More Letters To the Churches
– Revelation Three –
Revelation chapter three contains the
last three of the church letters. In Revelation two we studied the letters
written to
Ephesus,
Smyrna, Pergamos
and Thyatira. Now we observe what was said to the church at
Sardis,
Philadelphia and Laodicea. These last three
letters follow the same form as the first four.
Each letter begins
with a greeting sent to the angel or the messenger of the church. There is, in
each letter, an exaltation of some quality or qualities of the Savior. All the
letters contain the assurance that Jesus knew their works. Jesus carefully
explained what He saw as He observed each church. He never failed to give
specific instructions to the members of those churches as to what they could do
to help their situations. These changes often involved repentance. The most
serious part of each letter was the warning that was given as to what would
happen if the necessary changes were not made.
There were commendation to the churches
concerning good that they had done and encouragement to do better. Each letter
contained the promise of great reward to the faithful. What an impression it
must have produced in the minds of all when they heard Jesus say, "He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches."
Letter to the
church at
Sardis – Revelation 3:1-6:
Sardis was a wealthy city
that had started to decline in the days of John. It was situated at the
junction of several trade routes. It was a place of "easy money." It
was a city of luxury.
Sardis was also an immoral
city. This church heard Jesus say, "These things saith
he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." Seven is the
number of completeness. Jesus has the fullness of the Holy Spirit to use in
helping the church at
Sardis if they were willing
to serve Him.
What Jesus knew
about
Sardis was a mixture of good
and bad. They had a reputation of being alive and active. Things seemed good
for the church. However, Jesus said they were dead. You see Jesus sees us for
what we really are. It was not that they were loosing the battle against Satan.
They were not even in the fight. What they were doing did not measure up to
God's expectations. Being dead, the church in
Sardis presented no threat to
Satan. They were not even worth persecuting.
Sardis was a church where
proper form was maintained but heart and strength was all gone!
The Lord admonished
the church at
Sardis to, "Be watchful,
and strengthen the things that 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." The good things that remained
were still wroth saving. Jesus had not given up on them.
There were a few,
even in
Sardis who were still
pleasing to God. Even among the dead Christians in
Sardis, there was still a
faithful remnant. The promise Jesus gave to these faithful ones was, "they
shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." These who overcome are
assured of heaven. "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..." (Revelation 3:5) The Christ is saying that, if we wish to
remain on the roll of the citizens of God, we must keep our faith alive and
active! The idea of being blotted out of the Book of Life should be taken
seriously.
Letter to the church at
Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13:
Philadelphia means brotherly love. The
purpose of the city of
Philadelphia was to spread the
Greek language and the Greek way of life. This was a very prosperous city. It
had beautiful buildings. Jesus is described to this city as, "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."
This is a description that would fit God only. Jesus is man, but He is truly
God also!
Jesus knew that the
church at
Philadelphia had served God under
difficult circumstances. It was a church with an open door. This was a picture
of evangelistic opportunity. The door was opened but they had to walk through
it! This church had strength that needed to be used to spread the gospel.
This church was
faithful to Jesus and His word. Jesus had nothing negative to say to the church
at
Philadelphia. Jesus challenged them, "Behold, I
come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown." Let us prepare for the Lord's coming and stay
faithful. This can be accomplished if we rely on Jesus as our source of
strength.
Letter
to the church at
Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-17: Laodicea was a wealthy city
where many Jews lived. It was a city filled with wealth and pride. Jesus
described Himself to these brethren as "the Faithful and True
Witness." Most Laodiceans were neither faithful
nor true. Jesus knew that the church at Laodicea was lukewarm. This is
a picture of indifference and compromise. The Lord said, "I will vomit you
out of My mouth." Is there a greater curse upon
the earth than lukewarmness? Lukewarmness
allows a lost world to go to hell unevangelized.
This church said
they were rich. However they lived in spiritual poverty. They did not feel a
real need for God. In fact, they felt like they did not need anything. They
said they were rich and in need of nothing. Jesus said they were miserable,
poor, blind, and naked. The Laodiceans are typical of
our world today.
Conclusion
of the Laodicean letter – Revelation 3:18-22:
These brethren had to learn what was really important. Jesus expressed His love
for these brethren by the rebuke He gave. "As many as I love, I rebuke and
chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." He challenged them to turn
from their earthly riches to true wealth! True riches are found only in
faithful service to the Christ.
Jesus gave a great
invitation to this lukewarm church. "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." We often apply the idea of Jesus at
the door to the sinner. Here it applies to the saint also. Jesus wants to come
in to us, and dine with us. This is a picture of the intimate relationship
Jesus desires with His followers.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches."
The gospel is God's
great news that Jesus died for sinners. Jesus said, "He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved." (Mark
16:16). Will you accept
God's wonderful news that Jesus died for your sins and be baptized into Christ
to put on Christ? Will you serve Him will your whole heart?