Before we left Antalya and began our four-hour road trip, we made a stop at “Paul’s Place,” a coffee shop where the “proprietors” befriend locals and tourists and interact with them in discussions about Christianity. Above the coffee shop, a large room serves as a meeting place for a couple of international churches as well as the growing group of Turkish believers. As we heard about their work, several in our group enjoyed a cup of the local’s favorite hot tea, “çay” (which is pronounced “chay”). Adjourning upstairs, we also were privileged to hear testimonies from two Turkish believers. It is estimated that only 5000 of Turkey’s 72 million citizens are born again. Some believe that number is possibly inflated.
En route, our driver and guide chose to leave the traversable but longer road Paul would have used for a more direct mountainous route because of the inclement weather. They made a good decision because both roads were closed not long after we passed through. There was a second benefit for us—snow—soft, slushy, and just enough for a snowball fight! Nearing our hotel for the night we got our first glimpse of a unique sight in Turkey. At Pamukkale (which means “Cotton Castle”) water from mineral hot springs cascade down the hillside forming travertines, a snowy-white type of limestone stalactites or stalagmites created from calcium carbonate deposits. What better way to recover from that bone-chilling snowball fight than to soak in the hotel’s pool of therapeutic hot thermal waters!
After a relaxing sleep we were anxious to visit Hieropolis and its Hot springs, Laodicea where the water turned Lukewarm, and Colossae with its Cold water. Would we be as eager to act on the truths we heard?
A significant archaeological discovery at Hieropolis is the necropolis. A “necropolis” is a “city of the dead” and is located outside of the city walls. Ornate tombs are placed above ground and often depict scenes of the deceased eating a meal (which symbolizes their desired status, if there is an afterlife) or significant accomplishments made while still alive. These marble crypts are monuments to the belief that death is the end. By comparison, first century Christians chose the word “cemetery” to identify a burial place. The word “cemetery” means a “sleeping place” where bodies await a resurrection. They believed that death is not the end. According to the Scriptures everyone will be resurrected, some to salvation (for those who trust Jesus Christ) and some to damnation (for those who reject Christ). Whether it is a necropolis or a cemetery, both summon us to a time of grave reflection.
Like Texas, everything is big in Laodicea. The site itself is huge, larger than one can imagine. According to historical accounts, Laodicea was a geographically and politically significant city, counting many of the social elite among its citizens. Economically, the Laodiceans’ wealth was also enormous. They even shared that same proud, independent, narcissistic “we’ll pull our own selves up by our boot-straps” Texas spirit. When the true and living God is substituted with anything else (like the ancient Greeks and Romans did), we may well hear for ourselves the graphic warning given to the believers at Laodicea. But here is a dilemma. An observation was made that no remains of any aqueduct has been found coming from Hieropolis (the location of hot water) to Laodicea. If that is true, and if the Laodiceans were familiar with the hot and cold water analogy written about in Revelation 3, then where did the water originate that became lukewarm?
On the other end of the Lycus valley, across from Laodicea and Hieropolis, is the unexcavated tel of Colossae. In contrast to the soothing and healing hot mineral water found at Hieropolis, Colossae has refreshing, satisfying, thirst-quenching cold water. The letter that Paul wrote to the Colossian church was also to be read at the Laodicean church. To both of these churches, Paul wrote that Jesus Christ is to be and must remain pre-eminent over all. Unfortunately we discover years later from John’s letter that Laodicea had not lived up to their calling in Jesus Christ. The remedy for restoration offered to the Laodiceans is the same for us. The verse is often used in evangelism, but was originally intended for believers.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Jesus wasn’t talking about eating with the dead because they don’t eat. He wasn’t knocking on a crypt because these do not have doors. He doesn’t call among the tombs, “Anybody home?” because the bodies of the deceased cannot hear. Jesus knocks and calls among the living who have substituted His supremacy for something else. When we are in fellowship with Him, Jesus continually supplies Living Water that soothes and heals or refreshes and satisfies. The text doesn’t tell us whether Jesus gently knocks and quietly calls or if He is banging on the door and yelling loudly. This I do know and far too well—however Jesus chooses to call—when He knocks, I often respond like I live in a necropolis.
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