1 -3 “Letters To My Ecclesia – Part B”

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, 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 hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Sardis – Rev. 3: 1-6

3:1–6 Sardis SARDIS was situated in the western part of the Roman province of Asia about thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. The city stood on the northern slope of a mountain with a river flowing at its base. This setting rendered the city almost impregnable. In A. D. 17 the city was destroyed by a great earthquake. Although rebuilt by Tiberius, Sardis never recovered its former glory and importance. The ancient city was noted for its fruits and wool. The making and dyeing of woolen garments was the chief industry of Sardis Cf. Rev. 3:4–5. Worship at Sardis had a sexual emphasis and focused on Sybele, a goddess similar to Diana in Ephesus. The ecclesia was probably founded during the time of Paul’s ministry at Ephesus Cp. Acts 19:10. 3:1 VISION OF CHRIST The Lord is pictured as having the seven spirits and the seven stars Cf. 1:16. 3:1 PRAISE The Lord praised the believers at Sardis for their good deeds. See also Rev. 3:4.

3:1–3 PROBLEM The Lord did not find the deeds of this ecclesia complete in God’s sight. As an ecclesia the Lords message reveals it to have been (1) High in repute – but in reality, dead! Cp. Rev. 3:1 (2) One that promised much – but performed very little Cp. Rev 3:2 (3) One that had no error – but also no warmth. Cp. Rev. 3: 3. “Be watchful” This is rendered by Bro. Thomas as “become watchful” (Gk –Gregoreo, To keep awake!) This suggest a spiritual alertness is required, the very reverse of that spiritual sleepiness against which the apostle warns Cp. 1 Thess. 5:6-7. But this ecclesia had no named heresy or outside opposition, only incomplete acts of obedience to Christ Cp. 3:2. 3:4–6 EXHORTATION The Lord talked about future rewards to be given to “all who are victorious.” The righteousness of the “victorious” will be acknowledged by Christ before the Father Cf. Matt. 10:32. “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis” – “But Thou hast a few names in Sardis “ (RV). This was a redeeming feature in this otherwise dead ecclesia, there was a little strength and God was not unmindful of it Cp. 2 Tim. 2: The “Book of Life” Cp.3:5 refers to the book of the redeemed Cf. 20:15; 21:27. The concept of the “Book of Life” is seen in Cp. Ex. 32:32–33, Psa. 69:28 and Dan. 12:1. For “clothed in white” Cp.3:5, see 3:18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13; and 19:14

Philadelphia –Rev. 3: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

3:7–13 Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA: located twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis, was a wealthy trade center in the wine producing district of Asia. The city was situated on a 650 foot terrace above the banks of the Cogamus River at the threshold of a fertile plateau from which its agricultural prosperity was derived. Philadelphia was called “little Athens” because of the magnificence of its temples and public buildings. Dionysus, the god of wine, was the chief god of the city. The believers at Philadelphia were commended for their deeds, their obedience to God’s word, and their loyalty to Christ Cp.3:8. It is the only one of the seven ecclesias of Revelation not subject to some measure of condemnation or criticism. 3:7 VISION OF CHRIST The Lord is pictured as holy and true and as having the “key of David” Cp. 3:7; Cf. Isa. 22:15–25. This is a change from the usual reference back to the vision of Christ in Rev. 1:18. The “key of David” refers to Christ’s control over the kingdom. The content of this letter is similar to the one to Smyrna. The believers were assured that the Lord could bring them safely through persecution toward God’s kingdom.

3:8–10 PRAISE The Lord praised the believers at Philadelphia for their deeds. They had an open faith & worship before God Cp. 3:8 and experienced victory Cp. 3:9. They were promised to be kept from the “great time of testing” Cp. 3:10 in contrast with “those who belong to this world,” referring to the people who continue to reject the salvation of God Cp. 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 17:8. 3:11–13 EXHORTATION The believers are reminded to hold fast until Christ returns Cp.3:11; Cf. 6:9–11; John 16:33; 17:15; Rev. 7:1–8; 12:6. Satan is the chief adversary and persecutor of the children of God Cp. 12:10; 2:9; John 8:44; 17:15; 2 Cor. 11:14–15. “All who overcome” will gain a place in the new Jesualem Cf. 21:1–2. “Will I make a pillar” The temple was the abiding place of God in Israel, in it was his Glory. Cp. 1 Kings 8:11; 1 Cor. 6: Its entrance was guarded by two pillars – Jachin (He shall establish) and Boaz (strength) – He shall establish in strength! The two pillars represent the royal priesthood of Israel. They were of Brass (flesh purified), ornamented with at the top “nets of checker-work, wreaths (or stephanos), pomegranates and lily work, all of which were things that pertained to the pillars –Eureka Vol. 1 Pg 392. A Coronal Crown, fruitfulness with the lily of purity and beauty, to be built into massive pillars, to manifest all these principles before God and man.

Laodicea – Rev. 3: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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.

3:14–22 Laodicea LAODICEA was located in the Lycus Valley on an important crossroads forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia and about ninety miles east of Ephesus. The city prospered in banking, commerce, and the manufacturing of clothing made specifically from black wool. It had a medical school and was noted for its production of a salve used to cure eye diseases Cf. 3:18. The ecclesia at Laodicea, was probably established during Paul’s ministry at Ephesus Cp. Acts 19:10, perhaps through the work of Epaphras Cp. Col. 4:12–13. 3:14 VISION OF CHRIST The picture of the Lord in Cp. 3:14 looks back to that of Rev 1:5. Christ’s work is certain (“Amen”) and his witness is faithful.

3:15–18 PROBLEM Laodicea Cp. 3:16 had no local water supply, so water was brought in by conduit from hot springs some distance away. The water no doubt arrived lukewarm, like the spiritual condition of the Laodiceans. The point is that the cold and pure waters of Colosse and the hot and medicinal waters of Hierapolis both could be put to good use. But lukewarm water was good for nothing. “I will spue thee out of my mouth” better rendered “I am about to spue thee out, i.e. if there is no change!” 3:19–22 EXHORTATION The Lord invites them and us to repent Cp. 3:20. Christ was depicted as outside the ecclesia, inviting the believers within to receive him. In view is the final invitation to the kingdom of God Cp. 3:21. The believer is promised the privilege of reigning with Christ throughout eternity Cp. 22:5; Cf. 2 Tim. 2:12.