This chapter continues the messages
the glorified Christ sends via John to contemporary Churches. The letters in
this chapter are addressed to believers in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Like the letters in chapter 2, these messages have a distinct pattern.
Each letter is addressed to
the "angel" or "messenger" of the church. Again each
message has a fourfold focus: identifying Jesus in a special way, revealing an
intimate knowledge of the Church addressed, pinpointing the Church's major
flaw, conveying a command intended to correct the Church. The letter closes
with an eschatological promise of reward to the obedient victor with each
promise alluding to some element in Revelation 21-22.
The believer’s personal application: We can apply
the exhortation given to each of these churches to our lives—and win the reward
they are promised.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
“Sardis: the counterfeit”
(3:1-6):
Sardis lay in an important
river valley and was both a trade and military center. Although its greatest
significance lay in the past, and in a sense the city was dying, it remained
prosperous for some two centuries into the Christian era.
“Holding the sevenfold Spirit”
(3:1):
The Spirit of God is the key
to vitality in the believer’s life. Remain faithful to Jesus, and He will bring
us to vital life. If we desert Him our lives will be as dead as those who lay
in the vast cemetery, marked by hundreds of burial mounds, that existed seven
miles from Sardis, but visible from that city.
"Wake up!" (3:2):
The call is for constant
alertness, just the opposite of the spiritual laziness which sapped the
vitality of the church at Sardis. The situation is so serious that the first
order of business is to "strengthen what remains" rather than
recapture an earlier commitment. Even their past deeds are "not
complete," meaning they fall short of the standards of love,
faithfulness, perseverance, and commitment required to Christ.
"They are worthy"
(3:4):
Even in an apostate Church or
age, God reserves some who are faithful to Him. Having soiled clothing in the
1st century kept a person from ceremonies honoring pagan deities. There is
likely a touch of irony here. The pagans worried about externals. What Christ
cares about is whether a person "walks with" (stays in fellowship
with) Him.
“Philadelphia: obedient to God”
(3:7-13):
This was an important
fortress city on a major highway and an imperial post road. Although devastated
in A.D. 17 by an earthquake, the city was quickly rebuilt. Eusebius reports
that the Church was led in the first half of the 2nd century by a gifted
prophetess named Ammia and prospered under her leadership.
“Faithful with little”
(3:8):
No matter how weak we are, Christ
keeps the door open for us. We can remain faithful, not because we are great,
but because He will not let our enemies prevail.
"Endure patiently"
(3:10):
It's much easier to be
enthusiastic when we're winning great victories. However, faith often calls for
us to be still, and obedience means simply to keep "My command to endure
patiently" (2 Thessalonians 3:5; Hebrews 12:3).
"The hour of trial"
(3:10):
Many believe that this is a time of worldwide divine judgment. For some this is evidence that the rapture
of Church will take place before the tribulation.
“Laodicea: lukewarm”
(3:14-21):
This city was famous for
wealth and medicines, particularly an eye ointment. The Christians of this city
took pride in their material well-being, without seeing their spiritual
poverty. Jesus warns these believers to spend their funds on the true riches
Christ provides. Jesus is eager to enter and
fill their lives and ours. He knocks at the door of our hearts. It's up to us
to open up our lives and let Him in, not only to save, but to fill and control.
The
characteristics of and admonitions to the Churches
“Sardis, the Counterfeit” (3:1-6):
The Church: reputed to be
alive but spiritually dead; deeds are incomplete.
Jesus’ description: holds the
Spirit, angels, in His hand.
Jesus’ admonition to the
Church: wake up; obey what they have already heard.
“Philadelphia, the Obedient”
(3:7-13):
The Church: has little
strength yet has kept the Word, patiently endures.
Jesus’ description: holds the
key of David (messianic authority).
Jesus’ admonition: hold tight to what they have.
“Laodicea, the Materialistic”
(3:14-22):
The Church: neither cold nor
hot; wealthy, but poor spiritually.
Jesus’ description: Ruler of
Creation
Jesus’ admonition: be earnest, repent under discipline.
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