Revelation 3

Chapter 3 THE LORD OF THE CHURCH THE OF JESUS CHRIST - CHURCH. CH.2-3

E. His church at Sardis. 3:1-6 F. His church at Philadelphia. 3:7-13 G. His church at Laodicea. 3:14-22

Revelation 3:1-6

E. Letter to Sardis. 3:1-6 - The dead Church. I. Church period - Year 1517 A.D. to the Tribulation. The Reformation age.

A. It was the period when the authority of the Bible and its doctrines were rediscovered. except the doctrine of eschatology. B. A reformation period. C. The priesthood of all believers and justification by faith were acknowledged.

D. The life that once was in this reformation period has now left and an empty shell of tradition, activity, programs, rituals and organizations without real spiritual life. E. The reformation period has left a Church in disunity, which is divided because of their difference of doctrine, the results is Denominationalism.

F. The Church period presently exits as the Protestant church and will continue into the great tribulation period.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Romans (Justification by faith)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The treasure. Matt. 13:44 IV. Sardis means remnant.

V. SARDIS.

A. Placed about 30 miles from Thyatira.

B. It was known for its great carpet and woollen industry.

C. Today Sardis is called Sart.

D. The population of Sardis was about 60.000 to 100.000 thousand people. V.1 a) The Counsellor -

I. He refers to Himself as having the 7 Spirits (The Holy Spirit) because they were dead and needed the life of the Spirit.

II. He refers to Himself as having the 7 Stars (Angels) because He is the One in Authority.

III. He knew their imperfect works 3:2

IV. It was a church with a name to be a live, a church on fire, a church with a lot of works, perhaps a famous church.

V. It was now dead, could be referring to their imperfect works 3:2, their spiritual sleep (Be watchful) 3:2 and uncleanness (Defiled garments) 3:4.

VI. 3 steps to a dead church:

A. Movement - It begins as a movement.

B. Machinery - It then can become machinery with no life or real thirst for God or hunger for His Word.

C. Monument - The monument stage is a place of memory of the good old days, life is gone and only the name is left - All has died.

V.2 b) The Chastening - I. Their works was about to die, it was not increasing unto perfection Heb.6:1, but declining.

II. What they needed doing to increase their works, was to be watchful and be strengthened, spiritual Sight and Strength. Matt.26:41 The Sardians had twice been conquered as a city because it depended upon their fortification and were therefore not watchful (The guards slept).

III. The citizens of Sardis had begun building a giant temple but they never completed it, the church in Sardis had also begun well as a church, but now the work had stopped as though they were dead.

IV. The Sardians had a special field of interest: Cemetery - 7 miles from the city lays an impressive cemetery called “a thousand hills” because of the hundreds of burial mounds visible on the skyline seven miles from Sardis. The preoccupation of the Sardians had crept into the church. V.3 c) The Counsel - I. 3 things the church should do:

A. Remember how you Received and heard. (The apostles doctrine) Acts 2:42 B. Remain (Hold fast).

C. Repent.

II. If they wouldn’ t Remember, Remain and Repent then He would Return as a thief. Matt.24:42, 44; Eph.5:8 III. The city was conquered by Cyrus the great about 549 B.C. and by Antiochus about 218 B.C, they discovered a secret path up the cliff to the impregnable city and overtook it like a thief. Jesus also would arrive as a thief if they didn’ t repent.

V.4 d) The Commendation - I. The church with a name only had few names that were Right in His Sight. Jude 23 II. Because they were Worthy they would Walk with Him in White (Holiness). Gen.3:8; 5:24 III. After a Roman victory in battle, the authorities of the city and friends to the Roman general wore white garments called the Toga, they walked in a triumphal procession wearing white. The worthy ones of the church are given this promise of walking with Christ in white.

V.5-6 e) The Challenge - V.5 I. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 II. 3 promises to the overcomers:

1. Clothed - White garments refers to righteousness. Rev.19:8; Ex.28:39-41; Heb.12:23
2. Continuation - Name not erased from the Book of life.

This means that believers can loose their salvation. Heb.6:4-8; 10:26-29, 39; 1.Cor.6:9-11; Gal.5:19-21 3. Confessed - He would certify them to the Father and the angels. Matt.10:32; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 12:8 III. Jesus is actually saying: What are most important, to have a name in the world or in the Church, or to have the name in the Book of Life and on Jesus Lips?

IV. Certain facts concerning the Book of life:

A. The Book belongs to the Lamb and connected to His death. Rev.13:8 B. All the names in the Book were written in it before creation. Rev.17:8 C. No one can enter the city of God without their name in the Book. Rev.21:27 D. All those whose names are not in the Book are thrown into the lake of fire. Rev.20:15 V. There are different kinds of books of God in heaven: Rev.20:12 A. Book of life. Dan.12:1; Luke 10:20; Phil.4:3; Heb.12:23; Rev. 13:5,8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27

Those that will inherit eternal life.

B. Book of the living. Ex.32:32-33; Deut.29:20; Psalm.69:28; Is.4:3 Those that is alive on earth, the saved and the lost.

C. Book of the lost. Rev.20:12 A book that contain the names of the lost and their deeds.

D. Book of remembrance. Mal.3:16 Those who fears and meditate on God’ s name.

VI. They would walk in the triumphal procession with Christ wearing white, their names would be registered in heaven and Christ would confess their names before heaven.

V. Because their industry were wool they would specially know about white clothing, Jesus links their industry with His industry which is making the Church white (pure) before God. Eph.1:4; 5:26-27

V.6 Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 Thyatira and Sardis connected:

A. In Thyatira is mentioned - Rest 2:24, death (kill) 2:23, time 2:21

B. In Sardis is mentioned - Rest (Few names) 3:4, dead 3:1, hour 3:3

The 4 steps to a dead church:

1. The church leaves their first love - Ephesus.

2. Then the church allows false doctrines - Pergamos.

3. Then the church follows false leaders - Thyatira.

4. Then the church is dead - Sardis.

Leaving the first love, allowing false doctrines and false leaders will ultimately result in a dead church.

Revelation 3:7-13

F. Letter to Philadelphia. 3:7-13 - The faithful Church I. Church period - Year 1730 A.D. to the rapture. The missionary age.

A. The missionary movement that brought the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church again. B. The missionary movement that took the vision, mission and commandment of Jesus to itself to evangelise the whole world.

C. The Church period presently exits in various ways as denominational and non-denominational churches and will continue until the rapture.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Thessalonians (Rapture)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The pearl. Matt. 13:45-46 IV. Philadelphia means brotherly love. V. .

A. Placed about 30 miles from Sardis.

B. Had a great Jewish population.

C. Today Philadelphia is called Alasehir.

D. Philadelphia was a wine-producing city.

V.7 a) The Counsellor -

I. Holy and True reveals the seriousness of what He is about to say.

Jesus is saying: I Am genuine, the real One.

II. The key of David refers to the key of the house of the Lord and to David’ s throne during the Millennium. Luke 1:32 It reveals Christ’ s authority as King. Isaiah 9:6-7; 22:20-22 III. There is only one key, no one can open or close except the key owner. Job 12:14; Matt.28:18 V.8 b) The Commendation - I. Placed them before an open door -

A. Perhaps the Jews coming to the faith. 3:9

B. Evangelistic door. 1.Cor.16:9; 2.Cor.2:12; Col.4:3 C. A door to experience the future messianic kingdom of Christ on earth. Rev.20:4-6 II. The Church:

A. Power was little.

Little in Greek is “ mikros” where we get the English word: Micro.

B. Prevented my Word from being lost.

Believed the Inspired Word of God.

C. Proclaimed His Name and had not denied it.

Believed the Incarnation of the Son of God.

III. This church had perhaps a focus upon the Lost, Power, Word and Christ.

V.9

I. Jews that resist Christ is called the synagogue of Satan because of their resistance of Christ. John 8:31-59 II. True Jews in God’ s eyes are those that have separated themselves to God. Rom.2:28-29 III. Jesus would draw them to the church. John 6:44; 16:7-11 IV. The Jews would:

A. Arrive at the church.

B. Adore the Lord with them.

C. Acknowledge Christ’ s love for the church (Gentiles).

V. Worship before their feet speaks not of the Jews worshipping them, but with them. Isaiah 60:14 VI. Before (Gr.enopion) means in the face of.

Literally “ worship in the face of your feet” .

VII. The Jews will acknowledge at the 2nd coming of Christ the election of the Gentiles. Is.45:14; Ezek.36:23; 37:28; Zech.8:20-23 V.10 I. Perseverance they kept and therefore a Promise is given. Heb.10:36 II. The hour of trial is the great tribulation, only this trial will cover the whole world. This tribulation will be allowed to divide the good from the evil, the wheat from the tares. Matt.13:30, 47-50 III. This promise to be kept from the hour of trial upon the whole world, proves 2 things:

A. That the 7 messages is not only messages to these past churches but to all churches at all times, for such a trial has not yet impacted the whole world, only regions has been impacted with tribulation. B. That Jesus will keep the Church from the great tribulation through Rapture. 1.Thes.1:10; 5:9 V.11 d) The Counsel - I. Coming - I will come quickly - The rapture.

II. Challenge - Hold fast what you have, to their micro power, keeping of His Word and proclamations of Jesus. III. Crown - These 3 keepings would release them a crown.

V.12-13e) The Challenge - I. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 II. Carriers - A pillar in God’ s temple, perhaps a carrier of the purposes of God. Isaiah 56:5; Psalms 23:6; Gal.2:9; 1.Cor.3:16-17; 2.Cor.6:16; Eph.2:19-22; 1.Pet.2:4-10 III. Constancy - The overcomer will find full satisfaction in God.

IV. Certification - The overcomer will be sealed with God’ s ownership.

V. Citizens - The overcomer will be a part of the city of God - Jerusalem.

VI. Coming - The new Jerusalem will come down on the new earth. 21:1-2, 10

VII. Character - Jesus new name that explains His heavenly calling and character will be written on the overcomer. He will understand who Jesus is.

VIII. Charge - Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 IX. The custom of the people of Philadelphia was to erect a pillar and write the name of conquerors on it. Jesus would erect the believers of Philadelphia as pillars in His spiritual temple and write not their names but 3 greater names: God, new Jerusalem and His own new name.

Philadelphia and Pergamos connected:

A. In Philadelphia Satan’ s synagogue is mentioned. 3:9

B. In Pergamos Satan’ s throne is mentioned. 2:13

Revelation 3:14-22

G. Letter to Laodicea. 3:14-22 - The lukewarm Church. I. Church period - Year 1900 A.D. to the tribulation. The Apostate age.

The Church period that we are in presently, where the world has come into the Church, the Church of the bench warmers that makes no serious decisions for Christ, selfish Christians with purposes like: What can God give me and how can He make me prosper, where all kinds of fellowship rather than with Christ are placed above within the Church.

II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Colossians (Hold on to Christ)

III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The dragnet. Matt. 13:47-52 IV. “ Lao” means laity, “ dicea” means rules - The laity rules. (It suggest democracy and self-confidence)

V. .

A. Placed about 19 miles from Ephesus.

B. Was a banking centre and very wealthy.

C. Had a famous medical school.

D. Was famous for there black woollen cloth.

E. Today Laodicea is called Eski-hisar

F. It was called the “ The Gate of Phrygia” because the caravans from the east came through Laodicea.

VI. To Smyrna and Philadelphia Jesus had nothing bad to say, to Laodicea Jesus has nothing good to say.

VII. Laodicea had at least 35 years earlier received an epistle from Paul the apostle. Col.4:16 V.14 a) The Counsellor -

Jesus reveals Himself in 4 ways to this church:

A. Amen means surely or verily. Jesus is the surety of the promises of God. 2.Cor.1:20 B. Faithful and True witness - What He says to the church is true and He will be faithful to do it in their midst. C. The Beginning of the creation of God -

1. Beginning (Gr.arche) means first or chief.

The chief of the creation of God. Col.1:15-18 2. Jesus is saying to the church: You belong to Me, I am your Lord, you were created to Me.

V.15-17b) The Chastening - V.15 Jesus wants us either hot (on fire for God) or cold (unbelievers). Why cold? An unbeliever have yet hope to become a believer that is on fire for God, A lukewarm believer is unstable and a hypocrite.

V.16 I. Laodicea had an aqueduct that led from the mountain (Their tops were covered with snow) to the city, it was ice cold water at the beginning, but as it streamed down the aqueduct (about 6 miles to the city) it became lukewarm. The church also became lukewarm in their relation with Jesus.

II. Nearby Laodicea where hot steamy mineral springs, but when they would bring this steamy hot water up to Laodicea by the time they reached the city it would be lukewarm, the water could only be drunk if it were hot, if it became lukewarm it was distasteful.

III. Jesus also don’ t like lukewarm water, He wanted to separate Himself from the church, because they had already separated themselves from Him through their lukewarm condition. 3:20

V.17 I. Enjoyment and Ease - The church had become material rich and wealthy, it had caused the church to fall into a spiritual sleep. Hosea 12:8; Matt.6:24; Luke 12:13-21 II. They didn’ t know their true spiritual state, they were blind and had lost true spiritual vision. They had worldly eyes and thought that God’ s blessing was material goods and riches. III. 5 characteristics and the evidence of being lukewarm:

1. Wretched - (Gr.talaiporos) means afflicted and troublesome.

They had great spiritual problems.

2. Miserable - (Gr.eleeinos) means pitiable.

When Jesus or mature believers saw them only pity would be their response.

3. Poor - They lacked everything concerning spiritual matters.

Very little revelation, understanding of the Truth and fellowship with the Lord.

4. Blind - They didn’ t see clear any more, they had no spiritual vision. 2.Peter 1:5-9
5. Naked - They had lost righteousness, holiness and the fear of God.

V.18 c) The Counsel - Recognize your spiritual need:

The cure from being lukewarm, the 3 steps:

1. Buy fiery gold - Gold speaks of faith and purity in Scripture. 1.Peter 1:7 Faith and purity would cause true spiritual riches in the church. Isaiah 55:1
2. Buy white garment -

a. Speaks of righteous Acts 19:8. The Righteous acts would cause them to be clothed with honour and glory.

b. Laodicea was famous for their manufacture of shinning black cloths, but Jesus wanted the church to be famous because of their spiritual white cloths.

c. Jesus speaks to them as the bridegroom wanting to cover the nakedness of His bride.

3. Buy anointed eye salve -

a. Speaks of spiritual revelation and wisdom. 1.John 2:20, 27; Eph.1:17-18 b. Laodicea was famous for their eye salve called Cellyrium or Phrygian powder used for eye problems, but the church didn’ t need this salve but a spiritual salve. V.19-22d) The Challenge - V.19 Realize and Repent.

I. The love mentioned is (Gr.phileo) brotherly love and not agapeo that is full devoutly love, perhaps because of their lack of fellowship with Him. 3:20

II. Through this letter He rebukes them but if they didn’ t repent He would chasten the church. Prov.3:11-12; Heb.12:5-6 III. Let your heart be set on fire, let love burn again. Songs 8:6 IV. Repent, turn around mentally and directionally.

V.20 I. Through this letter Jesus was knocking but also every day He is knocking at the door of their heart. Even through Revelation He says Come.

II. 2 steps for the church to do:

1. Attention in hearing His voice.

Chew on my words, meditate on it.

2. Action by opening the door of their heart.

Invite Me in, through your need and cry for Me. Matt.24:33; Luke 12:36; Jam.5:9 III. 2 steps Jesus would do:

1. Enter in, into their lives and situation.

Jesus would enter into the troubled boat. John 6:15-21 2. Enjoy fellowship with them, He would give them His life and His blood. John 6:27-35; Luke 21:14-20 IV. Jesus is inviting the church to the evening meal, the last call for dinner before the night of the great tribulation.

V. The supper in view might be the supper we will enjoy in His millennial reign on earth. Matt.26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:30 V.21 I. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 II. The overcomers would sit with Jesus on His throne - Receive authority, dominion and power, just as He received from the Father. Matt.19:28; Luke 22:29-30; Acts.2:30, 34; 1.Cor.6:2-3; 2.Tim.2:12; Psalms 45:6; 110:1 III. The throne of Christ in view here is possibly the messianic throne of David on earth.

IV. If they opened the door, then they would experience His Abiding Presence (I will come in) and His Authoritative Position.

V.22 Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 Smyrna and Laodicea connected:

A. In Smyrna is mentioned: Poor 2:9, suffering 2:10.

B. In Laodicea is mentioned: “ Rich” 3:17, enjoying (Need of nothing) 3:17