In chapter 3 Christ gives counsel to the Angels of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea along with acknowledging the good works that he has found them engaged in.
To the Angel of Sardis
Revelation 3:1-22… “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
“This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! 2 So wake up and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what you have done is not yet perfect in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you were taught and what you heard; obey it and turn from your sins. If you do not wake up, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not even know the time when I will come.
Christ is referring to the real spiritual condition of the congregation as being dead. We are reminded to pursue a course of righteousness and sanctification to be able to see the Lord.
Revelation 3:4-6… But a few of you there in Sardis have kept your clothes clean. You will walk with me, clothed in white, because you are worthy to do so. 5 Those who win the victory will be clothed like this in white, and I will not remove their names from the book of the living. In the presence of my Father and of his angels I will declare openly that they belong to me. 6 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!
Christ reminds us that the clothing that we have on his spiritual and we need to protect that spirituality keeping it clean. He also discloses that there is a book of life that names are written into is very important that our names are not stricken from the book of life.
To the Angel of Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-8… To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
“This is the message from the one who is holy and true. He has the key that belonged to David, and when he opens a door, no one can close it, and when he closes it, no one can open it. 8 I know what you do; I know that you have a little power; you have followed my teaching and have been faithful to me. I have opened a door in front of you, which no one can close.
As you read these words can you hear and feel what Christ is saying to us? We have to remember that no one can close the door on us.
Revelation 3:9-10… Listen! As for that group that belongs to Satan, those liars who claim that they are Jews but are not, I will make them come and bow down at your feet. They will all know that I love you. 10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you safe from the hour of test (time of trouble) which is coming upon the world to test all the people on earth.
I reminded of what the apostle Paul said about being a real Jew it was the one with the circumcision of the heart. This guarantee of being kept for the hour of the test and this is a big deal.
Follow the hyperlink to Kept from the Hour of Test.
Revelation 3:11-13… I am coming soon. Keep safe what you have, so that no one will rob you of your victory prize. 12 I will make those who are victorious pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my new name. 13 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! Revelation 21:1-4
What is it that we are to keep safe? Is it not the memories that are made with the testimony of Christ and his power that is backing us.
The Message to the Angel of Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-19… To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. 15 I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.’ But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins.
Christ Jesus becomes the Amen and the aspect that he fulfills or brings about the answer to our prayers. Christ warns his disciples that they needed to be hot and not lukewarm. They had an attitude that they didn’t need anything that they perceive themselves as rich, but the reality was that they were spiritually poor. They needed to submit to Christ direction.
Follow the hyperlink to Submitting to Christ Direction.
Revelation 3:20-22… Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. 21 To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne. 22 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”
Become obedient from the heart, make the adjustments in your lives and open the door and allow Christ into your life.
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Revised 11/17/24