Words Of Truth

Studies In Revelation
Chapter Three

Revelation 3:1 “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.”

• As a reminder, at the conclusion of chapter one, we addressed the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). The term “angel” [messenger] here is the same Greek word as we saw there (Strong’s # 32). Jesus, through the pen of John, is addressing the messenger of the church.
• The phrase, “He that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars,” directs the reader to the fact that the Father and the Son are behind this message (Revelation 1:4-5).
• As we have seen with Ephesus (Revelation 2:2), Smyrna (Revelation 2:9), Pergamos (Revelation 2:13), and Thyatira (Revelation 2:19); the Lord knows their works. He judges accordingly (Revelation 2:23).
• They had a name. This simply means what it says. Such as when a child is named (Matthew 1:21) or a person is identified by name (Mark 5:22).
• Being referred to as “dead” is not good (Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:1-3, and I Timothy 5:6).
• Think about faith without works (James 2:14-26).
• The message will be to repent (Revelation 3:3).

• The process of correction for them started with “be watchful” (Matthew 24:42-25:13, Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:37, I Corinthians 16:13, and I Thessalonians 5:6).
• If they will not watch… (Revelation 3:3). Remember, immediate judgment is the threatened consequence (Revelation 2:20-23; cf. Acts 5:1-11).
• The instruction “strengthen the things which remain” is a great instruction. You cannot fix what is broken and neglect what you have going in the right direction. If you’re an athlete rehabbing a broken leg you still need to keep the rest of your body in some shape. To strengthen is like what Jesus told Peter to do to the brethren AFTER he was converted (Luke 22:31-32). The words “established” or “stablish” (Romans 1:11 and Romans 16:25) are also fitting translations of the Greek word “στηρίζω” (Strong’s # 4741).
• The good was ready to die, meaning weakened. Think about someone who is near to death (cf. Luke 7:2).
• Their works were not full; complete; perfect (cf. Colossians 4:12).
• Think about how saints must grow (II Peter 1:3-11) and be properly productive (Matthew 7:18-19 and John 15:1-11)
• The measuring stick - “before God” (Luke 16:15). They may have looked good to man, but God sees deeper than man (I Samuel 16:7 and Proverbs 16:2).

• A similar admonishment was given to the church in Ephesus to go back to the beginning (Revelation 2:5).
• To hold fast as instructed here is to “keep” [or “keepeth”] (Revelation 1:3, Revelation 2:26, and Revelation 22:7).
• With the instruction to repent we know the Lord has given some space (Revelation 2:21). However, with the instruction to repent there is a sure consequence for those who do not (Luke 13:1-5).
• Their judgment was going to come and an unknown time to them. Remember what that looked like from what we learned in the previous chapter (Revelation 2:5).

• Some get confused on this verse. Don’t assume that the few faithful were aware of the spiritual death of the others (I Timothy 5:24-25).
• There were a few members who had not defiled their garments, but what happens if they remain among the spiritually dead? If you are among the spiritually dead, and nothing changes, you will die with them (I Corinthians 5:1-13, Galatians 5:7-9, Ephesians 5:6-11, II John 1:6-11, etc.).
• Remember the principle of the remnant in times of apostasy (Isaiah 1:9 and Romans 11:1-6).
• Not defiling their garments (Revelation 16:15). Just remember that we are not talking about washed clothing, but what saints clothe themselves with (Romans 13:12, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:24, Ephesians 6:11, Colossians 3:10-14, I Peter 5:5, etc.).
• To be deemed worthy (II Thessalonians 1:4-5).

• We see the focus on overcoming as we have with the previous churches too (Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, and Revelation 2:26). We will see the same emphasis with the next two congregations as well (Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 3:21).
• The inheritance comes upon those who overcome (Revelation 21:7).
• One of the points of verse 4 [walk with me in white] is extended further here with being clothed in white linen. Later we will see language of being clothed in white (Revelation 3:18).
• We see various references to the book of life in the Scriptures as well as names being blotted out (Exodus 32:32-33, Psalms 69:28, Philippians 4:3, Revelation 12:8, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 20:12, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:27, and Revelation 22:18-19).
• Jesus is clear whom He will confess in Heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

• As we have seen with the previous churches and will see going forward, this statement is all about telling them to hear (Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:13, and Revelation 3:22).
• Remember what was said in the first chapter: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3).

• As a reminder, at the conclusion of chapter one, we addressed the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). The term “angel” [messenger] here is the same Greek word as we saw there (Strong’s # 32). Jesus, through the pen of John, is addressing the messenger of the church.
• God the Father, Son, and Spirit are involved in this letter being written (Revelation 1:1-2; 2:7).
• God is Holy (I Samuel 2:2, Psalms 99:5, and I Peter 1:13-16).
• God is true (John 6:32-35, John 17:3, and I John 5:20).
• The key of David represents the right to the throne (Isaiah 22:20-23). Jesus is the obvious one referenced here to the saints in Philadelphia (Luke 1:26-33).
• The authority belongs to Christ (Matthew 11:27, Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:36, Colossians 1:12-19, and I Peter 3:18-22). Man cannot shut what He has opened or open what He has shut.
• Whose house are the saints (Hebrews 3:1-6)?