Eight Messages (A Book Review)

Caleb Stevenson's commentary on the letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation is not what modern readers will be prepared to read. First off, he covers eight churches, the eighth one being the modern church of America. Unlike the many commentaries that attempt to explain the letters wholly on a 22nd century understanding, he takes you back to the mindset of the 1st century church.

In today's modern World, everyone wants to know how the Book of Revelation will impact their life as we head into what could possibly be the last days before Christ returns. True, many early Christians thought they too were in the last days, but history proves they were not. It goes without saying that when John received his visions that the One, Jesus, Who gave the visions, knew the end was thousands of year in the future. Thus it makes no sense to believe that the intended readers of the letters were expected to believe the messages were for those thousands of years in the future.

7th Church Is Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church (part 8)

by Chuck Ness

Founded around 255 BC and named after his wife Laodice by the Seleucid King Antiochus II, this city was located about 100 miles directly east of the first church mentioned by Christ, "Ephesus". Situated on one of the great Asian trade routs, Laodicea become prosperous because of its garment industry which used a black wool that had a soft texture like silk and could be found only in the Lycus Valley. However, it was also known for a medical school that grew out if it’s temple worship of the Phrygian god Men Karou, located 13 miles west of Laodicea.

Its most famous medicines were ointments made from spice; "nard" for the ears and an eye salve made from alum called "Phrygian powder". This eye salve was actually a powder made by crushing Phrygian stones and forming it into tablets. Believed to be a cure for weak eyes this medication was sold throughout the Asian and the Mediterranean lands. All of these aspects of its economy led Laodicea to becoming a leading banking center. Due to the frequent earthquakes in the area, their financial success in banking meant they did not need to depend upon any aid from Rome to rebuild. Laodicea was thus a kind of Bank of America, Wal-Mart and Mayo Clinic all rolled into one.