Revelation 3

Sardis

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says these things: “I know your works, and that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, which are about to die, for I have not found your works complete before God. 3 Remember, therefore, how you have received and heard, and hold it firmly, and repent. But if you will not watch, I will come on you like a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come on you.

4 “You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will be clothed in white clothing, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name in the presence of my Father and in the presence of his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Philadelphia

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no man can shut and shuts and no man can open, says these things:

8 “I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it, for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. 9 Look, I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan – who say they are Jews and are not, but lie – look, I will cause them to come and show reverence at your feet and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which will come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.

11 “Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no man takes your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out. And I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is 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.

Laodicea

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God says these things:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have many possessions, and need nothing’, and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

3:17 What a contrast between Christ’s view of those Christians and their thoughts about themselves! Their condition disgusted Him; it was a source of satisfaction and pride to them. Compare Luke 16:15.⚜

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold tried in the fire, so that you can be rich; and white clothing, so that you can be covered and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with ointment, so that you can see.

19 “All those I love I rebuke and discipline. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. 20 See, I stand at the door, and knock. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me.

3:20 The church there as a whole had shut Christ out, and He had to knock to get into the hearts of any of its members. This indicates that the whole membership was in unbelief (compare 2 Cor 13:5).⚜

21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, just as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.