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Revelation 3

World English Bible

WEB

1“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. 3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. 7“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: 8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9Behold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. 14“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things: 15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. 21He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 3 presents messages to three of the seven churches in Asia Minor: #Sardis, #Philadelphia, and #Laodicea. Each message is a divine communication from Jesus Christ, addressing the spiritual condition of these churches and offering both commendation and correction. The chapter begins with the church in Sardis, which is described as having a reputation for being alive but is actually dead. Jesus calls them to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and vigilance. He promises that those who overcome will be clothed in white garments, symbolizing purity and victory over sin (Revelation 3:1-6).

Next, the message to the church in Philadelphia highlights their faithfulness despite having little strength. Jesus assures them that He has set before them an open door that no one can shut, indicating opportunities for ministry and evangelism. He encourages them to hold fast to their faith, promising that those who overcome will be made pillars in the temple of God, signifying stability and honor in His presence (Revelation 3:7-13).

Finally, the message to Laodicea is a stark warning against complacency. The church is described as lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, which leads to Jesus' rebuke. He urges them to buy from Him gold refined by fire, white garments, and salve for their eyes, symbolizing spiritual wealth, righteousness, and insight. The chapter concludes with a powerful invitation from Jesus to open the door of their hearts, promising fellowship to those who respond (Revelation 3:14-22). This chapter serves as a reminder for all believers to remain vigilant, faithful, and responsive to the call of Christ.

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Referenced by

  1. Song of Solomon 5:2v20In Song of Solomon 5:2, the beloved knocks at the door, seeking entry, which parallels Revelation 3:20 where Christ stands at the door and knocks, inviting fellowship with believers.
  2. Isaiah 22:22v7Isaiah 22:22 speaks of the 'key of the house of David,' which is echoed in Revelation 3:7, where Jesus holds the key, symbolizing authority and access.
  3. Hosea 7:8v15Hosea 7:8 describes Ephraim as a cake not turned, symbolizing half-heartedness, akin to the lukewarmness condemned in Revelation 3:15-16.
  4. Hosea 12:8v17Hosea 12:8 describes Ephraim's self-deception in claiming wealth and innocence, similar to the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:17, which boasts of wealth but is spiritually poor.
  5. Matthew 19:28v21In Matthew 19:28, Jesus promises the apostles they will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, a promise of authority and reward also reflected in Revelation 3:21.

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This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.