Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis – stopped short in ministry, regressing spiritually
“To the angel[c] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[d] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds [ministry]; 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 found your deeds [ministry] unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, 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 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
How would you describe this church? They’re not maturing in their faith or doing good works. They stopped short and now, instead of growing, are regressing spiritually. If they’re not proactive in their spiritual lives, their faith will die.
Do you know of any churches or Christians who fit this description?
Why does Jesus describe Himself as holding the seven spirits of God [the manifold Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [angels of the churches] when He speaks to this church? He wants them to know that He has power over their angel and can close His fist over him but that He is also offering them the Holy Spirit to strengthen them.
How can we strengthen ourselves if we’ve stopped short in our spiritual maturity? We first need to ask for the Holy Spirit, then remember “what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” We need to think back about what we’ve learned and put the teaching into practice. We need to actually obey and follow through with what we’ve learned.
To the Church in Philadelphia – barely holding on but will soon have relief
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 [ministry]. 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 on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them 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 them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Why does Jesus describe Himself as holding the key of David and having the power to open and shut doors when He speaks to this church? He wants them to know that though they may be suffering persecution under earthly rulers, He is the real King with the real power.
What is the door Jesus is inviting this church to walk through? He may be inviting them into Heaven. Though the earthly rulers have the power to take their lives, no one can close the door to Heaven on them because Jesus is holding it open for them. One day, those who persecuted these Christians will be made to acknowledge that Jesus loved them because they were in the right.
How will Jesus keep these Christians “from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth”? If they’ve already endured persecution and been killed for their faith, they will be spared the longer, more intense, worldwide time of tribulation that is coming. They can take heart knowing that they’ve already passed their test and will have nothing more to endure.
What comes to mind when you think of Jesus writing God’s name on you, and the name New Jerusalem? I think it of as both a signing of His work and a mark of ownership. Like an artist, Jesus signs the name of the Godhead on us. Like the master of a house, He labels us as His and marks where we belong. It’s like Jesus is saying, “I made this one. He or she or is Mine. They belong in My city.”
To the Church in Laodicea – not putting much effort into good works, complacent in wealth
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 [ministry], 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 that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
How would you describe this church? They’re lukewarm in their deeds, doing some ministry but with no passion. They’re comfortable in their wealth and have forgotten their real needs.
Do you know any churches or Christians who fit this description?
Why would Jesus want this church to be cold rather than lukewarm? Being lukewarm keeps them complacent. If they were cold, they would feel it and realize they needed to make a change.
Does Jesus want to spit this church out of His mouth? No, He loves them and so is rebuking and disciplining them. He invites them to let Him come in and have a real relationship with Him. He offers to supply what they need.
Why does Jesus describe Himself as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation when He speaks to this church? He is testifying against them, and though they don’t want to hear it because they’re comfortable in their lifestyle and level of effort, they need to understand He is the ruler and that what He says is true.
If we are lukewarm in our deeds and complacent, how can we become hot with passion for the Lord again? Examine your spiritual life so that you can see your need. Remember your complete dependence on the Lord. Understanding what the Lord has done for us should make us want to minister to others. Seeing how Jesus fulfills our needs should make us want to be His instrument to meet the needs of others.
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