What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Read Colossians 4:16–18; compare with Colossians 2:1–3. Reflect on Jesus' message to Laodicea. What similarities do you find with the message of the Letter to the Colossians, which at the time of Paul was also read to the congregation in Laodicea?"
Answer
The provided quotations show a close geographical and spiritual connection between Colossae and Laodicea. Paul also wrote the Letter to the Colossians for the congregation in Laodicea and specifically chose Colossians 2:1–3 to warn both churches against spiritual dangers. The message to Laodicea in Revelation 3 reveals a similar spiritual emergency as the warnings of the Letter to the Colossians: Both writings call for true knowledge in Christ and warn against superficial religiosity. Both Paul and Jesus emphasize that in Christ 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden'—exactly what the Laodicean congregation urgently needed.
Paul's Concern for Colossae and Laodicea
»Surrounded by the practices and influences of paganism, the faithful Colossians were in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel, and Paul pointed them in his warning to Christ as the only safe guide. 'I wanted you to know,' he wrote, 'the great struggle I have for you and for those in Laodicea and for all who have not seen me personally, so that their hearts may be comforted and united in love and to all the riches of the full certainty of knowledge, to the recognition of the mystery of God and the Father and Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.«
Laodicea Mentioned in the Letter to the Colossians
»Laodicea was formerly a wealthy trading city near Colossae, and therefore it is mentioned twice in this letter. Col. 2:1; 4:13.«
Spiritual Condition of the Laodicean Congregation
»The Lord shows us here that the message He has called His people to bring through servants, which He has appointed to warn the people, is not a message of peace and security. The people of God are portrayed in the message to the Laodiceans as being in a state of fleshly security. They are calm and believe they are in an elevated state of spiritual achievement. 'Because you say: I am rich and have abundance and need nothing; and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable, poor and blind and naked.«
The Source of True Knowledge
»The knowledge of God, as revealed in Christ, is the knowledge that all the saved must have. This is the knowledge that transforms character. When taken into life, it will recreate the soul in the image of Christ. This is the knowledge to which God invites His children, beside which everything else is vanity and nothing.«
Application of the Laodicean Message
»The message to the Laodicean congregation is a striking condemnation and is applicable to the people of God in the present time.«
- Colossian letter Laodicea connection
- Laodicea message spiritual blindness
- Paul's letter to Colossae warning
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
