1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 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.
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.’”
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me.
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered 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.
The True Meaning of Revelation 3
The Book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible, was written by the apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos. John relays a message from Jesus Christ to the seven churches in Asia Minor in this chapter, providing guidance and warnings to each congregation.
The chapter begins with a message to the church in Sardis, a once-vibrant community that has grown complacent and spiritually lifeless. Jesus admonishes them to wake up and strengthen what remains, lest they face the consequences of their lukewarm faith. This serves as a sobering reminder that our relationship with God requires constant vigilance and renewal.
The message to the church in Philadelphia, however, offers a stark contrast. This faithful congregation is praised for their perseverance and is promised protection from the trials to come. This foreshadows the ultimate triumph of those who remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ, as echoed in the promise of Revelation 3:12, “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. As we delve into this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a vibrant, unwavering faith in the face of adversity. The words of Jesus to these ancient churches continue to resonate with us today, calling us to be vigilant, to persevere, and to find our strength in the unshakable foundation of our faith.
Revelation 3:1-6
The passage in Revelation 3:1-6 focuses on the letter written to the church in Sardis. The letter begins with the phrase “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.” This reference to the seven spirits of God and seven stars could symbolize completeness and divine authority. Jesus, who holds these spirits and stars, is addressing the church in Sardis, known for its wealth and impressive history but criticized by Jesus for its lack of spiritual vitality.
The letter continues with Jesus stating, “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” This harsh rebuke suggests that although the church appeared vibrant and active on the outside, it lacked spiritual depth and authenticity. This serves as a cautionary reminder that outward appearances can be deceiving, and true spiritual life is rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ.
Jesus urges the church in Sardis to “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” This call to wake up and strengthen their faith implies that the church was on the brink of spiritual decay and needed to refocus on their relationship with God. It echoes the theme of spiritual vigilance found throughout the New Testament, such as in 1 Peter 5:8 where believers are warned to be alert and sober-minded.
Furthermore, Jesus commends a few faithful individuals in Sardis who have not “soiled their clothes.” This reference to purity and righteousness amidst a spiritually compromised community highlights the importance of personal faithfulness regardless of the spiritual condition of others around us. This echoes the sentiment in Matthew 5:16, where Jesus encourages believers to let their light shine before others, even in the midst of darkness.
The letter to the church in Sardis concludes with a promise to those who overcome, stating, “They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.” This promise of white garments symbolizes purity and victory over sin through Christ. It echoes the concept of spiritual victory and eternal life found in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:57, where believers are reminded that through Christ, we have victory over sin and death. The message to the church in Sardis serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and a call to genuine repentance and renewal. It emphasizes the importance of inner spiritual vitality over outward appearances and encourages believers to remain faithful and steadfast in their relationship with Christ, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. The timeless message of Revelation 3:1-6 reminds us to prioritize the true condition of our hearts and to continually seek spiritual renewal and growth in our walk with the Lord.
Revelation 3:7-13
The focus in Revelation 3:7-13 is on the letter to the church in Philadelphia. Let’s break down this passage into its key sections to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.
- “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:”
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Here, Jesus instructs John to write a specific message to the church in Philadelphia. Each of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation receives a unique message tailored to its circumstances. Philadelphia, in this context, likely refers to a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
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“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Jesus describes Himself as the one who is holy and true in this section, emphasizing His divine authority. The reference to holding the key of David alludes to Isaiah 22:22, where the key of the house of David represents authority and control. This declaration underscores Jesus’ sovereignty and power over all things.
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“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
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Despite the challenges faced by the church in Philadelphia, Jesus commends them for their faithfulness and endurance in upholding His word and name. The mention of an open door symbolizes opportunities and blessings that God has provided for them. This highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in faith even in times of difficulty, as God recognizes and rewards faithfulness.
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“I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”
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Here, Jesus addresses the Jews in Philadelphia who were opposing the church. The reference to the synagogue of Satan metaphorically represents those who are against God’s people. Despite facing opposition and false accusations, Jesus assures the church that their enemies will one day acknowledge God’s love for His faithful followers. This serves as a reminder that God is aware of the persecution His people endure and promises vindication and victory in the end.
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“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
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Jesus acknowledges the church’s perseverance in the face of trials, and as a reward, He promises to protect them from a future global trial or tribulation. This assurance echoes the biblical theme of God’s protection and deliverance for His faithful followers. It also emphasizes the importance of enduring trials with patience and trust in God’s ultimate plan.
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“The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Jesus promises special blessings to those who remain faithful and victorious in this final section. The imagery of becoming a pillar in God’s temple signifies strength, stability, and permanence in His presence. The mention of receiving the name of God and the new Jerusalem symbolizes belonging, identity, and the eternal inheritance awaiting believers in the heavenly kingdom. This promise reinforces the eternal rewards that await those who endure trials and remain steadfast in their faith. The letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13 conveys a message of encouragement, affirmation, and promise to believers facing challenges and opposition. Through this passage, we learn about the importance of faithfulness, endurance, and trust in God’s sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. The timeless message of this passage resonates with the broader biblical themes of perseverance, divine protection, vindication of the righteous, and the ultimate reward awaiting those who remain faithful to the end.
Revelation 3:14-22
A powerful message that speaks to the church of Laodicea is found in Revelation 3:14-22. The breakdown of this verse into important sections reveals a profound message that is relevant not only to the church at that time but also to believers throughout history.
Starting with verse 14, we see Jesus referring to Himself as the “Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” This declaration emphasizes Jesus’s divine authority and truthfulness. The title “Amen” signifies His faithfulness and certainty, echoing the Old Testament where it is used to confirm the truth or veracity of a statement. Jesus, the “faithful and true witness,” reveals the truth about God and His kingdom to humanity. Jesus asserts His sovereignty over all creation by identifying Himself as the “ruler of God’s creation,” underscoring His divine nature and authority.
Moving on to verses 15-16, Jesus rebukes the church of Laodicea for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. This imagery would have been significant to the Laodiceans who were familiar with their water supply that came from hot springs carried by aqueducts. They had become spiritually apathetic by being lukewarm, lacking the zeal and fervor of the early church. Jesus’s condemnation of their lukewarmness serves as a warning against complacency and half-hearted devotion in our faith. It highlights the importance of being fully committed and passionate in our relationship with God. Jesus addresses the spiritual condition of the Laodiceans, who considered themselves wealthy and in need of nothing in verses 17-18. However, Jesus exposes their true state of spiritual poverty, blindness, and nakedness. This metaphorical language alludes to their spiritual bankruptcy, lack of discernment, and lack of righteousness. Jesus counsels them to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, white clothes to cover their nakedness, and salve to cure their spiritual blindness. This call to repentance and spiritual renewal emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus to restore and enrich their faith.
Continuing in verses 19-20, Jesus expresses His love for the Laodiceans by disciplining them, urging them to be earnest and repent. The act of discipline underscores God’s love and desire for His people to turn away from sin and return to Him wholeheartedly. The invitation for Jesus to stand at the door and knock symbolizes His desire to have intimate fellowship with individuals and communities. This verse echoes the sentiment expressed in Psalm 23:4, where God’s shepherding love provides comfort and guidance even in the darkest valleys.
Finally, in verse 21-22, Jesus offers a promise to those who overcome, granting them the privilege of sitting with Him on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with the Father on His throne. This promise of sharing in Christ’s victory and authority points to the future glory and eternal reward awaiting believers who remain faithful and persevere in their faith. It echoes the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 19:28, where He promises His disciples that they will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the renewal of all things. Revelation 3:14-22 delivers a powerful message of repentance, renewal, and restoration to the church of Laodicea and to believers throughout history. It underscores the call to wholehearted devotion, spiritual fervor, discernment, repentance, and perseverance in the face of spiritual complacency and apathy. The promises of intimacy with Christ, restoration, and sharing in His victory serve as a hopeful encouragement for believers to remain faithful and overcome in their faith journey.
After Revelation 3
The church in Laodicea had grown lukewarm in their faith. They were neither hot nor cold, and the Lord found this displeasing. He warned them to repent and return to their first love, or else He would spit them out of His mouth.
The Lord’s message to the Laodicean church was a sobering one. He saw their true condition, despite their outward appearance of prosperity and self-sufficiency. They had become complacent, relying on their own strength rather than fully depending on God.
This chapter serves as a stark reminder that the Lord desires wholehearted devotion from His people. He will not tolerate a lukewarm faith. We must heed the Lord’s warning and examine our own hearts as we move forward, lest we too fall into the trap of spiritual apathy.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.