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1 "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. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being
alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have
not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it,
and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief,
and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their
clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are
worthy.
5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will
never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge
his name before my Father and his angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:1-6
Explanation:
The wealthy city of Sardis was actually in two locations. The older
section of the city was on a mountain, and, when its population
outgrew the spot, a newer section was built in the valley below.
The seven spirits of God is another name for the Holy Spirit. The
seven stars are the messengers, or leaders of the churches. The
problem in the Sardis church was not heresy, but spiritual death.
In spite of its reputation for being active. Sardis was infested
with sin. Its deeds were evil and its clothes soiled. The Spirit
has no words of commendation for this church that looked so good
on the outside but was so corrupt on the inside. The church at Sardis
was urged to obey the Christian truth they had heard when they first
believed in Christ, to get back to the basics of the faith. It is
important to grow in our knowledge of the Lord, to deepen our understanding
through careful study. But no matter how much we learn, we must
never abandon the basic truths about Jesus. Jesus will always be
God's Son, and his sacrifice for our sins is permanent. No new truth
from God will ever contradict these Biblical teachings.
To be dressed in white means to be set apart
for God and made pure. Christ promises future honor and eternal
life to those who stand firm in their faith. The names of all believers
are registered in the book of life. This book symbolizes God's knowledge
of who belong to him. All such people are guaranteed a listing in
the book of life and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging
to Christ.
7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 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.
8 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.
9 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.
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also
keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole
world to test those who live on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will
take your crown.
12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.
Never again will he leave it. I will write on him 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 him my new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:7-13
Explanation:
Philadelphia was founded by the citizens of Pergamum. The community
was built in a frontier area as a gateway to the central plateau
of Asia Minor. Philadelphia's residents kept barbarians out of the
region and brought in Greek culture and language. The city was destroyed
by an earthquake in A.D. 17, and aftershocks kept the people so
worried that most of them lived outside the city limits. The key
of David represents Christ's authority to open the door of invitation
into his future kingdom. After the door is opened no one can close
it--salvation is assured. Once it is closed, no one can open it--judgment
is certain. Some believe that I will also keep you from the hour
of trial means there will be a future time of tribulation from which
true believers will be spared. Others interpret this to mean that
the church will go through the time of tribulation and that God
will keep them strong in the midst of it/ Still others believe this
refers to times of great distress in general, the church's suffering
through the ages. Whatever the case, our emphasis should be on patiently
obeying God no matter what we may face.
Christians have differing gifts, abilities, experience,
and maturity. God doesn't expect us all to be and act the same,
but he does expect us to hold on to what we have, to persevere in
using our resources for him. The Philadelphians are commended for
their effort to obey and encouraged to hold tightly to whatever
strength they have. You may be a new believer and feel that your
faith and spiritual strength are little. Use what you have to live
for Christ, and God will commend you. The new Jerusalem is the future
dwelling of the people of God. We will have a new citizenship in
God's future kingdom. Everything will be new, pure, and secure.
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are
the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler
of God's creation.
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish
you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about
to spit you out of my mouth.
17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a
thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor,
blind and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you
can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your
shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and
repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he
with me.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on
my throne, just as I 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."
Revelation 3:14-22
Explanation:
Some believers falsely assume that numerous material possessions
are a sign of God's spiritual blessing. Laodicea was a wealthy city,
and the church was also wealthy. But what the Laodiceans could see
and buy had become more valuable to them than what is unseen and
eternal. Wealth, luxury, and ease can make people feel confident,
satisfied, and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or
how much money you make, you have nothing if you don't have a vital
relationship with Christ. How does your current level of wealth
affect your spiritual desire? Instead of centering your life primarily
on comfort and luxury, find your true riches in Christ. Laodicea
was known for its great wealth--but Christ told Laodiceans to buy
their gold from him (real spiritual treasure). Christ told them
to purchase white clothes from him (his righteousness). Christ told
them to get their medicine from him (for their eyes so they could
see the truth). God's purpose in discipline is not to punish, but
to bring people back to him. Jesus is knocking on the door of our
hearts every time we sense we should turn to him.
Jesus wants to have fellowship with us, and
he wants us to open up to him. He is patient and persistent in trying
to get through to us--not breaking and entering, but knocking. He
allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to him. Do
you intentionally keep his life-changing presence and power on the
other side of the door? At the end of each letter to these churches,
the believers were urged to listen and take to heart what was written
to them. Although a different message was addressed to each church,
all the messages contain warnings and principles for everyone. Which
letter speaks most directly to your church? Which has the greatest
bearing on your own spiritual condition at this time? How will you
respond?
