CHRIS' COMMENTARY NOTES FOR REVELATION CHAPTER 3
Revelation 2-3. The Churches Intro.
Notes on Revelation 3:1-6.
Revelation 3. The Churches. (see notes above titled, “Revelation 2-3. The Churches”).
Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis.
The Church of Sardis was one of the “bad” Churches. It also represents the time period known as the “Lifeless Church” or the Holy Roman Empire. This would be the 800-1517 AD epoch. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
"Sardis was the chief city of Lydia... capital of Lydia under Croesus. Sardis was famous for arts and crafts, and was the first center to mint gold and silver coinage. So wealthy were the Lydian kings, that became a legend for riches...[and also] pride and presumptuous arrogance, when his attack on Persia led to the fall of Sardis and the eclipse of his kingdom." Two famous surprise attacks (one by Cyrus and the Persians, one by the Romans) "may have provided the imagery for John's warning in Revelation 3:3. The great earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined Sardis physically and financially. The Romans contributed" a lot of money to heal the city, "an indication of the damage done, but the city never recovered" (Source 1, p. 698).
Revelation 3:1. This is Jesus’ description of Himself (“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars") for Sardis, which he complete at the end of this section (see “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more).
3:1. He who has. Interestingly the key to this verse (and ultimately to fully understanding the fulfillment at the end of this section) is in the little word “has”! Here “He” is of course Jesus who is One with the “Seven Spirits” of God and who controls the seven angels (“seven stars”). Notice He doesn’t say He controls the seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is His own Person of the Trinity. The Greek word Jesus uses for “has” contains two meanings – both applicable here! “Has” in the Greek is echo (G2192) and means “to own or possess” and also “to hold” (Source 2).
The first is applicable to His relationship to the Holy Spirit: “to have i.e. own, possess” more specifically “used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage…or companionship” (Source 2). This is the Trinity portion of Jesus’ meaning – He is a communal God, a God of fellowship with Himself and with His human creations.
The second is Jesus’ loving hand controlling the seven angels in charge of the seven Churches. It can be defined as “to have (hold) in the hand” or “to hold fast” or “to keep” (Source 2).
So Jesus in essence “has” and is in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and “has” and holds the angels.
Seven Spirits. See Is. 11:2, Rev. 1:4 (and the note there titled, “Seven Spirits”).
Seven stars. The “seven stars” are the “angels of the seven churches” (according to Rev. 1:20).
You have a name that you are alive. By outward appearance and the buzz around Asia Minor was that Sardis was like the good Churches.
But you are dead. Like the religious elite of Jesus’ day. They were white washed tombs (Matthew 23:27). Outwardly shining and beautiful representation of religion but inwardly stinking dead men’s bones.
Revelation 3:2-3. This is in reference to the end of the Great Tribulation, as seen in Rev. 16:15.
3:2. Be watchful. As mentioned in the notes titled, “Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis” the city of Sardis had fallen twice not due to mighty armies but because they became over-confident and weren’t watchful. In the same way the Christians there had became over-confident and lackadaisical in their faith (Source 3).
And strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. Guzik says, “though the spiritual condition of the church of Sardis was bad, it wasn't hopeless” (Source 3).
Your works perfect before God. No one can be perfect on their own, in fact if we mess up on one little part of the law and break it then we are guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10). So it must be “the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:22). We are wrapped in the white robes of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for our sins, and as such we can kneel before the Father being perfect as He is perfect (we see this in the OT, for example Psalm 138:8; in the NT in Matthew 5:48, for example).
3:3. Upon you as a thief. This is being caught away to the battle of Armageddon, as seen in Rev. 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 2 Peter 3:10. MacArthur agrees and says this isn’t talking about Jesus’ Second Coming but this references “His sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant, dead church to inflict harm and destruction” (Source 4, p. 1996).
3:4. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. Guzik says, “Even among the dead Christians in Sardis, there is a faithful remnant. But there were only a few names. In Pergamos (Revelation 2:14) and in Thyatira (Revelation 2:20) there were a few bad among the good. But in Sardis there are a few good among the bad” (Source 3). Faussett ties these “names” to being in the “Book of Life” (Rev. 3:5) who are “known by name by the Lord as His own. These had the reality corresponding to their name” (Source 5).
3:5. Clothed in white garments. White is a symbol of purity. In Matthew 17:2 we read about the Transfiguration of Jesus and it says that his clothes became white.
I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life. See note on Rev. 20:12 titled, “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” for more. We are quick to talk about the implication that there will be some who are blotted out of the Book of Life but we need to give what this is saying preeminence. What a great thing to have overcome tribulations and to be confessed by Jesus!
So the implication is that people can be blotted out of the Book of Life. The more theatrical might say, “so a Christian can lose his salvation”, but salvation is not like your car keys. You don’t “lose” it, you forfeit it. So yes, some who know the truth having been considered Christians will chose to live a sinful life and die in resistance to God. But what is the “Book of Life”? In ancient cities there was a register of all citizens, when a person died they were erased from the record (Source 1). The Book of Records is mentioned in Daniel 12:1 and Malachi 3:16. Revelation 21:27 says Heaven can only be inhabited by those written in the “Book of Life.” Faussett makes a really interesting point even though I take the middle road when it comes to Arminianism and Calvinism: In the sense of the "call," many are enrolled among the called to salvation, who shall not be found among the chosen at last. The pale of salvation is wider than that of election. Election is fixed. Salvation is open to all and is pending (humanly speaking) in the case of those mentioned here. But Rev. 20:15; Rev. 21:27, exhibit the book of the elect alone in the narrower sense, after the erasure of the others” (Source 5).
Before My Father. I believe that this is the fulfillment of Jesus' description of Himself from Rev. 3:1 (See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more). Here we see the completion of a transaction. As John Brown says of the seven Spirits of God and the seven angels, "One thing we do know for sure is that this is speaking of the fullness of God's Holy Spirit!” (Source 6). Knowing that God is Triune we see that Jesus is One with the completion of the Holy Spirit and it is only Jesus we can proclaim a person’s perfection before the Father. Jesus' point here is that the Three in One will declare admittance into heaven and therefore completion of a believer but the hypocrite has not been found faithful, will not have "white garments", has not accepted Jesus' atoning work, has been removed from the "Book of Life", and therefore will not be complete and will be sent to hell.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2192&t=KJV .
Source 3: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 4: John MacArthur, The John MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 5: Jamieson, Faussett & Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_003.cfm?a=1170001
Source 6: John Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/brown_john/Rev/Chap_03a.cfm?a=1170001 .
Revelation 3. The Churches. (see notes above titled, “Revelation 2-3. The Churches”).
Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis.
The Church of Sardis was one of the “bad” Churches. It also represents the time period known as the “Lifeless Church” or the Holy Roman Empire. This would be the 800-1517 AD epoch. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
"Sardis was the chief city of Lydia... capital of Lydia under Croesus. Sardis was famous for arts and crafts, and was the first center to mint gold and silver coinage. So wealthy were the Lydian kings, that became a legend for riches...[and also] pride and presumptuous arrogance, when his attack on Persia led to the fall of Sardis and the eclipse of his kingdom." Two famous surprise attacks (one by Cyrus and the Persians, one by the Romans) "may have provided the imagery for John's warning in Revelation 3:3. The great earthquake of A.D. 17 ruined Sardis physically and financially. The Romans contributed" a lot of money to heal the city, "an indication of the damage done, but the city never recovered" (Source 1, p. 698).
Revelation 3:1. This is Jesus’ description of Himself (“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars") for Sardis, which he complete at the end of this section (see “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more).
3:1. He who has. Interestingly the key to this verse (and ultimately to fully understanding the fulfillment at the end of this section) is in the little word “has”! Here “He” is of course Jesus who is One with the “Seven Spirits” of God and who controls the seven angels (“seven stars”). Notice He doesn’t say He controls the seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is His own Person of the Trinity. The Greek word Jesus uses for “has” contains two meanings – both applicable here! “Has” in the Greek is echo (G2192) and means “to own or possess” and also “to hold” (Source 2).
The first is applicable to His relationship to the Holy Spirit: “to have i.e. own, possess” more specifically “used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage…or companionship” (Source 2). This is the Trinity portion of Jesus’ meaning – He is a communal God, a God of fellowship with Himself and with His human creations.
The second is Jesus’ loving hand controlling the seven angels in charge of the seven Churches. It can be defined as “to have (hold) in the hand” or “to hold fast” or “to keep” (Source 2).
So Jesus in essence “has” and is in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and “has” and holds the angels.
Seven Spirits. See Is. 11:2, Rev. 1:4 (and the note there titled, “Seven Spirits”).
Seven stars. The “seven stars” are the “angels of the seven churches” (according to Rev. 1:20).
You have a name that you are alive. By outward appearance and the buzz around Asia Minor was that Sardis was like the good Churches.
But you are dead. Like the religious elite of Jesus’ day. They were white washed tombs (Matthew 23:27). Outwardly shining and beautiful representation of religion but inwardly stinking dead men’s bones.
Revelation 3:2-3. This is in reference to the end of the Great Tribulation, as seen in Rev. 16:15.
3:2. Be watchful. As mentioned in the notes titled, “Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis” the city of Sardis had fallen twice not due to mighty armies but because they became over-confident and weren’t watchful. In the same way the Christians there had became over-confident and lackadaisical in their faith (Source 3).
And strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. Guzik says, “though the spiritual condition of the church of Sardis was bad, it wasn't hopeless” (Source 3).
Your works perfect before God. No one can be perfect on their own, in fact if we mess up on one little part of the law and break it then we are guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10). So it must be “the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:22). We are wrapped in the white robes of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for our sins, and as such we can kneel before the Father being perfect as He is perfect (we see this in the OT, for example Psalm 138:8; in the NT in Matthew 5:48, for example).
3:3. Upon you as a thief. This is being caught away to the battle of Armageddon, as seen in Rev. 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 2 Peter 3:10. MacArthur agrees and says this isn’t talking about Jesus’ Second Coming but this references “His sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant, dead church to inflict harm and destruction” (Source 4, p. 1996).
3:4. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. Guzik says, “Even among the dead Christians in Sardis, there is a faithful remnant. But there were only a few names. In Pergamos (Revelation 2:14) and in Thyatira (Revelation 2:20) there were a few bad among the good. But in Sardis there are a few good among the bad” (Source 3). Faussett ties these “names” to being in the “Book of Life” (Rev. 3:5) who are “known by name by the Lord as His own. These had the reality corresponding to their name” (Source 5).
3:5. Clothed in white garments. White is a symbol of purity. In Matthew 17:2 we read about the Transfiguration of Jesus and it says that his clothes became white.
I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life. See note on Rev. 20:12 titled, “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” for more. We are quick to talk about the implication that there will be some who are blotted out of the Book of Life but we need to give what this is saying preeminence. What a great thing to have overcome tribulations and to be confessed by Jesus!
So the implication is that people can be blotted out of the Book of Life. The more theatrical might say, “so a Christian can lose his salvation”, but salvation is not like your car keys. You don’t “lose” it, you forfeit it. So yes, some who know the truth having been considered Christians will chose to live a sinful life and die in resistance to God. But what is the “Book of Life”? In ancient cities there was a register of all citizens, when a person died they were erased from the record (Source 1). The Book of Records is mentioned in Daniel 12:1 and Malachi 3:16. Revelation 21:27 says Heaven can only be inhabited by those written in the “Book of Life.” Faussett makes a really interesting point even though I take the middle road when it comes to Arminianism and Calvinism: In the sense of the "call," many are enrolled among the called to salvation, who shall not be found among the chosen at last. The pale of salvation is wider than that of election. Election is fixed. Salvation is open to all and is pending (humanly speaking) in the case of those mentioned here. But Rev. 20:15; Rev. 21:27, exhibit the book of the elect alone in the narrower sense, after the erasure of the others” (Source 5).
Before My Father. I believe that this is the fulfillment of Jesus' description of Himself from Rev. 3:1 (See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more). Here we see the completion of a transaction. As John Brown says of the seven Spirits of God and the seven angels, "One thing we do know for sure is that this is speaking of the fullness of God's Holy Spirit!” (Source 6). Knowing that God is Triune we see that Jesus is One with the completion of the Holy Spirit and it is only Jesus we can proclaim a person’s perfection before the Father. Jesus' point here is that the Three in One will declare admittance into heaven and therefore completion of a believer but the hypocrite has not been found faithful, will not have "white garments", has not accepted Jesus' atoning work, has been removed from the "Book of Life", and therefore will not be complete and will be sent to hell.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2192&t=KJV .
Source 3: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 4: John MacArthur, The John MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 5: Jamieson, Faussett & Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_003.cfm?a=1170001
Source 6: John Brown, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/brown_john/Rev/Chap_03a.cfm?a=1170001 .
Notes on Revelation 2:7-13.
Revelation 3. Philadelphia.
The Church of Philadelphia was one of the “very good” Churches. It is known as the “Missionary Church” and prophetically would be in the time period from around 1517 AD until present. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
"Philadelphia was a Lydian city founded by Attalus Philadelphus (159-138 BC). The king was so named from his devotion to his brother Eumenes, and the city perpetuated his title... It is on a broad, low, easily defended hill, which explains Philadelphia's long stand against the Turks. The district is a disastrously seismic, and the great earthquake of AD 17 ruined it completely [as it did Sardis, see note "Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis”]. Placed right above the faults, Philadelphia was tormented by 20 years of recurrent quakes after the disaster of 17. Hence, says Ramsay, is derived the imagery of Revelation 3:12 ('a pillar,' 'go no more out,' 'a new name'). The new name is certainly a reference to the proposal to rename the city Neocaesarea in gratitude for Tiberius' generous earthquake relief... A Christian witness, in spite of Muslim invasion and pressure, was maintained in Philadelphia through medieval and into modern times" (Source 1, pp. 698-699).
3:7. Key of David. This is part of Jesus’ description of Himself (which we’ll talk about in a minute). Guzik says this “shows He is also the keeper of the keys and doors. In this quotation from Isaiah 22:20-23, Jesus expresses His power and authority, especially to admit and exclude” (Source 2).
Getting back to Jesus’ description of Himself: There is much symbolism with David, who is both the father of Jesus (genealogy-wise) and His son (spiritually). I believe this ties to the last part of the chapter mentioning the “New Jerusalem.” Secular scholars say that recent excavations “in the City of David, today the village of Silwan, just south of the Old City walls” are possibly “the foundation of the Jebusite stronghold, captured and subsequently expanded by David” (Source 4). This is big consolation since there has been some question among secular historians. So it appears that the tie to Isaiah 22:21 (which interestingly says, “He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem”) is important for Jesus to fulfill ushering in the “New Jerusalem.” Philadelphia’s fulfillment is in Rev. 3:12. See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
3:8. An open door. This is a picture of the rapture (giving further proof that the Church of Philadelphia is a picture of the “Missionary Church” that ends with the rapture. Why is the door a picture of the rapture? Because it is access to heaven. In Ezekiel 46:1 the door to the inner court is only open on Sabbath and the new moon. Also see Rev. 4:1 and Matthew 25 (specifically v. 10, “and the door was shut”).
3:9. Synagogue of Satan. See notes on Rev. 2:9 (titled, “Synagogue of Satan”).
worship before your feet. This isn’t like people worshiping Christians, Jesus is the only one to be worshipped. Like in Acts 16:25-34 when there was an earthquake and the jailer thinks the prisoners have escaped. But Paul and Silas say that they are still there. At that point the jailer rushes over and bows down asking what he needs to do to be saved. It is a reverence for the things that Jesus has put into His believers.
3:10. I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. This is both to the literal church in Philadelphia but also to the "Missionary Church" from 1517 until the present. Here is another proof that present-day Christians will not have to endure the Great Tribulation.
3:11. That no one may take your crown. This doesn’t mean your crown is stolen, it means it can be given to someone else. “Jesus encourages His saints to finish their course with victory, to ‘play the second half’ just as strongly as they ‘played the first half’” (Source 2).
Revelation 3:12. The three phrases (“a pillar…go no more out…a new name”) are in reference to the many earthquakes Philadelphia dealt with (for more see notes titled, “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia” for more).
a pillar. There are two great points: 1. regarding the common earthquakes (see note “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia”), pillars were symbols of strength; “Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.” 2. “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” (Source 2). See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more.
go no more out. This doesn’t mean we’re trapped or not let back in, actually the opposite. In fact, “The overcomer will have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world” (Source 2). See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more.
The name of My God. MacArthur talks about the meaning behind names in Biblical times and also that this represents that the believer is identified with God (Source 5, p. 1997), but I think there is more to it. I have done extensive research on the name of God (I believe the best rendering is “Yahweh” and the mediation-worthy, “I AM” from Exodus 3:14). This alone doesn’t give us a complete understanding of the LORD God but it should leave us in awe that the eternal God, our Creator is willing to mark us with an unknowable describing designation.
And the name of the city of My God. The name of the new city is “New Jerusalem” as we see in the next phrase. Interesting that we have the name of the capital city of heaven (see “New Jerusalem” below, for more) put on us, identifying us to it.
The New Jerusalem. The next phrase shows us that this comes "out of heaven" and is given by God. “The New Jerusalem” is the capital city of heaven (Rev. 21: 1-27), notice that the translators capitalized it so, at least in their opinion, it is the literal, actual name by which this city will be called. MacArthur notes “the overcomer will enjoy eternal citizenship” (Source 5, p. 1997). Looking at a comparison between the earthly Jerusalem that has been in existence for thousands of years 5,000 years, it is amazing that it has been “destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times” (Source 3). But when we consider the heavenly, “new” city we know it will be perfect, there will be no destruction or attacks, it will stand with a sure foundation on the Lord. It’s very existence will glorify God!
I believe this is the fulfillment of Jesus’ description of Himself from Revelation 3:7 (see note under, “Key of David” for more on His description). Because Jesus “has the keys of David”, is the fulfilling Davidic Messiah and is the Creator, He alone can usher in the “New Jerusalem” we see here. See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
My new name. See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more. How can Jesus have a new name? He is eternal he has always been. Why does He have a “new” name? It is “new” to us, unknown by us. A.R. Fausset gives some great understanding: “at present incommunicable and only known to God: to be hereafter revealed and made the believer's own in union with God in Christ. Christ's name written on [the believer] denotes he shall be wholly Christ's. New also relates to Christ, who shall assume a new character (answering to His "new name") entering with His saints on a kingdom--not that which He had with the Father before the worlds, but that earned by His humiliation as Son of man” (Source 6).
3:13. As with each Church, Jesus speaks directly to them but then councils the other 6 Churches, the Historic Church and we believers throughout time, to heed these words.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 3: "Do We Divide the Holiest Holy City?". Moment Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. According to Eric H. Cline’s tally in Jerusalem Besieged.
Source 4: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/davidjer.html
Source 5: John MacArthur, The John MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 6: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_003.cfm?a=1170001
Revelation 3. Philadelphia.
The Church of Philadelphia was one of the “very good” Churches. It is known as the “Missionary Church” and prophetically would be in the time period from around 1517 AD until present. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
"Philadelphia was a Lydian city founded by Attalus Philadelphus (159-138 BC). The king was so named from his devotion to his brother Eumenes, and the city perpetuated his title... It is on a broad, low, easily defended hill, which explains Philadelphia's long stand against the Turks. The district is a disastrously seismic, and the great earthquake of AD 17 ruined it completely [as it did Sardis, see note "Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis”]. Placed right above the faults, Philadelphia was tormented by 20 years of recurrent quakes after the disaster of 17. Hence, says Ramsay, is derived the imagery of Revelation 3:12 ('a pillar,' 'go no more out,' 'a new name'). The new name is certainly a reference to the proposal to rename the city Neocaesarea in gratitude for Tiberius' generous earthquake relief... A Christian witness, in spite of Muslim invasion and pressure, was maintained in Philadelphia through medieval and into modern times" (Source 1, pp. 698-699).
3:7. Key of David. This is part of Jesus’ description of Himself (which we’ll talk about in a minute). Guzik says this “shows He is also the keeper of the keys and doors. In this quotation from Isaiah 22:20-23, Jesus expresses His power and authority, especially to admit and exclude” (Source 2).
Getting back to Jesus’ description of Himself: There is much symbolism with David, who is both the father of Jesus (genealogy-wise) and His son (spiritually). I believe this ties to the last part of the chapter mentioning the “New Jerusalem.” Secular scholars say that recent excavations “in the City of David, today the village of Silwan, just south of the Old City walls” are possibly “the foundation of the Jebusite stronghold, captured and subsequently expanded by David” (Source 4). This is big consolation since there has been some question among secular historians. So it appears that the tie to Isaiah 22:21 (which interestingly says, “He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem”) is important for Jesus to fulfill ushering in the “New Jerusalem.” Philadelphia’s fulfillment is in Rev. 3:12. See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
3:8. An open door. This is a picture of the rapture (giving further proof that the Church of Philadelphia is a picture of the “Missionary Church” that ends with the rapture. Why is the door a picture of the rapture? Because it is access to heaven. In Ezekiel 46:1 the door to the inner court is only open on Sabbath and the new moon. Also see Rev. 4:1 and Matthew 25 (specifically v. 10, “and the door was shut”).
3:9. Synagogue of Satan. See notes on Rev. 2:9 (titled, “Synagogue of Satan”).
worship before your feet. This isn’t like people worshiping Christians, Jesus is the only one to be worshipped. Like in Acts 16:25-34 when there was an earthquake and the jailer thinks the prisoners have escaped. But Paul and Silas say that they are still there. At that point the jailer rushes over and bows down asking what he needs to do to be saved. It is a reverence for the things that Jesus has put into His believers.
3:10. I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. This is both to the literal church in Philadelphia but also to the "Missionary Church" from 1517 until the present. Here is another proof that present-day Christians will not have to endure the Great Tribulation.
3:11. That no one may take your crown. This doesn’t mean your crown is stolen, it means it can be given to someone else. “Jesus encourages His saints to finish their course with victory, to ‘play the second half’ just as strongly as they ‘played the first half’” (Source 2).
Revelation 3:12. The three phrases (“a pillar…go no more out…a new name”) are in reference to the many earthquakes Philadelphia dealt with (for more see notes titled, “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia” for more).
a pillar. There are two great points: 1. regarding the common earthquakes (see note “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia”), pillars were symbols of strength; “Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.” 2. “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” (Source 2). See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more.
go no more out. This doesn’t mean we’re trapped or not let back in, actually the opposite. In fact, “The overcomer will have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world” (Source 2). See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more.
The name of My God. MacArthur talks about the meaning behind names in Biblical times and also that this represents that the believer is identified with God (Source 5, p. 1997), but I think there is more to it. I have done extensive research on the name of God (I believe the best rendering is “Yahweh” and the mediation-worthy, “I AM” from Exodus 3:14). This alone doesn’t give us a complete understanding of the LORD God but it should leave us in awe that the eternal God, our Creator is willing to mark us with an unknowable describing designation.
And the name of the city of My God. The name of the new city is “New Jerusalem” as we see in the next phrase. Interesting that we have the name of the capital city of heaven (see “New Jerusalem” below, for more) put on us, identifying us to it.
The New Jerusalem. The next phrase shows us that this comes "out of heaven" and is given by God. “The New Jerusalem” is the capital city of heaven (Rev. 21: 1-27), notice that the translators capitalized it so, at least in their opinion, it is the literal, actual name by which this city will be called. MacArthur notes “the overcomer will enjoy eternal citizenship” (Source 5, p. 1997). Looking at a comparison between the earthly Jerusalem that has been in existence for thousands of years 5,000 years, it is amazing that it has been “destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times” (Source 3). But when we consider the heavenly, “new” city we know it will be perfect, there will be no destruction or attacks, it will stand with a sure foundation on the Lord. It’s very existence will glorify God!
I believe this is the fulfillment of Jesus’ description of Himself from Revelation 3:7 (see note under, “Key of David” for more on His description). Because Jesus “has the keys of David”, is the fulfilling Davidic Messiah and is the Creator, He alone can usher in the “New Jerusalem” we see here. See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
My new name. See note titled, “Revelation 3:12” for more. How can Jesus have a new name? He is eternal he has always been. Why does He have a “new” name? It is “new” to us, unknown by us. A.R. Fausset gives some great understanding: “at present incommunicable and only known to God: to be hereafter revealed and made the believer's own in union with God in Christ. Christ's name written on [the believer] denotes he shall be wholly Christ's. New also relates to Christ, who shall assume a new character (answering to His "new name") entering with His saints on a kingdom--not that which He had with the Father before the worlds, but that earned by His humiliation as Son of man” (Source 6).
3:13. As with each Church, Jesus speaks directly to them but then councils the other 6 Churches, the Historic Church and we believers throughout time, to heed these words.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 3: "Do We Divide the Holiest Holy City?". Moment Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. According to Eric H. Cline’s tally in Jerusalem Besieged.
Source 4: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/davidjer.html
Source 5: John MacArthur, The John MacArthur Study Bible.
Source 6: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Rev/Rev_003.cfm?a=1170001
Notes on Revelation 2:14-22.
Revelation 3. Laodicea.
The Church of Laodicea was one of the “very bad” Churches. Prophetically it stands for the “Worldly Church” that backs the Anti-Christ. Obviously this is the final church age, which will take place after the Second Coming of Christ. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
It was "founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC)…The city lay on one of the great Asian trade routes...[also] a leading banking center." It was so rich that when the earthquake (see notes, "Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis” and “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia”].) hit it didn't need Rome's help. "The like his Valley produce the glossy black wool, the source of black cloaks and carpets, for which the city was famous. Laodicea was also the home of the medieval school, and the manufacture of collyrium, a famous eye-salve. The scornful imagery of the apocalyptic letter to Laodicea is obviously based on these activities. It also has reference to the emetic qualities of the soda-laden warm water from nearby Hierapolis, whose thermal springs ran into the Maeander." Sir William Ramsay suggests that the city was vulnerable because of getting it's water from the springs, and it's "exposed position and it's easy wealth, caused the growth in the community of that spirit of compromise and worldly-mindedness" (Source 1, p. 699).
This section has some famous verses in it, such as “I will vomit you out of My mouth” and “I stand at the door and knock”.
Revelation 3:14. This is Jesus’ description of Himself for the Church in Laodicea. I believe that His description here has a fulfillment at the end of the section (see note on Rev. 3:21 titled, “To him who overcomes”). See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
3:14. The Amen. In the Greek “amen” is amen (G281) and means “1. Firm (metaphorically: faithful), 2. Verily, amen (A. at the beginning of a discourse – surely, truly, of a truth; B. at the end – so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own)” (Source 2).
the Faithful and True Witness. Jesus asks us to have faith in and be faithful to Him, but He leads by example by having faithfulness as part of His DNA.
the Beginning of the creation of God. This speaks of Jesus being the origin of Creation, not that He was the first thing created as Jehovah’s Witnesses say.
3:15. You are neither could not hot. The “hot” here is a Christian who is “on fire” for Christ, He is their Lord and Master. They have died to their old, sinful man and now follow Him. Period. The converse is the “cold” person. The individual who is cold and callused to the call of the Holy Spirit. Someone who wants nothing to do with Jesus.
So here the people who called themselves “Christians” were neither true Christians nor were they un-believers. They were sitting on the fence, unable to let go of the world and its passing pleasures but unable to commit to an eternal mindset where their “self” was rejected and their spirit was transformed. The next phrase shows us that Jesus would rather see people be “cold” than hypocritical “lukewarm”.
I could wish that you were cold or hot. Jesus is saying the worst thing is someone who cant make a decision. He would rather have someone make a choice to not accept Him then to have someone say, and partially act, like they are a follower but not follow through. This is chiefly because a hypocritical, lazy person acting like a Christian is a bad representation of “the Faithful and True” Savior and God of the universe.
3:16. I will vomit you out of My mouth. All commentators agree this is startling imagery. Guzik asks, “How are churches in the mouth of Jesus? [1] They are in His mouth because they spread His Word. [2] They are in His mouth because He prays for them constantly” (Source 3).
I am rich…I have need of nothing. See notes titled, “Revelation 3:14-22. Laodicea” for how physically rich the city was. They had grown apathetic because they had more than enough. God had blessed their material possessions, but they didn’t give Him thanks they were content with monetary wealth. They were outwardly rich but spiritually bankrupt. I think of Proverbs 30:8-9, “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.”
3:18. I counsel you to buy from Me: Guzik says, “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” (Source 3).
Gold refined in the fire. This is true, spiritual wealth. If it has been “refined” then all of the dross (impurities) has been removed and it is pure.
That you may be rich. Again, in terms of material possessions they were wealthy but when it came to spiritual things they were in poverty. They needed to adjust their view.
Eye salve, that you may see. See note “Revelation 3:14-22. Laodicea” about the healing eye medicine that came from Laodicea. Here Jesus is saying you have physical medicine to help eyes but spiritually you are blind.
3:19. I love, I rebuke and chasten. A good parent sets boundaries, teaches right and wrong and punishes disobedience. How much better is our heavenly Father? This is a quality that the Son and the Father share. Jesus loves His brothers and sisters and that’s why He instructs and guides. We see in the next phrase that we must repent for our sins against Him.
Be zealous and repent. This is the way to be accepted by Jesus, but it requires humility.
3:20. I stand at the door and knock. Roger Upton has a great blog about this verse. Basically, modern Christians take this verse out of context when we use it to pertain to sinners who have never known Christ. “The picture is not one of Jesus pleading with lost sinners to open a locked door. He is speaking to Christians, albeit lazy, callous, self-absorbed, and aloof Christians. … The picture of the door as being a human heart is completely made up. The metaphor is not in the text at all. The door spoken of is the metaphorical entrance to the church, in which Jesus longs to walk in the midst thereof (Rev. 1:12-13). It symbolizes the fellowship and closeness each church should have with Jesus” (Source 4).
3:21. To him who overcomes. I believe this is the fulfillment of Jesus’ description of Himself from Rev. 3: 14. It ties specifically to “the Faithful and True Witness.” Jesus was faithful to us, to His calling, to the Father and He was true, never lying but more importantly completely balanced in perfection (like when a wheel doesn’t wobble, it is “true”). In the same ways, Christians are to be overcomers, we are to have looked the world, temptations and apathetic Christianity in the eye and rebuked them! We are to be as faithful and true of a witness as Jesus allows us to be! See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
As I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. There is so much here! Jesus is encouraging Christians to “overcome” sin and temptation and Satan (the list goes on and on) in the same way that He gave us an example. We shouldn’t even be allowed into heaven but not only are we given admittance but we are allowed to sit on with Him on His throne.
3:22. As with each Church, Jesus speaks directly to them but then councils the other 6 Churches, the Historic Church and we believers throughout time, to heed these words.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G281&t=KJV
Source 3: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 4: Roger Upton blog, http://rogerupton.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/misused-bible-verses-part-three-jesus-is-knocking-on-the-door-of-your-heart .
Revelation 3. Laodicea.
The Church of Laodicea was one of the “very bad” Churches. Prophetically it stands for the “Worldly Church” that backs the Anti-Christ. Obviously this is the final church age, which will take place after the Second Coming of Christ. See “Prophetic” and “Character of the Churches” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more on these points.
It was "founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC)…The city lay on one of the great Asian trade routes...[also] a leading banking center." It was so rich that when the earthquake (see notes, "Revelation 3:1-6. Sardis” and “Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia”].) hit it didn't need Rome's help. "The like his Valley produce the glossy black wool, the source of black cloaks and carpets, for which the city was famous. Laodicea was also the home of the medieval school, and the manufacture of collyrium, a famous eye-salve. The scornful imagery of the apocalyptic letter to Laodicea is obviously based on these activities. It also has reference to the emetic qualities of the soda-laden warm water from nearby Hierapolis, whose thermal springs ran into the Maeander." Sir William Ramsay suggests that the city was vulnerable because of getting it's water from the springs, and it's "exposed position and it's easy wealth, caused the growth in the community of that spirit of compromise and worldly-mindedness" (Source 1, p. 699).
This section has some famous verses in it, such as “I will vomit you out of My mouth” and “I stand at the door and knock”.
Revelation 3:14. This is Jesus’ description of Himself for the Church in Laodicea. I believe that His description here has a fulfillment at the end of the section (see note on Rev. 3:21 titled, “To him who overcomes”). See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
3:14. The Amen. In the Greek “amen” is amen (G281) and means “1. Firm (metaphorically: faithful), 2. Verily, amen (A. at the beginning of a discourse – surely, truly, of a truth; B. at the end – so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own)” (Source 2).
the Faithful and True Witness. Jesus asks us to have faith in and be faithful to Him, but He leads by example by having faithfulness as part of His DNA.
the Beginning of the creation of God. This speaks of Jesus being the origin of Creation, not that He was the first thing created as Jehovah’s Witnesses say.
3:15. You are neither could not hot. The “hot” here is a Christian who is “on fire” for Christ, He is their Lord and Master. They have died to their old, sinful man and now follow Him. Period. The converse is the “cold” person. The individual who is cold and callused to the call of the Holy Spirit. Someone who wants nothing to do with Jesus.
So here the people who called themselves “Christians” were neither true Christians nor were they un-believers. They were sitting on the fence, unable to let go of the world and its passing pleasures but unable to commit to an eternal mindset where their “self” was rejected and their spirit was transformed. The next phrase shows us that Jesus would rather see people be “cold” than hypocritical “lukewarm”.
I could wish that you were cold or hot. Jesus is saying the worst thing is someone who cant make a decision. He would rather have someone make a choice to not accept Him then to have someone say, and partially act, like they are a follower but not follow through. This is chiefly because a hypocritical, lazy person acting like a Christian is a bad representation of “the Faithful and True” Savior and God of the universe.
3:16. I will vomit you out of My mouth. All commentators agree this is startling imagery. Guzik asks, “How are churches in the mouth of Jesus? [1] They are in His mouth because they spread His Word. [2] They are in His mouth because He prays for them constantly” (Source 3).
I am rich…I have need of nothing. See notes titled, “Revelation 3:14-22. Laodicea” for how physically rich the city was. They had grown apathetic because they had more than enough. God had blessed their material possessions, but they didn’t give Him thanks they were content with monetary wealth. They were outwardly rich but spiritually bankrupt. I think of Proverbs 30:8-9, “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.”
3:18. I counsel you to buy from Me: Guzik says, “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” (Source 3).
Gold refined in the fire. This is true, spiritual wealth. If it has been “refined” then all of the dross (impurities) has been removed and it is pure.
That you may be rich. Again, in terms of material possessions they were wealthy but when it came to spiritual things they were in poverty. They needed to adjust their view.
Eye salve, that you may see. See note “Revelation 3:14-22. Laodicea” about the healing eye medicine that came from Laodicea. Here Jesus is saying you have physical medicine to help eyes but spiritually you are blind.
3:19. I love, I rebuke and chasten. A good parent sets boundaries, teaches right and wrong and punishes disobedience. How much better is our heavenly Father? This is a quality that the Son and the Father share. Jesus loves His brothers and sisters and that’s why He instructs and guides. We see in the next phrase that we must repent for our sins against Him.
Be zealous and repent. This is the way to be accepted by Jesus, but it requires humility.
3:20. I stand at the door and knock. Roger Upton has a great blog about this verse. Basically, modern Christians take this verse out of context when we use it to pertain to sinners who have never known Christ. “The picture is not one of Jesus pleading with lost sinners to open a locked door. He is speaking to Christians, albeit lazy, callous, self-absorbed, and aloof Christians. … The picture of the door as being a human heart is completely made up. The metaphor is not in the text at all. The door spoken of is the metaphorical entrance to the church, in which Jesus longs to walk in the midst thereof (Rev. 1:12-13). It symbolizes the fellowship and closeness each church should have with Jesus” (Source 4).
3:21. To him who overcomes. I believe this is the fulfillment of Jesus’ description of Himself from Rev. 3: 14. It ties specifically to “the Faithful and True Witness.” Jesus was faithful to us, to His calling, to the Father and He was true, never lying but more importantly completely balanced in perfection (like when a wheel doesn’t wobble, it is “true”). In the same ways, Christians are to be overcomers, we are to have looked the world, temptations and apathetic Christianity in the eye and rebuked them! We are to be as faithful and true of a witness as Jesus allows us to be! See “Jesus’ Character Description Affects Each Church” under the notes titled “Revelation 2-3” for more.
As I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. There is so much here! Jesus is encouraging Christians to “overcome” sin and temptation and Satan (the list goes on and on) in the same way that He gave us an example. We shouldn’t even be allowed into heaven but not only are we given admittance but we are allowed to sit on with Him on His throne.
3:22. As with each Church, Jesus speaks directly to them but then councils the other 6 Churches, the Historic Church and we believers throughout time, to heed these words.
References:
Source 1: Halley's Bible Handbook, 1998.
Source 2: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G281&t=KJV
Source 3: Guzik, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Rev/Rev_3.cfm?a=1170001 .
Source 4: Roger Upton blog, http://rogerupton.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/misused-bible-verses-part-three-jesus-is-knocking-on-the-door-of-your-heart .