Reviews and Views

Book of Revelation – Chapter 3

Sardis was the fruitless church that began in 1520 A.D. and will extend into the Tribulation period. Christ first commended it as He did the previous churches. It had a name but was dead, shining solely by the light of a brilliant past. This church forgot the magnitude of its heavenly calling and its holy character. “It is far better to begin small and grow than begin with great plans, all of which dry up and come to nothing” (John Phillips commentary, page 62). Here we see God calls for a fivefold revival package:

1. Be watchful or alert, knowing that now it is high time to awake out of spiritual sleep (Romans 13:11).
2. Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. Salvage the little good that remained in their bastion of dead orthodoxy.
3. Remember or recall the former days of their salvation when filled with purity and zeal.
4. Hold fast or retain the simple truth of the gospel and discard the excess baggage of pomp and ceremony.
5. Repent or change their minds. It was a call for the entire church, not just a few individuals.

The problem at Sardis is a similar problem with the other churches in compromising with the world system, the flesh, and the devil. But there were and are a few that do not. They possess a genuine salvation experience that will remain eternally in the book of life.

Philadelphia church covers the years from 1750 A.D. until the Rapture. It was a feeble church but was a missionary-minded one, dedicated to spreading the gospel. Though a minority, for they had “a little strength,” they did keep His name. There was no rebuke of the Lord for this church. He assures the church that it will be saved from that hour by the Lord’s coming in the sky. What is coming will be a situation on earth worse than anything before when the Antichrist reigns and the Great Tribulation period begins. We see in verse 12 the promise to those who are faithful:

1. They become pillars in the temple of GOD;
2. They have the name of GOD written upon them, thus identifying them and allowing them access into the city of GOD – the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21 & 22);
3. They have the (Christ’s) new name written upon them. This new name of Christ entitles them to be His servants, where they shall see His face (chapter 22, verses 3 and 4).

The final of the seven churches is Laodicea. This church covers the years from 1900 A.D. to the Tribulation hour. 

Laodicea church, the “fashionable” church, is where materialism was a perennial problem. It drowns its spiritual influence whenever any church has ridden the crest of material affluence. When Christ called out to “the angel of the church of the Laodiceans,” it was to say that the church at Laodicea was none of His. The Lord never dilutes nor distorts the truth. There is no hiding behind little disguises and safe conventions. Laodicea is a deluded church marked by complete compromise with the world. It is the present-day church’s archetype or very typical example. Only God alone knows how serious the present situation is. This era is a highly prosperous one. Her people have erected elaborate church structures worth millions of dollars. Although buildings are necessary for worship and service, we need to see that they should be humble structures rather than the latest multi-million dollar architectural monstrosities that glorify men. God describes the Laodicean church as:

• Wretched and miserable and poor, because riches usually make one sad (very unhappy) and pathetic (distressful). 
• Blind because they cannot see the need of the millions who are dying without the Savior and going into eternal loss.
• Naked, both now and in eternity, don’t have Christ’s robe of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Then, Christ gave instructions:

1. Buy gold tried in the fire from Christ, that you may be rich ( 1 Peter 1:7); where the trial of our faith is more than of gold;
2. Buy white clothing – a reference to the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness in (Isaiah 61:10);
3. Anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see – This speaks of illumination which only the saved share. (1 Corinthians 2:14). 

In verse 20: Christ calls out, “Behold, I stand at the door….” 

Here we have the picture of Christ standing outside the latter-day church rather than the heart of an individual. Overcomers are granted to sit with Christ and His Father in heaven. We have now concluded the last warning to the churches for one last time.

Next, we join John in the future, starting with chapter 4.

January 11, 2024 - Posted by Bill Wyler | Culture, Last Days, Life, Religion | Bible, Consequences, Future, GOD, Truth, vision