Revelation 3:7-22
Prayer and Bible study go together. I normally like to open up Scripture when I am spending time in personal prayer. 1 JN 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have before Him: that whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. The best way to be sure that we are asking according to God’s will is to pray with Scripture in mind. One of the best ways to do that is to pray with a Bible open next to us and refer to it often. It is probably a good idea to begin a Bible study with prayer. Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. In West Texan, Paul is basically saying, “Don’t worry about anything; pray about everything.” (In case you didn’t catch it: “everything” is pronounced in that case, “ever-thaang’ ”.) Bible study certainly fits into the category of “everything.” James 1:5 – But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. We all need more wisdom when it comes to our understanding of God’s Word, so we should ask for it. I suggest that you pray each time you study. Ask God for wisdom, understanding and insight into what He wants you to gain from this particular study. I can assure you that I will be praying while I am studying and while I am writing these posts.
Now Revelation 3:7-13 – “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: 3: 8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name. 3: 9 Listen! I am going to make those people from the synagogue of Satan–who say they are Jews yet are not, but are lying–Look, I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 3: 10 Because you have kept my admonition to endure steadfastly, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 3: 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away your crown. 3: 12 The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God), and my new name as well. 3: 13 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Philadelphia was probably the youngest of the seven churches and quite likely the smallest. Jesus had no condemnation of them. Again, true to form, He says, “I know…” Jesus knew their deeds. Jesus knew they had little strength. But He also knew that He had placed before them an open door. He wanted them to know it too. When Jesus opens a door, no one can shut it. When Jesus shuts a door, no one can open it. Jesus, Himself, had opened a door of opportunity for the Philadelphian saints. Although their strength was not impressive as far as the world was concerned, they had what they needed to do what the Lord wanted them to do. They had little strength but big credentials from Christ’s perspective: they were obedient to His Word; they had NOT denied His Name; and they had endured steadfastly. So what if their strength was “little”; God’s power working through them was all sufficient! To emphasize this point, He told the conquering Philadelphians that He would make them a pillar (a symbol of strength) in the Temple of God.
Another promise to them was, “…I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” – 3:10b. As we get farther into Revelation we will talk more about this “hour of testing” known also in Scripture as the great day of wrath (RE 6:17), the great tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), and Daniel’s seventieth week (Daniel 9:26,27). It will be seven years of unparalleled judgement on the earth and Jesus promised the Philadelphian believers that they would be kept from it. You have the same promise: For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:9. The Apostle Paul explained a few paragraphs earlier how we would be kept from that wrath: For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. That is called the Rapture and I can hardly wait! My Uncle John used to sing a song that always excited me: “I’m not looking for a hole in the ground I’m looking for one in the sky!”
There was no condemnation of the church at Philadelphia. There is no COMMENDATION for the church at Laodicea:
Revelation 3: 14-22 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: 3: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 3: 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! 3: 17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 3: 18 take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! 3: 19 All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! 3: 20 Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. 3: 21 I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 3: 22 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’””
One of my teachers used to say, “Three things are most important to the study and understanding of Scripture: (1) Context; (2) Context; and (3) Context.” It is important that we consider any passage from the Bible in its cultural, contextual setting. That is why I have suggested that as you study more carefully the 7 churches in Revelation that you find out what you can about the 7 churches and their cities – their history, the geography, the citizens, and so on. We really have to look at a little background to really understand the Lord’s message to the Laodicean church.
Laodicea was located on a major Asian trade route which helped it to become a prosperous commercial and banking center, probably one of the wealthiest cities in the region. When an earthquake devastated Laodicea its citizens refused aid from Rome. Their pride and self-sufficiency convinced them that they could rebuild themselves without help. The site of Laodicea, the Lycus Valley was known for the soft, glossy, black wool they produced. Laodicea became famous as a textile center producing highly sought after clothing. A medical school was located at Laodicea. Some of the coins minted there bore the images of some of their well-known physicians. The medical school produced an eye salve that was shipped throughout the Roman world. Archaeologists have uncovered a very sophisticated aqueduct system that consisted of a double pressurized pipeline that brought water into the city. Ten miles to the east was Colossae, known for its refreshing cold springs. Six miles north of Laodicea was Hierapolis and its soothing hot springs. But Laodicea had to depend on water that traveled several miles through stone pipes, becoming tepid and mineral laced, making the water somewhat sickening.
I used to spend summers on an old, family farm. I can recall many hot, still August days working out in the field. A late afternoon breeze would begin to blow and I could see from across the field that old windmill begin to churn. I would literally run to the windmill to get a drink of that wonderful, cold, fresh water as the wind pumped it out of the ground. I can almost taste and feel it today! So refreshing! But sometimes I couldn’t wait for that late afternoon breeze. I would walk over to a hose that was watering the vegetables and try to take a drink of water that had traveled hundreds of feet through a garden hose in the hot, West Texas sun. I would almost spit it out. (I say, “almost”, because, after all, it was wet and I was thirsty, but it certainly fell short of “cool and refreshing.”)
Does this give you a little more insight into the words of Jesus: “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!” – 3:16.
He was literally telling the Laodicean Christians, “You make me sick.” The Laodiceans could, more than others, identify with what He was saying. Why would He say something like that?
He tells us why: Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth and need nothing.” They did have great wealth – at least from the world’s perspective. He went on: but (you) do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. People from all over wanted eye medicine from Laodicea, yet He called them blind. The clothing they manufactured was highly sought after, yet He pronounced them naked. They were wealthy but Jesus referred to them as wretched and poor. The remedy: “buy gold from Me”; and “Buy from Me white clothing…and eye salve.” Why did the Lord call them lukewarm and sickening? Because they were no longer depending on Him. They had become proud and self-reliant. Their commitment to Jesus had become halfhearted.
This situation reminds me of Paul’s admonition to the Galatians: “Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?” – Galatians 3:3. The Laodiceans were being foolish. They started out by grace and were now trying to be God’s church through their own power and resources. How hypocritical and self-serving! We Americans with our independent spirit, rugged individualism, and “I can do it alone” mindset tend to be just like them. (Independence, rugged individualism, and an “I can do it” mindset can be good qualities to possess IF you are Christ focused and biblically centered.) I think this kind of self-reliance is one reason Paul gave these instructions to Timothy: Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. – 1 Timothy 6:17.
Jesus called them lukewarm. When you look at it and realize that He was really telling them, “You make me sick,” you have to conclude that is really harsh! Why would He be so harsh? He tells us in 3:19: “All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!” Did you catch that? He loves those lukewarm, hypocritical, self-sufficient, sickening, Laodiceans. I’ve got to tell you, that gives me hope! In all the ways that I have messed up and fallen short of His will for me He still loves me!
There’s more! He said, “Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.” – 3:20. Jesus proclaimed His love to them and His desire to fellowship with them. He wants to fellowship with you! John wrote in 1 John 1:3 – What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ). We have the privilege of reading and studying the written Word of God – the Bible and through that written Word we can enjoy fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. (No matter what we have done in the past!)
And now there is even more! Another promise! “I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne.” – 3:21. What a privilege! We get to sit with Jesus on His throne. RE 20:6 – Blessed and holy is the one who takes part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. This is how the Apostle Paul put it in 2 Timothy 2:12 – If we endure, we will also reign with Him. Remember the Bible says that if you are a believer in Christ you are a conqueror. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. – Romans 8:37 KJV (Please read verses 31-39 to get that verse in context and know what “these things” are.) As believers, you and I will one day rule and reign with Jesus!
Bringing It Home: To each of the 7 churches Jesus said, “the one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” These messages are meant for you me – if you can hear or if you can read. Also, to each church He said, “I know…” He said: ”I know your works”; “I know your love”; “I know where you live”; “I know your distress and your suffering”. Jesus knows you! He knows all about you. He knows exactly what you are going through. He even knows the number of the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). He knows what you are thinking. Scripture relates a number of instances where Jesus knew what people were thinking: (see Luke 5:22; 6:8; 9:47). Read Psalm 139. Read it several times in different translations and spend some time thinking about it and just how well the Lord knows you. Remember, He knows ALL about you and He loves you!
As we go through the messages to the 7 churches, we find Jesus honoring their hard work; their faithfulness; their perseverance; and their discernment. These are qualities we want to possess and build on because we want to honor Jesus with our lives.
Jesus rebuked them for their lack of passion; their compromising worldliness; and their self-sufficiency (their tendency to depend on their own strength rather than on the grace and power of the Lord). But in each case He had a plan for them to overcome and conquer. He said, “remember” and “repent”. Through a study of these 7 churches you should know that Jesus loves you and you have a bright hope and a future in Christ. So, don’t stay where you are in the doldrums. Get to know God’s Word better and move forward in your knowledge and service in the Lord.
Dig a Little Deeper: You might go back through the messages to the seven churches and make your own list of commendations and condemnations (my list was just a brief summary). Which commendations apply to you? Continue in those areas. Which of the rebukes might apply to you. Repent. Ask God to forgive you and ask Him to give you grace and strength to overcome. The Lord told the Laodiceans, “All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Read Hebrews 12:5-11.
Next time we will start on the third part of the outline: “What will be after these things.” To prepare you might begin reading Revelation, chapters 4-7.
Until next time,
Mike
