Revelation 3

     3:1-6.  Sardis: “A Church honoured, but dead” (Ramsey).

     Sardis in its past history was the capital of Lydia.  Because of its nearly impregnable mountain location, they had supposed themselves secure.  Yet twice they were suddenly overthrown by enemies who took advantage of their failure to be watchful.  The Sardis church was now following the same course, drifting on their strong reputation for vigor, while drifting into the sleep of death.  That part of the church which still remained with a spark of life needed to be watchful and alert, strengthening that part that remained (2).

     3:3.  The literal margin note is the better translation.  Literally, it is not what, but how you received.  “…our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thess. 1:5).  They know the content of the gospel.   They need to remember the power with which it came, keep it, and repent.   If not, the Lord will come like a thief, when they least expect it (cf. 1 Thess. 5:3, 6). 

     3:4-5.  Here again, the translators could not refrain from correcting the odd choice of words chosen by the Lord and the Holy Spirit.   Literally, it is not a few people, but a few names in Sardis (margin).  The paraphrase breaks the connection with the word name in vv. 1, 5, and also in several of the other letters (e.g., 2:13, 17; three times in 3:12).  A name has power.  It is personal.  These are not unknown people.  “I know my own, and my own know me.”  “I call my sheep by name.”

     These few “names” have not soiled their garments (cf. Jude 23).  These worthies shall walk with the Lord clothed in white (cf. 7:13, 14; 19:8, 14).  Note that their white clothes were not earned, but given.  They are kept unsoiled by a daily washing in the blood of the Lamb.

     Those who call upon the Lord’s name will not have their own name erased from his memory — ever.  And he will confess that he knows them as his own before his Father, and before his angels (this last phrase of v.5 conflates Mt. 10:32 and Luke 12:8).

     3:7-13.  Philadelphia: “A Church Feeble, yet Conquering” (Ramsey).

     Like Smyrna, Philadelphia receives no rebuke from the Lord.  Of course this does not mean they were without sin, but that they were seriously engaged in the spiritual struggle, and daily relying on the strength of the Lord, and his cleansing blood.  They had kept his word, and had not denied his name (8).

     3:7.  The keys of David, etc.; i.e., Christ has all authority over the kingdom of God, and over all its enemies.  His Keys bind and loose, open and shut, with absolute authority (cf. Is. 22:22; Rev. 1:18).

     3:8.  According to Ramsey, the KJV (and NASB) has it wrong.  It should read “little strength,” not “a little strength.”  The NIV reads, “I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word”, etc.  I think this is probably correct.  Christ is not opening a door for the gospel because they have strength, but because Christ’s strength is made perfect in weakness (see 2 Cor. 12:9, 10).  They have relied on his word, and he uses his keys to open a door for the gospel that no man can shut.  ” ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).

     To the faithful church of Smyrna, the Lord promised a crown of life and no harm from the second death.  But to Philadelphia alone is given the special promise “of success in extending the triumphs of His kingdom” (Ramsey, p174).  One church is called to be faithful unto death; the other to be faithful unto victory.

     3:9.  The conquest of the synagogue of Satan (cf. John 8:39, 42, 44) who say they are Jews, and are not, but lie (cf. Ro. 2:28, 29; 3:6).  The irresistible power of Christ will subdue these enemies before them.  They will in their conversion know the love Christ has for his church.

     3:10.  Since they are currently persevering under persecution and trials, this verse cannot mean that the Lord keeps them from testing, but he is promising to keep them through testing.  They will be saved from its power.  What they now experience is not unique.  It comes rushing on to all.  No generation, nation, or church long escapes the ever-gathering storm.  “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

     3:11-13.  There are wonderful promises given to the one who holds fast.  The New Jerusalem; cf. Rev. 21:2, 10.  My new name; cf. Rev. 2:17; 22:4.

     3:14-22.  Laodicea: “A Church strong, self-sufficient, but lukewarm and loathsome” (Ramsey).

     Like the not quite hot springs that watered the city, the church was lukewarm and loathsome (15-16), and so the faithful and true Witness promises to spew (lit. vomit) them out of his mouth.  They are the opposite of Philadelphia; nothing good can be said of them.  Yet they are a true church still.  The lampstand yet burns, however dimly, and the Bridegroom yet knocks and calls out at the door of his slumbering bride (20; cf. Song 5:2,3).  That which they think they already have, yet shamefully lack, Jesus is ready to give them.  His discipline is the sign of his continuing love (18, 19).  Wonderful promises are made to him who overcomes of a share in the eternal reign of glory the Father has given his Son (21).

     One aspect of all the letters to the churches is especially strong in this seventh letter.  The letters are addressed to each church body as a whole, but here Jesus stands at the door, knocking and calling out to anyone, any individual person, anyone who has an ear to hear, to open the door (20-22).  This is each man’s responsibility, to respond to the Lord’s loving discipline and repent (19).  Each is called to overcome with Christ, to dine with Christ, to conquer and sit and rule with Christ on his throne.  But he must hear the Savior’s voice, and respond to his knock at the door of his heart.  This is repentance.  But how can the deaf hear?  How can the dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:2, 5) arise and open the door?  Only as the stinking corpse of Lazarus arose and came forth alive, with new ears that heard Jesus’ voice calling him.  This is regeneration.  This is the voice of the Amen, the Beginning of the creation of God (14; cf. 2 Cor. 5:17), to him be the glory, now and forever.  To all seven churches, to every church until the end of time, Jesus says, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”