One Year Journey Through the New Testament
Revelation 3
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
The Dead Church
Revelation 3:1–6 (NKJV)
3 “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. 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. 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. 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.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Points to Ponder:
- John continues the spiritual journey through the seven churches of Asia Minor. He has spoken of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira. He now moves to the dead church, Sardis. This church had the same problem as the fig tree cursed by Jesus: it seemed alive, but produced no fruit. Jesus cursed the fig tree, and He offers stern warning to the church at Sardis.
- Jesus again identifies Himself as the One who has the seven stars and the seven Spirits of God. This symbol of authority (He holds the churches, their messengers, and their angels in His hand) establishes that Jesus has the right to call the church’s actions (or inaction) into question. He says that He knows their works. Unfortunately, the insignificance and absence of their works shows that, although they have a name as being alive, they are actually dead. This spiritual condition is dangerous. The next admonition shows that Christ thinks there is still hope, encouraging the Sardians to strengthen those things that remain, that could die, in order to survive the level of spiritual death they already show. Their works had not been perfect, so immediate action was necessary to stave off the spread of death among them. He calls them, as He did Ephesus, to repent after receiving and hearing the diagnosis and the prescription. They should hold fast and turn around the decay of their spiritual condition. There is little commendation here, and a great deal of rebuke.
- Jesus steps up the warning a bit by telling them the result of not repenting: He will come upon them like a thief, and they will not know the hour, nor will they be prepared for His coming. Most of the dead Christians in Sardis will not survive this judgment moment, but the few who still have not defiled their garments will be spared, and they will walk with Christ in white, worthy of His fellowship. He follows up with the promise: “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.” This promise encompasses the reward of a white robe in heaven, the inclusion of those faithful souls’ names in the book of life, and the confession of Christ that these belong to Him before the Father and His angels. Again, He calls those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- Sardis is in a sad state of affairs. They are practically dead, with little or no life left in the church. The name does not reveal the true condition of the church and its testimony. We should take a note from this letter, and be sure that we are not just Christians in name only, but true Christians who obey the voice of God and live holy lives before Him. Don’t be dead, be alive and vibrant in Christ and in His Spirit!
The Faithful Church
Revelation 3:7–13 (NKJV)
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”: 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. 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. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 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.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Points to Ponder:
- John then moves to the sixth church, Philadelphia.
- Jesus identifies Himself as the One with the key that can open a door which no one can shut, and vice versa. Then He told them that He had set a door before them. He commends their strength in that they have kept His word and have not denied His name.
- Jesus tells them that He will address those who have served Satan and eventually they would come and worship at the church’s feet. He promises that their obedience and perseverance in the midst of trials would keep the keep them safe from the persecution.
- He tells them that He is coming quickly and that they would receive a crown. He promises to write His name on the overcomer and live together for eternity.
The Lukewarm Church
Revelation 3:14–22 (NKJV)
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: 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. 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. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 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. 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.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then writes to the church at Laodicea, known as the lukewarm church.
- As Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea, he follows the normal greeting, but without any praise. Some churches received praise to begin with, and then rebuke or correction later. Laodicea in among the smaller number of churches that received pure rebuke and correction. The church’s lack of spiritual commitment or definite spiritual identity brought a rebuke from God that utilized a graphic description: they made Him physically sick, or at the very least they were not palatable to Him. He further addressed their false piety that bordered on arrogance. They felt that they were successful, wealthy and in need of nothing. The Lord, however, knew them to be “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” He then offered them all the supply to their needs, provided that they might zealously repent of their lackadaisical attitude.
- To sum up these letters to the seven churches, Jesus reiterates His call to them, and the reward that will come if they open the door and receive Him and His call. He will dine with those who receive me, and give them a place at His throne. He finally calls the churches–one last time–to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Today, we must be willing to accept and obey the call and instruction of the Lord if we are to be whole. God’s will is paramount above all else as a path to glory. Follow Him and obey to keep and flourish Your place in His kingdom.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 