The Seven Churches Of Asia 20

INTRO: We are in the seventh and last church of Revelation 2-3. We are studying the historical purpose of this letter. We have looked at some of the history of the city of Laodicea. Like Philadelphia, it was relatively young in comparison to some of the other churches in Asia.

Let me mention briefly three outstanding features of this city that especially relate to the church of Laodicea. This city was very rich and had a great banking and financial center. Second, it was a manufacturing center for clothing. They mass produced a certain outer garment from the violet-black, glossy wool of their famous sheep. And third, it was a medical center known especially for its eye-salve.

We looked at the counselor who is described as the amen, and the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. We said this could read that He was the faithful and true martyr, as it does of Antipas. And I think He is described as all of this because all of this is what Laodicea was not like, nor did they recognize Him as the Creator, as their life indicates.