Verse 1 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.
Sardis means red ones. It apparently was a city described as luxurious and was the capital of Lydia, a region also referred to as Lud.
In this verse Jesus describes Himself as having the seven Spirits of God. Seven is the number of divine perfection. The Greek word translated here as “Spirits” is “pneuma” and it translates as Spirit 111 times, as Holy Ghost 89 times, as Spirit of God 13 times, as Spirit of the LORD five times, as Spirit of truth three times, as Spirit of Christ two times, as human spirit 49 times, as evil spirit 47 times and as spirit in general 26 times. This writer is going to assume that the King James translators made the word, Spirit, plural because of the number seven in front of it. That would be correct English grammar. However, the Greek word is singular and always seems to translate as spirit, singular. That being said, this writer thinks that Jesus was simply making a difference between His Spirit which is divine and perfect and any other spirit, and that the intent was not to make it seem that Jesus has seven Spirits. Scripture is clear that there is only one Holy Ghost/Spirit. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling:” Ephesians 4:4 Jesus also identifies with the seven stars or angels that are assigned to the seven churches under consideration in this book.
Sardis is described as a church that has a name and so it was known in the community most likely because of its charitable works. To the onlooker, the church most likely appeared to be active and thriving. But Jesus pronounced it as being a dead church.
Application: Many religious establishment churches today have names, buildings, budgets, outreach programs, and charitable works programs, but their focus is not on Jesus. Their focus is on numbers: church attendance and financial giving. They are so busy doing stuff and growing their congregations that they have forgotten the One for whom they are doing the works. What’s your church like?
Verses 2-3 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 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 Greek word translated as “watchful” is “gregoreuo” and it means to watch, to wake, to be vigilant, and to give strict attention to. This church, although pronounced as being dead by the One who owns it, was not being tossed aside. Instead, Jesus felt that this church could revive by strengthening the good and righteous things that remained. This had to start with repentance. If repentance and change did not ocurr, Jesus would visit this church and it would not be to hand out praises and good works badges.
Where in Scripture is there a reference to Jesus and to a thief? 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 4 states, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” The day of the LORD is always associated with God sending forth judgement. It is not a happy day. So when a thief enters a person’s house with intent to steal, the thief does not announce his coming, but surprises the homeowner. Likewise, it is not a happy day for the homeowner. The metaphor here is that Jesus will come to bring judgement to the church at Sardis at a time they are not expecting it if they fail to repent and set things right. And there will come a time of worldwide judgement according to 2 Peter 3:10 because the people of the World fail to repent and set things right. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10 By the way, do these verses sound like the secret rapture theory taught by the Scolfield doctrine in so many churches today?
Application: It is the duty and responsibility of every Christian believer to watch what goes on in the church they attend and to be vigilant and give attention to any doctrine or any people in the church that can distort the true purpose of the Church and send the congregation down that slippery path of demonic deceit to spiritual death. The Church ultimately belongs to Jesus, but each member has a vested interest in its health and well being and therefore has the right and the responsibility to point out error and to expect the leadership to correct the error.
Verses 4-6 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. 5 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. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The Sardis church had a remnant of Christian believers that had not compromised and who had stayed true to the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus knew who these people were and praised them for being worthy. Remember that the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is full of prophetic hyperbole and these verses are no exception. Are these people really going to take a walk with Jesus who resides in Heaven, wearing white clothing and checking to see if their names are written in a book? Of course not. Jesus is using exaggerated language and symbolism to describe the condition of these Sardis believers’ hearts and minds as they remain true to Him and to His Word. All believers who remain true to Jesus will be going to Heaven where they will hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21
Application: Jesus will not be mocked. People pretending to be Christians in all the churches are known by Him, just as the true Christians are known by Him. If you are a true Christian believer, your name is known in Heaven and Jesus talks about you with His Father and with His angels. Pretty cool!
Verse 7 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;
The name of this city originated with a Pergamene king, Attalus II Philadelphus. The name means “brotherly love”. After 133 BC, it came under the jurisdiction of the Romans.
Here Jesus describes Himself further as being holy, being true, and the one who has a key that can open and shut at will and mankind cannot control this. This is a descriptive way of saying the Jesus is God. He is holy, set apart and above all others. He is not only true but the originator of all truth and the standard by which mankind evaluates truth versus lies. Because He is pictured with keys, He is powerful and has authority over all things. He is the One who was spoken about as being the descendant of King David, the promise to have this descendant on the throne of David forever. Is this in the Old Testament? Yes. “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.” Isaiah 22:22 “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7
Verse 8 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 working with this church so that their ministry cannot be interfered with by men. Which men? As stated before, the persecution of the early Church and subsequent persecution has mostly come from organized Jewry. This church was not a rich megachurch, but a struggling church trying to obey the Word of the LORD, and they were not afraid to name the name of Jesus, a name that the unconverted Jews both then and now hate and choose to spit on the ground when they hear it as an expression of their displeasure.
Verse 9 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.
Another reference to a people group that meets in synagogues that belong to Satan and who claim to be God’s chosen people but are not. Again, this can only be the Jews. Have the Jews stopped persecuting the Christian Church and decided to repent of their evil deeds and to fall upon their knees and touch the ground with their foreheads as an expression of reverence towards Jesus and His Church? Of course not. Will this happen one day? Yes, because Jesus said it would. When will that day be? A good guess would be on the day of judgement. You decide.
Verses 10-11 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
This church was patient, steadfast, enduring and waiting for the LORD. Therefore, they were promised to be preserved from a season or definite time of adversity or affliction that would be sent by God and serve to test or prove the character and faith of His people. This time of testing is upon the entire world and all who dwell there. Scofield followers believe this testing is at the end of time during the so-called tribulation period. But this is again nonsense as God’s judgements have not been reserved for a brief period of time. The entire Old Testament history shows that God sent judgement constantly to correct His people and He still sends judgement today. Remember that the events the Apostle John was seeing and recording were things that were shortly to come to pass. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
Application: Notice that the admonition in verse 11 above is to keep the faith and to retain the relationship these believers have with Jesus so that “no man take thy crown”. This verse counters the false doctrine referred to as “once saved, always saved” and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans discussed in chapter 2. If a man or man-made doctrine can cause a believer to loose his/her crown or eternal blessedness which is the reward given to genuine servants of the LORD, then it is possible for believers to fall away and not attain eternal life in Heaven.
Verses 12-13 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. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
To be a pillar denotes support or part of a structure. God had a temple in Old Testament times for His people, but in these New Testament or New Covenant times, God’s people make up the spiritual temple both here on Earth and in Heaven. Notice that the city of Jerusalem that exists in Palestine is not the city of God according to the above verse. The true city of God is the new Jerusalem in Heaven where Jesus Christ, the good angels, and the saints of both the Old and New Testament times abide. The name, “Jerusalem”, means “set ye double peace”. “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16 “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.” Hebrews 12:22
Application: If a Christian believer overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil in this life, the promise of being a part of God’s new city and of receiving a new name is his/hers. Why a new name? Names have meanings. Some cultures today put special emphasis on the meaning of a name when a new baby becomes part of the family. In the Old Testament, names were changed to represent a new meaning when the individual was following God. Their old way of life was gone and their new life of following the LORD was represented by a change in name. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel. Each believer will be given a new name that will represent that believer’s faith and character and obedience to the LORD. That new name will be a gift from the LORD. Rather an amazing thought.
Verse 14 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;
Jesus describes Himself as “the Amen”. The word “amen” comes directly from the Hebrew and it has been passed to the New Testament Greek, then to Latin, then to English, and to many other languages without changing its pronunciation. The official name for this is transliterate. It means to write or print a word using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or language. The word “amen” means so it is, so be it, or may it be fulfilled. It is an expression of absolute trust and confidence.
Why does Jesus describe Himself as “the faithful and true witness”? The Greek word translated as “witness” is “martus” and it occurs 34 time in Scripture. It is translated as “witness” 29 times, as “martyr” three times, and as “record” two times. Jesus is all of these in that He has witnessed historically the beginning of time with the creation and the entire history of the human race, He was martyred for the sins of the world, and He bares record of things that were, that are, and that are shortly coming to pass.
Now to describe Himself as “the beginning of the creation of God” gets a little tricky to explain if there is not a clear understanding of who God is. There is not three persons in one as is taught in most churches. To be a person, one has to have a body. Father God is a Spirit. He does not have a body. The Holy Ghost is just that, a spirit that has left a human body and is now called a ghost. Only Jesus had/has a body. So God, knowing all things, and knowing that mankind would defile themselves and need the perfect, sinless sacrifice to clean them up, created a body right from the beginning of time in which He could reside and in which He would be able to fellowship with mankind and then provide the final sacrificial Lamb for sin. So that body was created by God and then inhabited and manifested to both Old Testament saints and then to New Testament saints. Make sense?
Verses 15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
This church was known by the Apostle Paul. In Colossians there are four references to this church. “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Colossians 4:16 It was a church in spiritual trouble as it was neither on fire for the LORD nor cool towards the LORD. The Greek word translated as “cold” is “psuchros” and it means cold, cool, sluggish, inert, or destitute of warm Christian faith and the desire for holiness. The Greek word translated as “hot” is “zestos” and it means boiling hot, fervor or zeal. This church was sitting on the fence so to speak and God uses words to metaphorically state that He is sick of them and going to vomit them up. Not a pretty picture, indeed. Remember that Jesus stated in Matthew 10:32, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” So the picture here is that Jesus is so disgusted with this church that He will not confess them before His Father.
Verses 17-18 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: 18 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.
This church was well off, apparently, and arrogant. They did not need God as they had the things of this world that were important to them. But Jesus saw them as being poor, naked and blind because they were not concerned about the spiritual things that were important. Jesus pointed out that the gold or precious things of this life are spiritual and that they needed to get back to basics and be rich in the things of the LORD and be righteous (clothed in white rainment) and have their eyes open to the things of Heaven and eternity. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20
Verses 19-22 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3)
Application: If Christian believers begin to stray from the path of righteousness, they should expect the LORD to correct them. Sometimes that correction is through the Word of God, sometimes it is through the words of others, and sometimes it is through trials and tribulations. From God’s perspective, it is more important for a believer to be turned around from error than to be comfortable in this life. He will discipline. But the promise to those that are like the Laodiceans but who repent is that when they overcome and pass from this life to the next, they will sit with Him in His throne. Where is that throne? Isaiah 66:1 and Acts 7:49 both state that, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:” That is where the over-comers will sit with Jesus, sitting denoting an end of all labor and a time of rest.