THE EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS The contents of the epistle to the church at Sardis Revelation 3:1 are: * The usual salutation to the angel of the church, Revelation 3:1. (2)The usual reference to the attributes of the Saviour - those referred to here being that he had the seven Spirits of G... [ Continue Reading ]
BE WATCHFUL - Be wakeful; be attentive and earnest - in contradistinction from the drowsy condition of the church. STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN - The true piety that still lives and lingers among you. Whatever there was of religion among them, it was of importance to strengthen it, that the lo... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER THEREFORE HOW THOU HAST RECEIVED - This may refer either to some uniqueness in the manner in which the gospel was conveyed to them - as, By the labors of the apostles, and by the remarkable effusions of the Holy Spirit; or to the ardor and love with which they embraced it; or to the greatne... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST A FEW NAMES EVEN IN SARDIS - See the analysis of the chapter. The word “names” here is equivalent to “persons”; and the idea is, that even in a place so depraved, and where religion had so much declined, there were a few persons who had kept themselves free from the general contamination.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT OVERCOMETH - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT - Whosoever he may be that shall overcome sin and the temptations of this world, shall be admitted to this glorious reward. The promise is made not only to those in Sardis who should be victorious, but... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR ... - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. THE EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA This epistle Revelation 3:7 comprises the following subjects: * The usual address to the angel of the church, Revelation 3:7. (2)The reference to some attribute or characteristic of the speaker... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. THESE THINGS SAITH HE THAT IS HOLY - This refers undoubtedly to the Lord Jesus. The appellation holy, or the holy one, is one that befits him, and is not infrequently given to him in the New Testament, Luke 1:35; Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - See the notes on Revelation 2:2. BEHOLD, I HAVE SET BEFORE THEE AN OPEN DOOR - Referring to his authority as stated in Revelation 3:7. The “open door” here evidently refers to the enjoyment of some privilege or honor; and, so far as the language is concerned, it may refer to any... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE - Greek, “I give” - δίδωμι didōmi; that is, I will arrange matters so that this shall occur. The word implies that he had power to do this, and consequently proves that he has power over the heart of man, and Call secure such a result as he chooses. THEM OF THE SYNAGOGUE OF SA... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PATIENCE - My word commanding or enjoining patience; that is, thou hast manifested the patience which I require. They had shown this in the trials which they had experienced; he promises now, that in return he will keep them in the future trials that shall come... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY - That is, in the trials referred to. Compare the notes on Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:11, Revelation 1:16. HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST - That is, whatever of truth and piety you now possess. See the notes on Revelation 3:3. THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN - The crown of life... [ Continue Reading ]
HIM THAT OVERCOMETH - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. WILL MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD - See the introductory remarks to this epistle. The promised reward of faithfulness here is, that he who was victorious would be honored as if he were a pillar or column in the temple of God. Such a pil... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS WRITE - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. THESE THINGS SAITH THE AMEN - Referring, as is the case in every epistle, to some attribute of the speaker adapted to impress their minds, or to give special force to what he was about to say to that particu... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS - notes on Revelation 2:2. THAT THOU ART NEITHER COLD NOR HOT - The word “cold” here would seem to denote the state where there was no pretension to religion; where everything was utterly lifeless and dead. The language is obviously figurative, but it is such as is often employed, w... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN BECAUSE THOU ART LUKEWARM ... I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH - Referring, perhaps, to the well-known fact that tepid water tends to produce sickness at the stomach, and an inclination to vomit. The image is intensely strong, and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which p... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I AM RICH - So far as the language here is concerned, this may refer either to riches literally, or to spiritual riches; that is, to a boast of having religion enough. Prof. Stuart supposes that it refers to the former, and so do Wetstein, Vitringa, and others. Doddridge, Rosenm... [ Continue Reading ]
I COUNSEL THEE TO BUY OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE - Pure gold; such as has been subjected to the action of heat to purify it from dross. See the notes on 1 Peter 1:7. Gold here is emblematic of religion - as being the most precious of the metals, and the most valued by human beings. They professed... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN - Of course, only on the supposition that they deserve it. The meaning is, that it is a proof of love on his part, if his professed friends go astray, to recall them by admonitions and by trials. So a father calls back his children who are disobedient; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK - Intimating that, though they had erred, the way of repentance and hope was not closed against them. He was still willing to be gracious, though their conduct had been such as to be loathsome, Revelation 3:16. To see the real force of this language, we must re... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE - That is, they will share his honors and his triumphs. See the notes on Revelation 2:26; compare the notes on Romans 8:17. EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME - As I gained a victory over the world, and over th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR ... - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. This closes the epistolary part of this book, and the “visions” properly commence with the next chapter. Two remarks may be made in the conclusion of this exposition: (1) The first relates to the truthfulness of the predictions in these epi... [ Continue Reading ]