INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 3 This chapter contains the epistles to the churches at Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, and begins with that to Sardis; in which the sender describes himself by some things taken out of a former description of him; and gives an account of the state of this church; tha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN SARDIS WRITE,.... Of the city of Sardis Revelation 1:11 when, and by whom this church was founded, and who was the present angel or pastor of it, is not now to be certainly known; however, here was a church in the "second" century, of which Melito was then pastor;... [ Continue Reading ]
BE WATCHFUL,.... Which may respect both ministers and members: the ministers of the Gospel, whose business is to watch over themselves, their conversation and doctrine, and watch every opportunity to preach it, and the success of their ministry; and that they do not grow careless, or be drawn aside... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER, THEREFORE, HOW THOU HAST RECEIVED AND HEARD,.... That is, hast received upon hearing; for hearing goes first, and then receiving: the design of the advice is to put this church in mind of the doctrines of grace she had heard at the beginning of the Reformation, from Luther and others; such... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST A FEW NAMES EVEN IN SARDIS,.... The Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "but thou hast a few names", c. or "a few men", as the Ethiopic version renders it who were called by name, and were men of renown, excellent... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT OVERCOMETH,.... The deadness, formality, and imperfection of this church state; gets over these things, and is among the few names in it: THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT; the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, read, "thus shall he be clothed in white raiment";... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR,.... Revelation 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA WRITE,.... Of the city of Philadelphia, Revelation 1:11; According to the Apostolical Constitutions m, one Demetrius was ordained bishop of this church by the Apostle John; but this is not to be depended on; nor is it known who this angel was: however,... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS,.... Good works, of faith, love, and patience; and which lay much in preaching, professing, and maintaining the pure Gospel, and in acts of charity to one another; and which were done to some degree of perfection, and with great sincerity; since this church is not complained of, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE THEM OF THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN,.... Which may be understood either of the Papists, the followers of the man of sin, whose coming was after the working of Satan, and whose doctrines are the doctrines of devils, many of whom will now be converted, and brought to the true church; or... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PATIENCE,.... The Gospel; so called because it gives an account of the patience of Christ, in the midst of all his outward meanness and humiliation; and because it is a means of implanting and increasing the grace of patience, which God is the efficient cause of... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY,.... To bring on this hour of temptation on the reformed churches, which will be at the beginning of this period; to help and deliver, save and preserve the truly godly among them; to destroy antichrist, and introduce the latter day glory: HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST; eith... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT OVERCOMETH,.... In the hour of temptation, in this period of time; that stands his ground then, sustains the shock of the beast, with courage and intrepidity, and overcomes him: WILL I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD; by which is meant not the church triumphant, though such will have... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR,.... Revelation 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS WRITE,.... Of the city of Laodicea, Revelation 1:11; there was a church here in the times of the Apostle Paul; by whom it was founded is not known; mention is made of it in 1 Thessalonians 2:1, who was now the angel, or pastor of it, whether Epaphra... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THY WORKS,.... Which were far from being perfect, and not so good as those of the former church: THAT THOU ART NEITHER COLD NOR HOT; she was not "cold", or without spiritual life, at least in many of her members, as all men by nature are, and carnal professors be; she was alive, but not live... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN BECAUSE THOU ART LUKEWARM, AND NEITHER COLD NOR HOT,.... A lukewarm professor is one that serves God and mammon; that halts between two opinions, and knows not what religion is best, and cares little for any, yet keeps in a round of duty, though indifferent to it, and contents himself with i... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I AM RICH,.... In worldly goods, which occasioned her lukewarmness, as riches often do, and her vanity, pride, and arrogance, afterwards expressed. Laodicea was a very rich city, and so will be this church state, through the accession of kings and princes, and great men of the e... [ Continue Reading ]
I COUNSEL THEE,.... Christ is a Counsellor, and is every way fit to be one, for he is the all wise God, the Ancient of days, and the Father of his people, and, as Mediator, the Wisdom of God; and he was concerned in the council of peace from everlasting; and when he was here on earth he gave counsel... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MANY AS I LOVE I REBUKE AND CHASTEN,.... The persons the objects of Christ's love here intended are not angels, but the sons of men; and these not all of them, yet many of them, even all who are his own by his Father's gift and his own purchase; and who are called his church, and sometimes repres... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK,.... The phrase of standing at the door may be expressive of the near approach, or sudden coming of Christ to judgment, see James 5:9; and his knocking may signify the notice that will be given of it, by some of the immediate forerunners and signs of his coming;... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH,.... The lukewarmness, and self-confidence, and security of this state: WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE; at the close of this church state, which will be the last of this kind, consisting of imperfect saints, Christ will descend from heaven with the souls of all the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR,.... Revelation 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]