DRAWING NEAR
Jesus challenged these seven ancient churches to stay faithful. What have you learned thus far about what is essential for a vibrant, healthy church?
[Your Response Here]
THE CONTEXT
This passage continues the series of Jesus’ messages to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The church at Sardis was an existing church in John’s day but spiritually it had no life. It stands as a symbol of all dead churches. The church in Philadelphia had its imperfections, yet the Lord commended its members for their faithfulness and loyalty. In spite of their fleshly struggles, the Christians at Philadelphia were faithful and obedient, serving and worshiping the Lord. They provide a good model of a loyal church. The last church addressed by Jesus was at Laodicea, and it represents all the apostate churches that have existed throughout history. Laodicea has the grim distinction of being the only one of the seven for whom Christ has no positive word of commendation. Due to the drastic nature of the situation at Laodicea, this is also the most threatening of the seven letters.
KEYS TO THE TEXT
Book of Life: This is the first mention of this divine journal. This book records the names of all those whom God has chosen to save and who, therefore, are to possess eternal life (13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Under no circumstances will God erase those names, as city officials often did of undesirable people on their rolls.
Jesus Christ: Revelation makes it clear that Jesus is the “Alpha and Omega”, the “Beginning and the End.” He is the “Beginning” (literally “beginner, originator, initiator”) of creation and the “firstborn of creation”; that is, the most preeminent, supreme person ever born (Col. 1:15). As a man, he had a beginning; but as God, He was the beginning. Sadly, in Laodicea the heresy that Christ was just a created being had produced an unregenerate church.
UNLEASHING THE TEXT
Read 3:1–22, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
Revelation 3:1–22 (NKJV)
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
angel (v. 1)—messenger or pastor
Sardis (v. 1)—Situated on a natural acropolis rising fifteen hundred feet above the valley floor, the city (modern Sart) was nearly impregnable. Around 1200 BC it gained prominence as the capital of the Lydian kingdom. Its primary industry was harvesting wool, dying it, and making garments from it. The famous author Aesop came from Sardis, and tradition says that Mileto, a member of the church in Sardis, wrote the first-ever commentary on certain passages in the book of Revelation. But the church in Sardis was dead; that is, it was basically populated by unredeemed, unregenerate people.
seven stars (v. 1)—the pastors of these seven churches
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
come upon you as a thief (v. 3)—Here the reference is not to Christ’s second coming (see 16:1), but to His sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant, dead church to inflict harm and destruction.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
who have not defiled their garments (v. 4)—Defiled means “smeared, polluted,” or “stained,” and garments refers to character. There were a few whose character was still godly (see Jude 23).
in white (v. 4)—The white garments of all the redeemed (see 6:11; 7:9, 13; 19:8, 14) speak of holiness and purity. Such white robes are reserved for Christ (Matt. 17:2), holy angels (Matt. 28:3), and the glorified church (19:8, 14). In the ancient world, white robes were commonly worn at festivals and celebrations.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
overcomes (v. 5)—all true Christians
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
Philadelphia (v. 7)—Located on a hillside about thirty miles southeast of Sardis, the city (modern Alashehir) was founded around 190 BC by Attalus II, king of Pergamos. His unusual devotion to his brother earned the city its name, “brotherly love.” The city was an important commercial stop on a major trade route called the Imperial Post Road, a first-century mail route. Although Scripture does not mention this church elsewhere, it was probably the fruit of Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:10).
holy . . . true (v. 7)—This is a common description in this book (4:8; 6:10; 15:3; 16:7; 19:2, 11). Christ shares the holy, sinless, pure nature of His Father (Ps. 16:10; Isa. 6:3; Hab. 3:3; Mark 1:11; John 6:69); that is, He is absolutely pure and separate from sin. “True” can refer both to one who speaks truth and to one who is genuine or authentic as opposed to fake.
the key of David (v. 7)—Christ has the sovereign authority to control entrance into the kingdom (Isa. 22:22; see Matt. 16:19). In 1:18 He is pictured holding the keys to death and hell; here he holds the keys to salvation and blessing.
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
open door (v. 8)—This is either admission into the kingdom (see v. 7) or an opportunity for service.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
keep you from the hour of trial (v. 10)—Christ’s description of a future event that for a short time severely tests the whole world must refer to the time of tribulation, the seven-year period before Christ’s earthly kingdom is consummated, featuring the unleashing of divine wrath in judgments expressed as seals, trumpets, and bowls. This period is described in detail throughout chapters 6–19. The latter half of this time period is called “the Great Tribulation” (7:14; Matt. 24:21). The verb “to keep” is followed by a preposition whose normal meaning is “from” or “out of”—this phrase, “keep . . . from” supports the pretribulational rapture of the church.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
I am coming quickly! (v. 11)—This isn’t the threatening temporal judgment described in verse 3; 2:5, 16, nor the final judgment of chapter 19; it is a hopeful event. Christ will return to take His church out of the hour of trial.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
He who overcomes (v. 12)—all Christians
a pillar (v. 12)—Believers will enjoy an unshakable, eternal, secure place in the presence of God.
write . . . name of My God (v. 12)—In biblical times, one’s name spoke of a person’s character. Writing His name on us speaks of imprinting His character on us and identifying us as belonging to Him.
New Jerusalem (v. 12)—the capital city of heaven (see 21:1–27). The overcomer will enjoy eternal citizenship.
My new name (v. 12)—At the moment we see Christ, whatever we may have called Him and understood by that name will pale in the reality of what we see. And He will give us a new, eternal name by which we will know Him.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
angel (v. 14)—the pastor-messenger designated to deliver this letter
Laodiceans (v. 14)—Located in the Lycus River Valley, the southwest area of Phrygia, Laodicea became the wealthiest, most important commercial center in the region. It was primarily known for three industries: banking, wool, and medicine (notably its eye salve). An inadequate local water supply forced the city to build an under-ground aqueduct. All three industries, as well as the inadequate water supply, played a major part in this letter. The church began through the ministry of Epaphras, while Paul was ministering in Ephesus (see Col. 1:7; Paul never personally visited Laodicea).
the Amen (v. 14)—This is a common biblical expression signifying certainty and veracity (see Isa. 65:16, “the God of truth”). According to 2 Corinthians 1:20, all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ; that is, all God’s promises and unconditional covenants are guaranteed and affirmed by the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Faithful and True Witness (v. 14)—He is a completely trustworthy and perfectly accurate witness to the truth of God.
Beginning of the creation (v. 14)—This corrects a heresy, apparently present in Laodicea and in Colosse, that Christ was a created being.
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
lukewarm (v. 16)—Put another way, they were tepid. Nearby Hierapolis was famous for its hot springs, and Colosse for its cold, refreshing mountain stream. But Laodicea had dirty, tepid water that flowed for miles through an underground aqueduct. Visitors, unaccustomed to it, immediately spat it out. The church at Laodicea was neither cold, openly rejecting Christ, nor hot, filled with spiritual zeal. Instead, its members were lukewarm—hypocrites professing to know Christ but not truly belonging to Him (see Matt. 7:21–23).
I will vomit you out of My mouth (v. 16)—Just like the dirty, tepid water of Laodicea, these self-deceived hypocrites sickened Christ.
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
gold . . . white garments . . . eye salve (v. 18)—He was offering them the spiritual counterparts to their three major industries. Each item was a way to refer to genuine salvation.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
As many as I love . . . chasten (v. 19)—Both verses 18 and 20 indicate that Christ was speaking here to unbelievers. God certainly loves the unconverted (see John 3:16). And “chasten” (literally “reprove”) often refers to God’s convicting and punishing the unregenerate (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 14:24).
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
I stand at the door and knock (v. 20)—Rather than allowing for the common interpretation of Christ’s knocking on a person’s heart, the context demands that Christ was seeking to enter this church that bore His name but lacked a single true believer. This poignant letter was His knocking. If one member would recognize his spiritual bankruptcy and respond in saving faith, He would enter the church.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
sit with Me on My throne (v. 21)—A figurative expression meaning that we will share the privilege and authority that Christ enjoys as we reign with Him (1:6).
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
1) What was the gist of Christ’s message to the church at Sardis?
[Your Response Here]
2) According to this passage, what was true about the church at Philadelphia?
[Your Response Here]
3) What is the significance of the crown mentioned in 3:11?
[Your Response Here]
(Verses to consider: 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10)
4) What is revealed here about the church at Laodicea? What was its heresy? (See study notes on v. 14)
[Your Response Here]
(Verse to consider: John 1:3)
5) How does Jesus describe Himself in these messages? What do these things teach you about Him?
[Your Response Here]
6) What rewards were promised to those who “overcome”?
[Your Response Here]
GOING DEEPER
Heresy about Christ had invaded the church at Laodicea. For more insight into who Christ is, read Colossians 1:15–20.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
EXPLORING THE MEANING
7) List all the ways this passage affirms that Jesus is more than a created being.
[Your Response Here]
8) Why is Jesus worthy to be the head of the church?
[Your Response Here]
9) Read Daniel 12:1. What is the meaning of the phrase the “Book of Life” (see Rev. 3:5)?
[Your Response Here]
(Verses to consider: Exod. 32:31–33; Ps. 69:28; 139:16; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3)
10) Read John 14:1–3. What promises did Christ give His followers concerning the time of tribulation and wrath to come?
[Your Response Here]
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Occasionally I am asked by young men seeking to pastor a church if I know of a church without any problems. My response to them is, “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you; you’d go there and spoil it.” The point is that there are no perfect churches. Churches struggle because all are made up of imperfect sinning people. The church is not a place for people with no weaknesses; it is a fellowship of those who are aware of their weaknesses and long for the strength and grace of God to fill their lives. It is a kind of hospital for those who know they are sick and needy.
REFLECTING ON THE TEXT
11) Regarding the letter to the church at Laodicea, John R.W. Stott has written: “Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth-century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion.” How would you describe your church’s spiritual temperature—hot, cold, or lukewarm? Why? How would you describe your own faith temperature?
[Your Response Here]
12) The church at Sardis had a reputation for being spiritually alive and vibrant, but in reality it was dead. Can you think of any ways in which your spiritual reputation exceeds your true spiritual situation? How is God calling you to change?
[Your Response Here]
13) The church at Philadelphia was commended for keeping Christ’s word and for persevering in the face of trouble and hardship. What qualities do you think Christ might affirm in your life?
[Your Response Here]
PERSONAL RESPONSE
Write out additional reflections, questions you may have, or a prayer.
[Your Response Here]