Context Matters: New Testament BackgroundsSample

Topic 6: Symbols in the book of Revelation

Many of the New Testament writings were addressed to specific churches in specific cities in the first century. These writings, naturally, include references to current social or cultural situations, situations from which modern readers are far removed. Understanding the social and cultural background of a city can help illuminate the Bible’s message.

Take, for example, Laodicea, one of the seven cities Jesus delivers a message to in Revelation 3. Laodicea was a wealthy banking city that prided itself on its self-sufficiency. They were so proud, in fact, that they refused to accept the emperor’s disaster relief funds after an earthquake in AD 60. Sometimes, the values of a culture spill over into the church without the people of that church being aware. Apparently, this had happened to the church in Laodicea.

Jesus criticizes the church there for their arrogance: “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.” The people of that church were likely wealthy and allowed their material wealth to blind them to their spiritual poverty.

One area the residents of Laodicea were not proud of was the city’s water. Laodicea did not have a natural water supply, so water had to be piped in from hot springs six miles away or from the mountains. Once it reached the city, the water would be lukewarm and contaminated with lime deposits. Lukewarm water was considered disgusting and not suitable for drinking.

Jesus opens his message to the Laodicean church by criticizing their works as being neither cold nor hot: “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Jesus is telling the Laodicean Christians that they make him sick. God doesn’t like our arrogant self-sufficiency. He is near to the weak, the broken, and the humble. We, like the Laodicean church, need to make sure our cultural values don’t spill over into the life of our churches.

Learn more about the background of the book of Revelation in the video below.