The Churches of Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea Revelation Series #3 Grace Baptist Church 7/27 thru 8/17/14 PM

Key Verse: Revelation 3:20- “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Introduction: The importance, author, date, futuristic interpretation, outline of Revelation. The first four churches discussed from chapter 2. o The Ephesian Church- Forsaken Love o The Smyrna Church- Fearsome Tribulation o The Pergamos Church- False Doctrine o The Thyatira Church – False Teacher

The letters were written to: o Seven literal historical churches of John’s day. o Seven prophetic periods of church history. o Seven types of churches in each age including ours. Note: This means that these letters apply to us. As last week’s key verse states, we are to “hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” This phrase is repeated seven times for seven churches. AIM: That we might see the Lord’s relation to different churches and how He can change our lives if we listen to what He says to us.

The Sardis Church- Faulty Works (3:1-6) The Saints o Thirty miles southeast of Thyatira, the ancient capital of Lydia, supposedly unconquerable because of a ridge on which it sat, but in pride was defeated by Cyrus in 549 BC and Antiochus in 214 BC. An extremely rich city. o Represents the Reformation Church Age ( ). Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis October 31, 1517, Knox, Wycliffe, Zwingli, etc.

The Source (3:1) o Christ presents Himself as “He that hath the seven Spirits of God.” o Signifies the fullness of the Holy Spirit. o See Isaiah 11:2 – a description of the Holy Spirit which rests upon the Messiah. o Seven- here stands for completeness

The Scolding (3:1) “Thou hast a name… livest, and art dead”- The outward appearance and performance was deceptive. They were ineffective, living on their past record. (I Tim. 5:6) Ritual without reality. “I have not found thy works perfect before God”- complete (Isa. 29:13) denominationalism, sacraments, formalism. Typical of the Reformation Church going back into Romanism.

The State (3:4) “Thou hast a few…”- a small group following Jesus “Have not defiled their garments”- How fit is your uniform? (Col. 3:8, 9, 12-14) By in large, they needed to repent. ******

The Suggestion To the needy “hold fast and repent” (vs. 3)- get saved To the ready “be watchful” (vs. 2)- wake up. “Strengthen the things which remain”- don’t quit, take on more, pray, read, witness. The rapture (vs. 3) will separate between the two groups in this church. Will it separate you from the world as you “watch” or from the saints as a “thief?”

The Philadelphia Church Faithful Testimony (3:7-13) The Saints- If I had a choice to attend one of these seven churches, it would be this one, on the day this letter was read! No condemnation. The city had several times almost been destroyed by earthquakes. It was in a rich agricultural land. Through the centuries, a Christian testimony continued in this city until after World War 1- called Aleschir today. Represents the missionary church age ( ) Westley, Whitfield, Judson, Moody.

The Source (3:7) Christ is seen here as… “He that is Holy”- essential attribute of deity (Heb. 7:26, I Pet. 2:22, I Jn. 3:5) “True”- right in character- seen in his conduct (I Jn. 5:20) “Hath the key of David…” David is his legal right to the throne. Key is his authority (Mt. 16:19)

The State (3:8) “Set before thee an open door”- the door of soul winning opportunity to Asia Minor. Even in persecution Gods mandate for the church is missionary activity. “Hast a little strength”- small in number but faithful and God would keep the “door” open because of that faithfulness. “Kept my word”- believe and practiced an inspired Word. “Not denied my name”- the gospel is in the name of Jesus- His deity, sacrifice, etc. “Synagogue of Satan” (vs. 9)- unbelieving Jews who would believe because of their testimony (a blessing). “Keep thee from the hour of temptation”- another blessing, the escape of the seven-year tribulation by way of the rapture. “I come quickly”- imminent rapture (I Thess. 4:13-16) (I Cor. 15:51-52)

The Scolding- None listed for this church- only encouragement. The Suggestion “Hold that fast which thou hast”-List His power, His Word, His name, His promise of coming. What a warning to Sardis (3:3) is a promise to Philadelphia- “thy crown” of service. Formula: stay faithful- receive a reward.

The Laodicean Church False Confidence (3:14-22) The Saints - No commendation City 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia+ 90 miles east of Ephesus, named after the wife of its founder, means “right of the people.” Very wealthy (its problem!), many millionaires, lavish building, baths, etc. Church was referred to in Col. 2:1, 4: AD the Laodicean council met here to deal with the canon of Scripture. What books should be accepted as Scripture. Represents the church of our present age- apostate.

The Source (vs. 14) Christ identifies Himself as: o “The Amen, the faithful and true witness” Amen means “so be it” or “it is true”. Christ is always right, His Word stands. o “The beginning of the creation of God” The source of creation, not a product of creation.

A third century church in Laodicea – cross shaped baptistry Aqueduct bringing water into Laodicea

Laodicea had a water system tapped into the mineral waters from two of its neighboring lands. One of those places was Colossae, which brought cold water into the city. The other was Hierapolis, which brought hot water into the city. As a result, when both the waters meet through the aqueduct system in Laodicea, the water became lukewarm in nature. Producing tepid water for the locals to drink.ColossaeHierapolis God describes the lukewarm nature of the church, the same as the lukewarm waters from which they were drinking. In other words the Laodicea Christians lived a very complacent Christian lifestyle. So much so, that God himself wished that they were either hot or cold (with him or against him) rather than ‘on the fence.’

The Scolding (vs ) The Lord saw nothing that He could approve of. “neither cold nor hot” o Hot - spiritual fervency of the believers. o Cold - spiritual unregenerates untouched by the gospel. “Lukewarm” o lacking zeal for the doctrines of God. o A believer cannot grow cold or lose his salvation. o Lukewarmness is the state of a back-slidden believer. “Spue thee out of my mouth” o disgustingly rejected, a pathetic condition. (Heb. 6:4-6; II Pet. 2:20) “Thou sayest, I am rich…” o materialism, false confidence. o Our possessions do not always indicate God’s blessing. o Wealth is not wrong, but dangerously misleading. “Knowest not that thou art…” o “Wretched”- terrible condition (Rom. 7:24) o “Miserable”- object of pity o “Poor”- a beggar o “Blind”- can’t see spiritual things o “Naked”- without proper garments

The Suggestion (3:18-22) “Counsel”- loving advice “Buy of me gold…” “White raiment”- the righteousness of Christ “Annoint… with eye salve”- for spiritual sight (Laodicea was famous for their eye salve) “Repent”- salvation? Definitely see self as you are and deal with sin – turn from it. Verse 20 is an invitation to salvation and fellowship o The Door of Faith – of Worship – of Love Verse 21 is a promise to those who are saved and/or restored that they will reign with Him in the millennial kingdom. An overcomer is anyone who is born again by faith in Christ.

The Luke-warm believer is rebuked and chastened. This is evidence that they are true children of God. o Unbelievers are not children and are not chastened. o Note: Hebrews 12:3-15 and I Corinthians 11: Laodicea – you are lukewarm. You are self- sufficient. You are unconscious of your desperate need.