Laodicea

<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/aec0cd3d-d5f0-4386-856f-ce2e36694647/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213600.jpg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/aec0cd3d-d5f0-4386-856f-ce2e36694647/IMAGE_2024-02-23_213600.jpg" width="40px" /> Summary of Laodicea

Laodicea, a city with a rich history and significant geographical, economic, and cultural importance, is the focus of this tour. The city's strategic location in a fertile river valley and at the crossroads of several main highways, including the main road from Ephesus to the East, contributed to its status as a major urban and commercial hub in ancient Asia Minor. The city's economy was further bolstered by its production of soft black wool, valuable woolen goods, and purple dyes, as well as its role as a center for banking, commercial, and financial affairs. In addition to its economic activities, the city was also a renowned medical center, utilizing the therapeutic hot mineral waters from the springs near Hierapolis (Pamukkale) and the refreshing cold waters from the winter-snowfields on the Lycian and Phrygian Taurus Mountains. However, just beyond Laodicea, the hot waters from the mineral springs and the cold waters from the mountain streams mixed in the Lycus River, becoming "lukewarm" and losing their healing properties. This phenomenon is a key theme in the city's history and the metaphorical warnings in the Book of Revelation.

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Chapter VII

THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA (DENIZLI-GONJALL)

The Message to Laodicea

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one! But because you are lukewarm, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev. 3, 14-22)

In the ancient world, there were six cities called Laodicea. However, the Laodicea referred to in the Book of Revelation was specifically "Laodicea on the Lycus". This city was located 250 km east of Izmir and 6 km from present-day Denizli, near the village of Eskihisar, at the junction of three main roads. It was in close proximity to two other Biblically-mentioned cities, Hierapolis (now Pamukkale) and Colossae (now Conaz).

Laodicea, originally known as Dispolis, was first mentioned by the Roman historian Pliny. Around 250 BC, Antiochus II, the Seleucid King of Syria, founded a new town on this site and named it after his wife, Laodice. After the Seleucids' defeat in the battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, the town was ceded to the Kingdom of Pergamum, a Roman ally. Following the death of Attalos III, the last king of Pergamum, in 133 BC, a Roman garrison was stationed in the town. In the 1st century AD, the town was destroyed by an earthquake. Laodicea experienced a period of prosperity in early Christian and Byzantine times. One of the Seven Basilicas, as listed in the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation, was built here.

Its ruins are located on the south bank of the ancient Lycus river, now known as Fürülsu. An important ecumenical council was held here in the 4th century AD. However, in 1094, the town came under the control of the Seljuks, and approximately two hundred years later, it was taken over by the Ottoman Turks. Since then, the town has been abandoned, with the main population center of the area shifting to present-day Denizli.

Laodicea's significance was primarily due to its strategic location in a fertile river valley. The main road from Ephesus to the East passed through the city, making it a major urban and commercial hub in ancient Asia Minor. The city also held high strategic value due to its position beyond the Phrygian Gate, a mountain pass, and at the junction of main roads to Lydia and Caria.

The town, originally a fortress, had a water supply secured by an underground aqueduct, fed by rich flowing springs. The city developed around this fortress, thanks to its location at the crossroads of several main highways. In addition to the previously mentioned roads, two other roads passed through Laodicea. A north-south road from Pergamum led to Pisidia and Pamphylia on the south coast, where Antalya is now located. A branch road led to the coast near Perge, an important harbor. Furthermore, a road from Caria to Central Phrygia passed through the town.

According to Strabo, Laodicea raised sheep to obtain soft black wool. He notes that these animals provided a significant revenue stream for the Laodiceans. The woolen tunics manufactured in Laodicea, known as "Trimita", gave the city the nickname "Trimitaria". This reputation, combined with the city's production of valuable woolen goods and purple dyes, cemented Laodicea's status as a major center for the manufacture of woolen goods, dyeing, and banking, commercial, and financial affairs.

Fine linen fabric was also manufactured in the city. In addition, the city was a renowned medical center. It utilized the therapeutic hot mineral waters from the springs near Hierapolis (Pamukkale), and the refreshing cold waters from the winter-snowfields on the Lycian and Phrygian Taurus Mountains. Both types of water were excellent for maintaining or restoring health. However, just beyond Laodicea, the hot waters from the mineral springs and the cold waters from the mountain streams mixed in the Lycus River, becoming "lukewarm" and losing their healing properties. This phenomenon is a key theme in the city's history and the metaphorical warnings in the Book of Revelation.

The city was also an important medical center. It used the healing hot mineral waters from the springs near Hierapolis (Pamukkale), and the refreshing cold waters descending from the winter-snowfields on the Lycian and Phrygian Taurus Mountains. Both types of water were excellent for keeping or restoring health. But just beyond Laodicea, the hot waters from the mineral springs and the cold waters from the mountain streams mixed up into the Lycus River, and became "luke-warm" losing their healing qualities. This seems to be a clear warning of the dangers of mixing up the different religions and the moral values of the various cultures.