Revelation 3

Revelation 3 presents messages to the last three of the seven churches in Asia Minor. This chapter contains divine counsel, reproof, and promises, delivered by Jesus Christ, who reveals His attributes and expectations to each church, encouraging them to overcome spiritual complacency and weaknesses to receive heavenly rewards.

Revelation 3:1-6 (NKJV)
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

This passage addresses the church of Sardis, where Jesus introduces Himself as the One who has “the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars,” signifying His full authority and the presence of the Holy Spirit in His church. He rebukes them, saying they have “a name that [they] are alive, but [they] are dead.” This means they had an outward appearance of being spiritually active but were actually lifeless in their faith. Jesus calls them to “be watchful and strengthen the things that remain,” warning that if they do not wake up, He will come upon them unexpectedly, like a thief. However, He acknowledges that there are a few faithful individuals in Sardis who have not “defiled their garments,” meaning they have remained spiritually pure. He promises that those who overcome will be clothed in white garments, symbolizing righteousness, and their names will not be blotted out from the Book of Life. Instead, Jesus will confess their names before the Father and His angels.

Historically, the church of Sardis represents the period of the Reformation Church (1517–1798 AD) when believers began to break away from religious corruption, but many still lacked true spiritual revival. While reformers restored biblical truth, many churches became complacent, holding on to the name of Christianity without fully embracing its power. In verse 6, Jesus calls them to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Since Revelation 1:13 identifies Jesus as the One walking among the lampstands, this confirms that the Spirit speaking is Jesus in His spiritual form, urging His people to remain spiritually awake and prepared for His coming. The promise of the white garment and the confession of their names before the Father shows that those who remain faithful will be fully accepted into God’s eternal kingdom.

Revelation 3:7-13 (NKJV)
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on 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 I will write on him My new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

This passage addresses the church of Philadelphia, where Jesus introduces Himself as “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” This emphasizes His divine authority to open doors of opportunity and salvation that no one can close. He commends them for keeping His word and not denying His name, even though they have “a little strength.” He promises to make those of the “synagogue of Satan”—false believers who oppose God’s truth—bow before them, acknowledging that Christ loves His faithful ones. Because they have kept His command to persevere, He promises to keep them “from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world,” referring to a time of great testing. He urges them to hold fast so that no one takes their crown.

Historically, the church of Philadelphia represents the period of the Missionary and Revival Movement (1798–1844 AD and beyond), when believers passionately spread the gospel worldwide. This era saw a great awakening of faith, deep commitment to God’s word, and the preaching of Christ’s soon return. In verse 13, Jesus calls them to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Since Revelation 1:13 identifies Jesus as the One walking among the lampstands, this confirms that the Spirit speaking is Jesus in His spiritual form, guiding and strengthening His people. The promises to those who overcome include being made a pillar in God’s temple, never to leave His presence, and receiving the name of God, the New Jerusalem, and Christ’s new name, signifying their eternal belonging in His kingdom.

Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
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 dine with him, and he with Me.
21 He who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

This passage addresses the church of Laodicea, where Jesus introduces Himself as "the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God," emphasizing His authority, reliability, and role in creation. He rebukes them for being “neither cold nor hot” but lukewarm, meaning they are spiritually complacent—neither fully committed to God nor completely opposed to Him. Because of this, He warns that He will “vomit” them out of His mouth, showing His rejection of their half-hearted faith. They believe they are rich and in need of nothing, but Jesus exposes their true spiritual condition—they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Jesus counsels them to buy gold refined in fire (true, tested faith), white garments (His righteousness), and eye salve (spiritual discernment). Gold refined in fire represents genuine faith because just as gold is purified through intense heat, true faith is refined through trials and hardships (1 Peter 1:7, Job 23:10). This kind of faith is not based on external success but on complete trust and dependence on Christ, growing stronger as believers endure difficulties with perseverance. His rebuke is out of love, urging them to repent and return to a deep, committed relationship with Him.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, offering personal fellowship to anyone who opens their heart to Him. The final promise is that those who overcome will sit with Him on His throne, sharing in His victory.

Historically, the church of Laodicea represents the final phase of the church (1844 to the present), a time marked by spiritual lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and a lack of true dependence on Christ. In verse 22, Jesus calls them to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Since Revelation 1:13 identifies Jesus as the One walking among the lampstands, this confirms that the Spirit speaking is Jesus in His spiritual form, calling His people to repentance and true faith. The promise of sitting with Him on His throne highlights the incredible reward for those who fully surrender and remain faithful.