1“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:
“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:
“I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. 3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write:
“He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9Behold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. 21He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
Laodicea was situated on the south bank of the Lycus River, with Hierapolis its neighboring city to the north and Colossae to the east. It was one of five cities founded by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus II around 260 BC, which were named after his wife Laodice. Zeus was the main pagan deity of the city. Its location at a major road junction on the southern Anatolian highway caused the city to thrive as a commercial and banking center. After the Treaty of Apamea in 188 B.C., the city was transferred from Seleucid to Pergamene rule. When Roman control came in 129 B.C., Laodicea became a conventus city in the newly organized province of Asia. Twenty pounds of gold bound for the temple in Jerusalem was confiscated here by the proconsul Flaccus. This amount suggests a Jewish population of over 7,500 male adults plus women and children in the area.
Laodicea was often struck by earthquakes. One occurred during the reign of Augustus, and in 60 AD an earthquake devastated many Asian cities including Laodicea. Laodicea recovered from this quake using its own resources, an indication of Laodicea’s wealth and civic independence. The city was noted for a breed of sheep that produced soft, raven–black wool. Laodicea was also the home of a medical school in the first century. Laodicea is mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which was to be read to the church in Laodicea (Col. 4:16). It is possible that the circular letter to the Ephesians is the letter from the Laodiceans mentioned in the same verse. Laodicea is the final church addressed by John in Revelation 2–3. A bishop named Sagaris who was martyred in Laodicea. The Council of Laodicea met here in AD 363.