Podcast Episode 15 (Condensed)
We’re back again with another study in the book of Revelation. This time, we’re diving into Revelation 3. If you haven’t already, make sure to read my previous blog post on Revelation 2. Click here to listen to the podcast of Revelation 2 instead. I will be paraphrasing and quoting directly within the chapter. So, I encourage you to read the entire chapter prior to continuing this blog unless you’d prefer to study it as discuss it. To listen to Revelation 3 podcast instead, click here.
As you recall, John has been banished to Patmos for “preaching the Word of God and his testimony about Jesus” (Rev 1:9). God has instructed John to write a letter to the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) as indicated in Rev 1:11). In Revelation 2, we learned what the letters of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira were about. Today, we’ll learn about the letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
#5 Letter to the Church of Sardis
The fifth letter is to the church of Sardis. Jesus is referred to in Rev 3:1 as “the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars”. As described in Rev 1:20, the 7 stars = angels (messengers). The stars could represent the angels using it as a guide (just a thought).
What God acknowledges about the church of Sardis
First, Jesus acknowledges the church of Sardis have a reputation for being alive (but are dead). That is not good.
What did the church of Sardis do wrong?
God is telling them to basically wake up. They are spiritually dead. Verse 3:2 NLT says, “Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.” Sadly, their “actions don’t meet the requirement of God” (Rev 3:2). John warns them to go back to their first love; what they first believed. They need to reignite their fire for Jesus again. Right now, their fire has almost sizzled out.
Relatable/Relevant Today?
Today, many people have turned away from their first love (God). When they originally got saved, they were on fire, full of life, bold, and joyful in the Lord. Now, they don’t even enjoy being in the presence of the Lord nor do they desire it. They don’t care if the Holy Spirit shows up in the church service—they’ll continue the service without inviting the Holy Spirit in. They don’t believe as they used to.
Maybe they’re a casual Christian, casual church-goer, comfortable lukewarm, or complacent backslider. None of that is good. Hebrews 2:1 NLT says, “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” This is pretty much how the church of Sardis has done. They have drifted away.
Why does this happen? Well, sometimes, sin creeps in. Complacency becomes a norm. That fire burns out due to laziness in the spirit. Matthew 24:12 says NLT, “Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of God of many will grow cold.” Don’t let your love for God, desire for intimacy with Him, or your relationship with the Lord grow cold. Don’t be spiritually dead. If someone is the leader or pastor of a spiritually dead church, that’s dangerous. That means, they don’t host the Holy Spirit. They just go on with the service without allowing the Holy Spirit to take over.
The Holy Spirit does not dwell in a spiritually dead church or person. No matter what, don’t drift away from the Word. James 4:8 NLT says, “Draw near to God, He will draw near to you.” Romans 8:16 NLT says, “For the mindset on the flesh is death, but the mindset on the spirit is life and peace.” Don’t allow your mind to become dead.
Call to Repentance
Go back to what you heard about Christ and believed (original faith/fire for God). Hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to God again. If not, He will come suddenly as an unexpected thief in the night (Rev 16:15 & 1 Thessalonians 5:2).
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
But for the overcomers, Jesus says in Rev. 3:4-6 NLT, “They will walk with Jesus in white, for they are worthy. The worthy ones have not soiled their clothes with evil. They have not become spiritually dead. Verse 5 says, “All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.” White represents purity, holiness, and cleanliness. Glory to God! What a wonderful reward. How encouraging for the steadfast believers and faithful ones. So, if your love for God has grown cold and your fire for God has burned out, wake up now. Don’t delay! Return to your faith again. Return to the narrow path. Don’t get comfortable. Don’t get complacent in your walk with God. Desire more each day. Draw near to God again and your reward will be heavenly and everlasting.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
#6 Letter to the Church of Philadelphia
The sixth letter is to the church of Philadelphia. Jesus is referred to in Rev 3:7 as “the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open”.
What God acknowledges about the church of Philadelphia
First, Jesus acknowledges through John that He has opened a door that no one can close for them (Rev. 3:8). Even though they’ve had a small amount of strength, they’ve remained obedient and did not deny Him (Rev. 3:8) That is great!
What did the Church of Philadelphia do wrong?
The church of Philadelphia did nothing wrong in the eyes of God.
Relatable/Relevant Today?
God is very pleased with His people who keeps the faith and stay obedient, diligent, and full of zeal. Many of us are like the church of Philadelphia. We’ve stayed in alignment with God despite the devil sending attacks. We’ve held onto the little strength we’ve had. God has opened doors for many of us that no man can shut. It is still up to us to remain steadfast in God. We still have to hold tightly to what we have (our faith, belief, trust in God, and endurance). When we do this, God will do a new thing in our life.
Isaiah 43:19 NLT says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Praise God for the new thing that God will do for His faithful people. We too can become pillars, have a place in the new city, and receive a new name through Christ. Galatians 6:9 NLT says, “Let’s not get tired of doing good, at just the right time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.” New thing = harvest.
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
God will force those who belong to Satan (liars) to come/bow down at their feet. They will acknowledge that Jesus loves them (Rev. 3:9). Now, that is how God will make our enemies their footstool (Psalm 110:1). We don’t have to fight our enemies. God will vindicate us (Psalm 37:6). Because we obeyed God’s command to persevere, He will protect us from the great time of testing that is coming to the world (Rev 3:10).
Jesus is coming back again and very soon. Just like God spoke to John to tell the church of Philadelphia this, it is our message as well. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown (your glory/zeal for God). Revelation 3:12 NLT states, “All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.” Glory to His mighty name. Whatever you do for your remaining time on earth, don’t give up. Persevere through the race of life. God will do a new thing, if you hold onto your faith.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
#7 Letter to the Church of Laodicea
The seventh and final letter is to the church of Laodicea. Jesus is referred to in Rev 3:14 as “the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation”.
What God acknowledges about the church of Laodicea
Jesus acknowledges nothing good about the church of Laodicea. That is terrible. No way around it.
What did the Church of Laodicea do wrong?
In Rev 3:15-18 NLT, Jesus mentions through John that they are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked”. These people are lukewarm Christians. They are deceived to the fact that they’re wretched and miserable. The reference to “blind and naked” symbolizes the fall of man with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:10). When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they hid from God. They realized they were naked and had been deceived.
Relatable/Relevant Today?
Many Christians today are very lukewarm. They won’t pick a side (live for God or live for Satan/the world). Lukewarm Christians think it is ok to live in sin and still go to church on Sundays without a desire to change. Lukewarm Christians have one foot in the kingdom of God and the other foot in the world on Satan’s playground. They still desire to look and act like people of the world. They don’t want to get serious about God right now or ever (sadly, for some). Some may even sow into the church and serve at the church, but they still curse, club, get drunk, gossip, fornicate, and everything else that displeases God. Many even want God to affirm their lifestyle of sin while still claiming to be true believers of God. When they’re corrected, their defense mechanism is “Nobody can judge me but God” or “He who is without sin cast the first stone” John 8:7. John 8:7 scripture has been used out of context for decades—even centuries to justify sinful lifestyles and conscious acts of sin.
1 John 2:15-16 NLT tells us “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”
Although there are many tempting, sinful things in the world, don’t fall for it. It’s hard, but with God, nothing is impossible. 1 John 3:10 talks about how it is evident who are real children of God and who are children of the devil. Don’t call yourself a child of God if you have no desire to change or align with God. I know that previous sentence came off harsh, but I’m only speaking the truth in love. Everyone who calls themselves a child of God doesn’t live like one.
Our fruit (lifestyle/actions) must speak for it. Clearly, the people of Laodicea were torn between the two. What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? The answer to Mark 8:36 is nothing. 2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT says, Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” Choose now who to serve: God or the world/Satan. We must be salt of the earth as Matthew 5:13 states. Whoever is not with God is against God (Matthew 12:30). Period.
Call to Repentance
God speaks through John and advises the people of Laodicea (and any of us who are lukewarm) in Rev. 3:18-19 NLT to, “So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Make a choice today. There is hope for any of us who may be in a season of being lukewarm. Trust me, I’ve been there. If you read my old blog on “The Dangers of Being a Lukewarm Christian”, I share my truth and testimony of being a lukewarm Christian for several years. For a long time, I couldn’t choose between being hot or cold. I encourage you to read it here. It will bless you.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Anyone that hears His voice and opens the door will come in and they will share a meal together as friends. Despite how some scholars beg to differ about Rev 3:20, it is a call to salvation. It is a call to repentance. As I type these words, I feel the Holy Spirit. God is calling someone to repent that is reading this. Surrender to God now. Don’t wait until tomorrow, next week, next year, or until you’ve cleaned yourself up. God will cleanse you. When I came to Christ for real, I was a wreck. Full of sin. But Jesus was knocking on the door of my heart. I felt the tug. And I answered the call. That is why I am here today. That is why Wytinsea Writes and Wytinsea Speaks exist today.
For every overcomer, God says in Rev 3:21 NLT, “Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”
Encouragement for Now/Future Reward
For every overcomer, God says in Rev 3:21 NLT, “Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.” There is a wonderful reward in heaven if we surrender. If we line up with Word of God (that requires us to read the bible to know how we’re instructed to live). We can’t have a spirit of compromise with the world and live eternally with God. Jesus loves us enough to call us out on our mess. In doing so, He is standing with arms wide open to receive us. If only we’d repent and turn to God, we would see just how much freedom we have in living for Him. We’re not bound. We’re free. Do you want to be free today from the chains of the wicked world? Ask God to come into your heart and change you. Don’t’ be like the church of Laodicea. You can start fresh today.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope that you are enlightened and encouraged. Jesus is soon to return, and we must be ready. For an audio version, click here to listen to the podcast episode. We’ll be back next month with a study on Revelation 4. See you then!