Tyndale Open Study NotesRevelation 3

The seven messages to the seven churches show the condition of Christ's church when Revelation was written, and it is similar today. God still calls Christians to be faithful and honest. Those who listen to Christ's message will receive God's promised rewards. Those who do not will face judgment.

The letter to the church in Sardis warns Christians who seem spiritually alive but are actually dead. Without true change, they will face God's judgment.

• Sardis was about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Smyrna on the southeast highway from Pergamum and Thyatira. It was home to a large community of wealthy Jews. They were called “Sephardic” because this name came from an ancient name for the city. The city also had a strong, fortified acropolis, which often gave its people too much confidence in their own safety.

• Other churches may have thought the Christians in Sardis were active and strong. However, their focus on worldly life showed that they lacked true spiritual life.

• The church in Sardis needed to wake up and pay attention. If they did not, they would face sudden judgment. The city of Sardis had experienced this kind of surprise attack twice. The first happened when the forces of Cyrus entered the city through a secret tunnel around 549 or 546 BC. The second happened in 189 BC when Antiochus III attacked the city in the same way.

  In both cases, the watchmen were not alert, and the city fell. The same would happen to the Christians there if they did not meet God's requirements (see Revelation 20:12; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:20).

• like a thief: Like the invaders in the city’s history, Christ would come suddenly (see Revelation 16:15; Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).

• Soiled … garments symbolize an impure life (Zechariah 3:4), while white clothes represent purity (see Revelation 6:11; 7:13–14; 22:14).

• How they walk means how a person lives (see Genesis 17:1; Psalms 81:13; 82:5; Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).

Having one's name in the Book of Life (see Revelation 20:12–15; Daniel 7:10) means assurance of God's acceptance and eternal life (see Revelation 17:8; 20:12; Philippians 4:3; see also Luke 10:20). If God erases a name, it implies condemnation and eternal death (see Exodus 32:32–33; Psalm 69:28).

The letter to the church in Philadelphia encourages Christians who feel weak and powerless to understand that their true strength is in Christ. This comforting message includes no words of disapproval. The kingdom of God relies not on human strength or wisdom but on God's power and authority.

• Philadelphia was located in the foothills of the Timolus Mountains, with fertile plains to the east. The city often suffered from severe earthquakes, which left it weak and poor.

• This verse uses phrases from Isaiah 22:22.

• key of David: Jesus the Messiah, God's chosen one, is the successor to David’s royal line. As the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus has the authority to open and close the way to heaven (compare Matthew 16:19).

• I know: See study note on Revelation 2:2–3.

• little strength: Like the city of Philadelphia itself (see study note on Revelation 3:7), the Christians there were not wealthy and lacked status and power. However, Christ opened a door for them (see Revelation 3:7) to claim his status and authority. Despite their weakness, the Philadelphia church obeyed Christ’s word and did not deny him under pressure.

• those who belong to the synagogue of Satan: The Christians in Philadelphia experienced mistreatment from Jews who opposed Christianity (see study note on Revelation 2:9).

• bow down at your feet: In ancient times, captives often had to bow before their conquerors (see Isaiah 49:23; 60:14). The church’s human enemies will eventually recognize that God loves Christians.

• Jesus will protect Christians who persevere and remain faithful during difficult times (compare Isaiah 43:2–4; John 10:27–28; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 6:18–19).

• The hour of testing refers to the end times when the world experiences severe difficulties.

Christians must remain faithful. They need to persevere through difficulties to keep their crown, which is their expected reward.

• Victorious Christians are secure in God's household, like pillars, and they will never have to leave it.

• The name of God inscribed on them shows God's ownership and the security Christians enjoy (see Revelation 7:4; 14:1).

• The new Jerusalem is not built by humans. Instead, it is God's gift from heaven (Revelation 21:2–10).

• A new name was a sign of God's blessing (see also Revelation 2:17). Abram, Jacob, Simon, and others received new names (Genesis 17:5; 32:28; John 1:42).

The letter to the church in Laodicea warns Christians who are lukewarm, meaning they are not fully committed to Christ. Their inconsistent lives show loyalty only to themselves. Their behavior is so displeasing to Christ that he is ready to reject them, as if spitting them out of his mouth.

• Laodicea was located 65 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Philadelphia. It was the economic and judicial center of a region that included Colossae and Hierapolis. The people of Laodicea were proud of their independence. After a severe earthquake in AD 60, Laodicea refused help from Rome and rebuilt their city on their own, making it very beautiful (Tacitus, Annals 14.27).

• Amen: Used as an oath, "Amen" is a promise of truth (Isaiah 65:16). Jesus represents the truth (John 8:32; 14:6), and his message is confirmed by the truthfulness and reliability of his word.

• The description of Christ as the faithful and true witness shows that he knew them as they truly were. Although they were wealthy and proud of their status and achievements, they did not meet God’s expectations.

neither cold nor hot: The hot springs in Hierapolis were famous for their healing qualities. Colossae was equally famous for its cold, refreshing springs. In contrast, the water in Laodicea was smelly and lukewarm. Such water is unpleasant. Jesus was saying that the church's indecisive commitment to him was revolting.

Christians in Laodicea believed they were prosperous and self-sufficient (see study note on Revelation 3:14). However, Jesus saw their true spiritual state as wretched, miserable, and poor.

• Jesus advised the people of Laodicea to change their attitude from self-reliance to relying on God.

• buy from Me gold: They could buy anything they wanted, but they needed heavenly treasures for spiritual riches through faith in Christ.

• refined by fire: Material wealth will not survive God's cleansing by fire (compare 1 Corinthians 3:12–15), but spiritual wealth lasts forever.

• White garments are a symbol of spiritual purity. Laodicea was famous for its black wool cloth, a source of their wealth, which likely represents their proud and unredeemed spiritual state.

• Laodicea's wealth also came from its famous Phrygian eye ointment, possibly used in a local eye clinic linked to the renowned physician Demosthenes Philalethes. The Laodiceans needed to obtain ointment from Christ through faith. Only his eye salve would help them see their sins and repent.

Christ will correct and guide those he loves instead of rejecting them (Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–6). He remains faithful even to those who are unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

• A person or a church must listen for Jesus knocking and open the door to him. Christ offers a way for a church to revive when it has become spiritually weak and lost connection with him. Simply opening the door can renew their previous bond.

• dine with him, and he with Me: A shared meal represents acceptance, deep friendship, and a covenant relationship (Revelation 19:9; see Genesis 18:1–5, 16–19; Exodus 12:1–31; 18:12; Matthew 26:26–30).

The reward for faith that is victorious and obedient is to sit with Christ on his throne. This picture shows great honor and closeness to Christ. It means that believers will share in his authority when he rules over the new creation.

This reward does not mean that Christians become divine. Only God is divine. Instead, Christians share in Christ’s victory and in the work he gives them in his kingdom (Revelation 20:4, 6; 22:5; Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Timothy 2:12).