Lesson 6 Jesus Christ’s letter to the churches in Sardis and Philadelphia (Rev 3:1-13)
Jesus’ Letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)
Sardis means “red one or red stone” – a feeble church.
Characteristics of Jesus
v 1a
1) He has the seven spirits of God
2) He has the seven stars
The seven spirits refer to the Person of the Holy Spirit in His fulness (Eph 4:4; Rev 1:4). The seven-fold Spirit of God is pictured as seven burning lamps (Rev 4:5) and as seven all-seeing eyes (Rev 5:6).
Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit during His earthly ministry (Lk 4:1).
So were the early disciples, Paul of Tarsus, Barnabas of Antioch and Stephen before he was martyred (Acts 2:4; 4:13; 9:17; 11:24; 7:55).
Likewise, Christians are commanded to be filled with the fulness of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph 3:19; 5:18).
The church in Sardis needs the fullness of the Holy Spirit to have spiritual life.
Jesus has all authority over the world and over all the churches (Matt 28:18; Rev 1:16, 20; 2:1).
Commendation by Jesus
v4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
There is little praise for a few Christians in the church of Sardis who
– have not been corrupted by the pagan teachings and practices in the city of Sardis
– for these few worthy Christians put on the robes of the righteousness of Christ
These few faithful Christians can be the catalyst for those who are defiled with moral depravity and worldliness to be revived from spiritual deadness.
Complaint by Jesus
v1b “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
This is a warning how a church of people moved by God becomes a monument:
Spiritual ministries go through 4 stages:
A man > A movement > A machine > A monument (Dr Vance Havner)
The church in Sardis has become a monument with a few obedient Christians.
Counsel by Jesus
v2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of My God.
v3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Did the church heed Jesus’ counsel?
Yes. The church in Sardis was institutionalized in the Christian Byzantine era (4th to 11th Century). Islamic conquest from 11th century onwards reduced the Christians’ presence to zero in today’s Sart.
Christians cannot reform themselves with rigid religious training. Their works of saving faith (not works to merit salvation) for the Lord Jesus Christ is complete (not up to God’s standard).
All is not lost.
The Head of the Church has all authority and power to help those who are spiritually lethargic.
Jesus commands them to
1) Wake up
2) Strengthen what remains and is about to die
3) Remember the teaching of the Gospel and of Jesus
4) Keep (obey) the teaching
5) Repent of their defilement of the mind and body.
Only the Spirit of God can refresh, renew and strengthen whatever remains and is about to die. It is for all Christians to be repent and be filled with the fulness of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Since they are spiritually lethargic and in spiritual slumber, they are warned that Jesus will return when they least expected – like a thief in the night, without warning. Unbelievers are expected to be asleep as they are not spiritually alive. Christians have no excuse to to expect Jesus to come speedily (Cf 1 Thess 5:7)
Promise of Jesus
5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot His name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
God’s “Book of the Living” contains all the people who ever lived – wicked and righteous (Exod 32:32; Ps 69:28). Those who are judged as wicked will be blotted out of “the Book of the Living.” For all who are saved, those who are elect, God has written their names in “the Book of Life of the Lamb” before the foundation of the world (Dan 12:1; Rev 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27). God has books that record all the deeds of the lost (Rev 20:12).
Jesus will give His public praise before God the Father and all the angels.
This motivation is similar to His teaching to His disciples:
“So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32). This has to do with rewards and acknowledge for works of God’s servant rather than salvation (based on works).
“Is we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Tim 2:13). This “faithlessness” is the lack of trust and obedience of the Christan is saved by grace. It is different from “the faithless” in Revelation 21:8 of unbelievers.
Hear the Holy Spirit
v6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
(Rev 3:1-6 ESV)
Jesus’ Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)
Philadelphia means “love for the brethren” – a faithful church.
Characteristics of Jesus
v7. 1) The Holy One 2) The True One
– He has the key of David,
a. who opens and no one will shut
b. who shuts and no one opens.
The Holy One (of Israel) refers to the LORD (YHWH) in Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Holy One refers to Jesus Christ.
During the great Tribulation, the martyred saints cry out to Jesus when He opened the fifth seal. They called out to Him “the Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on the earth dwellers? (Rev 6:10)
The True One – He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Commendation by Jesus
v8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name.
v9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie–behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.
This “open door” is the window of opportunity for evangelism, to do ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:9: 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3).
Jesus’ reward for the Christians’ obedience to His Word is the crown (reward) for steadfast perseverance (cf 2 Jn 8). The crown for evangelism is the crown of rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19). The incorruptible crown is for those who hold fast to the Word of life and win finish the race of faith (1 Cor 9:25-27). The crown of righteousness is for those who love His appearing (2 Tim 4:8).
“I am coming soon” must the prime motivation for every Christian to keep and hold fast to God’s Word with patience endurance and do evangelism while there is an open door.
Complaint by Jesus
None
Counsel by Jesus
v11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
Jesus only counsel is for the church to hold fast with what she has – obedience to His Word and loyalty to Him.
Did the church heed Jesus’ counsel?
Yes. The church faces Roman persecution and Jewish antagonism. Then it became institutionalized as a Byzantine bishopric. From the 14th century, Islamic and Ottoman conquests irradicated Christian presence in today’s Alasehir.
Promise of Jesus
v10 Because you have kept My Word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
v12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from My God out of heaven, and My own new Name.
5 promises are given
1. Christians are true followers of God – not the Jews who rejected Jesus
2. Christians are the Body and Bride of Christ – Jesus will keep the Church out of “the hour of trial” (the great Tribulation)
3. He will come quickly (Rev 3:11, cf 1:1, 7; 2:16; 22:7, 12, 20: 2 Pet 3:8).
4. He will give the overcomer great honor in heaven
5. He will identify Himself intimately with His faithful ones: My God (4X) and My own new Name.
Hear the Holy Spirit
v13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
(Rev 3:7-13 ESV)
