Revelation 3, Part One

The church in Sardis (3:1-6)—Sardis was the capital of the region of Lydia and located about 60 miles northeast of Smyrna. It was famous for its immense wealth, at least in very ancient times. The kings of Lydia (before Rome) dwelt there, including Croesus. It was a very fertile area, and the dyeing of wool is said to have been invented there. At one time is was also a significant commercial center, but that appears to have diminished by New Testament times.

The author (v. 1)—“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.” The ancient Jews believed there were seven angels around the throne of God, serving Him—seven, of course, being the perfect number. The seven stars, as we have already seen (1:20), represent the angels of the churches. In effect, Jesus is in control in both heaven and earth and has the perfect number of angelic assistants to accomplish His will.

The good (v. 4)—Very little here. There were a few people in Sardis who had “not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Other than that, the Lord has nothing good to say about this congregation.

The bad (v. 2)—“You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” This isn’t explained, so we can only speculate as to its meaning. Possibly the church was well known in the Christian brotherhood and was believed to be an active, dynamic, faithful congregation. And perhaps at one time they were. But they were dying (v. 2), and their works were not “perfect before God.” The Lord counsels them to remember “how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” If they did not, the Lord would come upon them “as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (v. 3). This church reminds me somewhat of a big city liberal congregation who has a great name among certain elements of the brotherhood, but in God’s eyes, has left the faith because of their failure to “hold fast” to His word. A name that lives, but the church is dead.

The blessing (v. 5)—“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” “White” symbolizes purity and holiness. Also cleansing, which implies the same thing. Those who overcome will be forgiven and clothed with eternal holiness.

The church in Philadelphia (vs. 7-13)—Philadelphia was about 25 miles southeast of Sardis, in the foothills of some mountains. It was in a region subject to constant earthquakes, which rendered even the town walls unsafe. The expense of repairing the damage was high and costly, hence perhaps the source of the poverty of the church. It was founded by Greeks, surrounded by Turks, and controlled by Romans. Such a combination made it difficult for a church to maintain its strength and purity, but the brethren at Philadelphia had done so.

The author (v. 7)—“He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens." The “key of David” probably has reference to entrance into the kingdom. Jesus sets the conditions for entrance, and only He has the authority to do so.

The good (vs. 8-10)—This was apparently a small, poor church—they had “little strength” (v. 8)—but they had “kept My word, and have not denied My name” (v. 8). There seems to have been a persecuting group of Jews in the city—a “synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie” (v. 9). The Lord would give the saints in Philadelphia victory over this false rabble. God will use the faithful: “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” (v. 8). And because of their devotion to Him, “I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (v. 10). This again is an indication of the closeness (in time) of the persecution of the saints. The “whole world” means the Roman empire, which was the “whole world” to those who lived in it. Jesus encourages the brethren to “hold fast what you have” (v. 11).

The blessing (v. 12)—“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” We will dwell, unmovable, in the eternal temple of God, never to leave it. And we will belong to Him—have His written upon us.