Click Banner to go to main page

Revelation Study

Chapter 3

The Dead Church

(Rev 3:1 KJV) 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.

• I wonder how many churches live on the reputation of the past. How often you hear the words remember when........ . The life no matter how good of yesterday is not enough to carry you through tomorrow. I had a big lunch to day I could probably miss supper and not notice, but try missing all three meals tomorrow and I will get hungry. You have to live everyday for Jesus in order to overcome the World. Can you imagine the soldier in battle only looking for the enemy during the day? No, he would want to have a night watch too, in order not to be surprised we need to be always on our watch, for he said he would come when you think not.
• Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
• Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
• Rev 3:1: Sardis (modern Sart), an almost impregnable city on the slope of Mount Tmolus, possessed an interesting history of over 2,000 years. Sardis was the wealthy seat of Lydian government, where the fabled Croesus reigned as monarch, and Thales, the first great Greek philosopher, was a citizen. Twice in its noble history this citadel fell to invading armies because the precipitous walls were left unguarded by overconfident defenders. No doubt, those tragedies are recalled in the warnings of v. 3.
• 3:1 HUMANITY, Death--Not only individuals, but churches and other groups can be spiritually dead. Physical life and activity do not necessarily imply the presence of spiritual life. Only persons and groups directed by God's Spirit can claim spiritual life.
• 3:1-22 ELECTION, Testing--False confidence, tribulation, indifference, and materialism test God's people. God rebukes the elect when we stray and calls us to repent. Such rebukes are signs of His love. Those who endure the testing will receive God's promised rewards in eternity.

(Rev 3:2 KJV) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

• There is a lot of damage that has been to the church, to families, to Christians, but we need to do damage control and began to strengthen and rebuild what we have. I saw a local restaurant that was burned almost to no recognition, yet the owners have rebuilt it more beautiful then the first. I also fine that God wants a church to present a perfect work to him. ( this is a complete, holy, righteous work ) We often give God only lip service in stead of heart service.
• (Rev 3:3 KJV) 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.
• Hold fast to the teaching of Christ and again watch because he will come, so best be ready. Many a good man of God have become a liar over trying to tell you time of his coming. Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
• 3:3 CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Obedience--The reality of the world's end and God's judgment call us to obedience and repentance.
• 3:3,11 LAST THINGS, Return Promises--Christ's last direct word to the churches contains His personal promise to return. His return holds promise of reward to those who are faithful. It will also mean rescue from the hour of eschatological trial, either by removing the faithful from the earth before it comes (Dispensationalists) or by supplying sufficient strength for us to endure while undergoing tribulation (historical premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism). See note on 1 Th 4:14-18. Christ's promise to return is also a call to repent and obey the gospel.

(Rev 3:4 KJV) 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.

• I like this even in churches that are often filled with the defiled of the world there are still men and women that have not joined the crowd but walked Holy unto the Lord. You may have to feel like you walk alone but the walk is worth it. I look forward to taking a stroll with Jesus in our white robes through the gardens of heaven.
• (Rev 3:5 KJV) 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.
• Better pay attention here! You can have your name blotted out of the Lambs book of Life. This means you can not enter heaven. So you see you must be an overcomer, and if you are as stated earlier you will receive all the gifts that has been promised to the overcomers.
• Phil 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
• Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
• Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
• Rev 3:5: This verse is often construed as a threat that improper behavior is likely to result in the removal of one's name from the Lamb's Book of Life. Actually, the very opposite is the case, as the emphatic double negative in Greek affirms (lit. "I will no not blot out"). The verse is a promise, guaranteeing that once a man is in the category of those who have overcome (i.e., a true believer, cf. 2:7, note), under no circumstances can his name be erased from the Lamb's Book.
• 3:5,21-22 GOD, Trinity--The Son has authority over the book of life, yet must report to the Father. Likewise, the Son has authority to let faithful believers join Him on the throne just as He sat on His Father's throne. All this is the Spirit's revelation for the churches.
• 3:5 JESUS CHRIST, Judgment--In judgment Jesus will identify His faithful followers before the Father, and they will be rewarded.
• Guess again I too can read and here lets see what this verse means. (Rev 3:5 KJV) He that overcometh[1], the same[2] shall be clothed[3] in white[4] raiment[5]; and I will not blot[6] out his name[7] out of the book[8] of life[9], but I will confess[10] his name[11] before[12] my Father[13], and before[14] his angels[15].
• 1 "OVERCOMETH": 3528. nikao, nik-ah'-o; from G3529; to subdue (lit. or fig.):--conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory. 2 "SAME": 3778. houtos, hoo'-tos; includ. nom. masc. plur. houtoi, hoo'-toy; nom. fem. sing., haute, how'-tay; and nom. fem. plur., hautai, how'-tahee; from the art. G3588 and G846; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with art. repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who. 3 "CLOTHED": 4016. periballo, per-ee-bal'-lo; from G4012 and G906; to throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing):--array, cast about, clothe (-d me), put on. 4 "WHITE": 3022. leukos, lyoo-kos'; from luke ("light"); white:--white. 5 "RAIMENT": 2440. himation, him-at'-ee-on; neut. of a presumed der. of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer):--apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture. 6 "BLOT": 1813. exaleipho, ex-al-i'-fo; from G1537 and G218; to smear out, i.e. obliterate (erase tears, fig. pardon sin):--blot out, wipe away. 7 "NAME": 3686. onoma, on'-om-ah; from a presumed der. of the base of G1097 (comp. G3685); a "name" (lit. or fig.) [authority, character]:--called, (+ sur-) name (-d). 8 "BOOK": 976. biblos, bib'-los; prop. the inner bark of the papyrus plant, i.e. (by impl.) a sheet or scroll of writing:--book. 9 "LIFE": 2222. zoe, dzo-ay'; from G2198; life (lit. or fig.):--life (-time). Comp. G5590. 10 "CONFESS": 1843. exomologeo, ex-om-ol-og-eh'-o; from G1537 and G3670; to acknowledge or (by impl. of assent) agree fully:--confess, profess, promise. 11 "NAME": 3686. onoma, on'-om-ah; from a presumed der. of the base of G1097 (comp. G3685); a "name" (lit. or fig.) [authority, character]:--called, (+ sur-) name (-d). 12 "BEFORE": 1799. enopion, en-o'-pee-on; neut. of a comp. of G1722 and a der. of G3700; in the face of (lit. or fig.):--before, in the presence (sight) of, to. 13 "FATHER": 3962. pater, pat-ayr'; appar. a prim. word; a "father " (lit. or fig., near or more remote):--father, parent. 14 "BEFORE": 1799. enopion, en-o'-pee-on; neut. of a comp. of G1722 and a der. of G3700; in the face of (lit. or fig.):--before, in the presence (sight) of, to.15 "ANGELS": 32. aggelos, ang'-el-os; from aggello [prob. der. from G71; comp. G34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; esp. an "angel"; by impl. a pastor:--angel, messenger.
• Now I don't see anything here which supports the Bible believer's commentary on this one. In fact I see just the opposite. Don't lose sight that a commentary is just another mans opinion just like yours, you can disagree. In fact I checked this out against a couple of other that do disagree also. A passage of scripture comes to mind here.
• Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
• Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
• Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
• Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
• (Rev 3:6 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

(Rev 3:7 KJV) 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;

• Psa 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
• John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
• Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
• Luke 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
• Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
• John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
• John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
• John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
• John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
• (Isa 22:22 KJV) And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
• Isa 22:22: (vv. 22-25) As prime minister "over the house" Eliakim would determine who would be allowed to see the king, a position of great authority and trust. He would also make decisions that only the king could overthrow. He would be a person upon whom people could rely, like a "peg" driven into the wall (vv. 23, 24). However, if the people trusted him rather than the Lord, they would be disappointed (v. 25).
• Rev 3:7: Philadelphia (modern Alasehir) was strategically positioned where Mysia, Lydia, and Phrygia joined one another. Attalus, king of Pergamos, founded the city to serve as a missionary city for Hellenism, the language and the culture of the Greeks. The promise (v. 12) that in a future day the believers would dwell in a city from which they would not be forced to flee must have been comforting to citizens of a city frequently subjected to earthquakes and tremors. Eliakim, the steward of Hezekiah, held the key to the palace in Jerusalem. The passage here is a quotation of Isa. 22:22, a characterization of Eliakim. The significance of the statement is that Jesus, the Davidic Messiah, is the key providing access to God.
• Verses 7-13. The same Lord Jesus has the key of government and authority in and over the church. He opens a door of opportunity to his churches; he opens a door of utterance to his ministers; he opens a door of entrance, opens the heart. He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who sleep away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquity, how vain and confident so ever they may be. The church in Philadelphia is commended; yet with a gentle reproof. Although Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers must not rest satisfied in a little, but strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Christ can discover this his favour to his people, so that their enemies shall be forced to acknowledge it. This, by the grace of Christ, will soften their enemies, and make them desire to be admitted into communion with his people. Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times, as the reward of past faithfulness; To him that hath shall be given. Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace, shall be kept by Christ in an hour of temptation; and the same Divine grace that has made them fruitful in times of peace, will make them faithful in times of persecution. Christ promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer. He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God; a monument of the free and powerful grace of God; a monument that shall never be defaced or removed. On this pillar shall be written the new name of Christ; by this will appear, under whom the believer fought the good fight, and came off victorious.
• 3:7 JESUS CHRIST, Kingdom of God--As the Davidic Messiah, Jesus holds the power to let people in the eternal kingdom or shut them out. He shares God's qualities of being holy and faithful.

(Rev 3:8 KJV) 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.

• Jesus is the door and no one, can separate us from God.
• Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
• Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
• Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
• Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
• Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
• Isa 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
• (Rev 3:9 KJV) 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.
• Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
• Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
• 1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
• 1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
• 1 Tim 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
• Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
• Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
• Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
• James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
• Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
• Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
• Job 27:9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
• Job 27:10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
• Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
• Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
• Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
• Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
• John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
• (Rev 3:10 KJV) 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.
• Some look for some great single temptation, and well this may be so, yet I believe it goes much farther than this. We all are faced with temptations by the devil of all kinds of sin and compromise. I believe the promise is if we will continue in his word that he will provide the escape for us.
• Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
• Job 11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
• Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
• Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
• Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
• Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
• Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
• 1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
• 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• 1 Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
• 1 Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
• 1 Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
• Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
• Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
• Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
• Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
• Rev 3:10: Among other promises, no promise has been more precious to the churches in subsequent years than this promise to Philadelphia. The substance of the pledge is clearly that of deliverance from the Great Tribulation which shall eventually envelop the whole earth. The church, i.e., all true believers, will be taken out of the world prior to the cataclysmic upheavals of the Tribulation judgment (cf. chs. 6-19).
• I know that, as the time grows closer at hand for the Lord to come that the evils around us will grow. But as before already spoken I believe we live in the time of tribulation just that it will get worse before he comes. I believe that we will see as the church is delivered that destruction will be taking place under our feet as we rise. For he promised to take us to a new heaven and earth so the old must perish to go to the new.
• (Rev 3:11 KJV) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
• He will come quickly so hold on to Gods unchanging hand. The world changes but God is still the same and so is his word. Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Do not let anyone rob you of that word because if you plaint it in your heart it can not be lost or stolen. Don't follow ever-good speaker, but follow those that teach the word and live by it. There are many false prophets and teachers who try to deceive the church we must hold on to the word.
• Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
• Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
• Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
• Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
• Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
• Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
• Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
• Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
• 2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
• 2 Pet 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
• 2 Pet 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
• 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
• 1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
• (Rev 3:12 KJV) 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.
• I believe that God wants his name upon us now. When we become a new creature I think he give us a new name as he Jacob. I hope people can see the Lord in us, can they see him in you? Do you carry his mark?
• 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• 2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
• Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
• Ezek 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
• Ezek 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
• Ezek 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
• Notice the New Jerusalem is not the new heaven but is Gods City that cometh down from heaven. I believe this is the place he has prepared for us.
• John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
• John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
• John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
• John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
• (Rev 3:13 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The Lukewarm Church

(Rev 3:14 KJV) 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;

• amen, am-ane'; of Heb. or. [H543]; prop. firm, i.e. (fig.) trustworthy; adv. surely (often as interj. so be it):--amen, verily. Jesus calls himself the Amen that means you can call me trustworthy, he is faithful and the one witness you can count on. He was the beginning of the creation. This may mean God created him before all else or it could mean that all the creation was made for him. I actually think both statements are true that the world was created for the pleasure of Jesus.
• Rev 3:14: Laodicea, possibly the church where Archippus was pastor and where Philemon served as a prominent member, was famous for its commerce and banking. Hierapolis joined Laodicea as a tourist center famous for hot mineral baths. The sheep on the hillside boasted a glossy, raven-colored beauty, unmatched anywhere. An ophthalmic ointment manufactured there was sought widely. In light of these assets, the Lord's admonition to buy of Him gold refined in the fire, to purchase white garments, and to anoint eyes with eye salve, is most enlightening. The term "Amen" is Hebrew in origin and refers to certitude and assurance .
• Verses 14-22. Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, "The Amen;" one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing. Christ expects men should be in earnest. How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment! A severe punishment is threatened. They would give a false opinion of Christianity, as if it were an unholy religion; while others would conclude it could afford no real satisfaction, otherwise its professors would not have been heartless in it, or so ready to seek pleasure or happiness from the world. One cause of this indifference and inconsistency in religion is, self-conceit and self-delusion; "Because thou sayest." What a difference between their thoughts of themselves, and the thoughts Christ had of them! How careful should we be not to cheat our owns souls! There are many in hell, who once thought themselves far in the way to heaven. Let us beg of God that we may not be left to flatter and deceive ourselves. Professors grow proud, as they become carnal and formal. Their state was wretched in itself. They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich. They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it. They had not the garment of justification, nor sanctification: they were exposed to sin and shame; their rags that would defile them. They were naked, without house or harbor, for they were without God, in whom alone the soul of man can find rest and safety. Good counsel was given by Christ to this sinful people. Happy those who take his counsel, for all others must perish in their sins. Christ lets them know where they might have true riches, and how they might have them. Some things must be parted with, but nothing valuable; and it is only to make room for receiving true riches. Part with sin and self-confidence, that you may be filled with his hidden treasure. They must receive from Christ the white raiment he purchased and provided for them; his own imputed righteousness for justification, and the garments of holiness and sanctification. Let them give themselves up to his word and Spirit, and their eyes shall be opened to see their way and their end. Let us examine ourselves by the rule of his word, and pray earnestly for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts. Sinners ought to take the rebukes of God's word and rod, as tokens of his love to their souls. Christ stood without; knocking, by the dealings of his providence, the warnings and teaching of his word, and the influences of his Spirit. Christ still graciously, by his word and Spirit, comes to the door of the hearts of sinners. Those who open to him shall enjoy his presence. If what he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will supply a rich one. He will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts. In the conclusion is a promise to the overcoming believer. Christ himself had temptations and conflicts; he overcame them all, and was more than a conqueror. Those made like to Christ in his trials, shall be made like to him in glory. All is closed with the general demand of attention. And these counsels, while suited to the churches to which they were addressed, are deeply interesting to all men.

(Rev 3:15 KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

• God wants a stable church one that is in a place that the entire world can see and know. Take note of this verse and the one that follows, we always hear it preached that God wants and demands a hot church, that is not what is said here. God wants an alive church; not every one can be reached with the Pentecostal fire type of church some can only be reached in the stillness of moving Spirit. But what God is most displeased with is a church that is up and down, not stable, this will lead to confusion.
• (Rev 3:16 KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:

• Do we every get cocky? There have been times I just knew I was about as close to God as a feather is to a bird, then the devil show up and I find out that I am not so close as I thought. Are our churches ever like the foolish man that tore down his barns?
• Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
• Some of our churches see the area in which they are grow and they start to bring in the harvest the building soon begins to fill up and there is not enough space for the classes. What do we do?
• Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
• Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
• Just can't wait to get that building fund started. We begin to buy ground, tare down walls, and we think, wow, what a pastor I am.
• Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
• Now the workload is so large that we need to have associate pastors, and more teachers, and more committees and we begin to rake in the money and forget to know the sheep. A good shepherd knows his sheep. When you have more sheep then you know, you have to many.
• Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
• I have seen many a church build up just to lose what had been a good pastor.
• Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
• Here is where the problem was; they lost sight of the mission. Jesus said to feed the lambs and the sheep. Not for my table or for my field but for his.
• 3:17-18 CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Property Rights--Wealth is deceiving. We may not have what we think we possess. God is the only source of true wealth.

(Rev 3:18 KJV) 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.

• Build the church on the right things, build it with the things that last, like love, peace, and bearing one another burden. I recently knew of a family that needed a place to stay the church had a place but felt they needed to charge rent. This was to a family of the church, which bearably could afford to eat. Oh yes we have become moneychangers, is God happy with this. I doubt it. Notice he already promised white raiment to the overcomer. Isn't it time to have ministers start teaching a way of salvation and a Holy Spirit that can make us overcomers. We spend more time defending and making excuses for sin instead of teaching against it. He is soon coming back, if you fail to teach the power of God that changes hearts and a god that abhors evil, one that expects righteousness you could be found with the Devil when the judgment comes.
• Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
• Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
• Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
• Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
• Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
• (Rev 3:19 KJV) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
• If a father does not rebuke and try to guide their children he doesn't have much love for them. Those we love do everything in our power to keep from harm. When a child is little you will see a parent tap a child's hand and say no when they reach out to touch something that would hurt them like a hot stove. The little pain suffered then is much better than the burned hand. What ever God needs to do to bring us into submission is better than the lake of fire. He wants us to be dedicated, full of a desire to do his will and if we don't line up with this letter or any of the ones before, REPENT.
• 3:19-21 JESUS CHRIST, Ascension--The ascended Christ disciplines His church, calls to repentance and renewed fellowship, and invites the faithful to join Him in ruling God's kingdom.

(Rev 3:20 KJV) 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.

• Jesus is waiting to come into our hearts by the presence of his Spirit, he stirs our heart, he calls our name, but we have to be willing to open. I believe that he will give every one at least one opportunity to respond, we may be as Samuel was and not know who is calling, but we must respond with here am I.
• 3:20 SALVATION, Acceptance--Those who accept Christ will open their lives to Him and will invite Him to be their honored guest. The exalted Christ stands outside the door of hearts closed to Him and gently knocks, asking for entrance.

(Rev 3:21 KJV) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

• While an invitation has already been given and I plan on accepting it. I want to sit with him and here him teach or just sing with him. I don't even like football but if that is what he is watching I'll be glad to be there.
• (Rev 3:22 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
• What a fitting way to close this chapter. Do you hear what the Spirit is saying to you and your church? Are you so lost in your books and theology that you can't read and find the truth in what is being said for you? I can promise you this you and your church falls somewhere in these letters. You may find that one or all the letters apply to folks in your church, then begin to preach the repent message. How long can you wait? The Spirit wants to bring revival but the church has to repent first. Don't just dwell on one of the items but seek to see and reform in all the things that need work. You say where do I start? With Repent!