Revelation 3

Revelation 3 is part of the letters to the seven churches, continuing the messages to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These letters address spiritual conditions, commendations, rebukes, and promises from Christ. Each message is personalized, reflecting Christ’s knowledge of their deeds, and ends with a call to overcome.

Revelation 3:1 (NKJV):
“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.”

Jesus identifies Himself as the one who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, symbols of divine authority and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges Sardis’ reputation of being spiritually alive, but He rebukes them for their true condition: they are spiritually dead. Outwardly, they appear vibrant, but inwardly they are devoid of life and vitality.

Revelation 3:2 (NKJV):
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”

Jesus urges the church to wake up from their spiritual slumber and strengthen what remains before it completely withers. Though they are near death spiritually, there is still hope if they act quickly. Their works, while existent, fall short of God's standards and need revival and completion.

Revelation 3:3 (NKJV):
“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.”

Christ calls the church to recall the teachings they received, to hold firmly to them, and to repent of their failings. He warns that if they fail to wake up spiritually, His coming will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief in the night, bringing judgment.

Revelation 3:4 (NKJV):
“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.”

Despite the overall spiritual deadness in Sardis, there are still a few faithful believers who have maintained their purity. Jesus promises that these individuals will walk with Him in white, symbolizing victory and purity, because they have remained spiritually undefiled and worthy.

Revelation 3:5 (NKJV):
“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.”

To those who overcome the spiritual deadness and remain faithful, Christ promises they will be clothed in white, symbolizing their purity and victory. He further promises that their names will remain in the Book of Life, and He will openly acknowledge them before God the Father and His angels, affirming their place in eternity.

Revelation 3:6 (NKJV):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

This call is repeated throughout the letters to the churches. It is an exhortation for every believer to be attentive and responsive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The message is not just for Sardis but for all churches and believers to heed the warnings and promises.

Revelation 3:7-8 (NKJV):
“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”: 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.’”

Jesus introduces Himself as the Holy and True One, possessing the authority symbolized by the key of David. He opens doors of opportunity that no one can close and shuts doors that no one can open. He commends the Philadelphians for their faithfulness, despite their limited strength, and assures them that the door He has opened for them, whether for ministry or salvation, will remain open due to their perseverance.

Revelation 3:9 (NKJV):
“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.”

Jesus promises vindication for the faithful believers in Philadelphia. He refers to their adversaries, likely false Jews, as belonging to the "synagogue of Satan" due to their opposition to the gospel. He assures the church that these adversaries will ultimately acknowledge the believers' favored position and will be forced to recognize Christ’s love for them.

Revelation 3:10 (NKJV):
“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.”

Christ commends the Philadelphians for their endurance and promises to protect them from the coming worldwide trial, a time of testing for those on the earth. This protection could be spiritual, ensuring their faith remains intact during difficult times, or physical, keeping them from specific judgments.

Revelation 3:11 (NKJV):
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

Jesus warns them of His imminent return and urges them to hold tightly to their faith and what they have already attained, so that they will not lose the reward—a crown representing victory and eternal life.

Revelation 3:12 (NKJV):
“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.”

To the overcomers, Christ promises permanence and honor in God’s kingdom, symbolized by being a pillar in God’s temple. They will have the name of God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and Christ's new name written upon them, marking their eternal belonging and identity in Him.

Revelation 3:13 (NKJV):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Again, the call to listen carefully and heed the message of the Spirit is emphasized, showing that this message is for all believers across time.

Revelation 3:14-15 (NKJV):
“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: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.’”

Christ identifies Himself as the "Amen" (truth) and the Faithful and True Witness, affirming His authority as the source and sustainer of creation. He rebukes the Laodiceans for their lukewarmness, indicating a spiritual state of indifference or complacency. He would prefer them to be either cold (fully rejecting) or hot (fervently passionate), but their current state of spiritual mediocrity is unacceptable.

Revelation 3:16 (NKJV):
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Christ gives a strong rebuke, warning that their lukewarmness makes them distasteful to Him, resulting in rejection unless they repent. Lukewarmness represents a state of complacency that Christ finds intolerable, leading to His judgment.

Revelation 3:17 (NKJV):
“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—”

The Laodiceans are deceived by their material wealth and believe they have no spiritual needs. However, Christ reveals their true condition: spiritually bankrupt, blind to their state, and in need of everything. Their self-sufficiency has blinded them to their deep spiritual poverty.

Revelation 3:18 (NKJV):
“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.”

Christ offers the Laodiceans the solution to their spiritual poverty. He advises them to buy gold refined by fire, symbolizing faith tested and purified, white garments of righteousness to cover their shame, and spiritual eye salve to restore their spiritual vision and awareness of their true condition.

Revelation 3:19 (NKJV):
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Christ reminds the Laodiceans that His rebuke comes from love. His goal is not to condemn them but to correct them. He calls them to be zealous in their repentance and to turn back to Him with fervor.

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV):
“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.”

Jesus portrays Himself as standing at the door of the heart, patiently knocking, offering an invitation for personal fellowship. If anyone hears His voice and responds by opening the door, He promises intimate communion with them, symbolized by dining together, which represents a close, personal relationship and shared fellowship.

Revelation 3:21 (NKJV):
“To him 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.”

For those who overcome, Christ promises the ultimate reward: sharing His throne and reigning with Him. Just as Christ overcame through His obedience and suffering and was exalted to sit at the right hand of the Father, believers who persevere in faith and victory over spiritual struggles will likewise share in His reign and authority.

Revelation 3:22 (NKJV):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Once again, the letter concludes with the call for attentive listening. The Holy Spirit’s message is universal, applying not only to the individual churches but to all believers, reminding them of the importance of spiritual responsiveness to the words of Christ. This invitation encourages everyone to heed the warnings, promises, and corrections.