Revelation 3

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. 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.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, etc.” Sardis means "those escaping.” This message is to the congregation of the reformers. "God leaves the Jezebel corruption and the ecclesiastical hierarchy behind, with Thyatira; and takes up what is known as 'Christianity' since the Reformation." (William Newell) "The Reformation itself was of God and the great men who were used were the most mighty instruments of the Holy Spirit. It was the greatest work, up to that time, since the days of the apostles. But out of it came the human systems which go by the name of Protestantism. The Reformation began well, but soon developed in the different Protestant systems into a dead, lifeless thing. They have a name to live but are dead. This is the verdict of our Lord upon the churches which sprung out of the reformation.” (Arno Gaebelein) Despite the warning about the Nicolaitans, Papal Rome's theology and hierarchy has influenced this church.

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, 'for I have not found your works perfect before God' (2), "meaning that the reformers, and reformed churches, stuck where they first began; and did not carry their works neither with respect to doctrine, and especially with respect to discipline and worship, to a greater perfection, as they ought to have done: and however perfect they might appear before men, they were not so in the sight of the omniscient God, nor found so by Christ, before whom all things are naked and open..." (John Gill)

"Remember therefore how you have received and heard;"(3a) "The former of these verbs is in the perfect tense: 'thou hast received' the truth as a permanent deposit. It remains with thee whether thou regardest it or not. The latter verb is in the aorist tense, didst hear, denoting merely the act of hearing when it took place." (Vincent Word Studies) —

"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." (3b) “Sardis was built on a hill so steep that it was considered a natural citadel, and its defense seemed secure. The location of the city made the citizens overconfident; as a result, the city walls were carelessly guarded. The city was captured twice by surprise, first by Cyrus the Persian (549BC) and later by Antiochus (218BC). On both occasions, enemy troops climbed the precipice by night and discovered that the Sardians had set no guard... Christ used these past events to warn the church… If the church does not watch, Jesus will visit them unexpectedly with judgment.” (Ranko Stefanovic) “These words echo those of Peter in his general epistle (2 Peter 3:10), and are a reminder that Christ’s return is getting nearer… This warning... suggests to us that Sardis is the church that brings the earth’s history into what the Bible terms, ‘the time of the end’, or ‘the last days’.” (Nicholas Brightman)

"One of the great lessons that emerged out of the… Reformation was that the church of Jesus Christ on earth was not properly conceived as semper idem—always the same—but rather as semper reformanda—always reforming. The recognition that neither the church universal nor any local church will ever be once and for all reformed in this life led to the conclusion that the church must always be working for reformation according to the teachings of God’s Word…” http://www.founders.org/journal/fj64/editorial.html

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.”’

"You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments;" (4a) "God does not leave Himself without a witness, and the gracious Lord does not overlook the faithful few among the many apostate." (D.S. Clark) "They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." (4b) "Using marriage imagery, Christ reminds us in His parable of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22: 1-14), that only those who wear the wedding garment are worthy to attend the wedding." (Nicholas Brightman) We must be clothed not in our good works but in the good works that he has prepared beforehand that we should walk in. All other good works defile us and help no one to Heaven.

He who overcomes has his name written in "the book of life", referring to "the heavenly record book or register in which the righteous are registered by name. Both the Old (Exo 32:32-33; Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1) and New (Luk 10:20; Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23) Testaments mention a heavenly book... in which the names of God’s saved are written. In Isaiah 4:3, the book of life contains the names of those who live in Jerusalem. In Daniel 12:1, it is the eschatological register of the saved. In the book of Revelation, the book of life is an eschatological register in heaven of those who have been saved by faith in the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary, and, therefore, is called the Lamb’s book of life (13:8; 21:27)-- 'and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;' (5a)-- The blotting of someone’s name from the book of life deprives him of eternal life. At the final judgment, only those whose names are found written ‘in the book’ will enter the new earth (Rev 20:12, 15; 21:27)." (Stefanovic) —"But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (5b) “In Matthew 10:32-33 Christ tells His disciples that if we faithfully proclaim Him, then He will do the same for us. Should we deny Him, He will deny us. There is a temptation for Christians to stay silent about their faith for fear of appearing foolish or fanatical. But there could be perhaps no sadder experience for someone than to hear Christ say, ‘Who are you?’" (Nicholas Brightman)

'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' (6)

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.”’

“We have seen these seven churches blocked off into very definite periods of time, and they are largely fulfilled. I believe that we are in the period of the last two churches…. There is that church represented by the Laodicean church, which is moving farther and farther into apostasy, and there is also that church which is staying by the Word of God, the church represented by the Philadelphian church.” (J Vernon McGee) "As Sardis came out of Thyatira, a protest against it, so Philadelphia comes out of Sardis and is a protest against the dead, lifeless, Spiritless condition prevailing in Protestantism.... [So perhaps] it is not a defined church-period, but rather a description of a loyal remnant called out by the Spirit of God and bearing the final testimony to the whole counsel of God by word and deed ." (Arno Gaebelein)

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia (meaning "brotherly love") write:

'These things says He who is holy, He who is true...'" (7a) "These attributes of Christ [- the Holy One of Israel and the tried and true Witness-] are clearly appropriate for a church maintaining their love and faith in Christ in the midst of pagan culture." (Burton Coffman)

These things says..."He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens." (7b) “Christ identifies Himself to the Philadelphians as ‘He who has the keys of David’… The [meaning] is suggested in an interesting passage in Isaiah 22:20-22 in which Eliakim, the keeper of the house (2 Kings 18:18), is given the key to Jerusalem, the House of David. Eliakim, who also wears the robe and the sash as worn by Christ in Revelation 1:13, is a Christ figure who has the authority to admit or to deny entry into the earthly Jerusalem. Those who were given entry were safe; those refused entry would be killed by the enemy. So we see that the key of David is the key to life or death… Christ informs the Philadelphians that He, the antitypical Eliakim, has given them an open door no one can shut because only He has the key.” (Nicholas Brightman)

"I know your works." "Not the creed we profess but the works we do is the crucial point. Indeed the works we do give the best index to what we really believe." (F. B. Hole) "See, I have set before you an open door," (8a) "an opening for preaching the Gospel, an opportunity of doing good, as well as an abundant entrance into the Kingdom." (C. J. Ellicott)- "and no one can shut it 'for you have a little strength,' “Christ did not overlook the Church of Philadelphia, weak though it was. Is it not written, 'A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench'? 'He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.'" (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)- not by power nor by might but by My Spirit- "yet you have kept My word," "have kept the true doctrine;" (Adam Clarke) "and have not denied my name," "but adhered constantly to the profession of Me and My gospel, notwithstanding all the temptations thou hast met with..." (William Burkitt)

"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." (9) "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is of the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, etc., Romans 2:28,29. By this term... he may mean all false and hypocritical professors, who would make themselves the church, the only church of God, but are far enough from it..." (Matthew Poole) These merely recite reformation theology but do not truly seek the power to know and obey the truth of Jesus, as well as love their neighbors.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere,"(10a) which “has exposed you to so much trouble and persecution, and required so much patience and magnanimity...” (Clarke)... Therefore, "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." (10b) "This hour seems to refer not to any of the vials which will be poured out on the antichristian states, but to some affliction and distress which will befall the reformed churches, and will light upon the outward court worshippers among them." (John Gill)

"Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have,"- that which Jesus has revealed to you through His Word- "that no one may take your crown." (11) During our times of trial, we must guard our crowns, representing eternal life, which can be taken. "Brothers and sisters, join me in holding fast to the Word of God... [as revealed to you personally]. The power promised in its pages will only be poured out on a people who covenant to read it, live it, teach it, and preach it without fear or favor, and who let their individual lives and their life together be shaped by its clear and compelling truths.” (Ted N. C. Wilson) Yet people trust in blind guides for their theology.

"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God." "The Temple of Solomon, we are told in 1 Kings 7:13-22, had two large pillars either side of its entrance. One pillar was named Jachin meaning, ‘He Shall Establish’; the other named Boaz meaning ‘In It Is Strength’. As the victorious Philadelphians uphold the truth of God they become as pillars with a name on them that describes their own faithfulness…” (Nicholas Brightman) or part of these two pillars.

"He who overcomes... shall go out no more." (12b) Jesus said "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."(John 10:7-10) But they are now in.

"And 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (12b) "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)- The name is applied to a future Davidic king who would lead his people to do what is right and thus bring peace (Jeremiah 23:6) and to the restored city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 33:16).” (Holman Bible Dictionary) "This is the only name in the Bible that can be called a ‘new’ or ‘acquired’ name for Christ. This is the name he writes upon his people, the name by which we are rightfully called. In addition, the name of NEW JERUSALEM will be written upon the faithful. According to Ezekiel, the name of the new city would be: ‘The LORD is there’ (48:35). In the New Jerusalem, the overcomers will experience the everlasting presence of God: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ (Revelation 21:2-3)” (Ranko Stefanovic)

"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: 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.”’”

Jesus now speaks to dead formalism in the Catholic, as well as Protestant, churches- yea in any church. “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:” (14b) Jesus is the Amen- “the God of Amen, as Isaiah calleth Him, faithful in performing His promises to the remnant that he reserved in this lukewarm Church, among so careless a multitude” (John Trapp) “For all the promises of God in Him are ‘Yes’, and in Him ‘Amen’, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Cor 1:20)

Jesus is the Faithful and True Witness, even “the Beginning of Creation.” It was He who created the world and everything in it during the six days of creation. But people choose falsities over God’s Word. The Laodicean period is “the one in which the world, including many Christians, lost confidence in Creation as an explanation of man’s origins. Today those who believe in Creation are an object of ridicule, even from professed Christians. ‘You don’t believe that do you?’ they ask in amazement. But Jesus reminds us here of the truth of His Creatorship.” (Nicholas Brightman)

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.” (15) “Ye are neither heathens nor Christians - neither good nor [entirely] evil - neither led away by false doctrine, nor thoroughly addicted to that which is true. In a word, they were listless and indifferent, and seemed to care little whether heathenism or Christianity prevailed. Though they felt little zeal either for the salvation of their own souls or that of others, yet they had such a general conviction of the truth and importance of Christianity, that they could not readily give it up.” (Adam Clarke) Laodicea means “The judging or rights of the people.” These, who call themselves Christian, are busy judging others with little time for an introspective look at themselves- at their own sins. They want to legislate morality only. And they react to violence with violence. Hatred is rampant. They take refuge in the politics, but not in Jesus. Thus their works are their own, not His works for them. They are dead in their sins.

"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (16) “That is, I would prefer either of those states to what now exists. Anything better than this condition, where love is professed, but where it does not exist; where vows have been assumed which are not fulfilled. Why he would prefer that they should be ‘hot’ is clear enough; but why would he prefer a state of utter coldness - a state where there was no profession of real love? To this question the following answers may be given: Such a state of open and professed coldness or indifference is more honest.” (Albert Barnes) “This condition was also forseen by the Apostle Paul. ‘For the time will come when they (The laity) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears’ (2 Timothy 4:3).” (Arno Gaebelein) Be lead of the Spirit to Higher Ground. Decide yourself what the Bible teaches on each topic. Take off the training wheels of reform theology or church tradition. Reason with the Scriptures yourself.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ etc.." (17a) These know not their need on account of their lack of communion with Jesus. Therefore, He offers to sell them gold refined in fire that they may actually be rich. And He offers them the white garment- these, “representing the rich spiritual blessings which Christ will give to those who look to Him. Isaiah 45:22. The more cold and formal men are in religion, the more self-confident they are-the less they feel their need of Christ and His salvation; and without a great change, they will never obtain the blessing of His favor.” (Justin Edwards) The curse of the fall remains on them.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (19) “Think not that I hate you, because I thus chide you. He that escapes reprehension may suspect his sonship. God had one Son without corruption, but none without correction. We must look through the anger of His correction to the sweetness of His loving countenance; as by a rainbow we see the beautiful image of the sun’s light in the midst of a dark and waterish cloud.” (John Trapp)

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. etc.” (20) “He Himself is seen standing outside, which shows that He is rejected. But infinite grace! He knocks and is still willing to come in and bestow the riches of His grace.” (Arno Gaebelein) "But how is Christ to get back into His Church? Does it require the unanimous vote… of the membership? No. ‘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.’ That is the way to revive a lukewarm church is for the individual members to open their hearts and let Christ re-enter, and thus open the door for His reappearance.” (Clarence Larkin) “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.” (21) "This promise of sharing the throne is the climax of an ascending series of glorious promises which carry us from the Garden of Eden to the throne of God in heaven." (W. Boyd Carpenter)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”