Revelation 3
Revelation 3 consists of messages from Jesus Christ to the last three of the seven churches sent to the early church (Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea). It contains words of counsel, rebuke, and encouragement given to each church, along with an evaluation of the church’s spiritual condition and promises of restoration and victory.
1verse“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2verseWake up and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.
3verseRemember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
4verseNevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5verseHe who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6verseHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7verse“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8verse“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
9verseBehold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10verseBecause you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11verseI am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12verseHe who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there 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 my own new name.
13verseHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14verse“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
15verse“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
16verseSo, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17verseBecause you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
18verseI counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
19verseAs many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
20verseBehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me.
21verseHe who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22verseHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
The Church in Sardis (Verses 1-6): A Living Church, Yet Dead
The church in Sardis is pointed out as being spiritually dead despite seeming alive on the outside. Jesus warns this church to “wake up,” and encourages them to hold firmly to what remains. Nevertheless, He promises that some faithful people will be allowed to wear white clothes.
The Church in Philadelphia (Verses 7-13): A Small Power, Yet Faithful
The church in Philadelphia is highlighted as one that receives praise, especially for keeping the Lord’s word and not abandoning its faith. God has set an open door before them, spares them from the time of testing through endurance, and promises that those who persevere to the end can remain forever in God’s temple.
The Church in Laodicea (Verses 14-22): Rebuke for Lukewarm Faith
The church in Laodicea receives rebuke for being lukewarm—being indifferent and self-satisfied, neither hot nor cold. Jesus urges them to recognize their spiritual poverty, seek true riches, righteousness, and life, and reminds them of the importance of restored relationship through His own image of waiting for them outside the door.
Characteristics of Structure and Flow
- Along with distinctive evaluations of each church, there are either words of praise or rebuke.
- A repeated exhortation—“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”—runs through the whole chapter.
- All the messages conclude with promises of restoration and victory, revealing God’s grace and faithfulness.
Points to Reflect On
- We must remember that our spiritual condition is evaluated not by outward appearances, but based on inner sincerity and our relationship with God.
- You can reflect on the value of faithfully obeying the Lord’s word even with small ability, and on the need to avoid spiritual complacency.
- We should engrave in our hearts the fact that the Lord always gives opportunities to turn back and be restored.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Check the state of your faith right now and ask yourself whether you might be remaining only in form, like the church in Sardis.
- As with the church in Philadelphia, think about whether you can remain faithful to the word in the place entrusted to you and practice a life that is true even in small things.
- Standing before Jesus, who is at the door of my life, I will think about how I will respond today, and resolve to make it a day of seizing opportunities for restoration and change.
