Rev. 3
Sardis
Jesus- The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
Problems and Remedies- I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then, what you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent....
Consequence- If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you...Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess him before My Father and before His angels.
This church sounds like they are "asleep in the Light." They have only their reputation to embrace without any real substance, but there are a few, a remnant. However, the situation is not hopeless. They only have to wake up, remember, keep it, and repent. Jesus will come quickly and unannounced. Only the worthy ones will know, will be clothed in white, and will have their names in the book of life.
Philadelphia
Jesus- The words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one will open.
Strengths- I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
Consequence-Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.
Warning- Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
Reward- Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon ...The one who conquers , I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from MY God out of heaven, and My own new name.
Small and few has not hindered the faithfulness of these people. Jesus had given them an open door, and when He gives it, it can't be shut. No one is able to snatch them out of His hand. These people have obediently kept and treasured His words. Neither have they denied His name, but instead they have patiently endured. He encouraged them to hold on til the end because then there will be a reward: They will be kept from the hour of trial, will be made a pillar in the temple of God, will stay there indefinitely, will have written on them the name of God, the name of the city of God, and the name of Jesus. They will be an identified possession of God Himself.
Laodicea
Jesus- The words of Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Situation and Consequence- I know your works:you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Warning- I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with Me.
Reward- The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on My throne, as I also conquered, and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Lukewarm, fence riders, claiming no real allegiance to anything but wealth and prosperity! Their lives are such a sham that even they can't see or understand. They do not know the truth about their own souls or lives. He warns them to seek the refined gold of suffering, reproof, and discipline which will yield white garments to cover the nakedness of their souls. His reproof and discipline are proofs of His love! The reward is reigning with Him on the throne of His Father.
Father,
Thank You for reminding me of the value of discipline and reproof. Keep my fire burning bright for You, my eyes open to see the true condition of my soul, and my spirit repentant of any and all sin, lukewarmness, and disobedience. Give me strength and grace to conquer and be faithful to the end.
In the name of the Holy One,
Amen
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