I’ve noticed that few people get enthusiastic when they hear the word “ancient.” For most, ancient objects conjure up visions of spider webs, dusty furniture, broken boards, and crumbled concrete. At times, young people consider their parents’ opinions ancient, so they ignore their wise counsel or think it’s irrelevant. This is how many tend to view antiquity.
Yet, several things, like ancient ruins, get better with age. I recently traveled with the Potomac Conference on an educational tour to ancient Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Our excursion to see the Seven Churches of Revelation was a life-altering, faith-bolstering experience for me. While today we view the Apostle John’s letters in Revelation as illusions and symbols of end-time prophecies, the people in those times interpreted them as daily spiritual disciplines that pertained to their lifestyles and living conditions.
Let’s look at the church of Laodicea. The ruins that remain tell an incredible story. Jesus is the one who personally sees, cares, and knows the condition of His children. Laodicea or Laodikeia, as it was called, was a city on the major trade road between Ephesus and Syria. It was one of the greatest commercial centers in the ancient world. Hence, Laodicea was a wealthy church.
The Laodiceans’ wealth originated from the creation of luxurious black wool clothing, a banking center that stored large quantities of gold, and a medical school that produced an eye ointment to cure vision maladies. The Laodiceans also had an advanced water system that was the envy of its time. The northern mountains produced a cold spring that ran for miles into the city through terracotta (clay) pipes. Then the southern valley had boiling sulfur pools which produced hot water that was also piped into the city, creating lukewarm water for the region.
Due to its inordinate wealth, the church of Laodicea was self-sufficient. When the city suffered a devastating earthquake in A.D. 60, the Laodiceans rejected imperial assistance, instead rebuilding the region themselves. Now that’s rich! The ruins of the Laodicean church are a spectacular sight. The church had decorative tile floors, marble columns, an expansive courtyard, and indoor toilets with running water. How’s that for ancient!
So now we can see how John’s letter to the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:14-22 was personal. Jesus knew their works were lukewarm just like the water that piped through the city (vs. 15). He cautioned them about their wealth causing a false sense of security. They thought they could see and had the best clothes because of their innovations, yet Jesus said they were poor, blind, wretched, miserable, and naked (vs. 17). He loved the Laodiceans, and that is why He rebuked them so harshly (vs. 19). But if they listened and repented, Jesus promised the greatest honor: they would dine with Him, and overcomers would sit with Him on His throne (vs. 21).
Since we are considered to be modern-day Laodicea, let’s learn a lesson from these ancient ruins. God is the Ancient of Days; He knows all our needs and will supply them if we ask. While at times we may feel self-sufficient, or at other times experience devastating loss, regardless, we must look to Jesus. Everything we have is fleeting and temporary. Only Jesus, our personal Savior, can speak into our situations. Like Laodicea, Jesus offers us eternal life—an ancient gift with riches untold.