:2 – Promise to all believers (2 Tim 2:12)(2 Tim 2:12)

Revelation 20:4 – The fulfillment (Rev 5:10; Revelation 20:4 – The fulfillment (Rev 5:10; 20:6)20:6)

Daniel 7:27 – Prophesied long agoDaniel 7:27 – Prophesied long ago Command to Hear (22): Command to Hear (22): Christ bids every Christ bids every

church to heed what is said to each church to heed what is said to each church.church.

Next Week: The One Next Week: The One Sitting on the ThroneSitting on the Throne

Read Rev 4:1-11Read Rev 4:1-11