Revelation Chapter Three

1And 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.

Author: Sardis means that which remains. The period of time was generally thought of between 1517 and the time of the beginning of the Reformation and the beginning of the Millerite movement 1831 and the beginning of the call to prepare for 1844 and the entering in to the Most Holy Place.

That which remains means that there is still a little bit of life left in the church of the middle ages. Jesus, as the High Priest of the Holy Place, will come and care for any signs of life to preserve His precious church. This is His intercessory ministry for the church and for us.

 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Author: Jesus warns the church, and thus the individuals in the church – then and now- to be careful and strengthen the things which remain in the church. The essential issues of the church are to stay in touch with Jesus, read His Word, allow Him to change our lives, and to practice His ministry for others to help them find the truth as it is in Jesus.

Jesus tells Sardis that He has not found their works perfect before God which would indicate that they are working but not in harmony with Jesus. When one is perfect before God it is because they are covered with the righteousness of Jesus.

 3Remember 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.

Author: Jesus tells His people to remember the Words that He has taught them and to ask for the Holy Spirit to bring these things back to their remembrance.  John 14:26. So this would indicate that this church was devoid of the Holy Spirit because they were not obeying God’s Word. Acts 5:32 History indicates that when the church had departed from God’s Word they attempted to change His times and laws – especially the Sabbath. Daniel 7:25. Thus God was attempting to bring them back to His Word and getting them to be solid in His Word.

 4Thou 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.

Author: God states that even in this time period He still had some people left in His church which had not turned away from Him or His Word. These people were worthy and would walk with Him in purity for they would wash their garments in His blood. Revelation 7:14. This would also indicate that the intercessory ministry of Jesus was still in effect and fully functional.

 5He 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.

Author: Jesus promises that if one will surrender to Him and overcome through His graces (Ezekiel 36:23-37) will be clothed in white garments which is the righteousness of the saints who have washed in the blood of Jesus. Revelation 19:8; 7:14. In addition God will not blot out His name from the book of life. Exodus 32:30-33; Revelation 13:8; 20:12 if they overcome in Him.

 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Author: So be careful and listen to the Spirit, keep an ear open to spiritual things. Matthew 13:10-17

 7And 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;

Author: In this text Jesus introduces us to His sixth church the church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia means brotherly love. The time period of this church is from 1831-1844. This experience of this church is that they have listened to Jesus and He has developed His love to the point of being Christ like.

Jesus tells Philadelphia that He is the holy and true and he has the authority of David to open truth to the world. He is preparing to open the door into the Most Holy Place and will close the door to the Holy Place. Jesus, the son of David will accomplish these things for His people. He has the knowledge of the plan of salvation which He gives to His people and to then to the world – the keys of David. Isaiah 22:20-25; Matthew 16:19

 8I 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.

Author: Jesus knows the works of Philadelphia and they had a little strength and they kept the Word of Jesus and thus did not deny His name. They were true Jews – believers in Christ. Galatians 3:26-29. Therefore they would be willing to go through the door into the Most Holy Place. They would be willing to follow Jesus wherever He would lead them. Revelation 14:4

 9Behold, 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.

Author: Jesus tells His church that there is another group of people out there who claim to be true followers of Jesus (Galatians 3:26-29) but do lie. Jesus says that He will lead them to worship at the feet of the saints of God whom God loves. Judges 5:27; Exodus 11:8

 10Because 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.

Author: Jesus says that because they kept His word in patience (the health message II Peter 1:6; Revelation 14:12) Jesus promises to keep them from the hour of temptation. Matthew 26:45. What happened to Jesus in Gethsemane and Calvary will happen to each person, but if they are surrendered to Jesus He will keep them in that hour. They will pass the trial that comes to all the earth.

 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Author: Jesus warns them to hold fast the truths of God, and to not let any man deceive them with error which would cause them to lose their crown of victory.

 12Him 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.

Author: Jesus promises that if we will stay faithful He will make us a part of His temple in heaven. He will never leave the worship of the temple but will be an integral part of the temple services for ever as a priest and king. Jesus will write on Him the name of God (Revelation 14:1) and the name of the city of God which is the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 11:16; Galatians 4:26). The New Jerusalem is promised to come down out of heaven to Earth. Revelation 21:2. Jesus will write upon us His new name. Revelation 2:17

 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Author: Remember to have your ears, eyes, and hearts open to the Words of God. Matthew 13:10-17

 14And 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;

Author: Laodecia is the 7th and last of the 7 churches. Laodecia means judging the people. This church is to experience the investigative judgment of Daniel 7 and they come through victoriously for they are hidden in Jesus and are covered in His merits. The time period of this church covers the experience of God’s people from 1844 to the second coming of Jesus.

Jesus identifies Himself as the One who is in agreement with God and His law, He is the faithful and true witness in the Investigative Judgment, and He is the Author and Beginning of the Creation of God – He is the Creator. Colossians 1:13-18 He created the world and all worship belongs to Him.

 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Author: Jesus knows about the works of Laodecia. He knows that they are neither cold nor hot in their works for Him. In fact Jesus says that He would prefer them to be cold rather than lukewarm. It is easier to change someone who has a need rather than one who is complacent. But He wants all of us to be hot, rather than cold or lukewarm.

 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Author: Jesus says that if His people remain lukewarm He will spue them out of His mouth. He will not accept lukewarm worship of Him. For Jesus it is all or nothing.

 17Because 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:

Author: Laodecia does not recognize that she is like Samson in His backslidden state. Judges 16. Laodecia has fellowshipped with apostate churches to the point that she has an experience like Samson and Delilah (she is the whore of Revelation 17 and Jezebel of Revelation 2:20-23). Samson ended up blind, poor, naked, and abused. But as in all Bible stories there is hope in the intercessory ministry of Jesus. He warns to heal.

 18I 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.

Author: Jesus wants us to come to Him and He will wash us, clothe us, and make us rich, and He will heal our inability to see spiritual things. Ezekiel 3:23-37; Zechariah 3:1-8; Luke 10:25-37

 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Author: Jesus, as a faithful judge and priest, will rebuke and chasten to get us to a safe place in Him.

 20Behold, 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.

Author: Jesus stands at the door of our heart and knocks. He will not force His way into our hearts and lives. But if we will recognize His knock and invite Him in He will perform the intercessory ministry of the shewbread with us.

 21To 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.

Author: This verse contains one of the most intriguing promises in the Bible. Jesus promises us that if we will overcome, have victory over sin in His power (Zechariah 3:1-8) He will grant us a place on His throne as He has set down on His Father’s throne. This promise is the logical extension of John 17 that we will be One with Him as He is One with His Father. We will sit on the throne of God and be kings and priest with Jesus.

 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Author: Please listen to the call of the Holy Spirit who wants to teach us about Jesus and His intercessory ministry for us. Today, if you will hear His voice, allow Him to minister in the temple of your heart.