Revelation 3

Pastor Valeen Netzel

Here we have three more of the epistles of Christ to the churches.

This first letter is addressed to the church in Sardis, an ancient city Lydia, on the banks of the mountain Timolus, which is said to have been the chief city of Asia, and the first city in that part of the world that was converted by the preaching of John. It is also thought to have been the first city that revolted from Christianity, and one of the first that was laid in ruins, where it still lies, without any church or ministry.

To the Church in Sardis

1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

This letter is from the Lord Jesus, He has the seven spirits, that is, the Holy Spirit and his various powers, graces, and operations, for he is personally one. This wording is to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is present in each and every church (seven churches, seven spirits of God being addressed.) The angels that are referenced are the ministers, also referenced as the stars. And now that the introduction is finished, he goes directly into the purpose of his letter.

He starts with the good in the churches and then proceeds to tell them where they are missing it. This church had a reputation of life, but it was now dead. Hypocrisy and sin are found in this church by the Lord Jesus – who knows them well – better than anyone else. There was a form of Godliness without power. It was evident that Jesus could see a small spark of possible life and warns them to fan it into flame. He calls them to strengthen what is left of their spiritual life and repent. He tells them to remember the truth that they have heard and hold onto it tightly. And then he lets them know that if they do not listen to his warning and change their ways, he will come when they least expect him and then it will be too late. They must always remain watchful and alert, as we are warned many many times by Jesus and by his disciples.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Here he gives them some comfort, letting them know that there are some who have not fallen into spiritual death. These are the ones that have held strong and not given up. They walk with the clean garments of real practical holiness on this earth and have kept themselves untainted by the world. They will receive the white robes of honor and glory in heaven. They will not face the destruction that many others will face. Jesus will not only not blot them from the book of life, but he will confess their names before his father and before the angels. This is his great and glorious honor and reward to those who are faithful. The final sentence is a demand for the attention of everyone on earth – it is important and commands one to listen carefully.

The next church was also in Asia Minor, on the borders of Mysia and Lydia and received it’s name for the brotherly love that it was known for. This church and the entire city were known for the love and kindness it’s citizens showed to one another.

To the Church in Philadelphia

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

As we see, Jesus again introduces himself. This time as the one who speaks holy and true and who holds the key of David. This is representative of the government and authority in and over the church. He confirms this authority by stating that he can open doors and shut them and no one can change the status of that door but him. He commends them for their goodness and faithfulness and lets them know that he has opened a door for them that cannot be shut. He acknowledges their weakness and applauds their determination in spite of it. He tells them that their enemies will fall at their feet and acknowledge the love that God has for this church. He promises to protect them from what is about to come because of their patience and determination.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

He encourages them to continue to stay strong and not to allow anyone to steal what they have worked so hard to retain. At the end of time they will be rewarded in great ways, being known as approved of God. And again, these words are commanded as something to pay strict attention to.

To the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm— neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

We now come to the last and worst of all the seven Asian churches. This is the exact opposite of the church in Philadelphia for sure. This church was once a famous city near the river Lycus. It had a vast wall, three marble theaters, and like Rome, was built on seven hills. It seems that Paul was very instrumental in planting the church in this city, as he mentions it in the last chapter of Colossians. Here Jesus introduces himself as the faithful and true witness. The one who sees all and knows all. He reveals that he knows that they had allowed themselves to become indifferent Christians. They were not on fire for God, nor did they deny him. They had become complacent, just going through the motions without any real power. This is more offensive to God than to just deny him. He would prefer that they stood for something one way or the other. And threatens that he will spit them out and deny them himself. These people think that they are fine, that they have provided for themselves and need nothing, but they do not realize that they are actually the complete opposite of fine. He recommends that they go and seek the precious treasures of the word and purify themselves into holiness so they can experience true riches. This is the only way to save themselves from being exposed for what they truly are – wretched and naked of glory. He tells them to open their eyes to the truth so that they can truly see the glory that they have been missing.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Now, Jesus tells them that the only reason he sends them these truthful and brutally honest words is because he loves them. He desires that they change their ways and repent. He wants to restore them, and is begging them to return to him. If they listen to his warnings, he will welcome them back into the kingdom. They will be victorious and sit with him in heaven. These warnings come from him so that they will not face the punishment to come. And he ends with the important warning to listen carefully to what he has to say.

Footnotes:

a Revelation 3:1 Or messenger; also in verses 7 and 14 b Revelation 3:1 That is, the sevenfold Spirit