Modern Laodicea 1 Desmond Allen, PhD, MDiv Excerpt from WHAT PAUL MIGHT SAY TODAY Critiques in the Practical Theology of 21st Century Western Christendom Introduction Illumination I have included this chapter among Being born anew of the Spirit of God, these critiques on the practical theology of believers live in the light; illumination 21st Century Western Christendom that we radiates about us and through us, from God might better understand our present state, and toward His Word. Here is where that we might better understand why we are understanding divine communication, in the pitiful condition we are in. While the God’s written Word, takes place. In their condition of the Church in the last days is darkness, unbelievers can have but a detailed in various Bible passages, a limited understanding of Scripture. prophetic, synoptic view of the entire Therefore, although it paints a very clear Church Age is briefly chronicled in Jesus’ picture of many topics, to the unbeliever messages to the seven historical churches these portraits are but blurry hues, of Asia-Minor (present day Turkey): subjective abstracts left to the viewer’s Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, interpretation. The issue for them is Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Other, illumination; the unbeliever simply does more prominent congregations than some not have it. of these could have been addressed; A prime example of the unbeliever’s certainly they had issues as well. So too, inability to appreciate scriptural portraits is the letters could have appeared in a the prophetic picture of the world’s different sequence. But neither their choice condition at the end of the age prior to nor the order in which they appear is Christ’s return. It is not that they are random. Collectively, they depict a pre- uninformed; popular books are written written history of the Church dispensation about it, major motion pictures depict the from Pentecost to our future gathering to foretold scenario, and preachers warn of the meet the Lord in the air. impending doom. Not only is society well Before discussing the end of the age, it informed on the issue, it is a widespread is important to review its history, both as topic of ridicule for comedians, popular prophesied in these letters and as it media personnel and naysayers in general. subsequently unfolded through the They scoff at the idea of a one-world centuries. Herein we will see what it is that government, its evil leader, the antichrist led us to where we are today. In hindsight, and his mark. Even as it unfolds right we now understand just how precise and before them they dismiss, as nonsense, the detailed these predictions were. We must ancient prophecies of the Jews’ returning to also review the cultural environment in establish themselves in their Holy Land, all which each historical church resided. Only to the consternation of the surrounding then can we fully appreciate the nations. They scoff at the prophetic picture significance of these most telling letters. that depicts a society similar to that of the This, too, will allow us to better appreciate antediluvians: the rise of atheists who, the passage pertaining to our current period professing themselves wise become fools, of Church history, the last days. preferring to reverence the creation rather 2 than the Creator, the general approval of To the church in Ephesus homosexuality; a covetous malignant society with a seared conscience; proud, Unto the angel of the church of disobedient boasters, argumentative, Ephesus write; murderous, haters of God; and inventors of These things saith he that evil things, in a world where knowledge holdeth the seven stars in his right would be increased. hand, who walketh in the midst of the Neither can the unbeliever fully seven golden candlesticks; I know thy comprehend the predictions concerning the works, and thy labour, and thy condition of the Church in the last days. patience, and how thou canst not Although clearly articulated, to the bear them which are evil: and thou unbeliever these prophecies are nothing but hast tried them which say they are subjective abstracts. However, for the apostles, and are not, and hast found believer, the gift of illumination brings them liars: And hast borne, and hast these portraits into focus, so that we, as patience, and for my name's sake hast believers in the 21st Century, can clearly labored, and hast not fainted. see that the last days are upon us. In this Nevertheless I have somewhat chapter we review the foretold, historic against thee, because thou hast left journey of the Church from Pentecost to thy first love. Remember therefore Christ’s return, and the condition in which from whence thou art fallen, and we should expect it to be in these last days. repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his His character & His promises place, except thou repent. As we read these letters, take note of But this thou hast, that thou two specific details concerning our Lord: hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, the characterizations by which he identifies which I also hate. He that hath an himself and the promises he makes to the ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith victorious. He describes himself differently unto the churches; To him that and makes different promises to each overcometh will I give to eat of the church. His self-described characteristics tree of life, which is in the midst of are specifically chosen to identify with the the paradise of God (Rev. 2:1-7). particular, historic and prophetic To this assembly in Ephesus, who had environment of each church. Furthermore, lost their first love He is “he that holdeth there exists an interesting progression in the the seven stars in his right hand, who promises as they symbolically restore the walketh in the midst of the seven golden victors, in each church, to the original candlesticks,” an obvious indication of his intention God had in store for humanity devotion to them and their security in Him, before the fall. We will also note that of despite their lack of fervor toward him. the seven, only Smyrna and Philadelphia The victorious are promised, “to eat of the receive praise without rebuke, while Sardis tree of life, which is in the midst of the and Laodicea are almost entirely censured. paradise of God.” After Adam’s Ephesus, Pergmum and Thyatira are disobedience, God placed the cherubim to praised for some things and condemned for guard this tree; here, symbolically, the others. original intention is restored. Ephesus, the historic city 3 Just as numbers are important to one of its seven wonders. Curiously, this biblical interpretation, so too are names. goddess of the moon, fertility, life, and the This is especially true when the name is outdoors (who they believed had fallen chosen or singled out by God, such as from heaven), was represented by an Abraham, Sarah, John the Baptist and, of unattractive, squat, black, many-breasted course, Jesus himself (e.g. Gen. 17:5, 15; figure that, nevertheless, was revered, and Lk. 1:13; Mt. 1:25). Each was chosen for a held precious throughout this stronghold of specific meaning, a specific connotation it pagan superstition. This pagan religion set forth. Ephesus means “the Desirable played a vital part in the local economy. One.” At the time of The Revelation, Travelers came from all over the world to Ephesus was the wealthiest and greatest buy Ephesian letters, amulets, and charms, city in the province. Often referred to as which they believed could cure sickness, the Light of Asia, it was a flourishing make fruitless wombs give birth, and commercial seaport, the home of famed generally bring success to any venture. annual gaming events, and the geographical It was this economy that Paul had center of the Roman Empire. disrupted with his preaching (Acts 19:23- The famous geographer Strabo, 41).2 He had so many converts that local referred to Ephesus as the Market of Asia. merchants, sellers of religious trinkets, Although Pergamum was the official seat realized they might be in danger of losing of government for the province, Ephesus considerable income. Thus, a ruckus was the unofficial capital. Located on the erupted. banks of the Cayster River along the Similar to the cities of refuge for Aegean Sea, Roman governors often held accused or guilty Israelites, the Temple of court at Ephesus and, by statute, a new Diana was considered a safe haven for all proconsul had to enter his new domain criminals. Once a criminal reached the through this, the Gateway to Asia. As temple compound he could claim the right such, Ephesus held the political distinction of asylum. Also housed within the temple of being a self-governing, free city, thereby were hundreds of prostitutes, considered excused from the usual oppressive garrison sacred temple priestesses. As one can of troops. For all travelers, Ephesus was imagine, being the center of this pagan cult, the highway to Rome. Years later, when as well as a haven for criminals and Christians were being taken from Asia to prostitutes, Ephesus was a notoriously evil serve as lion fodder in the coliseums, place known for its crime and immorality. Ignatius called Ephesus the Highway of the Later generations would think of Ephesus Martyrs. as the Vanity Fair of the ancient world. Ephesus was also the center for magic Many have pointed out that Ephesus arts and the worship of Artemis, or Diana.1 was a most unpromising soil for sowing the Although it was home to several famous seed of Christianity.