1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Sardis was an ancient city of Lydia on the banks of the mountain Tmolus, Probably the major city of Asia Minor. They are the first city in that part of the world converted by John’s preaching, one of the first to backslide, and one of the first to be destroyed. Most of the cities named here have new cities built on top of them. Sardis is still in ruins.
He doesn’t have anything good to say to start the letter to this church.
God is all knowing and all controlling. He knew these people had a reputation for being Christians, but had already backslidden; they were hypocrites.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
They had just a tiny spark left and it was in danger of going out. They were probably going about in perfect Christian behavior, giving to the poor, not breaking the Ten Commandments, and preaching correct doctrine. This was all irrelevant to God because their hearts were not right with Him. Though He cares deeply about our behavior, He cares more about our hearts. Theirs were full of pride and self-righteousness, putting their faith in their own behavior instead of the redeeming blood of Christ. We are all in danger of this if we don’t watch out.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
“Remember you are all sinners destined to hell without Me. Repent of your bad attitude. If you don’t I will destroy you.”
4 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.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before his angels.
There were a few who were still saved. God knows those who are His, even if they are surrounded by hypocrites. He will reward them greatly even when they are in the minority.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Philadelphia was on the borders of Mysia and Lydia, and had its name from that brotherly love for which it was known, (philia=love, delph=brother). The name comes from its founder, King Attallus of Pergamum (159BC), who had a great affection and admiration for his brother, not from the character of this church. It is still a town of considerable size, called Allahshehr, "the city of God."
The area is often struck by earthquakes, and so taxes have always been very high to repair the damage. Likely, the Philadelphian church was very poor.
There appears to have been a very large Jewish population in the city at this time.
God is holy and true and is complete control. There is no condemnation to this church. It is honestly trying to match this character of God.
This is the only church where Christ describes Himself with imagery not from the introduction.
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.
God had opened a door of opportunity for them that no human could take away. They are strong Christians living for God in every way possible.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan (non-believing Jews), which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
These Philadelphian Christians are Jews who are Jews on the inside through dedication to Christ, not those who have a certain genetic history (Romans 2:28). Since The Cross, those who claim to be something special because of their ancestry are doing Satan’s work of drawing attention away from Jesus.
Christ is promising here to make those in Philadelphia who hold this belief come to the true Christians and acknowledge that they are right. Everyone will know that God loves this church because of what He is fixing to do for them.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
God allows temptation to come to us to test us and to try us, make us stronger in the using of our spiritual muscles. He promises this church that when He tempts others, He won’t tempt them. It really sounds like they had already proved their faith and developed their strength and so didn’t need the temptations and trials others needed.
If this was written in AD64, as I tend to believe, the temptation “that shall come upon all the world” is probably Nero’s persecution. This city held out against him.
“World” can mean the entire planet, but more often refers to the Roman Empire (the world of the disciples) in the New Testament.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
“I will come take care of you very soon so just hold on. Don’t lose what you have in Me.” Christ is fixing to open that door of opportunity and those that stay in His will, will be greatly blessed.
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.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
A pillar is the main support in a large building. The building would collapse without it. God was going to make those of this church who held fast, pillars in His Church.
Pillars were decorative as well as functional often being dedicated to important people. These “pillars” would be decorated with the name of God and New Jerusalem. “Servant of God” would be written all over them by their actions and attitude.
(Interestingly, there are pillars from Christian churches built throughout history, some built only shortly after this was written, still standing in this earthquake riddled town. This is extremely rare, and doesn’t appear to have happened in this town to any other building of the time.)
The Old Jerusalem is where the sacrifices took place and where the temple was; the center of the Israelite religion.
The New Jerusalem is where our sacrifices take place and where the temple of God now is; in our hearts. In other words, we are the “New Jerusalem.” We have the name of God and this new method of worship written on us for the world to see. This is the change that occurs in each true believer when they come to God. This change comes down from God Himself.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Laodicea was once a famous city near the river Lycus. It had a vast wall and three marble theaters and was built on seven hills. It was about twenty miles from Colosse and Paul mentions it in his letter to the Colossians. The city is now in complete ruins.
This is the last of the seven churches and is not commended for any good at all, the complete opposite of Philadelphia.
God presents Himself here as the One who is always true and faithful, the Creator and the first in the Church.
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Have you ever picked up a cup of a hot drink and found out it had cooled to room temperature? Or went to drink a nice cold soda only to discover all your ice has melted and it is temped? So disappointing and frustrating.
This is how God felt about the church in Ladodecia. If they had been downright cold for Him He could have sent them a revival. If they had been hot, they wouldn’t need one. But they were too warm to receive the Salvation Message and too cold to do any good for the Kingdom. They were walking the fence, not really backsliding nor really living for God.
The hardest people to win for God are those who think they are already saved.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Picture your reaction to the temped coke. Blahhhhh!
They probably called their lukewarm-ness “tolerance,” “charity,” “moderation,” and “not being legalistic.” They made God sick.
What they were really doing was tolerating sin in the church and community and not fighting against it in anyway.
17 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:
These people were rich in physical goods. They had no physical needs. They thought this meant that God was pleased with them.
Quite the opposite.
He viewed them as naked (not covered by the Word), poor (in their walk with Him), and blind (to their real condition). They would have been better off physically poor and naked and hungry but rich in God.
18 I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
They needed to seek God; to go back and find those things that please Him. God is the only source of riches worth having and is the healer of our souls.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
If God didn’t love this church, He wouldn’t have bothered warning them they were in danger. He is calling them to repent; to turn around from their being lukewarm; to become excited for His Word and His standards.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
God is a gentleman and doesn’t barge His way into our lives. He stands at the door waiting to be let in. But He does knock.
And He can be quite persistent.
All we have to do is open the door and let Him in. Then we will have sweet fellowship.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.
Jesus was tempted in everything we are tempted in. He conquered sin, and with His help, we can too. When we do, we receive a place on the throne with Him.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.