Bible Commentaries
Revelation 3

Verses 1-22

SARDIS

1 The seven spirits of God are literal. They are seen under various figures, according to the connection. Before the throne they appear as torches of fire (Revelation 4:5). On the Lambkin they are seen as seven horns and seven eyes (Revelation 5:6). They are commissioned for the entire earth. The stars are limited to the ecclesias.

3 Christ's coming is presented under various figures. He comes as a thief in the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 16:15). The Lord warned His disciples of this aspect (Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39). When they shall say "peace and security" then sudden destruction will come upon the unwatchful (1 Thessalonians 5:3). But we are not in darkness that it should overtake us as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

5 Any man, woman, family or tribe who turned from Jehovah to worship the gods of the nations was to be rubbed out (Deuteronomy 29:18-20).

David rubs out the names of some of his mighty men because they did not remain true to him (2 Samuel 23:8; 2 Samuel 23:39), Joab, once over all the host (2 Samuel 20:23), and Ahithophel were also erased. Here too, life and position depend on conduct. Our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

5 The scroll of life is referred to six times in this book. It contains the names of those who do not worship the wild beast (Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8). It is opened at the great white throne (Revelation 20:12) and any whose names were not found written in it were cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Those enrolled in it may enter the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27). Those who take from the sayings of this prophecy will have their part taken from the log of life (Revelation 22:19).

PHILADELPHIA

7 David's key (Isaiah 22:15-25) refers to the deposing of Shebna and the raising up of Eliakim to be the treasurer of the temple, or minister of the court ( See Isaiah 36:22). This letter moves in the temple, where the treasures are, where safety is found, and where worship is carried on.

9 It is impossible to escape the inference that the Philadelphian ecclesia is composed only of Jews who are members of God's synagogue. As every other consideration points in this direction we may conclude that all of these ecclesias are Jewish. Each will worship in a synagogue, which has a "messenger" who will read to them.

The Prophetic Section

10 Endurance will be a cardinal virtue in that day of stress and distress. Seven times are we reminded of it (Revelation 1:9; Revelation 2:2-3; Revelation 2:19; Revelation 3:10 ; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 14:12). He that endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). In the present economy salvation depends entirely on faith in Christ.

10 The English idiom to keep out, conveys a false impression to many. Here it does not mean to keep from, but to keep those who are in the trial so that they come out victoriously.

12 The conqueror with but little power who hides in the temple during the hour of trial will be openly acknowledged in the kingdom by giving him a place of prominence and power like the great pillars, Jachin and Boaz. It may be that they will have a special place of authority over the vast crowd who serve Him day and night in His temple (Revelation 7:15).

12 The 144,000 are sealed on their foreheads (Revelation 7:3) which exempts them from the judgment of the locusts (Revelation 9:4). This seal is probably the Father's name. In the new earth the slaves of the

Lambkin are thus sealed (Revelation 22:4). On the other hand, the false prophet causes all to receive the emblem of the wild beast (Revelation 13:16), marking them for God's indignation (Revelation 14:9). Only those who refuse this symbol live and reign with Christ the thousand years (Revelation 20:4).

LAODICEA

14 God's creative Original. See Colossians 1:15 note. He is called the Origin or Beginning three times in this scroll in the phrase "Origin and Consummation" (Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13).

16 To spew as the result of an emetic.

17 Naked in the sense of scantily clad, not necessarily nude.

21 The promises to the conquerors increase in proportion to the apostasy with which they contend. In Ephesus they are promised a place in the paradise of the new earth. This will doubtless be shared by all the other conquerors as well. In Laodicea, the nauseating ecclesia,

the conqueror is promised a place with Christ on His millennial throne. This is the highest place to which an Israelite could aspire (Matthew 20:21). This is fulfilled when the wages are paid (Revelation 11:18) and the saints reign with Him the thousand years (Revelation 20:4).

22 A low state of spirituality is denoted by the hearing ear. Job said "I heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees Thee" (Job 42:5).