REVELATION CHAPTER III
Praise and admonishment of the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. What is an overcomer?
REVELATION
CHAPTER III
“2 The Angel of the Church of Sardis is reproued, 3 exhorted to repent, and threatned if hee doe not repent. 8 The Angel of the Church of Philadelphia 10 is approoued for his diligence and patience. 15 The Angel of Laodicea rebuked, for being neither hote nor colde, 19 and admonished to be more zealous. 20 Christ standeth at the doore, and knocketh.”
The Translators
OVERVIEW
John issues Jesus’ praises and reprimands to the the following churches: Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. All are called to be over-comers; to hold fast to the faith and repent of error. Jesus warns the churches that there are consequences to lapsing into sin and falling away from the faith.
SARDIS
V. 1
“1 And vnto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seuen Spirits of God, & the seuen starres; I know thy workes, that thou hast a name that thou liuest, and art dead.”
“The Angel of the Church in Sardis,” likely refers to the pastor, bishop or overseer of the church, not a heavenly angel.
Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:20) is “…he that hath the seuen Spirits of God, & the seuen starres.”
The church at Sardis had a reputation for being alive; yet, Jesus says it is dead.
V. 2
“2 Be watchfull, and strengthen the things which remaine, that are ready to die: for I haue not found thy works perfect before God.”
The church is encouraged to strengthen good things in their midst that appear to be dying. This would pertain to works, wherein the church is falling short; and, the few good works they still have left appear to be imperfect and threaten to fade away.
V. 3
“3 Remember therefore, how thou hast receiued and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thiefe, and thou shalt not know what houre I will come vpon thee.”
The things “receiued” are the doctrines and practices first taught them by the Apostles and faithful ministers. It appears Sardis has strayed and needs to return to first things; to repent and remain steadfast in true doctrines. Should the church fail to do this, it will remain in darkness and will not see judgment coming. Paul warned the Thessalonian church of the same thing; he said that those who are asleep, or steeped in sin, will not be spiritually awake; and, therefore they will not see judgment approaching; God will come as a “thief in the night.” Yet, those in the light are awake and they will not be caught unaware. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-7) Thus, the church at Sardis is called to wake up; repent and be vigilant; for the Lord is coming.
V. 4
“4 Thou has a few names euen in Sardis, which haue not defiled their garments, and they shall walke with me in white: for they are worthy.”
Not all in Sardis had fallen away from the faith.
They are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, which is the righteousness of Saints (Revelation 19:8). Only faithful follower of Jesus Christ are clothed in white; their names are not blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5), and they go where he goes (Revelation 19:14).
V. 5
“5 Hee that ouercommeth, the same shalbe clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the booke of life, but I will confesse his name before my Father, and before his Angels.”
The church at Sardis is reminded that over-comers are those who trust in Christ for their righteousness; they will be clothed in white raiment, which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Because they keep the faith (endure to the end), their names will not be blotted out of the book of life. And, they will not be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Names are entered into the book of life through faith in Jesus Christ; conversely, those who fall away (2 Thessalonians 2:3) from the faith have their names blotted out.
V. 6
“6 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches.”
What is to be heard?
So far, Jesus has addressed issues in five churches in Asia. All have been praised for certain things and reprimanded for others. Yet, the Spirit has preached to all churches that they must be over-comers, meaning that as Christ overcame so must they (Revelation 3:21). Through Christ and him alone are we over-comers; not by works, but by faith. Unless we overcome sin and death, we will not sit down with Christ on his throne. Only he overcame sin and death; and, apart from faith in him, we cannot. Thus, the Spirit preaches that faith in Christ alone makes us over-comers. Though Jesus commended many of the churches for their good works; he warned them of falling away from their first love and having their candlestick removed. Good works do not an over-comer make, but faith.
PHILADELPHIA
Vs. 7 - 12
“7 And to the Angel of the Church of Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is Holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of Dauid, he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy workes: behold, I haue set before thee an open doore, and no man can shut it: for thou hast little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Iewes, and are not, but doe lie: behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feete, and to know that I haue loued thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keepe thee from the houre of temptation, which shall come vpon all the world, to try them that dwell vpon the earth. 11 Beholde, I come quickly, hold fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crowne. 12 Him that ouercommeth, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall goe no more out: and I wil write vpon him the Name of my God, and the name of the Citie of my God, which is new Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God: And I will write vpon him my New name.”
“He that is Holy,” is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John references Isaiah 22:22, which reads, “And the key of the house of Dauid will I lay vpon his shoulder: so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” The “key of the house of Dauid,” refers to the temporal and eternal authority of Messiah. He is the offspring of David; for, David is a type or foreshadow of Messiah, both King and Priest. Jesus Christ is the eternal authority; his rule is final; that which he decrees is decreed; and, that which he denies is denied; he opens hearts and minds and he closes them at his pleasure. No creation (man, angels etc) can override his promises and decrees. The doors he opens are open unless he shuts them and those shut are shut unless he opens them. Man’s understanding is closed to the things of God unless God opens his spiritual eyes.
Jesus Christ knows all men’s works. Nothing escapes his knowledge. Our works declare our faith; and, works established in Christ for the glory of God open doors; for, they are based on the strength of God; not man’s intellectual or physical abilities. The doors of heaven are opened to the weak and humble (“…when I am weak, then am I strong…” 2 Corinthians 12:10).
“The synagogue of Satan,” is first stated in chapter two, perhaps Jewish converts insisting on faith plus the Law for salvation; or those claiming to be Jews, but denying Messiah, not having been circumcised inwardly (Romans 2:29). Paul wrote to the Romans that Jew is not by genetics, but by faith in Christ; that is inward circumcision of the heart, not by physical circumcision of the flesh. Jews claiming to be children of Abraham because of circumcision of the flesh deny Christ. These could be said to be of the synagogue of Satan. The Jews tormented believers in Messiah first in Israel then later in other parts of the Roman Empire. But, John wrote that the day will come when Christ sets all things right, and their persecutors will fall at their feet.
What is the “word of my patience?” God has made believers in Messiah many promises; some have not yet come to pass. Still, faithful believers hold patiently to those promises, never doubting that God will deliver. Even in the face of extreme adversity, true believers proclaim Christ (v.8). Indeed Jesus will return and raise up all believers, dead and alive; and, in time make all things new. Though the world may mock believers for holding fast to God’s word, the time will come when every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7) and every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10). The love of God for his people will be evident to all.
“The houre of temptation,” is uncertain, as this is the only verse in scripture that mentions it. Though believers face many times and forms of temptation, this appears to refer to a specific time of temptation that will come upon the entire earth and upon believers also. It is unlikely that John refers to 60 minutes of temptation, but rather a general state of temptation. Worshipping the beast and taking his mark is the only temptation scripture speaks of that will affect believers and unbelievers. Though there is a time when all will finally be forced to decide for or against, many have already bowed to the beast and taken his mark spiritually; they have denied Christ’s Name (v. 8). Perhaps, John speaks of the church at Philadelphia’s unwavering profession of faith that even in the “houre of temptation,” it will remain strong.
Christ says he “comes quickly;” that is not to say that he would come immediately upon John having utter the Philadelphian prophecy, but when he comes it will be suddenly, as in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). For that reason, the church is to be ready; to hold fast to the faith and not be swayed by false teachers and persuasive orations. Allowing doubt and denial to destroy one’s faith would cause a falling away from the faith, and without faith there is no salvation and no crown of righteousness.
“Him that ouercommeth,” is one who has their faith firmly rooted in Christ; they trust in his shed blood for their salvation and hold fast to their testimony of Christ until death (Revelation 12:11). The same shall be made a pillar in the “Temple of my God.” Jesus refers to ‘his God,’ speaking from his ‘human-ness,’ or incarnation. Similarly, while on the cross he said, “…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) and “…I ascend vnto my Father, and your Father,” and to my God, and your God.” ( John 20:17).
“The Lord God Almightie, and the Lambe, are the Temple” of new Jerusalem Revelation (21:2 & 22). This is the eternal dwelling place of all over-comers. The Temple of God contains all believers in Jesus Christ; for, they are the body of Christ. The Revelation of the church of Philadelphia includes the period of time from John’s day until the New Jerusalem descends from heaven at the end of Revelation. The promise applies to not only the church at Philadelphia, but also to all believers throughout the ages.
We cant’ be sure what Jesus means when he says, “I wil write vpon him the Name of my God;” for God has a few names to which he might be referring. The name of the city, we know is the “Citie of God and new Hierusalem.” The new Name of Christ, we are not told.
V. 13
“13 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches.”
What does the Spirit say to the churches?
All that God promised, he will do. Those who put their faith in him, will dwell eternally with him. He will put down all evil. And, he will set all things right.
LAODICEA
Vs. 14 - 19
“14 And vnto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans, write, These things saith the Amen, the faithfull and true witnesse, the beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know thy workes, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarme, and neither cold nor hot, I wil spew thee out of my mouth: 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and haue need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poore, and blinde, and naked. 18 I counsell thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest bee rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakednesse doe not appeare, and anoint thine eyes with eye salue, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I loue, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore, and repent.”
This is the seventh church of Revelation.
Jesus identifies himself as the “Amen,” meaning that he is the final word on all matters; that which he says will come to pass; for he is faithful; he does not lie and his witness in all matters is truth. He is the creator of all things; creation began with Christ.
The Laodicean church was sitting on the fence, refusing to take a firm stand for Christ. It was ‘wishy-washy,’ trying to keep everyone happy. It leaned toward liberal notions of doctrine; your truth is your truth and mine is mine; let’s all get along was their motto. Jesus would have preferred that either they loved him or hated him, but they took neither position. For that reason, he said I will spit you out of my mouth. Perhaps the church wasn’t always lukewarm; it became that way over time, as its wealth increased and it became self-sufficient, no longer trusting in Christ for its provision. It was a worldly church, valuing the things of the world: wealth, prestige, respect and power. But Jesus said it was wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked; meaning it was spiritually destitute. Its values were in the spiritual sewer. Yet, he encouraged the church to “buy” from him things of lasting value: the real gold of truth; the righteousness of Christ and the gift of discernment; to be able to see things as they are. He ends his admonishment letting them know he loves them and therefore he rebukes them, much like a father corrects his children out of love. And, so he exhorts them to return to their first love; to repent.
V. 20
“20 Behold, I stand at the doore, and knocke: if any man here my voyce, and open the doore, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Jesus stands at the door knocking; he desires that none should perish. Yet there are many knocking and many crying out. Jesus encourages them to hear his voice; it is the voice crying “repent and humble yourself before God; turn to Christ for salvation.” It is the voice that says,”follow me; don’t look back; stay the course and endure to the end.” If anyone truly hears the voice of Christ, and opens the door, he will come in, and salvation will follow.
V. 21
“21 To him that ouercommeth, will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne, euen as I also ouercame, and am set downe with my Father in his throne.”
All persons overcome sin and death by faith in Christ alone; and, by this Jesus grants all believers to sit with him in his throne, which is the power and glory of all that is seen and unseen. This is what the Spirit says to the churches; be over-comers by faith in the blood of the Lamb; by trusting in Christ for righteousness.
V. 22
“22 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches.”
John concludes the chapter, insisting that the Spirit has delivered a clear and unmistakable message to those with ears to hear; they are those who have a contrite heart and humble themselves before the Lord of the universe, throwing themselves upon his mercy. These are the over-comers.