Revelation 3:1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things said He that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
He mentioned the seven Spirits (lampstands) and stars—somebody is in trouble. He knows their true nature. They may have believed their church was alive because of they were in a famous city (capital of Lydia), but were
dead spiritually. What does being
spiritually dead mean?
Mark 12:30-31 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that loves not his brother stays in death.
2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity (love).
Also see John 3:11, 3:21, 8:12, 8:55; Matthew 25:35-46; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 1:6-7, 3:17, 2:4, 2:9-11, 4:7, 4:11-12, 4:20. Basically, they were going through the motions while lacking loving-kindness for God, themselves and/or each other.
Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Pay attention and improve what good they already have done because the church was ready to die.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Hold fast and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come on you.
Mark His word—either repent or He will remove the lampstand (Spirit) without warning (Matthew 24:42-44, 25:1-30; Mark 13:33-35; Luke 12:38-39, 21:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).
Revelation 3:4 You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.
Despite their sins, some in the church have obeyed and loved, worthy to be with Him forever.
Revelation 3:5-6 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches.
Those that love and obey will become clean spirits and not lose their place in the Book of Life. He will triumphantly present them to Our Father and the angels.
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things said He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;
Jesus is announcing that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 22:22), that is He is God (Job 12:14), and repeating what He said about Himself while here (Matthew 16:19, 18:18)
Revelation 3:8 I know your works: behold, 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.
They had been given a great opportunity because of their faith and in spite of their weaknesses. Was that opportunity spreading the Gospels to other Gentiles (Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3)?
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie [Revelation 2:9]; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
The hypocritical Jews, who claim to love God, one day will be humbled before this beloved church (Psalm 25:3, 37:9, 72:9 ; Isaiah 14:1-2, 43:4, 45:14, 45:17, 49:23, 60:14; John 17:23; ).
Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.
Since they have endured in obedience and love (Daniel 12:12, Luke 8:15, Col. 1:11, 2 Thess. 1:4, 1 Timothy 6:11) and if they remain so, He will protect them from the period of trouble soon headed their way and reward them (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 10:22; Mark 4:16-17, 13:13; Luke 21:19; Acts 14:22; Philippians 2:16; Hebrews 6:12, 10:36; James 5:10-11; Jude 1:3—there are a bunch of other passages that name this promise not listing them all).
Revelation 3:12-13 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out. I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write on him my new name. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches.
Perseverance will lead to them becoming an example of strength and hold a place of honor, forevermore. The three names are titles of royalty in His kingdom. Also see Isaiah 4:2-3, Amos 9:11-12 and Obadiah 1:17.
Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things said the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Jesus is the truth, will always speak truth, and was there at the beginning of everything, since He is the Beginning (John 1:1-4, Colossians 1:18).
Revelation 3:15-16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.
This church was neither unreceptive (cold) nor passionate (hot) towards Christ. He loathes apathy (Romans 12:11) and threatened to remove Himself from them (John 1:16, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18-19).
Revelation 3:17 Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
They believe they do not need His blessings or help and don’t understand how disobedient they are.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
He advised them to turn to Him to help rid them of their apathy (Isaiah 55:1; Malachi 3:3; Matthew 13:44, 22:11-13; Colossians 2:3; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 John 2:20).
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Love corrects and embraces correction, be earnest in your repentance (Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Proverbs 3:11-12, 13:24; Job 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32; 2 Chronicles 33:11-13; Hebrews 12:5-11).
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
He is near and will come into you when want Him (Matthew 24:33; Luke 12:36; John 10:1-11, 14:23).
Revelation 3:21-22 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches.
Those who make it will be exalted beside Him and become a part of His family forever as He promised in Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, and John 16:33.
Anyone want to analyze these two chapters in greater depth?