Revelation Chapter 3

To the Church in Sardis

Revelation 3:1 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis, for these are the words of the one who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all that you do and I know that you have a reputation for being really “alive,” but you’re actually dead!

Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Guzik: But you are dead.

Dead: Despite their reputation of life, Jesus saw them for what they really were. But you are dead shows that a good reputation is no guarantee of true spiritual character. Despite their good appearance, Jesus saw them for what they really were.
b. Dead: This indicates no struggle, no fight, no persecution. It wasn’t that the church at Sardis was losing the battle. A dead body has lost the battle, and the fight seems over. In this letter, Jesus doesn’t encourage the Christians in Sardis to stand strong against persecution or false doctrine, probably because there simply wasn’t a significant danger of these things in Sardis. Being dead, the church in Sardis presented no significant threat to Satan’s domain, so it wasn’t worth attacking.
i. The church in Sardis was “A perfect model of inoffensive Christianity” (Caird). Another commentator says, “It was not scandalous wickedness, but decent death; the form retained, the heart gone.”

“The church of Sardis was at peace - but it was the peace of the dead.” (Barclay)

Barnes: And art dead - That is, spiritually. This is equivalent to saying that their profession was merely in name; and yet this must be understood comparatively, for there were some even in Sardis who truly lived unto God, Rev_3:4. The meaning is, that in general, the profession of religion among them was a mere name. The Saviour does not, as in the case of the churches of Ephesus and Thyatira, specify any prevailing form of error or false doctrine; but it would seem that here it was a simple waist of religion.

Meyer: In other addresses to the churches our Lord began with commendation, but no such word is here. He is described in the fullness of His glorious nature, but this church is full of unfulfilled works. What a striking phrase and how true! We begin and do not finish, skirt the edges but do not penetrate to the heart, are superficial and fragmentary. How few can say with the Master, “I have finished the work”; and of how few it can be said, as by Paul of the Baptist, “He fulfilled his course”! Act_13:25.

There are four evidences of spiritual life. In a living church there will be growth, compassion, unity, and love; and the Lord missed all these and bitterly lamented their absence. Of what use was the fig tree to abate His hunger, when it bore leaves but no fruit? Amid all this disappointing formalism, there were a few live souls who fulfilled their works and did not defile their robes

Revelation 3:2 TPT Wake up and strengthen all that remains before it dies, for I haven’t found your works to be perfect in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3:3 TPT So remember all the things you’ve received and heard, then turn back to God and obey them. For if you continue to slumber, I will come to you like a thief, and you’ll have no idea at what hour I will come.

A quote from the Princess Bride: He is only mostly dead

Guzik: 5. (Rev_3:2-4) What Jesus wants the church at Sardis to do.

Be watchful: This first instruction from Jesus tells them they need to examine and protect, strengthening what they have. The things which remain tells us that though the spiritual condition of the church of Sardis was bad, it wasn’t hopeless. Spiritually, there were things which remain that could be strengthened. Jesus had not given up on them, and it was late (that are ready to die) - but not too late.

i. In its history, the city of Sardis was easily conquered twice before. It wasn’t that the attacking armies overwhelmed Sardis, but because overconfidence made them stop being watchful. The spiritual state of the church in Sardis was a reflection of the city’s historical character.

I have not found your works perfect before God: This shows that their works, though present, haven’t measured up to God’s standard. The presence of works isn’t enough, because God requires a particular intent and purpose in all of our works. They should be done with a heart and in a manner that show them to be perfect before God.

i. Clarke on I have not found your works perfect: “They performed duties of all kinds, but not duty completely. They were constantly beginning, but never brought anything to a proper end.”

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent: What they must do is remember how they first received and heard the word of God. The, they must hold fast to those things, and to repent by turning and restoring the gospel and apostolic doctrine to authority over their lives.

i. Paul describes in 1Th_2:13 the kind of reception of the word they needed to remember: For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

d. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief: Jesus warns them of the great danger in failing to watch. If they ignore His command to be watchful, then Jesus will come upon them as a thief, at a time completely unexpected by them.

i. I will come upon you: How will Jesus come upon them? He could come upon them in the sense bringing immediate judgment. Or, He could come upon them in these sense of His coming for the church at the rapture of the church (1Th_4:16-17). Used in either sense, it shows that His coming can be sudden and unannounced, so they need to be watchful.

ii. Winston Churchill said to Britain in the early days of World War II: “I must drop one word of caution, for next to cowardice and treachery, overconfidence leading to neglect and slothfulness, is the worst of wartime crimes.” (cited in Bunch)

2 Peter 3:10 (Weymouth) The day of the Lord will come like a thief--it will be a day on which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, the elements be destroyed in the fierce heat, and the earth and all the works of man be utterly burnt up.

Revelation 16:15 KJV Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Matthew 24:42-44 KJV Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-7 KJV For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

Luke 12:38-40 KJV And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Revelation 3:4 TPT Yet there are still a few in Sardis who have remained pure, and they will walk in fellowship with me in brilliant light, for they are worthy.

Meyer: Does not this suggest the Transfiguration? On the holy mount, the homely garments of Jesus shone with light; and so the inner purity of the saint shines through and glorifies His simplest acts. The holiness we love in this life shall be rewarded by the white robes, Christ’s acknowledgment, and the deeds of heavenly citizenship.

Guzik: You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments: Even among the dead Christians in Sardis, there is a faithful remnant. But there were only a few names. In Pergamos (Rev_2:14) and in Thyatira (Rev_2:20) there were a few bad among the good. But in Sardis there are a few good among the bad.

i. Even in Sardis: Even shows that in some ways it was remarkable that there were a few names still faithful to the Lord. It may have been remarkable because of city’s notoriously immoral reputation.

Even in a city that wicked, some among the Christians had not defiled themselves by joining in sin.

ii. Who have not defiled their garments: Why does Jesus refer to defiled garments? In the heathen worship of the day, the pagan gods could not be approached with dirty clothes. The analogy can work for the worship of Jesus, because He gives His pure ones white garments.

iii. “As sin is expressed under the notion of nakedness, so holiness is expressed under the notion of a garment.” (Poole)
g. And they shall walk with Me in white: Jesus also promised that these pure ones would walk with Me. This picture of close fellowship and friendship is seen in Enoch, who walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Gen_5:24).
i. Of course, the garments Jesus gives are always white. Sardis was a church that was dead because of sinful compromise. They needed to receive and walk in the pure, white garment that Jesus gives. White was also the color of triumph to the Romans, so the white garments speaks of the believer’s ultimate triumph in Jesus.

ii. “Walk with Me” is the greatest reward Jesus can give His followers. The Christians in Sardis who forsake the sinful compromise of their city will be rewarded with a closer, more intimate walk with Jesus. This reward is ultimately a better motivator than the fear of punishment or ruin from our sin.

iii. The pure can have greater intimacy with God not because they have earned it, but because they are simply more interested in the things of God. God promises to reward that interest: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Mat_5:8)

iv. “But what shall be done with such persons as live in the church, but are not of it having a name to live, but are dead? What shall be done with mere professors who are not possessors? What shall become of those who are only outwardly religious but inwardly are in the gall of bitterness? We answer, as good Calvin did once: ‘They shall walk in black, for they are unworthy.’ They shall walk in black - the blackness of God’s destruction. They shall walk in black - the blackness of hopeless despair. They shall walk in black - the blackness of incomparable anguish. They shall walk in black - the blackness of damnation. They shall walk in black forever, because they were found unworthy.” (Spurgeon)

Revelation 3:5 TPT And the one who experiences victory will be dressed in white robes and I will never, no never erase your name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge your name before my Father and his angels.

Comment: Contrast being dead with having your name in the book of life

Guzik: 6. (Rev_3:5) A promise of a reward.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments: Jesus identified the overcomers with those few names who have not defiled their garments (Rev_3:4). These overcomers will wear white garments, received from Jesus.
i. The difference between the dead majority with imperfect works (but who had a good reputation) and the few names who were pleasing to God was purity, and the closeness with Jesus that is always related to purity. The deadness and spiritual facade of most the Christians in Sardis was related to their impure lives, their embrace of the impurity and sin of the world around them. It’s hard to say if the deadness came before the impurity or the impurity came before the deadness, but they are surely related.

ii. Jesus explained the absolute necessity of this being clothed by God with His garments of purity and righteousness in His parable of the wedding feast (Mat_22:11-14). Real righteousness is receiving God’s covering instead of trying to cover ourselves. Adam and Eve tried to cover their own sin (Gen_3:21) but God provided them with a covering that came from sacrifice (Gen_3:7).

b. And I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life: By this, the overcomers are assured of their heavenly citizenship. In the ancient world, death or a criminal conviction could blot out the name of an ancient citizen from the city’s book of the living, which was the city register.

i. “In ancient times cities kept a register of their citizens; and when a man died, his name was removed from the register. The risen Christ is saying that, if we wish to remain on the roll of the citizens of God, we must keep our faith flamingly alive.” (Barclay)

c. Blot out his name from the Book of Life: Does this mean that someone can lose their salvation? That someone is saved one day - their name is in the Book of Life - and another day, they have fallen away and their name has been blotted out from the Book of Life? We need to first see the context here in Rev_3:5. The focus is assurance, so we should not think that names are being constantly erased and then re-written. The focus here is on assurance, not the idea that Jesus sits in heaven with a busy eraser. At the same time, we should carefully consider what the Word has to say about the Book of Life.

• And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Rev_20:12)
• And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev_20:15)
• Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luk_10:20)
• Moses said to the Lord: Yet now, if You will forgive their sin; but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written. (Exo_32:32)
• And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” (Exo_32:33)
• Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. (Psa_69:28)
• 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. (Rev_3:5)
• And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev_22:19)
v. In the genealogies of the Bible there are two books mentioned.
• The book of the generation of Adam (Gen_5:1)
• The book of the generation of Jesus Christ (Mat_1:1)

But I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels: This is an amazing promise. It simply makes sense that we should be willing to confess the name of Jesus. But it is amazing that He would not be ashamed to confess us!
i. It is important for us to accept Jesus. But it is far more important to know if Jesus accepts us.

Revelation 3:6 TPT So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches.

To the Church in Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia, for these are the solemn words of the Holy One, the true one, who has David’s key, who opens doors that none can shut and who closes doors that none can open:

Guzik: (Rev_3:7 a) The character of the city of Philadelphia.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

a. Philadelphia: The name of this city means brotherly love, and it was the youngest of the seven cities, and was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism, the culture of ancient Greece.

i. “The original purpose behind this key city was to make it a center for spreading Greek language, culture and manners throughout the Asian provinces.” (Hocking)

ii. “Philadelphia had been built with the deliberate intention that it might become a missionary city. Beyond Philadelphia lay the wilds of Phrygia and the barbarous tribes; and it was intended that the function of Philadelphia should be to spread the Greek language, the Greek way of life, the Greek civilization, throughout the regions beyond.” (Barclay)

iii. The city gained its name after its founder, Attalus the Second, who was nicknamed Philadelphos.

b. Philadelphia was a prosperous city. “Philadelphia commanded one of the greatest highways in the world, the highway which led from Europe to the East. Philadelphia was the gateway from one continent to another.” (Barclay)

c. Philadelphia was also known for her beautiful buildings (it was called the “little Athens”) and frequent earthquakes, which required frequent evacuations.

i. “Philadelphia had so many gods and so many temples that sometimes men called it “Little Athens.” To walk through its temple-scattered streets was to be reminded of Athens, the center of worship of the Olympian gods.” (Barclay)

2. (Rev_3:7 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Philadelphia.

a. These things says He who is holy, He who is true: Jesus reminds the church in Philadelphia that He is holy and true. These do not describe “tendencies” within Jesus, but His very being.

i. There are two ancient Greek words which we might translate true. One means “true and not false.” The other means “true and not fake.” The ancient Greek word used here for true (alethinos) it second, with the idea of “real” or “genuine.” Jesus is true in all of who He is.

b. He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: Jesus shows He is also the keeper of the keys and doors. In this quotation from Isa_22:20-23, Jesus expresses His power and authority, especially to admit and exclude.

Revelation 3:8 TPT I know all that you’ve done. Now I have set before you a wide-open door that none can shut. For I know that you possess only a little power, yet you’ve kept my word and haven’t denied my name.

Guzik: 3. (Rev_3:8) What Jesus knows about the church of Philadelphia.
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.

a. I know your works: Jesus says this to each of the seven churches. The church at Philadelphia had served God well in difficult circumstances, and Jesus knew it.

b. I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: The church in Philadelphia has an open door set before them. Often, an open door speaks of evangelistic opportunity (1Co_16:9, 2Co_2:12, and Col_4:3). Jesus tells them that He has opened the door of evangelistic opportunity to them, and they must go through that door in faith.

1 Corinthians 16:9 KJV For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12 KJV Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Colossians 4:3 KJV Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

i. In its history, Philadelphia had a great “evangelistic” calling. The city had the mission of spreading Greek culture and language through the whole region. Now Jesus opens the door for them to spread the culture of His kingdom through the whole region.

ii. Jesus tells them to see that they have this open door. Sometimes God sets an open door of evangelistic opportunity in front of us, but we don’t see it. A man who had been touched for Jesus came to Spurgeon and asked how he could win others to Jesus. Spurgeon asked him, “What are you? What do you do?”
The man said, “I’m an engine driver on a train.”
“Then,” said Spurgeon, “Is the man who shovels coal on your train a Christian?”
“I don’t know,” said the man.
“Go back,” said Spurgeon, and find out and start on him.”

iii. Once we see the open door, we then have to walk through it. God wants us to take every evangelistic opportunity that He opens up before us.

iv. There may be another sense to this open door. These Christians in Philadelphia seem to have been excluded from the synagogue (Rev_3:9). The open door may also speak of their opportunity to enter God’s kingdom in contrast with their exclusion from the synagogue.

c. And no one can shut it: The emphasis is on unhindered openness. There is nothing that can keep them from their access to this door. Since Jesus is He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens (Rev_3:7), He has the authority to keep this door open for the Christians in Philadelphia.

i. “David could shut or open the kingdom of Israel to whom he pleased. He was not bound to leave the kingdom even to his eldest son. He could choose whom he pleased to succeed him. The kingdom of the Gospel, and the kingdom of heaven, are at the disposal of Christ.” (Clarke)

ii. God opens doors for ministry and ministers today. “I would like to bear witness that I have proved this Philadelphian promise of the open door through years of ministry and it has never failed. Promotion does not come from the south, east, or west, but from God; and if we commit our way unto Him and trust Him, He will bring it to pass . . . God’s man is not dependent on religious talent scouts nor is his ministry in the hand of ecclesiastical officials. His headquarters is heaven and his itinerary is made up by the Lord of the Open Door.” (Havner)

iii. Because Jesus has opened the door, He gets the glory for it. “Neither wealth or influence, neither promotional schemes nor the eloquence of its pulpit, nor the harmonies of its musicians can give it an effective ministry. The Lord alone has opened the door; the Lord alone has ‘given the increase.’“ (Morris)

d. For you have a little strength: The term a little strength does not imply weakness, but real strength. They were weak enough to be strong in the Lord. We can be “too strong” or “too big” or too sure of ourselves for God to really use us. The church in Philadelphia had the poverty of spirit to know they really needed God’s strength.

i. “It is not a matter of great strength, not great ability but great dependability. Samson had great ability but poor dependability. A little strength faithfully used means more than much strength flashily and fitfully used.” (Havner)
ii. The Apostle Paul was a great example of this dynamic of weakness and strength. God’s strength was made evident in his weaknesses (2Co_12:7-10).

e. Have kept My word, and have not denied My name: The church in Philadelphia also was faithful to Jesus and His word. The idea behind have not denied My name is not only that they expressed their allegiance to Jesus, but that they lived in a way that was faithful to the name and character of Jesus.

i. Some churches that claim great faithfulness to the word of Jesus deny His name - His character. They represent the manner and style of Jesus as something very different from what the Bible shows.

f. Look at the features of the church in Philadelphia:

• Evangelistic opportunity (I have set before you an open door)
• Reliance on God (You have a little strength)
• Faithfulness to Jesus (have kept My word, and have not denied My name)

In some ways, these features seem “unspectacular.” They should be commonplace among churches. Yet Jesus was completely pleased with this church. He has nothing negative to say to the church at Philadelphia.

“The church of Philadelphia is commended for keeping the Word of the Lord and not denying His Name. Success in Christian work is not to be measured by any other standard of achievement. It is not rise in ecclesiastical position. It is not the number of new buildings which have been built through a man’s ministry. It is not the crowds that flock to listen to any human voice. All of these things are frequently used as yardsticks of success, but they are earthly and not heavenly measures.” (Barnhouse)

Clarke: I have set before thee an open door - I have opened to thee a door to proclaim and diffuse my word; and, notwithstanding there are many adversaries to the spread of my Gospel, yet none of them shall be able to prevent it.

Thou hast a little strength - Very little political authority or influence; yet thou hast kept my word - hast kept the true doctrine; and hast not denied my name, by taking shelter in heathenism when Christianity was persecuted. The little strength may refer either to the smallness of the numbers, or to the littleness of their grace.

Revelation 3:9 TPT Watch how I deal with those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews but are not, for they’re lying. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge how much I’ve loved you.

Revelation 3:10 TPT Because you’ve passionately kept my message of perseverance, I will also keep you from the hour of proving that is coming to test every person on earth.

Guzik: . (Rev_3:9-10) What Jesus will do for the Christians of Philadelphia.

I will make those of the synagogue of Satan: Apparently, the Christians in Philadelphia were persecuted by Jewish people (the synagogue). However, these persecuting Jews were Jews in name only (who say they are Jews and are not, but lie). In fact, they have no spiritual connection to Abraham or to the people of faith.

i. In this, Jesus does not speak against all Jewish people. It would be entirely wrong to speak of the Jewish people as a whole as the synagogue of Satan or those who say they are Jews and are not. Jesus spoke of this specific group of Jewish people in Philadelphia who persecuted the Christians during that period.

b. I will make them come and worship before your feet: In this, Jesus promises that He will vindicate His people and make sure that their persecutors recognize they are wrong, and that Jesus and His followers are right. The thought is of vindication before self-righteous “spiritual” persecutors. God promises that the church in Philadelphia will be vindicated before their persecutors.

i. God promised Israel that Gentiles would honor them and acknowledge their God (Isa_45:14). Now the tables are somewhat turned, and these Jewish people “will play the role of the heathen and acknowledge that the church is the Israel of God.” (Mounce)

ii. 1Co_14:24-25 speaks of unbelievers falling down in the midst of Christians to worship God. This establishes that it isn’t Christians who are being worshipped, but God is being worshipped in the presence of Christians.

iii. And to know that I have loved you: As those who were once their enemies worship along side them, they are destroyed as enemies. They now know that Jesus has loved these people they once persecuted. The best way to destroy the enemies of the gospel is to pray that God would change them into friends.

I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world: Jesus also promises them protection from the hour of trial coming on the whole world.

i. Most Bible scholars see this hour of trial as a prophetic reference to the Messianic woes, the Great Tribulation, which precede Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus promises to keep these Christians from that hour of trial.

d. To test those who dwell on the earth: The test is directed against those who dwell on the earth. This phrase is used nine times in the Book of Revelation, and it speaks of those who are not saved in Jesus. Rev_17:8 makes the term synonymous with the lost: And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This test is for unbelievers, not Christians.

i. Those who dwell on the earth “refers not to believers but to unbelievers who are objects of God’s wrath” throughout Revelation. (Johnson)

ii. Christians are different. Though we walk on this earth, our dwelling place is in heaven. We have been seated in heavenly places in Jesus (Eph_2:6). We do not dwell on the earth, our life is hidden in Jesus (Col_3:3).

e. Does this promise to keep you from the hour of trial imply an escape before the Great Tribulation? Or does it promise protection in it? Each side believes this passage easily supports their position.

i. Those who believe the church will be here on earth during this time of Great Tribulation focus on Jesus’ command to persevere, and say the context demands seeing this as protection that enables the faithful to persevere in the period.
ii. Those who believe that Jesus will come for His church before this time of Great Tribulation note that protection is promised from the very hour of trial, not just the trial itself. They also point to the worldwide, inescapable cataclysm predicted in the Great Tribulation (Mat_24:21 and Revelation chapters 6, 8-9, 16).

iii. However, persevere is in the past tense, showing it is something that the Christians had already done before the hour of trial, which has not yet come upon the world. The promise is a reward for past perseverance, not the equipping to persevere in the future. “As far as the Philadelphian church was concerned, the rapture of the church was presented to them as an imminent hope.” (Walvoord)

iv. In addition, the ones tested by this hour of trial are not primarily believers, but those who dwell on the earth - whose home is this earth, who are not citizens of heaven (Php_3:20).

Revelation 3:11 TPT But I come swiftly, so cling tightly to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown of victory.

Guzik: . (Rev_3:11) What Jesus wants the church of Philadelphia to do.
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

a. Behold, I am coming quickly: First, the church at Philadelphia must remember that Jesus is coming quickly, and they must prepare for His coming.

i. “The expression ‘quickly’ is to be understood as something which is sudden and unexpected, not necessarily immediate.” (Walvoord)
b. Hold fast what you have: The church at Philadelphia must not depart from its solid foundation, as described in Rev_3:8 :

• Evangelistic opportunity (I have set before you an open door)
• Reliance on God (You have a little strength)
• Faithfulness to Jesus (have kept My word, and have not denied My name)
These things can and must continue among the church in Philadelphia, but it will only happen as they hold fast what they have.

c. That no one may take your crown: If they fail to hold fast, their crown might be given to another. The idea is not that it might be stolen by another, but given.

i. This is not a crown of royalty, given because of royal birth. This is a crown of victory. Jesus encourages His saints to finish their course with victory, to “play the second half” just as strongly as they “played the first half.”
ii. “Never forget that the man most likely to steal your crown is yourself. ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life’ (Pro_4:23). You are in no greater danger from anyone or anything than from yourself.” (Havner)

Comment: There have been some who have been talked out of running the race—that the High Calling is closed. They “give” their crown away.

Revelation 3:12 TPT For the one who is victorious, I will make you to be a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, permanently secure. I will write on you the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the New Jerusalem, descending from my God out of heaven. And I’ll write my own name on you.

Rev 3:12 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.

Guzik: 6. (Rev_3:12) A promise of reward.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar: Overcomers are told that they will be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.

i. The ancient city of Philadelphia suffered from frequent earthquakes. When a building collapsed in an earthquake often all that remained were the huge pillars. Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.

ii. The pillar holds up the building. The only thing supporting the pillar is the foundation. True pillars in the church support the church, and they look to Jesus as their support foundation.

b. He shall go out no more: The overcomer will have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.

i. “The citizens of Philadelphia lived an unsettled and tremulous life. Whenever the earthquake tremors came, and they came often, the people of Philadelphia fled from the city out into the open country, to escape the falling masonry and the flying stones which accompanied a severe earthquake shock. Then, when the earth was quiet again, they returned. In their fear the people of Philadelphia were always going out and coming in; they were always fleeing from the city and then returning to it.” (Barclay)

c. I will write on him the name of My God . . . I will write on him My new name: The overcomer also receives many names - of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because it shows we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.
i. This works together well with the image of a pillar. In the ancient world, having a special inscribed pillar added to one of the temples sometimes honored a faithful city servant or distinguished priest. “Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples, so that all who came to worship might see and remember.” (Barclay)

Russell: Will I make a pillar -- Not simply an unimportant part, but a vital one, which cannot be removed while the structure exists. Jesus is the "master builder." His faithful followers shall be living members and pillars.

New Jerusalem -- The new spiritual government of the Millennial age. God will dwell in this glorious city or government; it will be his Temple. A picture of the glorified Church--the Bride.

My new name -- As Jesus was our Lord's name and he became the Christ, the Messiah, so all who become members of his Body come under his new name, and are recognized of the Lord and may be recognized of each other as members of The Christ.

"This is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Righteousness of Jehovah." (Jer_33:16)
"God did at first visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name." (Act_15:14)

Clarke: A pillar in the temple - There is probably all allusion here to the two pillars in the temple of Jerusalem, called Jachin and Boaz, stability and strength. The Church is the temple; Christ is the foundation on which it is built; and his ministers are the Pillars by which, under him, it is adorned and supported. St. Paul has the same allusions, Gal_2:9.

I will write upon him the name of my God - That is, I will make him a priest unto myself. The priest had written on his forehead קודש ליהוה kodesh laihovah, “Holiness to the Lord.”

And the name of the city of my God - As the high priest had on his breastplate the names of the twelve tribes engraved, and these constituted the city or Church of God; Christ here promises that in place of them the twelve apostles, representing the Christian Church, shall be written, which is called the New Jerusalem, and which God has adopted in place of the twelve Jewish tribes.

My new name - The Savior of All; the light that lightens the Gentiles; the Christ; the Anointed One; the only Governor of his Church; and the Redeemer of All mankind.

There is here an intimation that the Christian Church is to endure for ever; and the Christian ministry to last as long as time endures: He shall go no more out for ever.

Revelation 3:13 TPT So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches.

Guzik: (Rev_3:13) A general exhortation to all who will hear.
He who has an ear, let him hear: We all want to hear the praise and encouragement Jesus gives to the church at Philadelphia. If we would be like this church, we must stay on their foundation, which was Jesus’ name and Jesus’ word. We must also depend on their source of strength which was Jesus, not themselves.

To the Church in Laodicea

Revelation 3:14 TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea, for these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation:

Guzik: (Rev_3:14 a) The character of the city of Laodicea.

Laodicea was an important, wealthy city, with a significant Jewish population. Like other cities in the region, it was a center for Caesar worship and the worship of the healing god Asklepios. There was a famous temple of Asklepios in Laodicea, with a more famous medical school connected with the temple.

i. After an earthquake devastated the region in 60 A.D. Laodicea refused Imperial help in rebuilding the city, successfully relying on their own resources. They didn’t need outside help, they didn’t ask for it, and they didn’t want it. “Laodicea was too rich to accept help from anyone. Tacitus, the Roman historian, tells us: ‘Laodicea arose from the ruins by the strength of her own resources, and with no help from us.’“ (Barclay)

b. Laodicea was also a noted commercial center, and some of its goods were exported all over the world. “It is frequently noted that Laodicea prided itself on three things: financial wealth, an extensive textile industry, and a popular eye-salve which was exported around the world.” (Mounce)

c. One of their problems was a poor water supply that made Laodicea vulnerable to attack through siege. If an enemy army surrounded the city, they had insufficient water supplies in the city, and the supplies coming into the city could be easily cut off. Therefore, the leaders of Laodicea were always accommodating to any potential enemy, and always wanted to negotiate and compromise instead of fight.

i. Their main water supply came on a six-mile aqueduct from the hot springs of Hierapolis. Because the water came from hot springs, it arrived unappetizingly lukewarm.

d. The church at Laodicea is mentioned by Paul - in a somewhat unfavorable light - in Col_2:1; Col_4:16.

2. (Rev_3:14 b) Jesus describes Himself to the church at Laodicea.

a. These things says the Amen: Jesus is the Amen, the “so be it,” the “it is done.” As 2Co_1:20 says, For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen.” Jesus is “the personification and the affirmation of the truth of God.” (Barclay)

b. Jesus is the Faithful and True Witness, and this is a contrast to the Laodiceans, who will be shown to be neither faithful nor true.

c. Jesus is the beginning of the creation of God. The idea behind the word for beginning [the ancient Greek word arche] is that of a “ruler, source, or origin,” It has the idea of first in prominence more than first in sequence.

Russell: Of the Laodiceans -- Meaning, "a tried or judged people." Meaning "justice for the people."

The church upon whom the hour of trial is coming; the one that is to be weighed in the balance and found wanting; the generation who are to stumble, as did the generation of Jews, who saw the first advent. The description shows that they were tried and found wanting.

To every stage of the church, except the last, the Master has some word of commendation, but in this Laodicean stage he finds nothing to commend.

The Amen -- This is the word so often translated "verily" in the gospels, and used by our Lord as a solemn prefix to some important announcement.

The beginning -- "The only begotten." In every sense having the preeminence over all others.

https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Laodicea.html
The name Laodice stems from deep antiquity and it's difficult to establish what it may have meant to the original name giver.
Henry George Liddell and Robert Scott's A Greek-English Lexicon lists what appears to be a variant or at least a related term: Λαοδικος (laodikos), meaning tried by the people, which would contain almost an oxymoron. The common people didn't do any trying in the legal sense. Magistrates did that. But if the names of gods and demigods could be indicative of their relationship to mankind (they frequently are), Laodice could convey humanity's motivation to standardize codes of conduct, something that eventually led to formal law.

Perhaps Laodice denoted the judicial counterpart of street-wisdom; the common sense of everyday fairness. In that case a personification in the form of a demigoddess named Laodice would govern the social cohesion of a people that follow the precepts of common fairness (which would be represented by the higher-ranking goddess Dike, whose name is identical to our noun δικη, dike). The name Laodicea would therefore mean Place Of People Of Common Fairness.

Revelation 3:15 TPT I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. How I wish you were either one or the other!

Revelation 3:16 TPT But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth.

Guzik: 3. (Rev_3:15-16) What Jesus knows about the church of Laodicea.
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

a. You are neither cold nor hot: This picture of lukewarmness would immediately strike the Christians of Laodicea because the water they drank every day was lukewarm. Jesus says “Just as the water you drink is disgustingly lukewarm, you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot.” In this spiritual sense, lukewarmness is a picture of indifference and compromise. It tries to play the middle, too hot to be cold and too cold to be hot. But in trying to be both things, it ends up being nothing - except to hear the words, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

i. Does Jesus mean to say that these Christians are intrinsically cold, but warmed up by their religious trappings? Or, that they are essentially hot, but cooled down by their apathy and self-reliance? Both are possible, but since He is talking to His church, there is an emphasis on the later.

ii. Has there been a greater curse upon the earth than empty religion? Is there any soul harder to reach than the one who has just enough of Jesus to think they have enough? The church of Laodicea exemplifies empty religion, and tax collectors and harlots were more open to Jesus than the scribes and Pharisees.

iii. Satan will have us any way he can get us, but he prizes a lukewarm religionist far above a cold-hearted sinner.
b. I could wish that you were cold or hot: What Jesus wants to change in us as much as anything is the deceptive playing of the middle, trying to please both the world and Jesus.

i. I could wish that you were cold or hot also points to another aspect of lukewarmness, as a picture of uselessness. “Hot water heals, cold water refreshes, but lukewarm water is useless for either purpose.” (Morris) It’s as if Jesus says, “If you were hot or cold I could do something with you. But because you are neither, I will do nothing.” The lukewarm Christian has enough of Jesus to satisfy a craving for religion, but not enough for eternal life.

ii. The thief on the cross was cold towards Jesus and clearly saw his need. The Apostle John was hot towards Jesus and enjoyed an intimate relationship of love. But Judas was lukewarm, following Jesus enough to be considered a disciple, but not giving his heart over to Jesus in fullness.

iii. Deep down, there is no one more miserable than the lukewarm Christian is. They have too much of the world to be happy in Jesus, but too much of Jesus to be happy in the world.

iv. But how could Jesus say, I could wish that you were cold? We know His deepest desire is that they be hot, with an on-fire love for Him (Rev_3:19, where the word zealous is associated with this same word hot). Yet if they would not be hot, Jesus prefers cold rather than lukewarm. “So the Lord is saying, ‘If instead of being lukewarm, you were so cold that should feel that coldness, then the very feeling of your need might drive you to the true warmth, but now in your lukewarmness, you have just enough to protect yourselves against a feeling of need.’“ (Barnhouse)

Lukewarm:

c. Lukewarm prayers mock God. “O my brethren and sisters, have you ever really thought what an insult it is to God when we come before him with lukewarm prayers? There stands the heavenly mercy-seat; the road to it is sprinkled with the precious blood of Jesus, yet we come to it with hearts that are cold, or we approach it leaving our hearts behind us. We kneel in the attitude of prayer, yet we do not pray. We prattle out certain words, we express thoughts, which are not our real desires, we feign wants that we do not feel. Do we not thus degrade the mercy-seat? We make it, as it were, a common lounging-place, rather than an awful wrestling-place, once besprinkled with blood, and often to be besprinkled with the sweat of our fervent supplication.” (Spurgeon)

d. Lukewarm lives turn people away from Jesus. “Now, lukewarm professor, what do worldlings see in you? They see a man, who says he is going to heaven, but who is only travelling at a snail’s pace. He professes to believe that there is a Second Death (ed) yet he has tearless eyes, and never seeks to snatch souls from going down that road (ed). They see before them one who has to deal with eternal realities, yet he is but half awake; one who professes to have passed through a transformation so mysterious and wonderful that there must be, if it is true, a vast change in the outward life as the result of it; yet they see him as much like themselves as can be. He may be morally consistent in his general behavior, but they see no energy in his religious character.” (Spurgeon)

i. “The careless worldling is lulled to sleep by the lukewarm professor, who, in this respect, acts the part of the syren to the sinner, playing sweet music in his ears, and even helping to lure him to the rocks where he will be destroyed. This is a solemn matter, beloved. In this way, great damage is done to the cause of truth; and God’s name and God’s honor are compromised by inconsistent professors. I pray you either to give up your profession, or to be true to it. If you really are God’s people, then serve him with all your might; but if Baal be your god, then serve him. If the flesh be worth pleasing, then serve the flesh; but if God be Lord paramount, then cleave to him.” (Spurgeon)

f. The name Laodicea means “rule of the people.” This church well represents a church run by majority rule instead of God. “Its name designates it as the Church of mob rule, the democratic Church, in which everything is swayed and decided by popular opinion, clamour and voting.” (Seiss)

i. This is reflected in Jesus’ address to the church: the church of the Laodiceans (Rev_3:14). For the other churches, it was the church of Ephesus (Rev_2:1) or the church in Smyrna (Rev_2:8) or the church in Sardis (Rev_3:1). But here, it is the church of the Laodiceans.

ii. We might even say that lukewarmness is the natural tendency of our fallen natures. “Alas, this state of lukewarmness is so congenial with human nature that it is hard to fetch men from it. Cold makes us shiver, and great heat causes us pain, but a tepid hath is comfort itself. Such a temperature suits human nature. The world is always at peace with a lukewarm church, and such a church is always pleased with itself.” (Spurgeon)

g. In his sermon An Earnest Warning against Lukewarmness, Spurgeon described the lukewarm church:

• They have prayer-meetings, but there are few present, for they like quiet evenings home.
• When more attend the meetings they are still very dull, for they do their praying very deliberately and are afraid of being too excited.
• They are content to have all things done decently and in order, but vigor and zeal are considered to be vulgar.
• They may have schools, Bible-classes, preaching rooms, and all sorts of agencies; but they might as well be without them, for no energy is displayed and no good comes of them.
• They have deacons and elders who are excellent pillars of the church, if the chief quality of pillars be to stand still, and exhibit no motion or emotion.
• The pastor does not fly very far in preaching the everlasting gospel, and he certainly has no flame of fire in his preaching.
• The pastor may be a shining light of eloquence, but he certainly is not a burning light of grace, setting men’s hearts on fire.
• Everything is done in a half-hearted, listless, dead-and-alive way, as if it did not matter much whether it was done or not.
• Things are respectably done, the rich families are not offended, the skeptical party is conciliated, and the good people are not quite alienated: things are made pleasant all around.
• The right things are done, but as to doing them with all your might, and soul, and strength, a Laodicean church has no notion of what that means.
• They are not so cold as to abandon their work, or to give up their meetings for prayer, or to reject the gospel.

“If they did so, then they could be convinced of their error and brought to repentance; but on the other hand they are neither hot for the truth, nor hot for conversions, nor hot for holiness, they are not fiery enough to burn the stubble of sin, nor zealous enough to make Satan angry, nor fervent enough to make a living sacrifice of themselves upon the altar of their God. They are ‘neither cold nor hot.’“ (Spurgeon)
h. I will vomit you out of My mouth: How are churches in the mouth of Jesus?

• They are in His mouth because they spread His Word
• They are in His mouth because He prays for them constantly

What a terrible thing - in either of these ways - to be expelled from the mouth of Jesus

Russell: I know thy works -- The works are greater far than the faith.

Neither cold -- Making no pretense whatever to be exponents of God's truth.

Nor hot -- Full of warm loving devotion to God.

I would thou wert -- Jesus prefers open hostility to half-heartedness. A man who is wishy-washy, who does not know what he is doing does not accomplish much of anything. The Lord likes men to be hot or cold.

Revelation 3:17 TPT For you claim, “I’m rich and getting richer—I don’t need a thing.” Yet you are clueless that you’re miserable, poor, blind, barren, and naked!

(Murdock) Because thou sayest, I am rich and affluent, and have no want of any thing; and thou knowest not, that thou art impotent, and miserable, and needy, and blind, and naked;

Revelation 3:17 KJV 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:

Guzik: 4. (Rev_3:17) What Jesus has against the church of Laodicea.

You say, “I am rich and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” The church at Laodicea lacked a sense spiritual poverty. They looked at their spiritual condition and said “rich.” They looked again and said “wealthy.” They looked a third time and said, “We have need of nothing.” They are the opposite of blessed are the poor in spirit Jesus spoke of in Mat_5:3.

i. The Laodiceans put their trust in material prosperity, in outward luxury, and in physical health. They felt like they didn’t need anything. “The loss of a sense of need, as the drowsiness that besets a freezing man, is fatal.” (Newell)
ii. “The cause of Christ has been hurt more by Sunday-morning bench-warmers who pretend to love Christ, who call Him Lord but do not His commands, than by all the publicans and sinners.” (Havner)

And do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked: It wasn’t that the church at Laodicea wasn’t spiritually poor - they were, they were simply blind to it. Jesus looked at their spiritual condition and said, “wretched.” He looked again and said “miserable.” A third time Jesus looked and said “poor.” He looked again and said “blind.” A final time Jesus looked, and He saw that they were spiritually naked.

i. The city of Laodicea was famous for its wealth, but the Christians of the city were spiritually wretched, miserable, and poor. Laodicea was famous for its healing eye salve, but the Christians of the city were spiritually blind. Laodicea was famous for its fine clothing, but the Christians of the city were spiritually naked.

ii. The contrasts are shocking:

• Between what they think they are and what they really are.
• Between what they see and what Jesus sees.
• Between the wealth and affluence of their city and their own spiritual bankruptcy.

c. You are: This isn’t just the opinion of Jesus. Spiritually speaking, they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. What Jesus sees in them is more important than how they see themselves. The church in Smyrna thought they were poor when they were really rich (Rev_2:9), but the church of the Laodiceans believe they are rich when they are really poor.
i. We might say that it all began with their spiritual blindness. If you are blind, you can’t look at yourself and see that you are wretched, miserable, poor . . . and naked. Mental darkness is worse than a loss of sight; but a loss of spiritual vision is even worse.
ii. “The Laodiceans are typical of the modern world, which revels in that which the natural eye can see but is untouched by the gospel and does not see beyond the veil of the material to the unseen and real eternal spiritual riches.” (Walvoord)

Rich:
Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Luke 12:16-21 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Russell: I am rich -- This is our Lord's charge against the present state of the church, so rich in earthly advantages, so rich in spiritual privileges, so self-satisfied. They look with pride upon their numbers, and count them by millions; Laodiceans look upon their material prosperity, and their numbers of wealthy people and count their money and donations by millions.

The church of this present century has done many wonderful things--through Bible societies they have scattered the Word of God far and wide; but the earnest personal piety of the reformers has almost disappeared.

The mission of The Christ is to preach the gospel to the meek, the poor in spirit.

Need of nothing:

1 Timothy 6:17-18 KJV Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Russell: Have need of nothing -- I have all the truth, …, I need nothing more.

Clueless:

Russell: And knowest not -- "Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, but ye say, Wherein shall we return." (Mal_3:7)

The sickly hue which now appears is the smoke illuminated by the piercing rays from the handwriting "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin." (Dan_5:25-29)

She is not aware of her true condition.

Miserable:

Russell: Thou art wretched -- Her misery and wretchedness is caused by her blindness and unnatural alliance with the world by which she is being overcome.

Poor:

Russell: And poor -- Outwardly, the church is rich; spiritually she is poor. Even though she spends millions annually upon her own literature and institutions.

Lacking the true riches of divine grace, the gold of the divine nature.

"My people perish for lack of knowledge," says the Lord.

Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Blind
Isaiah 56:10 KJV His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Isaiah 42:18-20 KJV Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? 20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Luke 6:39 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Russell: And blind -- "Cannot see afar off." (2Pe_1:9) Cannot see the length and breadth and height and depth of the divine plan.

Stumbling over present truths. A misapprehension of the true riches.

Barren

2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

Matthew 13:22 KJV He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Naked

Garments the Lord gives us:

Matthew 22:11-14 KJV And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Revelation 3:4 KJV 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.

Revelation 6:11 KJV And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Revelation 7:9 KJV After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Galatians 3:27 KJV For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Job 29:14 “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.

Psa 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Naked
2Co 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

Rev_16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Russell:
And naked -- The chief ones have lost faith in the ransom, the only covering of our nakedness which the filthy rags of our own righteousness will not cover. Having scanty garments that scarce hide the shame of their nakedness.

Gill: and naked; sin has stripped man of his moral clothing; man's own righteousness will not cover his nakedness; and whoever is destitute of the righteousness of Christ is a naked person,

Barnes: And naked - Of course, spiritually. Salvation is often represented as a garment Mat_22:11-12; Rev_6:11; Rev_7:9, Rev_7:13-14; and the declaration here is equivalent to saying that they had no religion. They had nothing to cover the nakedness of the soul, and in respect to the real needs of their nature they were like one who had no clothing in reference to cold, and heat, and storms, and to the shame of nakedness. How could such an one be regarded as rich? We may learn from this instructive verse:

Revelation 3:18 TPT So I counsel you to purchase gold perfected by fire, so that you can be truly rich. Purchase a white garment to cover and clothe your shameful Adam-nakedness. Purchase eye salve to be placed over your eyes so that you can truly see.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Zechariah 13:9 KJV And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-8 KJV Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Guzik: 5. (Rev_3:18-20) What Jesus wants the church of Laodicea to do.

I counsel you to buy from Me: The change in the Laodiceans had to begin with understanding their spiritual poverty. As long as we believe we can meet the need for wealth, clothing, or sight ourselves, we can never receive them from Jesus. We must seek these things from Jesus instead of relying on them ourselves.

i. Buy from Me gold refined in the fire: If they will receive from Jesus His riches, His gold - beautifully refined in the fire - then they may be rich.

ii. White garments, that you may be clothed: If they will receive from Jesus the pure, righteous covering He give, then they will be clothed, and no longer will the shame of your nakedness . . . be revealed. The merchants of Laodicea were famous for a glossy black wool they used to make beautiful garments. Jesus says, “I know the beautiful black that the world can clothe you in. But I have white garments, that you may be clothed.”

iii. Anoint your eyes with eye salve: If they will receive from Jesus the healing of their spiritual sight, they will then be able to see.

b. Buy from Me: How can we buy these things from Jesus? We don’t earn them through our good works. Instead, Jesus would say, “All this self-sufficiency must be expended in the labour of getting from Me (Jesus) these absolute necessaries.” (Alford)

Revelation 3:19 TPT All those I dearly love I unmask and train. So repent and be eager to pursue what is right.

c. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: With such a sharp rebuke, has Jesus lost His love for this errant church? Not at all. Jesus’ great love is expressed in His rebuke. “It is, in fact, God’s final punishment to leave a man alone.” (Barclay)

i. The word for love in as many as I love is not agape, but phileo. Jesus’ heart to this church is, “Even though I rebuke you and chasten you, I am still your friend. I love you deeply as My friend.” “Yet upon a church that has sunk so low as Laodicea, the risen Lord still showers His love.” (Barnhouse) “The word here used for ‘love’ is a very choice one; it is one which signifies an intense personal affection.” (Spurgeon)

ii. “We must look through the anger of his correction to the sweetness of his loving countenance; as by a rainbow we see the beautiful image of the sun’s light in the midst of a dark and waterish cloud.” (Trapp)

iii. “God had one Son without corruption, but none without correction.” (Trapp)

iv. Rebuke can also demonstrate a pastor’s love. “How many preachers love their saints enough to risk their resentment by obeying 2Ti_4:2 : reprove, rebuke?” (Newell)

d. Therefore be zealous and repent: He commands them to make a decision to repent, and to continue in zeal. “Turn your way,” Jesus says. “Don’t look to your own riches and resources, because they are really bankrupt. Turn around and look to Me.”

i. The ancient Greek word zealous comes from the same word as hot in Rev_3:16. Though Jesus detests their lukewarmness, He would really have them be hot with zeal rather than cold.

ii. “When you and I shall be stretched upon our dying beds, I think we shall have to regret, above everything else, our coldness of heart. Among the many sins . . . perhaps this will lie the heaviest upon our heart and conscience, ‘I did not live as I ought to have done; I was not as earnest in my Lord’s cause as I should have been.’ Then will our cold sermons, like sheeted ghosts, march before our eyes in dread array. Then will our neglected days start up, each one seeming to wave its hair as though it were one of the seven furies, and to look right into our hearts, and make our very blood curdle in our veins.” (Spurgeon)

iii. We need to make our life following Jesus, not just a hobby or an occasional activity. This goes against the spirit of our age, which was long ago expressed by a famous Englishman when he read a sermon by G.W.E. Russell: “Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade the sphere of private life.” (English statesman William Lamb [1779-1848])
iv. Trapp, on the believer’s repentance: “This is the rainbow, which if God seeth shining in our hearts, he will never drown our souls.”

Revelation 3:20 TPT Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.

e. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: Jesus gives to this lukewarm church The Great Invitation. He knocks at the door, asking entry to come and dine with us, in the sense of sharing warm, intimate time. It only happens as we respond to His knock, but the promise is made to all: If anyone hears my voice.

i. The idea of Jesus at the door applies to the sinner and to the saint just the same. Jesus wants to come in to us, and dine with us, in the sense of having a deep, intimate relationship.

ii. I stand at the door: Sadly, Jesus stands on the outside, knocking to get in. If the church at Philadelphia was “The Church of the Open Door,” then the church at Laodicea is “The Church of the Shut Out Jesus.”

iii. I stand at the door and knock . . . If anyone hears My voice and opens the door: This statement of Jesus expresses a profound mystery. Why does Jesus stand outside the door? Why does He knock? Why does He wait until someone opens the door? Doesn’t He have every right to break down the door, or enter some other way on His own accord? But He doesn’t. The sovereign, omnipotent Jesus has condescended to work out His eternal plan by wooing the cooperation of the human heart.

iv. “The occupant must open the door. That is, he must repent of his pride and self-sufficiency, his human wisdom, and his cowardly neutrality.” (Morris)

v. “Christ stands - waits long, at the door of the sinner’s heart; he knocks - uses judgments, mercies, reproofs, exhortations, to induce sinners to repent and turn to him; he lifts up his voice - calls loudly by his word, ministers, and Spirit.” (Clarke)

vi. Jesus comes to the door as the lover in the Song of Solomon. This is similar to - or perhaps a quotation of - Song of Son_5:2 : It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, ‘open for me, my sister, my love.

v. The key to opening the door is to first hear His voice. When we give attention to what Jesus says, then we can be rescued from our own lukewarmness and enter into a “zealous” relationship with Him.

f. I will come into him: What a glorious promise! If we open the door, He will come in. He won’t ring the bell and run away. He promises to come in, and then to dine with the believer.

i. When Jesus says dine with him, He speaks of a specific meal known as the deipnon. “The deipnon was the main meal of the day and was a leisurely affair, not a hurried snack.” (Morris) This speaks of fellowship. This speaks of a depth to the relationship.

ii. “Supper (deipnon) was the main meal of the day. This was the meal at which a man sat and talked for long, for now there was time, for work was ended . . . it is not a mere courtesy visit, paid in the passing, which Jesus Christ offers to us. He desires to come in and to sit long with us, and to wait as long as we wish him to wait.” (Barclay)

iii. This is where Jesus wants us, in the place of fellowship with Him. Everything He said to the Laodicean church up to this point must be seen in light of this loving desire for fellowship. “Rebuke and chastisement are no signs of rejection from Christ, but of His abiding and pleading love, even to the lukewarm and careless.” (Alford)

g. If anyone: Notice that Jesus gives the call to individuals. He didn’t say, “If any church,” but if anyone. “We must not talk about setting the church right, we must pray for grace each one for himself, for the text does not say, ‘If the church will open the door,’ but ‘If any man hear my voice and open the door.’ It must be done by individuals: the church will only get right by each man getting right.” (Spurgeon)

Revelation 3:21 TPT And to the one who conquers I will give the privilege of sitting with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

6. (Rev_3:21) A promise of reward.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

a. To him who overcomes: Jesus’ promise to the overcomer, even at Laodicea, shows that we don’t have to be Christians who are compromising and lukewarm. If we are, we can change and become one of Jesus’ overcomers.

b. I will grant to sit with Me on My throne: Those who overcome the battle against indifference, compromise, and self-reliance, receive a special reward. They enjoy a place with the enthroned Jesus (as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne).

i. “This is the worst of the seven Churches, and yet the most eminent of all the promises are made to it, showing that the worst may repent, finally conquer, and attain even to the highest state of glory.” (Clarke)
ii. “Jesus has conquered, and is set down with the FATHER on the Father’s throne; he who conquers through Christ sits down with Christ upon his throne: but Christ’s throne and the throne of the Father is the same; and it is on this same throne that those who are faithful unto death are finally to sit! How astonishing is this state of exaltation! The dignity and grandeur of it who can conceive?” (Clarke)

Russell: That overcometh -- If we would reign with Christ, we must prove our worthiness by tests of loyalty to God, faith in his Word, zeal for the truth, of patient endurance, of reproach and persecution, even unto death. Those who willingly endure tribulations for righteousness' sake.

Not all believers, nor even the majority; but a Little Flock.

"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

To sit with me -- There can be no Kingdom until the King comes. All the Church will be associated with him in his great Messianic Kingdom. To share his Kingdom honors and glorious work of uplifting humanity. As kings and priests unto God.

In my throne -- Christ reigns for the purpose of converting the world. The spiritual heavenly Kingdom inherited by Jesus and shared by his Bride.

Even as I also -- "As the Father hath appointed unto me a kingdom, so I appoint also unto you a kingdom." (Luk_22:29)

Revelation 3:22 TPT The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to the churches.

7. (Rev_3:22) A general exhortation to all who will hear.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

a. He who has an ear, let him hear: Few want to identify themselves with the church of Laodicea. We would much rather identify ourselves with the church at Philadelphia.

b. Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: We must hear what the Holy Spirit says here, because He speaks to the churches - including us. May God deliver us from the self-reliant, compromising lukewarmness that marked the church of the Laodiceans!

Russell: He that hath an ear -- A disposition to hearken to and heed the word of the Lord. The ear of faith is the special favor of God to those of a meek, honest heart, desiring truth and righteousness. Only a few, a Little Flock, can see the truth amid the surrounding darkness.