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Laodicea

An ancient city built on the river Lycus, in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was mentioned in Colossians, alongside Colossae and Hierapolis. Paul especially requested that the letter to the Colossians also be read in Laodicea (and that the letter from Laodicea be read in Colossae). Some manuscripts of 1 Timothy state that it was written in Laodicea. Laodicea was also one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation. The reference to Laodicea being neither hot nor cold is thought to come from its water supply. Hierapolis was known for its hot springs and Colossae for its pure cold water. Laodicea brought in hot water via a five-mile long aqueduct which would have meant it was tepid by the time it reached the town. In Revelation the Laodiceans are urged not to be like its water, neither one thing nor another.

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