Revelation Chapter Three
Revelation 3:1 “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
“angel” · Messenger (celestial or human) or overseer “Sardis” · The first important city on the road south of Thyatira · The name may mean “something new” or “song of joy” · Historically, represents 1517-1755 which is the Reformation Period “seven Spirits” · These represent the work of the Holy Spirit with each of the seven churches · Same as the 7 lamps of fire (Rev.4:5) · Same as the 7 eyes of the Lamb (Rev. 5:6) “seven stars” · The seven angels (Rev. 1:20) “I know thy works” · Refers to their deeds or actions “name” · Refers to its reputation · Hypocrisy characterized this church, which was not what it pretended to be · Protestant name suggested opposition to the abuse of the Catholic church but they began persecuting others “that thou livest, and art dead” · Claim to be alive “in Christ” but are dead · Hypocrites, who developed “creeds” to replace the Word · Rationalism also developed during this time period (led to a spiritually dead church)
Revelation 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”
“Be watchful” · This church is warned to be watchful · This is our Christian duty (Matt. 24:42) “strengthen the things which remain” · Some truths persisted; not all truths were lost “I have not found thy works perfect” · Their actions were not found to be perfect · Protestantism failed to remain close to God’s Word
Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
“Remember therefore” · Return to your original love (see Rev. 2:5) “thou hast received” · The verb here implies not only received but still has “hold fast, and repent” · Repent means to change your actions “I will come on thee as a thief” · An unexpected divine visitation · Compare to Matthew 24:43 (refers to the 2nd Coming) · Jesus coming will be a surprise to those who are not looking for Him “thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” · Refers to 2nd Coming (Matt. 24:36)
Revelation 3:4 “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis” · There are still some people in this church that have remained true “have not defiled their garments” · This refers to moral defilement which involved most of the church “they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy” · Compared to those with defiled garments · White represents purity (Rev. 7:13,14) · Characterizes the heavenly inhabitants (Rev. 4:4, 6:11, 19:14)
Revelation 3:5 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
“He that overcometh” · Continues to overcome (See Rev.2:7) “clothed “ · Clothed with immortality in the life to come “white raiment” · A symbol of purity, Christ’s righteousness (Rev. 7:13,14) “I will not blot out his name” · This assures the repentant sinner that their sins are forgiven “the book of life” · Ancient free cities had a roll book with the names of all those who had the right of citizenship in it · This is the book of those who have citizenship in heaven · See Rev. 13:8, 20:15, Phil. 4:3 “the book of life” · This is the book of those who have citizenship in heaven · See Rev. 13:8, 20:15, Phil. 4:3 · This is the “scroll” described in Rev. 5:1-5,7-9 “confess his name before my Father” · Acknowledge him as a loyal follower of Christ “before his angels” · This is the deeper purpose of the plan of redemption · The great controversy is about whether God is fair and trustworthy · God is going to vindicate His character before the universe (including His angels) and this process involves the book of life (scroll) and those who are saved “before his angels”
Revelation 3:6 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
“He that hath an ear, let him hear”
Revelation 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
“And to the angel of the church” · Means messenger (celestial or human) or overseer “Philadelphia” · Means “brotherly love” · Historically, applies to the time period 1755- 1844 · A smaller city, located 30 miles SE of Sardis “Philadelphia” · A time period when worldwide evangelism restored a spirit of love to the church (early 1800’s) “These things saith he that is holy” · This title is equal to “The Holy One” · “The Holy One” is God in the Old Testament · “The Holy One” refers to Jesus in the New Testament (Luke 1:35, Acts 4:27,30) “he that is true” · This means genuine or real as opposed to the false gods “he that hath the key of David” · This refers to Jesus · The keys refer to Jesus jurisdiction over His church and its purpose · This refers to Isaiah 20:20-22 where Eliakim represents Jesus who is given the keys “he that hath the key of David” · This refers to Isaiah 20:20-22 where Eliakim represents Jesus who is given the keys “he that openeth, and no man shutteth” · Jesus has full authority to complete the plan of salvation · Also only Jesus can open the scroll that contains the list of all those who are saved (Rev. 5:1-5)
Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
“thy works” · Thy is singular: each member or the entire church · Works: your deeds or actions “behold, I have set before thee an open door” · “door” here can represent an opportunity set before the church (see Acts 14:27) · The Philadelphia period ends with the beginning of the investigative judgment in 1844 (Dan. 7:10) · Jesus’ ministry in the holy place ended in 1844 and began in the most holy place · This represents the shut door and open door · The door was shut between the holy place and the most holy place until 1844
“no man can shut it” · Christ will complete His work, no man can stop it “for thou hast a little strength” · This suggests that the Philadelphia church had some strength and was better than the prior church (Sardis) · This relates to this churches return to God’s Word, especially the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation “for thou hast a little strength” · This church began the proclamation of the first angel’s message “hast kept my word” · They had kept God’s will and His Word · The important issue was the study of God’s Word (Sardis had stopped their study) · Scripture was lost during the Dark Ages then opened during the Reformation and then closed again “hast not denied my name” · Christ’s name = Christian (Christ like) · They had faith in His name (Acts 3:16) · They lived up to His name
Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”
“Behold, I will make them” · Means will “cause them” “of the synagogue of Satan” · Some of the synagogue of Satan · These are some who were following Satan’s lies · Church members but not true believers “which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie” · Spiritual Jews in the figurative sense: claim to serve God but do not “I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” · Some will be converted to true Christianity · Possibly some would publicly confess their error · A revival did occur in the early 1800’s “to know that I have loved thee” · This refers to Isaiah 43:4 which was a promise to Jacob (Israel) · Some would come to know that this was God’s church
Revelation 3:10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience” · This church had focused on God’s Word which was what brought about the revival of the early 1800’s · This church was going to need to be patient when the Great Disappointment came · God was coming but not when they had predicted “I also will keep thee from” · From here means “out of” which means they will survive or endure, they will “come out of” “the hour of temptation” · Does not mean a literal hour or prophetic hour · This means a time of testing: time or season · This may refer to the 1844 testing of faith “which shall come upon all the world” · This may refer to the 1844 disappointment which was worldwide · This may also point forward to a future testing time at the end “to try them that dwell upon the earth” · This could apply to the world in 1844 or to the wicked at the end of time
Revelation 3:11 “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
“Behold, I come quickly” · Jesus tells this church that He is coming soon · Jesus will come during the next church (Laodicea) “hold that fast which thou hast” · The message that they had was that the door was open (Investigative Judgment) “hold that fast which thou hast” · They are told not to let anyone take away that message but to share it with the world “that no man take thy crown” · The crown referred to here is a crown of victory not rulership · This could refer to the man of sin who will cause many to be lost in the last days
Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God” · He that keeps on overcoming · The temple refers to God’s dwelling place · The overcomer will get a place in God’s presence “he shall go no more out” · The overcomer will live with God forever · Not be cast out as Lucifer was “I will write upon him the name of my God” · This suggests ownership by God (Creator) · Name also suggests character (God-like character) “and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem” · We will be citizens of God’s capital city · We will dwell with God “and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem” · We will have the best address in the universe · This is the New Jerusalem which will replace the old Jerusalem on earth “which cometh down out of heaven from my God” · This New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven (Rev. 21:2) “I will write upon him my new name.” · The saved will have Christ’s name written on them as well (Savior) · They will have His character · They are His special people · The redeemed will have three new names: God’s (Creator), Jesus’ (Savior) and the city’s (God’s dwelling place) (see Rev. 2:17)
Revelation 3:13 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
“He that hath an ear, let him hear” · Listen and do: heed the message “what the Spirit saith unto the churches” · This is God’s message to His 7 churches through His 7 Spirits ( Holy Spirit)
Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”
“And unto the angel of the church” · Angel: messenger (celestial or human), the overseer of the church “the Laodiceans” · The city was located 40 miles from Philadelphia · The city was named after Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II · The word means “a people judged” · This church is involved with the investigative judgment · Historical time period is 1844-2nd Coming · This is the 7th church · This city was known for its manufactured woolen goods (later told to buy from Jesus) “These things saith the Amen” · The word means “truly” or “true” · Jesus is the truth · This will become a major issue near the time of the end when Satan will claim to be Christ returned and will pretend to be the truth “the faithful and true witness” · Jesus is the “true witness” of God “the faithful and true witness” · At the time of the end Satan will pretend to be Jesus “the beginning of the creation of God” · Jesus is the source of creation or Creator · Jesus is also the source of our new beginning which occurs when we accept Him and occurs again at the 2nd Coming · Jesus’ titles as related to the seven churches · Jesus is referred to by different titles with each of the 7 churches · Each of these titles relates to different aspects of each time period · Ephesus: (Desirable) · Holdeth and walketh in the midst--- Jesus walked with this church and held it close · Jesus’ titles as related to the seven churches · Smyrna (persecution) · First and the last, dead and alive--- persecution overcome by Jesus · Pergamos (popularity and falsehood) · Two-edged sword --- Word of truth against falsehood · Jesus’ titles as related to the seven churches · Thyatira (Dark Ages) · Son of God, eyes like fire --- fire for persecution, only church where Son of God is listed to reassure that God is in control · Sardis (Reformation) · He that hath the 7 Spirits of God --- The Holy Spirit was poured out · Jesus’ titles as related to the seven churches · Philadelphia (Brotherly Love) · He that is holy, true and has the key to open the door --- the message of the Day of Atonement (open door) began · Jesus’ titles as related to the seven churches · Laodicea (Age of Judgment) · He is the Amen (Truth), the True Witness --- this is as opposed to the false Christ which will appear during this time period · This is the time period of the investigative judgment
Revelation 3:15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”
“I know thy works” · Thy works: one person’s or one church’s deeds “thou art neither cold nor hot” · There were hot springs 6 miles away from Laodicea but the water was lukewarm when it got to the city · Lukewarm Christians are content with things the way they are and proud of their minimal accomplishments “thou art neither cold nor hot” · Historical period is 1844- 2nd Coming · Age of Judgment: involves those people judged in the last days “I would thou wert cold or hot” · God would prefer cold to lukewarm: if cold you might recognize your need · Lukewarm does not recognize its need and is a stumbling block to others
Revelation 3:16 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
“because thou art lukewarm” · Because the Laodicean church is “neither cold nor hot” God will be forced to act · God abhors the lukewarm state and the pride that goes with it “I will spue thee out of my mouth” · Lukewarm water is often spit out · God will reject this church because it has no true relationship with Him “cold” or “hot” or “lukewarm” · “cold” represents “works of the flesh” with no connection to God · “lukewarm” represents “works of the law”, legalism, self righteousness, hypocrisy and a pretended connection to God · “hot” represents “works of faith” and a direct connection to God
Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
“Because thou sayest, I am rich” · Laodicea was a prosperous city and church · Claiming to be rich both literally and spiritually · Pride of opinion and self conceit are sins which are almost incurable (EGW, 7 Test. 199,200) “increased with goods” · Means they were prosperous, rich “increased with goods” · Means they were spiritually proud over their works · “have need of nothing” · Self satisfaction is fatal since there is no need for the Spirit “and knowest not” · Self pride leads to ignorance of your need “and knowest not” · They don’t know and they don’t know they don’t know “that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” · They are opposite to what they think they are · They are actually wretched and miserable in God’s sight · They are poor spiritually, not rich · They are blind spiritually, and cannot see “that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”
Revelation 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
“I counsel thee to buy of me” · There is a price to pay · They must yield pride of opinion and self conceit “gold” · This represents spiritual riches · This represents faith which works by love (Gal. 5:6, James 2:5, I Tim. 6:18) “tried in the fire” · Faith that has been tried and purified by affliction (I Peter 1:7) “white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed” · This represents the righteousness of Christ (see Gal. 3:27, Rev. 3:5) · Laodicea was famous for its black woolen cloth “that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear” · Nakedness was equated with sins (see Ex. 20:26, Lam. 1:8, Eze. 16:36; 23:29) · Jesus’ righteousness would cover their sins “anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” · A temple near Laodicea made an eye powder for vision “anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” · Greek “kollurion” meaning a little roll which was how the salve was packaged and known · The purpose of the eyesalve was to open the eyes to improve the vision · The eyesalve represents the work of the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to truth · To see sin as God sees it and realize our state
Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
“As many as I love” · The Greek word for love here is “phileo” or brotherly love (note: “agapao” was used to apply to the Philadelphia church !) · Jesus loves the Laodicean church even though they are in love with themselves “I rebuke and chasten” · The purpose of discipline is to change the direction or actions of those disciplined · “Chasten” here means to “train children” or to “punish” “I rebuke and chasten” · If the rebuke is ignored then the chastening will occur “be zealous therefore” · Greek word “zeloo” with same root word as “zestos” which means “hot” · The Laodicean church needs to become “hot” “repent” · Singular: means each person must change
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
“Behold, I stand” · The Greek implies “standing and waiting” “at the door” · This door is under man’s control · This represents the door to the heart · We must get out of the way for Jesus to enter “and knock” · Jesus is trying to get our attention “if any man hear my voice, and open the door” · We must first “hear” His voice: listen to His Spirit guiding us · We must open the door, no one else can open the door to our heart “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” · “sup” means “to eat a meal”, the chief meal “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” · This may refer to the marriage feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9) · Suggests sharing our experiences with Him and His with us
Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
“To him that overcometh” · He who keeps on winning “will I grant to sit with me in my throne” · Jesus promises that the overcomers will rule with Him (see Rev. 5:10, Matt 19:28) “even as I also overcame’ · We are saved based on Jesus’ victory “am set down with my Father in his throne” · Jesus is now reigning with His Father (Matt.16:19, Eph. 1:20, Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 12:2)
Revelation 3:22 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
“He that hath an ear, let him hear” · Listen and do, heed the counsel given “what the Spirit saith unto the churches” · This is God’s message to His church now
Note: · Words of promise to all 7 churches · Words of rebuke to all except Smyrna and Philadelphia · Words of praise to all except Sardis and Laodicea · God can not praise a lukewarm church!
Summary · Revelation chapter 3 completes John’s description of the seven churches · John describes Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
Sardis · Sardis was known for hypocrisy: they claimed to be alive but were dead · The time period represented was 1517-1755 · The Protestants claimed to be different from Catholicism but began to persecute God’s people Philadelphia · Philadelphia was known for brotherly love and the open door · The time period represented was 1755-1844 · This church was known for worldwide evangelism · This church had the message of the open door into the most holy place (the investigative judgment) which is the 1st angel’s message Laodicea · Laodicea was known for being lukewarm · The time period of this church was 1844-2nd Coming · This church was known for pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, and legalism · This church exists when the investigative judgment begins (Rev. 4 & 5) and ends (Rev. 7 & 12) · This church exists when Jesus comes
Jesus is described in this chapter as: · “he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars” (Sardis) · This refers to Jesus relationship to the Holy Spirit and to His seven messengers to His churches · “he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth” (Philadelphia) · This refers to Jesus’ work of judgment in the most holy place after the door is open · “The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Laodicea) · Jesus is the Truth and the True Witness and the True Creator as compared to the false Christ who will appear during this church In this chapter Jesus promises His overcomers: · They will be clothed in white raiment · Their names will not be blotted out of the book of life · Jesus will confess their names before God and His angels · They will be a pillar in God’s temple and will never go out again · They will be given 3 new names: God’s, Jerusalem’s, and Jesus’ names · They will sit with Jesus in His throne
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