Apr. 10, 2024
“REVELATION”
CHAPTER 3:1-22
5. The Church of Sardis- the Reformed Church-A.D. 1517-1790
Commendation: vs.1 “…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive…”
Condemnation: vs.1 “… but you are dead” I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
Counsel: vs 2 “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die..” vs.3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard, hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”
Challenge: vs.5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
Sardis means “escaping ones” or those who come out.
vs.1 Jesus uses how He holds the seven spirits and the seven stars. This refers to the Holy Spirit and the stars are the angels or leaders of the churches.
Sardis received the shortest commendation.
“I know your deeds”- they had a reputation as a church faithful to Christ in the early days of the church.
“Of being alive”-there was some life in the church.
Condemnation- “But you are dead” - I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
They began well but they did not complete and finish well.
The counsel: Five things to do- 1. “wake up” 2. “strengthen what remains” 3. “Remember” return to what you have heard and received. 4. “obey it” 5. “repent” turning from sin and turning to God.
Christ’s Warning: “But if you do not wake up…” “you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
Christ’s Challenge: “He who overcomes”-will be clothed in white garments.
Then He concludes “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
6. The Church of Philadelphia- The Church Christ Loved- A.D. 1790-1900
Revelation 3:7-13- The faithful church
Commendation: vs.8 “I know your works, see, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
Condemnation: Not one word!
Counsel: vs.11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Challenge: vs.12-13 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out 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 I will write on him My new name. He who has a ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Christ’s nature was revealed to this church as:
“holy”, “true”, “who holds the key of David”, “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” vs.7
The Lord’s commendation:
“I know your deeds”-the opportunity they had to share the gospel, an open door.
“you have little strength”-this refers to smaller churches, when we are weak, God is strong.
“yet you have kept my word”-they not only believed the Word of God they obeyed it.
“and have not denied my name”- they refused to deny the name of Christ.
Christ’s Promise: Vindication- “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I loved you.” vs.9
Preservation- “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” vs.10
Christ’s Counsel- vs.11 “Behold I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one take your crown.” Christ is letting us as the church know to be faithful to the end.
Christ’s Challenge- vs.12 “He who overcome , I will make him a pillar”- a pillar speaks of stability.
“Write on him the name of God”
“and I will write on him My new name”- the name of God and the name of Christ. We will see God and Christ when we get to heaven. Revelation 22:3-4
Again it concludes with having ears to hear what He is saying to the churches.
7. The Church of Laodicea- The Apostate Church-A.D. 1900-Present time.
Revelation 3:14-22- This is the most disappointing church. In fact the Lord says it is disgusting, it make Him nauseated.
Commendation: not a word
Condemnation: vs.16-17 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Counsel: vs.18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”
Challenge: vs.20 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne…”
Christ’s description to this church- vs.14 “The amen”-the true One, it carries with it the meaning of finality. Christ is the final truth. “faithful and true witness”- He has absolute authority. “the beginning of the creation of God”- He started it all.
Christ’s Condemnation- “Not cold or hot, but lukewarm”
“They had no need of nothing”- All deception is evil, but the most devastating deception is self-deception.
They described themselves as rich, wealthy and no need of nothing.
Christ’s description of the Laodocea church- “wretched, miserable”-unhappy, never satisfied. “poor”-rich physically but poor spiritually. “blind”
Christ’s Counsel- 1. “buy gold from Me refined in the fire..”- Jesus paid the price through His sacrifice of His life and through faith in Him we have life. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. 2. “white garments, that you may be clothed”- this denotes the righteousness required to come into God’s presence. Righteousness comes to those who call on the name of the Lord and are saved. 3. “buy from Him salve for your eyes”- this is our need for spiritual illumination. Being filled with the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14. 4. “be zealous and repent”- repent of sins and turn to Him.
Christ’s Counsel- “Here I am” “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me.” vs.20
Christ’s Challenge- “to him that overcomes”
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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