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Laodicea
on the Lycus (Eskihisar)
is thought to have been founded by the Seleucid
King Antiochus II Theos (261-246
BCE)
and named after his wife Laodice. The name of the
river Lycus (Çürûksu)
near which it was founded was attached to the name
of the city to distinguish it from the other
settlements of the same name. The Lyucus was a
tributary of the river Meander whose water has
been a major source of the region's agricultural
wealth.
As usual the spot chosen for the new city was on
the most important trade and military route from
the Aegean coast to the interior of Anatolia. |
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The origin
of the city goes back to the 3rd century B.C. It is thought to have been named to the
honor of king Antiochus II's wife Laodicea.
Cicero is known to be lived in the city in 50 B.C. Laodicea was on the crossroads
between the important Ionian cities of that time. This helped the city
become wealthy because of high volume of commercial activity in the
region.
There was a rich and influencial Jewish community long before the Christian
era. But, most of the locals worshipped Zeus more than any other
god. During the
time of St.John, the church of Laodicea was one
of the seven most important churches of Christianity.
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God's
message to the church of Laodicea which was written in
Revelation (3:14-22),
he said :
(3:14) 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.
(3:15) I know what you have done; I know you are neither cold nor
hot. How I
wish you were either one or the other!
(3:16) But because you are
lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit
you out of my mouth!
(3:17) You say, 'I am rich and well
off; I have all I need.' But you do not know
how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind.
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(3:18) I advise
you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be
rich.
Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful
nakedness.
(3:19) I rebuke and punish all whom I
love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from
your sins.
(3:20) Listen! I stand at the door and
knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come into his house and eat with him, and he will eat with
me.
(3:21) To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my
throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his
throne.
(3:22) If you have
ears, then, listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the
churches!
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