Revelation 3

The King of heaven, full of the Holy Spirit, speaks to the churches from the throne room of God in the heavenly assembly. Won't we listen to Him? We have touched upon four of His messages in the prior chapter. Now we complete these extraordinary letters with the final three churches.

The fifth of the seven churches is the gathering of Christian worshipers in Sardis. There are some churches that people assume to be almost nothing at all, yet in the sight of God they are very important. There are other churches that everyone has judged to be very alive, yet they are dead in the Lord's eyes. The church in Sardis is in this second group. They have works, but what are these deeds? God views them as incomplete.

Even giving a child a cup of cold water in the Name of Jesus will not be forgotten by the Lord. But far greater works that Christians do in order to be noticed lack something in God's eyes. So many things that people seem to accomplish will be swept away in the coming judgment, for they are not done in Christ, whose work alone will remain. If we abide in Jesus, our labor in Him is not in vain.

The resuscitation of the church in Sardis needs to follow on old pattern for God's wandering people. Remembering is where it starts. What have you heard in the past when you received the Word of the Lord? If you can remember, then keep what you know to be the sound pattern of good words. Is almost everyone in the church asleep? It is time to wake up. If we want to walk in white in the land where Christ reigns as those whose names are in the book of life, then we must hear the voice of the Shepherd who calls His sheep to follow Him.

The second to last church is in Philadelphia. The One who has the key to the heavenly temple, the great Son of David, has a Word that will strengthen them in their trials. If the church in Sardis seems powerful but is dead, the church in Philadelphia seems weak, but they are standing firm in faith. It is a great blessing to stand in the day of trial. Have you faced severe affliction, but finally kept the faith? Praise God for His power that gives you the strength to keep on going when so many would have been tempted to curse God and die.

The Lord's justice will bring a vindication to the faithful, and a confirmation of His own electing grace. But we have been too quick to speak against the churches when we do not have the truth. Have we accused others or denigrated their ministries as if Christ could not make them stand? There certainly is a place for protecting one's own assembly from an evil leaven that is spreading throughout those who name the Name of Jesus. But there is a line that it is unwise to cross where we delight in pointing out the faults of other churches. Do we really know the things that make up our not so subtle accusations? Best to keep silence and not speak against the Lord's bride if at all possible.

Let the Lord say it if some group is a synagogue of Satan. He has perfect knowledge of these matters. We are usually just guessing. One day those who were full of accusations against true assemblies of the Lord's people will have to bow before the feet of those they once denigrated. Imagine that! Best to not be on the wrong side of that vindication.

The Lord loves His church. In Philadelphia the church has endured trouble. There are more trials coming upon His church everywhere. May the Lord grant us a healthy measure of patient endurance. Better still, will he fold us in the hem of His garment and keep us from a day that would be more than we could bear? May He keep us in Him until He makes us a pillar in His living temple in that glorious city coming down out of heaven.

Finally, to the minister or angel who serves as the messenger to the church in Laodicea: God's Yes and Amen has something that we need to hear. This Jesus is always faithful and true, but the church in Laodicea is neither cold nor hot towards Him. How could it be that so soon after the resurrection of the Lord, with an apostolic eyewitness like John for their encouragement, that this church could be lukewarm about Jesus Christ? If we imagine that the first century church did not struggle with a lack of love for God or apathy concerning the things that matter most, the Word of the Lord corrects us on that assessment. When Christ says that they are lukewarm, He is not referring to their words, but their works. Throughout these letters Jesus says, “I know.” Here He says, “I know your works.” Are we lukewarm about Jesus? He knows our works. And what could it mean that He would spit us out of His mouth? Please keep us, Lord!

But when we imagine that we are rich, and everything is going well, just as Moses warned Israel, we are in danger of forgetting our God. The spiritual situation in the church in Laodicea is very troubling. They are in critical condition, but they have decided that they are stable and resting comfortably. What they need is more trouble from external trials. That will wake them up to their need for their Lord. As it is, He is on the outside of their worship assembly, knocking on the door. Won't anyone let Him in? Will we have our love feast without the presence of the One who purchased the meal with His own blood?

The church will have tribulation. There will be trials. We need the Savior with us if we are to persevere. In all the churches, in every generation, in every city and town, we need the Christ who died for us, who is now ascended to His heavenly throne. With Him we have salvation and a sure purpose. Though we suffer, we shall live, and we will be with Him forever. He who has an ear, let him pay attention to the warnings in this final book of the Bible. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches!