Chapters 2 and 3 are messages to seven churches:
| The Seven Churches | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephesus | Smyrna | Pergamum | Thyatira | Sardis | Philadelphia | Laodicea |
There is a common format to the
message
given to each church.
Start of verses for Sardis churchThe details of the letter to the angel at the church at Sardis begins in chapter 3 of Revelation. This church was located about 30 miles south of Thyatira. It was prosperous commercially and strategic militarily because of its location on the important Hermus River valley road.
The city itself was on a rock hill with the acropolis containing the temple of Artemis 800 feet above the north section of Sardis. The city had rock walls nearly vertical with the only access being from the south. This limited access turned Sardis into a fortress which had been captured only twice throughout its history (and those two times, it is said, was through deception - not outright military overrun).
On the skyline of Sardis, some seven miles away, is the necropolis or cemetery of a "thousand hills" or modern Bin Tepe. It is so named because of the hundreds of burial mounds there.
A great wool industry flourished in the region which may have lead
to the
comment in verse 4 about white garments. This may
have had special
meaning to the members at the Sardis church.
Start of verses for Philadelphia churchPHILADELPHIA - The Church of the OPEN DOOR
Starting in Revelation 3:7, we have the letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is located about 25 miles southeast of Sardis. It is on the main highway from Smyrna (about 100 miles due west) to Phrygia and points east. During the first century A.D. a second highway, the imperial post road of the Roman Empire from Troas to Sardis, crossed the first main highway at Philadelphia. As a result, Philadelphia became a strong fortress city.
Surrounding Philadelphia were vine-growing regions to the northeast and cattle and grain farming along the Hermus River. Thus textile and leather industries flourished there.
History
The city was established between 159-138BC by King Attalus II, King of Pergamum. King Attalus II had great loyalty to his brother and thus from the king's nickname "Philadephus" - brotherly love, this city received its name.
The city's mission was to spread the Greco-Asiatic culture and language into the eastern part of Lydia and in Phrygia. Success in accomplishing this mission is seen in Lydian ceasing as a language and Greek became the only language around AD19.
A major earthquake leveled the city in AD17. The emperor Tiberius rebuilt the city because of its strategic location.
Church
It is not known who founded the church at Philadelphia. Ammia, a
prophetess,
led it from AD100-160. The church in its early centuries was vibrant
and
alive with an open door policy but by AD1392 it had waned until it fell
under
Muslim control.
Start of verses for Laodicea churchThe angel to the church at Laodicea receives his message starting in Revelation 3:14. This is the last of the churches - the NEUTRAL CHURCH.
Laodicea was located about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and approximately 100 mile east of Ephesus (the first church). It was a neighboring city to Colosse and one of the three cities in the fertile Lycus valley.
Laodicea was a great trade center in its day. It was famous for a glossy black wool, huge banks (Cicero cashed very large bank drafts there), and a school of medicine (developed an ointment to cure eye defects).
It was a very self sufficient city. It refused outside help to rebuild it when it was leveled by the AD 17 earthquake.
The description of Laodicea being a lukewarm church may have come from its water system. An aqueduct some six miles long brought water from its source south of the city. Either the water came from hot springs and it cooled on the way or it came from a cold source and warmed up. In either case, for all its wealth, Laodicea had poor water.
The church at Laodicea (and Hierapolis) may have been founded by
Epaphras -
Colossians
4:12-15.
The name, Laodicea, means 'the rights of the people'.
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1. "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars,
says this: `I know your deeds, that you have a name that
you are alive, but you are dead.
"And to the ANGEL of the church in Sardis write:
HE who has
1) the seven SPIRITS of GOD, and
These seven spirits have been and always will be before the throne. John says so in Revelation 1:4 that they are (today - present tense) before the throne. What are these seven SPIRITS?
Sealer of my redemption - Ephesians 4:30
Confirmer of sonship/hiership - Romans 8:14-17
Prayer warrior - Ephesians 6:17-20
Spirit of LIFE - Romans 8:9-11
Minister of Glory - 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Occupant of the believer's body (temple) - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Discloser of truth - John 16:13-15
2) the seven stars
John sees, in his first vision, that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches - Revelation 1:20. This indicates that the church at Sardis is being "weighed" against the things of the SPIRIT and heavenly things of worth (angels and their worship).
says this: 'I know your DEEDS and that you have a name that you
are ALIVE, BUT YOU ARE DEAD.
Apparently the Sardis church looks very active but much activity under a religious banner means nothing. Jesus gives us a very curious passage in Matthew 7:20-23 where people are going to claim their works (all, notice, appearing very religious or supernatural) as their tickets into heaven. Not so, Jesus says "I never knew you". All our works, including religious-appearing ones, will be tested as though by fire.... 1 Corinthians 3:12-17.
The Sardis church, whether it was the proximity of the necropolis or
an
internal matter, was DEAD. Sure they were active maybe even included
pagan
death rites in their worship, but they had lost that ALIVE,
GOD-GLORIFYING,
and GOD-HONORING worship.
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2. `Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.
WAKE UP
Be watchful! A few at Sardis still knew of the real God, the real Son, and the real Holy Spirit but they had been suppressed so long by "ritual" (worthless religion) that they needed to wake up. The same is true for ALL churches today.....WAKE UP!
and STRENGTHEN the things that remain, which were about to die;
We are to
* make wise use of our time - Ephesians 5:14-20
* examine ourselves - 1 Corinthians 11:28-32
* be alert for THE RETURN - Mark 13:33-37
* remember the 10 virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
for I have not found your DEEDS completed in the sight of MY GOD.
The previous churches at least had good comments about their deeds. The Sardis church started things but didn't finish them.
What deeds, then, are good and completeable?
LOVE - Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy
might, soul, and spirit. Reread the LOVE chapter.
FAITHFULNESS - All seven churches have a blessing for the faithful
OVERCOMERS! Find them.
PERSEVERANCE - See the churches at Ephesus and Smyrna.
KEEP HIS WORD - "Thy words have I hid in my heart that I might not
sin (and hence be DEAD) against God."
NOT DENY HIS NAME - Peter did before the cock crowed...how about us?
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3. `Remember therefore what you have received and heard;
and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come
like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.
REMEMBER therefore what you have
received and heard; and
From whom did they receive and what did they hear? They received instruction from the apostles and other prophets; that is what they heard...Bible was not written down as such for the church members to each have a copy. Thus, it was by hearing the truth (not the misleading religion like Jezebel was perpetrating at Thyatira).
KEEP IT, and
The Word of God is a treasure worth holding on to - 2 Timothy 1:13-14. In Hebrews 3:5-6, Hebrews 4:10-13, and Hebrews 10:19-25, we are told to hold on to our hope of eternal life and to nurture that hope by confession within an assemblage of believers. We are to hold on to that which is good - 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. Lastly, holding on (abiding in) the Word gives us freedom - John 8:31-36.
REPENT.
Repentance is ALWAYS required when sin has intervened and "deadened" the church. If you are one of those "dead" Christians, the solution to becoming alive again is here: REMEMBER, KEEP IT, and REPENT!
If therefore you will not WAKE UP, I will come like a thief andWhile this may refer to Christ's return (the day of the Lord) as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, more likely this refers to the unpredictable time of DEATH. Remember this church was in view of the necropolis (burial mounds) and apparently was preoccupied with death rituals.
you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.
Furthermore, DEATH stops any chance to REMEMBER, KEEP IT, and REPENT.
IT IS TOO LATE WHEN YOU DIE!!!!!
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4. `But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.
BUT you have a FEW people in SARDIS who have notThe FEW often seems to be the case....we are mostly followers or indifferent. It was true in Luke's time. Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth because they "walked blamelessly" (Luke 1:5-6) were given the privilege of being the parents of John the Baptist, the announcer and baptizer of Jesus Christ. Simeon, a "righteous and devout" man was one of the FEW who knew he would see the Lord's Christ before he died (Luke 2:25-26). And then there was Anna, a widowed prophetess, who for many years "never left the temple". She was given the task of speaking to all around that the Jesus is the redeemer of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38) that everyone was looking for.
soiled their garments; and
But these instances are not that unusual. Even in very ancient times, it is recorded (Genesis 6:5-12), that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord because he was a righteous man and blameless in his time. The rest of mankind's wickedness was very great.
In pagan religions at the time of Revelation's writing, it was forbidden to approach the gods in garments that were soiled or stained. This spotting or soiling symbolizes an otherwise pure life stained by pagan ideas or beliefs. God's word says much about the purity of the Christian life.
* the 144,000 Jewish witnesses were blameless (Revelation 14:5)
* Food we eat does not matter, it is one God that matters
(1 Corinthians 8:4-8).
* Cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit...
(2 Corinthians 7:1).
* we should maintain the simplicity and purity of devotion
to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:1-3).
* have mercy with fear on those whose garments are polluted
by the flesh (Jude 22-23).
they will walk with me in WHITE;The white garments are symbols of righteousness, victory, and the glory of God.
* in the advice to Laodicea, they were to buy white garments
to cover the shame of their wickedness - Revelation 3:18.
* the great tribulation martyr's robes were white - Revelation 6:11.
* all redeemed saints around the Throne wore white robes -
Revelation 7:9
* the ones out of the great Tribulation had their robes washed
white in the blood of the Lamb - Revelation 7:14
* the heavenly armies are wearing white (contrast that with
today's armies in camouflage!) - Revelation 19:14
for they are WORTHY.The faithful FEW in Sardis would walk with Him in white for they are WORTHY. No need to blame it on the church or to be a martyr to wear white; it is your own heart and life condition which will determine whether your garment is pure white or soiled.
Being WORTHY is rare indeed. For example, Christ was the ONLY one
WORTHY to
open the seals on the scroll held in the right hand of the One on the
THRONE.
Read about it starting in Revelation 5:1.
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5. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
He who overcomes
* shall thus be CLOTHED in WHITE GARMENTS
John, in his earlier letter in 1 John 3:1-3, says that if He, Christ, should appear that we will be like Him. That is, the purity that the washing with His blood gives to our garment makes it white. If you really want to see how He is, look at Matthew 17:1-7.
* and I will not erase his name from the BOOK OF LIFE and
In ancient cities, the names of the citizens were recorded in a register until death. At death, their names were removed from the book of the living.
The Old Testament has the same idea. Apparently, during one of their several conversations, God told Moses about the Book of Life because Moses requests that his own name be removed from the book if God could not forgive the great sins of the people - Exodus 32:30-35.
David, says in Psalm 69:26-28, that those with iniquity should be blotted out of the book of life and not be recorded with the righteous.
Isaiah, in Isaiah 4:2-6, indicates that those left in Zion will be those "recorded for life" in Jerusalem, the Holy City.
Gradually, the book of life came to mean those people having eternal life (not just physical life). Daniel talks about the end times when those written in the book will be rescued from the time of distress - Daniel 12:1-3.
It is the greatest reason for rejoicing. Having your name in the book of life supersedes any kind of miracle performed, healing that takes place, or good deed performed - Luke 10:17-20.
The rest of Revelation refers to the book of life of the Lamb in context to those who do not follow the beast (Revelation 13:8), are not tempted by the woman riding the beast (Revelation 17:8), do not suffer the second death (Revelation 20:15), and inhabit the Holy City (Revelation 21:27).
Only a crime in ancient times could cause a persons name to be removed from the book of life (even though the person was still alive). Our place, as Christians, is more secure. Romans 8:37-39 lists all the things that might try to get our names removed from the book of life BUT won't succeed!
* I will confess his NAME before MY FATHER, and before His angels.
This is the strongest evidence of the complete and perfect work of
Christ.
That He will confess my name before God -
Matthew
10:32-33 and His angels -
Luke
12:8-10.
All this while I stand there in my white, dazzling robe.
WOW!!!
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6. `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
He who has an ear, let him HEARAgain the general exhortation comes at the end. This time it may have had added significance. Since Sardis seemed to be surrounded by the death theme, hearing and believing the Word of God (John 5:24-29) is the way to pass from death unto life!
what the SPIRIT says to the churches.
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7. "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David,
who opens and no one will shut, and
who shuts and no one opens, says this:
And to the ANGEL of the church in PHILADELPHIA write. He
* who is HOLYThis is the first church where the "sender" is not described in terms of His attributes in Revelation chapter 1. This One who is HOLY expects us to be holy - Leviticus 19:1-4. Holiness leads us toward perfection - Matthew 5:48. Lastly, holiness wants to dwell where righteousness lives - 2 Peter 3:10-13.
* who is TRUEThis is one of the great attributes of Christ as explained throughout the New Testament. As Christians, we want to know Him who is true - 1 John 5:20.
* who has the key of DAVID,Christ already has the keys of DEATH and HADES (Revelation 1:18) and now He has the key of DAVID. Not only does a key give the ability to open and shut as we will see later in this verse, but it also places a great responsibility on the bearer. In Isaiah 22:15-25, Shebna apparently proved not to be able to bear the keys responsibly, so the keys were given to Eliakim. The keys in Isaiah's days locked up the treasures of the Kings of Judah. Figuratively, it refers to the great responsibilities of government. The keys were on a large ring carried over the shoulder. The future key bearer is none other that Jesus Christ - Isaiah 9:6-7.
To the Philadelphia church, Christ now proclaims to have the keys which control governments (nations) and He will use them to His purposes. We must heed current world events in light of His having the KEY OF DAVID.
* who opens and noone will shut, andThe keys give you the authority to open or let in whomever the bearer wants. Likewise, He can close or keep out whomever He wills. He has all authority in heaven and earth - Matthew 28:18-20. This includes the church - Ephesians 1:22-23 and all mankind - John 17:1-3.
* who shuts and noone opens,
This can be viewed with terror if you feel Jesus will keep the
"door" shut
because you have not accepted Him as Lord and
Savior.
To those who have, He will open the door!
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8. I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
says this: I know your DEEDS;There is no indication what those deeds are. They must have been OK if the Philadelphians are complemented later in this verse for not denying His NAME. Three "BEHOLD"s follow in this and the next verse.
1) BEHOLD, I have put before you AN OPEN DOOR which noone can shut,Jesus says that He is the door (and He has the keys) - John 10:1-18. This may reflect the fact that Philadelphia was on the crossing of two major highways and was strategically located to spread the Word of God throughout Asia.
Our access to God is through the OPEN DOOR - Romans 5:1-2.
We are filled with the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11) which, in turn, becomes our strength (Philippians 4:13).
because youWhen there is little POWER, then the believer must TRUST God to provide a way (in His time). Paul recognized God's OPEN DOOR and timing in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8-9). Paul always looked for the OPEN DOOR. - Colossians 4:2-4.
* have a little POWER, and
* have kept MY WORD, andThe pressures of daily living are great to dilute, compromise, (or worst) ignore the WORD of God. The Philadelphians KEPT the word .... how can you KEEP what you don't know or even take the time to find out? IT IS CRITICAL TO READ GOD'S WORD! Don't be moved away from the hope of the Gospel - Colossians 1:21-23.
* have not denied MY NAME.Jude 3-4 explains that certain persons will creep in unawares who turn the grace of God into licentiousness. You can always tell who these persons are because they deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, himself, says we are to deny ourselves NOT Him, Matthew 16:24-25.
THE BELIEVER'S PERSONAL LIFE
Little self power
|—> Keeping the Word of God
|—> NOT deny Christ's name!
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9. `Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie -- behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
2) BEHOLD, I will cause those of the synagogueThe accusation here is of lying about the authenticity of the Messiah (synagogue of Satan is the symbolic counterpart). Refresh yourself with Smyrna church in Revelation 2:9 where there was outright blasphemy. The Philadelphia church had its Jewish subverters too; only they were more subtle.
of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie.
3) BEHOLD, I will make themThis is not a reference that unbelievers will reverence believers. That kind of bowing down is reserved for Christ ONLY - Philippians 2:9-11. This reference is more like Joseph in Egypt where his brothers eventually fall down before him (not knowing who Joseph was) and beg for food (Genesis 44:14-17). The subtle Jews causing subversion will come and bow down at the feet of the true believers. It is a form of repentance.
a) to come and bow down at your feet and
b) to know that I have LOVED you.It was this LOVE that caused Jesus to lay down His life for us - John 15:6-13.
Am I able to lay down my life for my friends? If I find it difficult
to
worship God regularly, to study His Word daily, and to "pray
ceaselessly",
how will I find the spiritual strength to show this "greater LOVE"?
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10. Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.
Because you have KEPT the word of my perseverance,The Philadelphian members receive an extra promise (other than the one that goes to the 'overcomers'). The expression "the word of my perseverance" is somewhat difficult to understand. The New International Version translates it as "kept the Word of my patience"; Ladd translates it as "the word enjoining Christ's patient endurance".
In either case, to suffer for Christ and to persevere is one of the greatest tests of our Christian faith. Paul repeatedly endured -- Philippians 1:29-30, encouraged -- 2 Thessalonians 3:5, even as Christ did - Hebrews 12:3. We are to TAKE HEART!
I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which isThis, too, is controversial. What is the hour of testing (trial)? What does "keep you from" mean? The phrase 'those who dwell upon the earth' refers to unbelievers as they are the object of God's wrath, i.e. worshippers of the beast. (Revelation 6:10, Revelation 8:13, Revelation 11:10, Revelation 12:12, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:14). Furthermore, God will pass judgment on the nations - Isaiah 24 and Jeremiah 13:12-14.
about to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the
earth.
That this is the wrath of God is indicated by 'the hour of testing'.
That is not to say Christians won't have testing...they do. It's called persecution. But they will not suffer this particular kind of God's wrath. It seems that God has different forms of wrath. The one talked about here is for unbelievers, 'those who dwell upon the earth'.
The term "keep you from" is most often interpreted as "to be kept from being present" or as it is sometimes called - The Rapture. John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:20-21, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 support Christ's coming again and receiving us into the heavenly mansions. However, "keep you from" could also be interpreted as "to be preserved through it" not unlike the 144,000 witnesses of Revelation 7:4 who are "sealed" or protected from harm.
At any rate, the arguing of the meaning of these phrases is not that
important. It is important, though, that this promise goes only to
whose who
have KEPT the Word (read it, know it, believed it, and lived it!)
through ALL
persecution. (Compare this "keeping" with the promise given to Smyrna
church
- Revelation 2:10).
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11. `I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.
I am COMING QUICKLY;This is not a threat of judgment but rather a promise of Christ's second coming. This phrase is used three times in Revelation 22. Find them.
The two previous churches, Thyatira and Sardis, also were given notice of His coming. At Thyatira (Revelation 2:25), they were to hold fast until I COME otherwise a GREAT TRIBULATION waited for them. In Revelation 3:3 He would COME to Sardis as a thief and thus catch them unawares. So, the Philadelphia church, is different. They are watching and waiting so as to be kept from the HOUR of testing.
HOLD FAST WHAT YOU HAVE in order that noone take your crown.The crown of Life had been promised to those who were faithful unto death at the Smyrna church (Revelation 2:10). Other crowns are available to the faithful. Here, the Philadelphians are to hold on to their beliefs and faith in God, lest they lose their crown.
There is the possibility to lose one's rewards as taught in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15. Or, if we become weary and quit working for the Lord, we will not reap certain benefits Galatians 6:9 (whether this means not getting a crown is debatable).
However, salvation is NEVER lost if one truly makes a commitment to
Christ.
John
10:27-30 says
Christ gives eternal Life to his
sheep who follow Him! THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH!!!
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12. `He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon 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 new name.
He who overcomesThese are the ones with little power (verse 8), the rest are DEAD!
* I will make him a pillar in the temple of MY GOD, and
This is a strengthening statement to the Philadelphians since the area where they lived was prone to earthquakes and usually only the strong temple pillars remained standing after a good shaking.
Furthermore, it was common practice back then to honor a VIP, civic or cleric, with their name placed on the pillar. This expression may be interpreted like this.
This should not be so odd to us ... Revelation 21:22 tells us that the new Jerusalem has no temple other than God and the Lamb. We, as the Lamb's bride, will live freely in that temple!
* he will not go out from it anymore and
This is a permanent assignment. As with many things with God, a little power (verse 8) turns into the perfection of power - 2 Corinthians 12:5-10. Trying to do things in our own power is foolishness compared to the POWER of God.
* I will write upon him
a) the NAME of My God, and
What a privilege to have the NAME of God the Father written on us!
b) the NAME of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and
This is my citizenship papers.
c) My new name.
We will be identified forever with the Glory of Jesus because we will bear His new name.
In Old Testament, His name was Jehovah, which is thick and rich with meaning.
In the present, it is JESUS, a sweet sound to our ears.
In the future, it is His new name. It is unknown to us at the moment
because
it is one of the hidden mysteries of our future -
1
Corinthians 2:9,
Isaiah
64:4, and
Isaiah
65:17-18.
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13. `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.The route of the letters to the churches is amazing. While it appears that the route is through many agents, it really was directly from the Holy Spirit/Lord all the time.
Holy Spirit
| Lord (Revelation 1:1)
| |
| |—> angel (Revelation 1:1)
| |
| |—> John (Revelation 1:1)
| |
| |—> Church's angel (Revelation 3:7)
| |
|—--------------------|-> Church at Philadelphia
Hearing is a process of living people NOT dead. Therefore, the Spirit
is
communicating to people who are alive. That is not unusual....
1
Corinthians 14:26-33 indicates it is
the spirit of the prophets who communicate from a God of order and not
confusion.
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14. "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning
of the creation of God, says this:
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
* the AMEN
- the Hebrew behind the Greek amen means 'the acknowledgment of that which is sure and valid'.
- it is the human response to divine truth or action.
- therefore, Jesus is the perfect AMEN of obedience and suffering for God, His Father.
* the Faithful and True WITNESS
- Paul parallels this in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22.
* the BEGINNING of the creation of God, says this:
- the speaker to the angel to the church at Laodicea goes back before the creation of the universe even to the beginning of God - John 1:1-5. Jesus has been forever ... not in the physical human form but as one part of the three-part God.
- so listen up, Laodicea (and all other Christian churches)!!!
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15. `I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot.
I know your DEEDS,Again those all-seeing eyes penetrate to the heart of things.
that you are neither COLD nor HOTThis may be an indirect reference to the water coming to Laodicea from 6 miles away; but most likely this refers to their lack of zeal - Romans 12:9-13. (See also Revelation 3:19).
I would that you were COLD or HOT.This is your spiritual temperature not your SAVED or UNSAVED condition.
COLD ——> Saved but not at all living the Spirit-filled life.
HOT ——> Truly on fire for the Lord through the Holy Spirit!
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16. `So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot not cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
So —> because you are lukewarm and neither HOT nor COLD,A lukewarm church is the worst kind. If it is cold, it won't harm anyone. If it is HOT, souls are onfire and spiritual rebirth is happening.
But a TEPID church
- looks religious
- safe to "hide in" without serious personal commitment
- accommodates 'pagan' ideas without alarm
- and promotes 'peace' at any cost.
A church in a lukewarm state invites false teachings to invade. 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 2:18-19; and 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Note: the lukewarm church has a judgment coming:
I will spit you OUT OF MY MOUTH.Praise the Lord, the tense on the verb is 'will', future. There still is time to repent and to be renewed. According to 1 Peter 4:17-19, the church first is judged, then fakes ('godless men') within the church, and lastly sinners.
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17. `Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Because YOU saySelf assessment usually leads to self-engrandizement. While nobody wants to hear bad truth, our approval and evaluation really comes from the Lord - 2 Corinthians 10:12-18.
1) I am RICH, and have become WEALTHY, and have need of nothing andIf materially RICH ——> faith in God usually is lacking. If spiritually RICH ——> they were blinded or oblivious to the intrusion of "worldly things".
Christ gave us the characteristics of a spiritual Christian in the Beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-12.
2) you do not know that you areThe Laodiceans could not see their poor state of health in the body (of Christ?) and soul (inward condition). The Smyrnans were recognized (Revelation 2:9) as having poverty (but they were rich). What a contrast between two churches!
* wretched and miserable,
* poor and blind,
* and naked.
Lastly, nakedness talks about a shameless way of "showing off" a
spiritual
way of life (Revelation 16:15)
when, in fact, the flesh is doing something totally different. The walk
does
not match the talk; we need to wear the spiritual garments of purity,
righteousness, and the glory of God.
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18. I advise 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.
I advise you to BUY FROM MEFor a church so involved in materialism (apparently from all the wealth of the city), to ask them to "BUY" points an accusing finger at them and says they don't have everything SPIRITUALLY. In fact, they have just enough spiritualism to make them "lukewarm".
a) GOLD refined by fire, that you may become rich, andThe spiritual process of buying starts with repentance, the turning over of one's self. Then one acquires GOD (Jesus = GOLD) and eternal riches (LIFE). The Word of God is solid GOLD - John 7:16-18. Then a transformation takes place - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, a strengthening inside us - Ephesians 3:14-19, and a preparation for the trials sure to come - 1 Peter 1:3-9.
b) WHITE GARMENTSOur SIN, unconfessed and unforgiven by the Lord, is our nakedness. Only the white cloth of righteousness can hide our nakedness when we receive it and put it on.
1. that you may clothe yourself
2. that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.
c) eyesalve to anoint your eyes that you may SEE.Eyesalve impedes the "dazzling splendor" of the world's light. The devil can make material things look so good. But eyesalve has another function: that of healing. It opens understanding to the hope of our calling - Ephesians 1:18; it removes the world's blinders - 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.
This verse indicates that the lukewarmness of Laodicea is not the laxity of Christians but rather the condition of not really knowing Christ. They may have accepted Him as their Savior BUT they have kept control of their life, i.e. haven't made Him their Lord.
What is your position today? Lukewarm because He isn't the complete
Lord and
Boss over your life.
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19. `Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent.
Those whom I LOVE, I REPROVE and DISCIPLINE:The unwanted and unloved seldom have anyone around to discipline them. Thus we should be thankful that God is around to discipline us. John 14:19-21 says we are loved by God and He will disclose Himself to us. So if we are sons of God, then as a Father He disciplines us - Hebrews 12:4-13 and Proverbs 3:12. The "trying us" is for our growth to bring us to a place of abundance according to Psalm 66:8-15. We are to judge ourselves, and if we judge rightly then the Lord disciplines us - 1 Corinthians 11:28-32.
* be ZEALOUS therefore, andA zealous person is NOT lukewarm, they are on FIRE! 1 Corinthians 15:58.
* REPENTThe very last thing an unbeliever wants to do is REPENT. The very last thing a believer wants to do is REPENT. Why?
It leads to exposure ("nakedness" in the previous
verse 18)
as to who you really are. BUT repentance
has its
good points!
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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 will dine with him, and he with Me.
Behold, I stand at the door and KNOCK;This is the door of the church at Laodicea (or your church) and not necessarily the heart's door as so many evangelists use this verse. This would indicate that there either were lots of deaf Christians or lazy Christians ignoring the knocking.
Note, too, that Christ is outside the church (Hebrews 13:12-13). We can go outside the church to be with him individually OR the members of the church can invite Him in to be with them. He would prefer to come inside because He says
if anyone (in the church) hears my voice (knock) and opens the door,There had to be some life in the church in order to hear the knock and open the door - John 5:24-29 and John 10:24-30. Opening the door is the act of repentance and throwing all fleshly things into the dumper - Galatians 5:19-21.
I will COME IN to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.As we sit down to eat with Him (His word), His Spirit is there as He shares His food (bounteousness of the Father) with us. Then we grow and become strong Christians. Thus begins the beautiful relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit - Colossians 3:15-17.
One note of warning: James
5:9
indicates those who don't open the door will face the Judge!
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21. 'He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My Throne; as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.
'He who overcomes,We have seen earlier in Revelation 1:6, Revelation 1:9, and Revelation 2:27, that we, along with John, anticipate to reign with Christ. Here it is outright promised to the Laodicean church (and we, too, if we overcome).
I will grant him to SIT DOWN with Me on My Throne;
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father
on His Throne.
Later, during one of the praise sessions in Revelation 5:10 and in the thousand year period in Revelation 20:4, the 24 elders, the four living creatures, and the martyrs also indicate this joint reign.
Christ promised it in Luke 22:28-30 to the disciples; Paul took the promise in Romans 8:16-17 and 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and expected to reign as an heir.
Just as a side note: there is a clear distinction between the Father's Throne and Christ's Throne. It appears that Christ's Throne is preeminent from his resurrection until all things (including death) are "put under His feet" - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. At that time, then even Christ and His Throne (and us) will be subject completely to God (as we are now, too).
Lastly, all 'overcomer' promises (see formats of church letters) show up again in the heavenly throne era. This proves that John's visions were organized and complete. Here are the seven overcomer promises again.
Ephesus - a tree of life (Revelation 22:2)So each type of church will be represented in the final age! The question then becomes: WILL YOU BE THERE????
Smyrna - deliverance from the second death (Revelation 20:6)
Pergamos - new name written down (Revelation 22:4)
Thyatira - the morning star (Revelation 22:16)
Sardis - white raiment to the church FEW (Revelation 19:8)
Philadelphia - the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2)
Laodicea - sharing of His Throne (Revelation 20:4)
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22. `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches'"
'He who has an EAR, let him HEAR what the SPIRIT saysThis phrase must be important to have been repeated SEVEN times.
to the churches.
WE MUST HEAR!!!!The word "churches" is not used again until Revelation 22:16 where John is reminded that this 'book', Revelation as we call it, is to be to the "churches". Everything from now on during the Judgments is pronounced upon an earth without "churches". This leads many scholars to believe the active, alive, Spirit-filled church is not present on the earth during this time of Judgment.