Revelation 3:19
Verse
Context
To the Church in Laodicea
18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
As many as I love - So it was the love he still had to them that induced him thus to reprehend and thus to counsel them. Be zealous - Be in earnest, to get your souls saved, They had no zeal; this was their bane. He now stirs them up to diligence in the use of the means of grace and repentance for their past sins and remissness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Job 5:17; Pro 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6.) So in the case of Manasseh (Ch2 33:11-13). As many--All. "He scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. And shalt thou be an exception? If excepted from suffering the scourge, thou art excepted from the number of the sons" [AUGUSTINE]. This is an encouragement to Laodicea not to despair, but to regard the rebuke as a token for good, if she profit by it. I love--Greek, "philo," the love of gratuitous affection, independent of any grounds for esteem in the object loved. But in the case of Philadelphia (Rev 3:9), "I have loved thee" (Greek, "egapesa") with the love of esteem, founded on the judgment. Compare the note in my English Gnomon of BENGEL, Joh 21:15-17. I rebuke--The "I" in the Greek stands first in the sentence emphatically. I in My dealings, so altogether unlike man's, in the case of all whom I love, rebuke. The Greek, "elencho," is the same verb as in Joh 16:8, "(the Holy Ghost) will convince (rebuke unto conviction) the world of sin." chasten--"chastise." The Greek, "paideu," which in classical Greek means to instruct, in the New Testament means to instruct by chastisement (Heb 12:5-6). David was rebuked unto conviction, when he cried, "I have sinned against the Lord"; the chastening followed when his child was taken from him (Sa2 12:13-14). In the divine chastening, the sinner at one and the same time winces under the rod and learns righteousness. be zealous--habitually. Present tense in the Greek, of a lifelong course of zeal. The opposite of "lukewarm." The Greek by alliteration marks this: Laodicea had not been "hot" (Greek, "zestos"), she is therefore urged to "be zealous" (Greek, "zeleue"): both are derived from the same verb, Greek, "zeo," "to boil." repent--Greek aorist: of an act to be once for all done, and done at once.
John Gill Bible Commentary
To him that overcometh,.... The lukewarmness, and self-confidence, and security of this state: will I grant to sit with me in my throne; at the close of this church state, which will be the last of this kind, consisting of imperfect saints, Christ will descend from heaven with the souls of all the righteous, and raise their bodies and unite them to them; which, with the living saints, will make one general assembly and church of the firstborn, all perfect soul and body; among these he will place his tabernacle, and fix his throne; and they being all made kings as well as priests to him, shall now reign on earth with him, and that for the space of a thousand years: and this is the blessing promised the overcomers in the Laodicean state, that when Christ shall set up his kingdom among men, and reign gloriously before his ancients, they shall sit on the same throne with him, or share with him in his kingdom and glory; see Rev 5:10, even as I also overcame; sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell: and am set down with my Father in his throne; in heaven, at his right hand; which is expressive of equality to him, distinction from him, communion with him, and of the honour and glory he is possessed of; but it is not on this throne that the saints will sit, only Christ sits on the same throne with the Father in heaven; it is on Christ's throne on earth, or in his personal reign there, that the saints shall sit down with him; and which honour they shall all have, all that are more than conquerors through him, and are made kings by him. And when this reign is over, then will follow the second resurrection, or the resurrection of the wicked, when will come on the judgment of the people, as Laodicea signifies; and when these, with the devils, will form themselves into the Gog and Magog army, and attack the beloved city, the church of glorified saints on earth, under Christ their King, which will issue in the everlasting destruction of the former; and thus these seven churches bring us to the end of all things.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:19 Christ will correct and discipline those whom he loves (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6), rather than rejecting them. His faithfulness extends even to the unfaithful (2 Tim 2:13).
Revelation 3:19
To the Church in Laodicea
18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Accountability to God - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill24K29:18RevivalAccountabilityPSA 51:10MAT 24:14LUK 19:10JHN 14:1ROM 6:222CO 5:10JAS 5:161PE 4:51JN 1:9REV 3:19Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the urgency of accountability to God, arguing that if believers truly believed in the imminent return of Jesus, their lives would reflect that belief through prayer and righteous living. He critiques the complacency of Christians who are satisfied with their spiritual state and calls for a revival that stems from a genuine restoration of first love for Christ. Ravenhill shares powerful testimonies of transformation, illustrating how true repentance and obedience lead to joy and a renewed relationship with God. He challenges the church to confront sin and seek holiness, reminding them that God desires a broken and contrite heart. Ultimately, he urges believers to live as if Christ's return is imminent, impacting their actions and relationships.
Holy Harmony - Part 1
By Elisabeth Elliot8.6K42:19UnityEXO 20:14PSA 40:8PRO 3:5PRO 3:11MAT 16:24HEB 10:7REV 3:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of a holy harmony in our lives. He reflects on the difference that Jesus Christ has made in his own life and challenges the audience to consider the impact of Christ in their own lives. The speaker shares his personal journey of realizing the emptiness of a life focused on his own will and the need for a supernatural explanation in the face of natural phenomena. He highlights the need to believe in God's ultimate purpose for our fulfillment and the importance of choosing to cooperate with Him.
David Wilkerson Prophecy - New York 1000 Fires
By David Wilkerson5.5K02:27ISA 26:9JER 18:7AMO 3:6HEB 12:6REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the judgment of societies by God, warning of impending chastisement for turning away from righteousness and holiness. The speaker predicts a period of intense turmoil and chaos in New York City due to its rebellion against God, citing various natural disasters and societal issues as signs of God's warnings and calls for repentance.
Trials and Afflictions
By Bakht Singh3.9K22:00AfflictionsISA 48:102CO 11:23HEB 12:6HEB 12:101PE 4:12REV 3:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in faithfulness during trials and afflictions. He refers to 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-14, which encourages believers not to consider trials as strange occurrences but to rejoice in them as they are partakers of Christ's sufferings. The preacher also highlights the purpose of these afflictions, stating that they are necessary to make believers more useful for God's service and a source of blessing to others. He further discusses the concept of unseen things, which are more real and eternal, and how suffering can make these unseen things more precious and dear to believers. The sermon concludes with a list of the Apostle Paul's sufferings, emphasizing the endurance and perseverance required in the Christian journey.
Someone's Knocking at the Door
By David Wilkerson2.8K56:55MAT 6:33REV 1:13REV 2:4REV 3:15REV 3:19In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of profanity and the use of God's name in vain in everyday conversations. He emphasizes that these words are pervasive in society and can make one feel dirty and uncomfortable. The preacher also highlights the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and being different, even if it means facing persecution. He further explains that material possessions, partying, and worldly pleasures cannot fill the emptiness in one's heart, and that true happiness and fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The sermon is based on a letter from Jesus to seven different classes of people, including backsliders, and emphasizes the need for repentance and returning to one's first love for God.
Holines, Brokeness, Repentance, Grace
By James MacDonald2.6K1:02:53MAT 3:2MRK 6:12LUK 3:8ACT 3:19ACT 17:30REV 2:16REV 3:19In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of repentance and conversion in order to experience times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. He highlights the need for genuine sorrow and a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in behavior. The pastor shares a personal dream where he experienced deep joy and uses it as a motivation to preach about repentance. He also references the story of the prodigal son to illustrate the process of repentance and the transformation it brings.
The Lord Tests the Righteous
By Zac Poonen2.3K1:01:07TestingJER 36:6JHN 6:66REV 3:19In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of losing his sermon transcript and how he believes God allowed it to happen because the words were not strong enough. He then references the story of Jeremiah and how God instructed him to rewrite the scroll with even stronger words of judgment. The speaker also mentions another incident where Jesus' disciples were offended by his teachings and many of them withdrew. He compares this to the sifting of wheat and emphasizes the importance of repentance and the need for strong words of judgment in preaching the word of God.
Facing God's Judgment - Part 2
By Derek Prince1.9K28:472CH 7:14PSA 51:17ISA 58:1EZK 22:30JOL 2:12AMO 6:1MAT 5:131CO 11:31JAS 4:8REV 3:19This sermon by Derek Prince emphasizes the importance of judgment, repentance, and taking responsibility for the spiritual and social conditions that lead to moral decay. Derek Prince shares a prophetic message about God's disappointment with America and the need for individuals to seek God's heart for the nation. The sermon challenges Christians to stand in the gap, repent, and intercede for their land to avoid impending disaster.
Discipline - Personal Life
By Hoseah Wu1.9K1:13:24DisciplineDEU 8:5PSA 50:17HEB 12:11REV 3:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in various aspects of life. He uses the example of musicians who must practice and give their all to perform well. The speaker also discusses the difficulty of submission and sacrifice in love. He then references several Bible verses, including Deuteronomy 8:5-10, which speaks about God disciplining his people and leading them into a good land. The speaker also mentions the importance of remembering and showing hospitality to strangers. Overall, the sermon highlights the need for discipline and obedience in order to experience the blessings of God.
Regeneration and God's Glory
By Leonard Ravenhill1.6K03:19EZK 36:26JOL 2:12MAT 3:8LUK 15:7JHN 3:3ROM 2:42CO 5:17JAS 4:8REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the urgent need for repentance and a genuine transformation of heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. It challenges the complacency and lack of true spiritual rebirth in many professing Christians, highlighting the necessity of experiencing the glory of God and being truly born again.
God Bless the Small - Part 2
By Vance Havner1.5K23:52FaithMAT 3:2MAT 4:17MRK 6:12ACT 2:21ACT 2:38REV 2:5REV 3:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of expectancy and belief in God's ability to bring about revival. He acknowledges that not everyone may agree with his propositions, but he believes that every sermon has multiple layers of interpretation. The preacher highlights the need for repentance, both individually and within the church, as he believes that many church members show no evidence of being born again. He criticizes the idea of revival being solely focused on increasing church membership, stating that the true challenge lies in genuine repentance among Christians.
Job - Part 3
By John Piper1.3K02:12GEN 50:20JOB 2:10PSA 34:8ROM 8:28JAS 1:171PE 5:10REV 3:19In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of God's role in sickness and suffering. They argue that God has not relinquished control over Satan, but rather allows him to operate within certain boundaries set by the Lord. The speaker's daughter, Jemima, questions why God would make someone sick and take away their loved ones. The speaker explains that God allows suffering to reveal our true dependence on Him and to show that He is not our enemy, but rather a kind and gentle God. The speaker also mentions that some people wrongly believe that God's kindness and tenderness are the only aspects of His character, neglecting the importance of His severity and discipline.
Hyper-Grace the Great Deception of the 21st Century by Michael L. Brown
By Micheal L. Brown1.2K1:06:31JHN 16:8EPH 4:30TIT 2:111JN 1:9REV 3:19This sermon addresses the dangers of hyper-grace teaching, emphasizing the need for a balanced understanding of grace that includes accountability and responsibility. It highlights the importance of being convicted by the Holy Spirit, living a life worthy of the Lord, and not falling into a reverse legalism that attacks other believers. The message stresses the training aspect of God's grace, teaching us to renounce ungodliness and live godly lives while eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus.
What It Means to Be a Light
By Zac Poonen1.0K56:55ROM 6:14ROM 8:281JN 5:19REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of being a light in the world by understanding the significant changes brought by Jesus in the New Covenant. It highlights the need to believe in God's promises, to resist the lies of the devil, and to experience victory over sin through God's grace and discipline. The message encourages humility, forgiveness, and trusting that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
The Future State
By Jim Cymbala1.0K36:48FutureMAT 6:33REV 2:5REV 3:19REV 7:9REV 22:18In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Revelation and the events that are happening on earth prior to the scene in heaven. The book of Revelation is described as a hard book to understand, with a lot of symbolism. The speaker mentions different interpretations of the book, but emphasizes the importance of not arguing or losing fellowship over differing views. The sermon also touches on the idea that life is a fight and that temptation is not sin until one consents to it.
010 What Happened to John the Baptists Gospel
By David Servant1.0K07:40MAT 3:1MAT 3:8MAT 3:11MAT 4:17LUK 3:3ACT 2:382PE 3:9REV 3:19This sermon delves into the ministry of John the Baptist as a forerunner to Jesus, emphasizing the call to repentance as a crucial step towards preparing for the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The urgency of repentance is highlighted, stressing the need for a heart change that leads to a life change in alignment with God's will. The message underscores the importance of being ready for God's judgment by obeying His commands and seeking His forgiveness through repentance and mercy.
If We Had Revival
By Vance Havner85437:34RevivalMAT 3:11ACT 2:42CO 7:12TI 2:26JAS 4:17REV 2:5REV 3:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in the lives of believers. He encourages the congregation to be willing vessels for God's work, comparing them to kindling wood that can start a fire. The preacher urges the church to repent and remove any obstacles in their hearts, homes, and churches. He criticizes the tendency to rely on human efforts and religious extravaganzas instead of seeking genuine spiritual transformation. The sermon concludes with a cautionary story about a pageant gone wrong, highlighting the need for a true outpouring of the Holy Spirit rather than mere religious spectacle.
Hope for the Backslider
By Shane Idleman78825:49PSA 51:10PRO 28:13ISA 55:7LUK 1:76ACT 3:19ROM 10:92CO 7:10HEB 12:6JAS 4:8REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God to restore relationships, receive answers to prayers, and experience joy, peace, and contentment. It highlights that repentance is essential for receiving further guidance from God and restoring broken areas in life. The speaker stresses that repentance leads to a renewed relationship with God, bridging the gap caused by sin and judgment, and ultimately, turning the heart back towards the Father.
Thou Art the Man 2 Sam 12
By George Verwer76847:56Sin2SA 12:13PSA 32:5ISA 6:5LUK 13:3GAL 6:7REV 2:5REV 3:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from one another. He shares personal experiences of making mistakes and saying foolish things, but emphasizes the need to constantly repent and seek forgiveness. The speaker also references the story of David and Nathan from the Bible, where Nathan confronts David about his sin and David immediately repents. The sermon concludes with the speaker encouraging young people to learn the six words "I have sinned against the Lord" and how it can revolutionize their lives.
The Marks of True Repentance
By Richard Owen Roberts7101:04:10PSA 51:17PRO 28:13MAT 3:8LUK 13:3ACT 3:19ROM 2:42CO 7:10JAS 4:82PE 3:9REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of true repentance, highlighting the need for ongoing repentance, repentance of both actions and essence of sin, and distinguishing between self-centered and Christ-centered repentance. It discusses the significance of earnestness, vindication, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and avenging of wrong as marks of genuine repentance, urging individuals to examine their repentance and ensure it is focused on Christ.
Prepare the Way
By Erlo Stegen6661:12:162CH 7:14EZK 33:7MAT 3:3ACT 2:38ACT 3:19JAS 4:82PE 3:91JN 1:9REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and preparing the way for the Lord in our lives. It highlights the need for Christians to humble themselves, forsake wicked ways, and truly repent to see revival and God's work in their midst. The speaker shares powerful testimonies of God's miraculous work, healing, and deliverance, urging believers to seek genuine transformation and spiritual renewal.
Married Life and Raising Children
By Zac Poonen6021:00:32PRO 22:6JHN 8:71CO 11:141TI 3:2REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of family life in the church ministry under the New Covenant, contrasting it with the Old Covenant. It highlights the need for good testimonies at home, the role of elders and servants in the church, the significance of personal walks with God, family life, and church ministry. The speaker stresses the balance between discipline and mercy, following the spirit rather than the letter of the law, and prioritizing God's approval over people's opinions.
The House of God Lies in Ruin - Repentance or Remorse
By Phil Beach Jr.2756:27RepentanceSpiritual Growth2CH 7:14PSA 51:10EZK 18:30MAT 4:17LUK 13:3ACT 3:192CO 7:10JAS 4:81JN 1:9REV 3:19Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the critical need for genuine repentance in the church, warning that without it, believers risk spiritual stagnation and hardening of the heart. He explains that true repentance goes beyond mere remorse or feeling sorry for sins; it requires a heartfelt change and commitment to God. Beach urges the congregation to reflect on their spiritual condition and to seek a lifestyle of repentance, as it is essential for continuing to grow in faith and to be used by God. He highlights that God's mercy calls us to turn back to Him, and that unrepentant hearts can lead to spiritual captivity. The sermon concludes with a call to action for individuals to seek accountability and support from one another in their journey of repentance.
06 God's Superior Love: How God Feels About Us (Song 1:2)
By Mike Bickle2444:52God's LoveSpiritual GrowthPSA 19:14PRO 3:12ECC 8:11ISA 63:9MAT 7:21LUK 15:7JHN 15:9ROM 1:241JN 3:1REV 3:19Mike Bickle emphasizes God's superior love for us, illustrating that His affection is more profound than any worldly pleasure. He discusses the importance of understanding God's love, especially in our weaknesses, and how believers often struggle with feelings of condemnation instead of recognizing God's delight in them. Bickle encourages believers to study and meditate on the nature of God's love, which is unconditional and not based on our performance. He highlights that spiritual immaturity is not the same as rebellion, and that God delights in our sincere intentions to obey Him, even when we fall short. Ultimately, Bickle calls for a deeper revelation of God's love to sustain our journey of faith.
God's Loving Discipline and Safe Leadership
By Mike Bickle1648:34God's DisciplineSpiritual GrowthPSA 45:3SNG 3:1SNG 3:6ISA 63:9MAT 4:19ROM 8:281CO 10:13HEB 12:6JAS 4:5REV 3:19Mike Bickle emphasizes God's loving discipline and safe leadership in the context of the Song of Solomon, illustrating how the bride's journey reflects our own spiritual growth. He explains that God's discipline is not rejection but a call to maturity, urging believers to rise from their comfort zones and engage in a deeper relationship with Him. Bickle highlights the importance of obedience and partnership with God, reassuring that even in moments of spiritual dryness, God desires to help us grow. The sermon encourages believers to seek God's presence actively and to understand that His leadership is ultimately safe and filled with love. The message concludes with the reminder that our love for God crowns Him with joy, reflecting the intimate relationship He desires with His people.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
As many as I love - So it was the love he still had to them that induced him thus to reprehend and thus to counsel them. Be zealous - Be in earnest, to get your souls saved, They had no zeal; this was their bane. He now stirs them up to diligence in the use of the means of grace and repentance for their past sins and remissness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Job 5:17; Pro 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6.) So in the case of Manasseh (Ch2 33:11-13). As many--All. "He scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. And shalt thou be an exception? If excepted from suffering the scourge, thou art excepted from the number of the sons" [AUGUSTINE]. This is an encouragement to Laodicea not to despair, but to regard the rebuke as a token for good, if she profit by it. I love--Greek, "philo," the love of gratuitous affection, independent of any grounds for esteem in the object loved. But in the case of Philadelphia (Rev 3:9), "I have loved thee" (Greek, "egapesa") with the love of esteem, founded on the judgment. Compare the note in my English Gnomon of BENGEL, Joh 21:15-17. I rebuke--The "I" in the Greek stands first in the sentence emphatically. I in My dealings, so altogether unlike man's, in the case of all whom I love, rebuke. The Greek, "elencho," is the same verb as in Joh 16:8, "(the Holy Ghost) will convince (rebuke unto conviction) the world of sin." chasten--"chastise." The Greek, "paideu," which in classical Greek means to instruct, in the New Testament means to instruct by chastisement (Heb 12:5-6). David was rebuked unto conviction, when he cried, "I have sinned against the Lord"; the chastening followed when his child was taken from him (Sa2 12:13-14). In the divine chastening, the sinner at one and the same time winces under the rod and learns righteousness. be zealous--habitually. Present tense in the Greek, of a lifelong course of zeal. The opposite of "lukewarm." The Greek by alliteration marks this: Laodicea had not been "hot" (Greek, "zestos"), she is therefore urged to "be zealous" (Greek, "zeleue"): both are derived from the same verb, Greek, "zeo," "to boil." repent--Greek aorist: of an act to be once for all done, and done at once.
John Gill Bible Commentary
To him that overcometh,.... The lukewarmness, and self-confidence, and security of this state: will I grant to sit with me in my throne; at the close of this church state, which will be the last of this kind, consisting of imperfect saints, Christ will descend from heaven with the souls of all the righteous, and raise their bodies and unite them to them; which, with the living saints, will make one general assembly and church of the firstborn, all perfect soul and body; among these he will place his tabernacle, and fix his throne; and they being all made kings as well as priests to him, shall now reign on earth with him, and that for the space of a thousand years: and this is the blessing promised the overcomers in the Laodicean state, that when Christ shall set up his kingdom among men, and reign gloriously before his ancients, they shall sit on the same throne with him, or share with him in his kingdom and glory; see Rev 5:10, even as I also overcame; sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell: and am set down with my Father in his throne; in heaven, at his right hand; which is expressive of equality to him, distinction from him, communion with him, and of the honour and glory he is possessed of; but it is not on this throne that the saints will sit, only Christ sits on the same throne with the Father in heaven; it is on Christ's throne on earth, or in his personal reign there, that the saints shall sit down with him; and which honour they shall all have, all that are more than conquerors through him, and are made kings by him. And when this reign is over, then will follow the second resurrection, or the resurrection of the wicked, when will come on the judgment of the people, as Laodicea signifies; and when these, with the devils, will form themselves into the Gog and Magog army, and attack the beloved city, the church of glorified saints on earth, under Christ their King, which will issue in the everlasting destruction of the former; and thus these seven churches bring us to the end of all things.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:19 Christ will correct and discipline those whom he loves (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6), rather than rejecting them. His faithfulness extends even to the unfaithful (2 Tim 2:13).