REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:1 The church in _Sardis_ has a few who remain faithful, but their faith does not result in good works. Most of the impressive Roman-era remains now visible at Sardis were constructed by the emperor Tiberius after the tragic earthquake of A.D. 17. The emperor Tiberius... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:2 The church in Sardis is near death, but not beyond Christ’s ability to WAKE them UP. Twice in its history Sardis had been conquered when its watchmen failed to see the enemy climbing its cliffs and walls, so the people knew the importance of alertness. LIKE A THIEF.... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:4 There is hope for A FEW NAMES, alert and faithful believers. Christ promises them the conqueror’s reward. They will have communion with him (WALK WITH ME) and the WHITE clothing of victory (see note on 6:9–11). Their NAME is secure in his BOOK OF LIFE (Revelation 20... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:7 _Philadelphia_ is praised for enduring in faith. In recognition for the aid after an earthquake in A.D. 17, the city was briefly renamed Neocaesarea (“Caesar’s New City”). Jesus promises his suffering church an infinitely greater name, “the city of my God, the new J... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:8 AN OPEN DOOR. Paul used the phrase “open doors” to describe opportunities for ministry (see 1 Corinthians 16:9). That sense is possible here. More likely, Jesus is offering them an open door into God’s heavenly sanctuary (see Revelation 3:12; Revelation 4:1). LITTLE... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:9 Members of THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN (compare Revelation 2:9) SAY THAT THEY ARE JEWS but they serve God’s enemy, for they persecute Christians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:10 HOUR OF TRIAL. This trial is COMING ON THE WHOLE WORLD. It will happen before the day of judgment. Revelation envisions a brief future period of intense persecution for the church (see Revelation 19:19; Revelation 20:7). This time will include ever more intense man... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:14 _Laodicea_ is criticized for its spiritual immaturity. The city was a commercial center. It had thriving medical and textile industries. It was so wealthy that it declined imperial disaster relief after an earthquake in A.D. 60. The city did not see itself as “poor... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:15 The church’s LUKEWARM indifference was disgusting to Jesus. COLD and HOT water both represent something positive, for cold water refreshes in the heat and hot water gives warmth in the cold. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, le... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:17 The Laodiceans were spiritually blind, bankrupt, and naked. They had no resources to BUY from Jesus GOLD or GARMENTS or SALVE for their eyes. They could “purchase” these necessities only by his grace (see Isaiah 55:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:19 Like a loving father, Christ will REPROVE those whom he loves (compare Proverbs 3:12). I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. Jesus is the master of the house. He expects alert servants to respond immediately to his signal and welcome his entrance (Luke 12:35). EAT WITH HI... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 3:21 I WILL GRANT HIM TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE implies that Christ will give some of his ruling authority to his people (compare Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:6; Luke 19:17; 1 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Timothy 2:12).... [ Continue Reading ]