Let us take a brief look at the secular history and city of Laodicea
to the end of the first century A.D.:
The city of Laodicea in Asia Minor was one of the seven cities of Revelation. The city was named after Laodice, the wife of Antiochus the Second, King of Syria, who influenced it to be rebuilt and beautified. Its name meant "justice of the people".

The city was located in the great valley of the Lycus near the Lycus River that flowed into the Maeander River. The city was about half way between Philadelphia and Colossae, not too far away from Hierapolis and about twenty five kilometers (forty miles) from Ephesus. It was an inland city that had no sea port. It was built at the intersection of three important roads being the gateway to southwest Phrygia. Camel caravans came from the oriental east to Laodicea. From the crossroads at Laodicea they could continue their journey to other cities such as Ephesus, Miletus, Smyrna, and others. There were a number of cities that had the same name but this was the richest one of all.

The city was originally built by the Greeks. Alexander the Great had four generals that carved up his empire into four parts after his death. General Seleucus took Syria while General Lysimachus originally took Asia Minor that eventually became ruled by the Seleucus (Seleucid) heirs (dynasty). Antiochus the Second ruled about 261-246 B.C. It was a place of early Greek culture and one of the strongholds of the Seleucid empire that aided in the Hellenization of western Asia.

In the first century A.D. the city was under the jurisdiction of the Romans. Like Rome, the city was built on seven hills. The city had great physical beauty and had a strong wall around it for defense. It also had a great temple, banks, a great outdoor market place, a medical school, two Roman theaters, a large stadium, and much more.

Alexander the Great's conquests had quite an effect on the economy of Laodicea. Large quantities of gold and silver from the treasuries of Persia came through Laodicea. New trade routes were opened to China, east Africa, Arabia, and India. As a result, great wealth flowed through Laodicea. Laodicea was a banking center and proud of its wealth. In regards to science, literature, law, banking, medicine, and manufacturing, Laodicea had it all. As an industrial center, clothing was manufactured in the city. It was known for its refinement and manufacture of rich garments of black glossy wool. It shared with Thyatira and Sardis in the dye trade. It had hot mineral springs that folks liked to soak in. A large medical facility was there where the doctors specialized in eye and ear problems. Medicine was made there. Local clay was mixed with spikenard to make a healing salve. This "Phrygian Powder" was used to treat eye and ear diseases and was sold all over the Roman Empire.

Laodicea was destroyed twice by earthquakes in the first century A.D. In 17 A.D. it was destroyed and Rome gave financial aid to help rebuild it. It was destroyed a second time about 62 A.D. and rebuilt by its wealthy citizens without any financial help from Rome.

Laodicea was a religious city. Towards the Phrygian mountains, there was an ancient temple of the Phrygian god, Men Karou. Jupiter or Zeus was worshipped by the folks under Roman rule. The city had in its population seven thousand adult male Hebrews. The Roman road system and Romana Pax (Roman Peace) helped evangelists spread the Word of God (the gospel) throughout the Roman empire. In general, the Romans made travel, whether by land or sea, safer and swifter. The Greek, Epictetus, said at that time, "Caesar has procured us a profound peace. There are no wars, no battles, no massive brigandage, no piracy; we may travel at all hours and sail from East to West."

The church in Laodicea was probably started by Epaphras, a companion of the Apostle Paul
(Colossians 4:12). Eventually, three Christian churches were built there. Christ appeared to use the attributes of this city to illustrate the Laodicean church's true spiritual condition. Christ mentioned their gold that was not the true riches, their cloth of black wool that could not cover their spiritual nakedness, and their eyesalve that would not cure their spiritual blindness. Christ wanted them to embrace the true spiritual riches that included His presence, His salvation, His healing, and so much more. It appears that one problem was their riches influenced many in this church to be self-sufficient, having pride with no apparent need for Christ. This resulted in their lukewarm spiritual condition, as
Revelation 3:18 described. The church had spiritually decayed like a piece of rotten fruit that was not fit to be eaten (vomited forth). The Lord was not happy with them and they received no praise from Him.

The Church in latter times did an apparent spiritual turnabout as one of the early church councils at which the canon of Scripture was determined was held in Laodicea in A.D. 361. The city lies in ruins today as a result of earthquakes. It is located in the nation of Turkey near the modern city of Denizli in case you might like to visit there sometime.