Commentary

The restored Roman gymnasium at Sardis.
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3:1-3 Sardis (today called Sart) was the capital of the province of Lydia, situated some 40 kilometers southwest of Thyatira. The city stood on a hill, and at the foot of that hill were the temples of Artemis and Zeus.

The city was situated 1000 feet up on the side of a mountain and in view of Sardis’ location and natural protection, the people of Sardis considered the city impregnable. They felt so secure that their guard was not always up in time of crisis. History reveals that the city was conquered without resistance by both Cyrus and Antiochus, and in this lies a spiritual lesson. Both times the enemy sneaked in and opened the gates while the people of Sardis slept.

Prophetic Application


Sardis means “that which remains.” Prophetically, Sardis represents the Church from approximately 1798 to 1843. During the initial brilliance of the Reformation, many errors of the Dark Ages were exposed. Many old truths were rediscovered, such as: salvation by faith in Jesus, the Bible as the only rule of faith and doctrine and Christ as the only Mediator between God and man. The Reformation was rooted in Christ. It is the Gospel of Christ that led the reformers out of the spiritual darkness that had all but extinguished the flame of Christianity.

Sadly, this early fervor was gradually replaced by formalities as the community and the state accepted the new churches. In spite of the heroic contributions of the individual Protestant leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin and Roger Williams, the impetus for reform did not last. As the fervent pioneers of each reform movement passed from the scene, the movement lost its fervor and became spiritually cold and weak. Protestant Europe and the United States in the mid-1700s had become comfortable with formal religion, devoid of spirituality.

The Church claimed to be spiritually alive and reformed, as if living off the glory of the past, but in reality it was dead. The Lord intended that the Reformation would continue until the pure Gospel was restored, but the followers of the reformers refused to advance beyond the truths which their leaders had discovered. John 12:35-36; Hebrews 5:12-6:2.

The inability of the various reform factions to find unity based on the Word also led to the formation of numerous denominations, each adopting the creed of its founders. The great work of reform faltered and even resulted in bitter infighting.

Right away in His opening address, Christ gives the Church a warning, implying the Church had a false sense of security, and an element of death or hypocrisy. To the casual observer, the Church seemed to be alive, but in reality it was dead. There was a false understanding of their own lack. "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (Revelation 3:1).

This mention of death takes us directly into the post-Reformation period, from the close of the Council of Trent in 1563, to the beginning of the great religious awakening in the 18^th century. This period has been fittingly described as "the age of dead orthodoxy." Instead of the reformers continuing their work of restoration, they submitted to the protection and support of the civil authorities. While separating from Rome, the Protestant Church became subject to the state.

The Counter Reformation launched by the Roman Catholic Church gradually eroded faith in the Scriptures and even set the tone for tolerance and acceptance of the teachings of Rome. The Church of Sardis was given this warning: "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

3:4 The Reformation had failed to fortify itself against complacency and became the easy prey of those who wished to destroy it.

Commendations: Nevertheless, there were many in the Sardis period who were eager for Biblical truth and were eager for a vibrant experience with Christ. In the midst of persecution, many courageous reformers were willing to lay down their lives rather than to deny Christ. It is to these that Christ says, "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy" (Revelation 3:4).



3:5-6 Promise: The message to Sardis is a message calling believers back to the truth and to steadfastness in faith. The overcomers are promised “white raiment,” which is Christ’s righteousness. Being clothed with “white raiment” is a symbol of exchanging sin for righteousness. Zechariah 3:4-5. The way to become an overcomer is to remain faithful and continue to grow in Christ.

The book of life is introduced in this verse - a book of tremendous interest to all candidates of everlasting life. Here is a book containing the names of all those who have met the conditions of entering the heavenly Kingdom. But implied in this verse is the danger that, after our names have been entered in, they may be blotted out. If this was not the case, this warning would not have been given, showing that the once saved, always saved teaching of some evangelical teachers is unBiblical. Even the great apostle and missionary Paul feared the he himself might become a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27). Also referenced here is a definite point of time in the future when this work of blotting out will take place. It references the time mentioned by Peter in Acts 3:19: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

If the overcomer's name will not be blotted out of the book of life, then it implies that his sins will not be remembered (Hebrews 8:12) and will be blotted out of the book in which they are recorded. This is exactly what we want to happen to each of us.

Christ taught that as we confess or deny, despise or honor Him here, we will be confessed or denied by Him before His Father in heaven, and before the holy angels. (Matthew 10:32,33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:8,9) What an honor it is to be approved before all of heaven by Christ Himself - to be owned by the Lord as ones who have fought the good fight, and honored Him before men. This is the greatest achievement we could ever strive for.

Amphitheater at Ancient Philadelphia . This 60,000 person theater was the main area for spectacles...

3:7 Philadelphia lies 45 kilometers east of Sardis and today the city of Alashehir stands where the ancient city stood. Philadelphia was situated at the foot of the mountains leading to Annatolia and, as such, was the doorway to this region. Due north of Antioch, this inland city was built by a Greek king in memory of his brother. The city was prone to earthquakes, and had to be periodically restored and rebuilt.

Prophetic Application


Church of St. John In Alaşehir (ancient Philadelphia) -- Creative Commons, Wikimedia...

Philadelphia represents The Church of the Great Second Advent Awakening, and spans 1843-1888. Philadelphia means “brotherly love.”

Prior to 1844, there was an extensive spiritual revival in many places around the world. The evangelical awakening in England and the great awakening in America revived the established churches and led to the formation of both the Baptist and Methodist church movements. These revivals stirred the Christian world to great missionary efforts. Many mission societies were formed and sent out missionaries, such as David Livingstone, all over the world. They also formed Bible societies, worked for the abolition of slavery, and began orphanages and colleges.

William Carey became the messenger to India in 1793, and Robert Morrison to China in 1807. In 1817, Robert Moffat carried the message to Africa and John Wesley challenged the doctrines of Calvin. Between 1804 and 1834, numerous Bible societies were established, and the door for the Gospel was opened.

As always in an age of spiritual enlightenment, Satan endeavored to destroy the work by the introduction of counterfeit movements. Spiritism in all its forms saw its modern revival at that time. Out of the French Revolution of 1789-1799 came the concepts of humanism and atheism that were to form the foundation stones for communism. The period also saw the rise of many false prophets who would claim special revelations contrary to the Word of God.



The extensive spiritual revival culminated in a great spiritual awakening as the soon return of Jesus and the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were carefully studied and preached. This spiritual awakening was known as the Millerite (or 'advent') movement. The Millerite movement reaffirmed the truth of the Word and its prophetic importance.

One of those that participated in this advent movement writes about the fervour and feelings of that time, showing the "brotherly love" of this period:

Men from all denominations were convinced that the coming of Christ was near. As they came out of the various churches, they left sectarian names and feelings behind, and every heart beat in unison as all joined to give the alarm to the churches and to the world, and pointed to the coming of the Son of man as the believer's true hope. Selfishness and covetousness were laid aside, and a spirit of consecration and sacrifice was cherished. The Spirit of God was with every true believer, and His praise upon every tongue. Those who were not in that movement cannot fully realize how great was the searching of heart, the consecration to God, the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and the pure, fervent love for one another which true believers enjoyed.

The "key of David" is a reference to the rightful heir to David's throne - the Son of God Himself. David's throne is a symbol of great power and authority. David was promised that in his lineage would come the Son of God to sit on his throne. In Luke, Christ was promised the throne of David on which to reign, and this throne is included in the capital city, New Jerusalem. (Luke 1:32,33; Revelation 21:1-5) He is to reign on this throne forever and ever.

Model of the tabernacle in Timna Valley Park, Israel - Creative Commons License, Wikimedia...

3:8 In 1844, Jesus began the last phase of His heavenly ministry (Hebrews 8:2); He opened the door to the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844, and the antitypical Day of Atonement began. This is the “open door” here referred to. Although this doctrine is not well-known or popular, "no man can shut it" because it is set in time. It was shortly after 1844 that important Bible truths such as the seventh-day Sabbath and the work of Jesus as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary were rediscovered.

A figure (or pattern) of the heavenly sanctuary was created by Israel when they were in the desert. Moses was given the specifications, as evidenced in Exodus 25:8,9 Acts 4:7, and Hebrews 9:1,21, 23, 24. The earthly version had two apartments - the holy place and the most holy place. (Exodus 26:33,34). In the first apartment were the candlestick, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense. In the second was the ark of the covenant, containing the ten commandments on tables of stone, and the cherubim on top(Hebrews 9:1-5). The sanctuary in heaven also has two apartments, and also has furniture similar to that of the earthly. The candlestick (Revelation 4:5), the altar of incense (Revelation 8:3), and the ark of the covenant (Revelation 11:19) are all seen in heaven in the book of Revelation. The ministry of these priests was a shadow of the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary in heaven. (Hebrews 8:4,5)

" A complete round of service was performed in the earthly tabernacle once every year. (Hebrews 9:7) But in the tabernacle above the service is performed once for all (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12). At the close of the yearly typical service, the high priest entered the second apartment, the most holy place of the sanctuary, to make an atonement; and this work is appropriately called the cleansing of the sanctuary. (Leviticus 16:20, 30, 33; Ezekiel 45:18) When the ministry in the most holy place began, that in the holy place ceased; and no service was performed there so long as the priest was engaged in the most holy place. (Leviticus 16:17)
A similar opening and shutting, or change of ministration, must be accomplished by Christ when the time comes for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. The time did come for this service to begin at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. To this event the opening and shutting mentioned in the text under consideration can appropriately apply, the opening and shutting mentioned in the text under consideration can appropriately apply, the opening being that of Christ's ministration in the most holy place, and the shutting, its cessation in the first apartment, or holy place."

Thousands were put out of their churches and ridiculed for believing the prophecies of the Bible regarding the Second Advent of Jesus. Despite this, they kept patiently waiting for Christ’s return. The coldness and persecution of the churches which had rejected the message of the Second Coming of Christ brought the believers into a close “brotherly love” with one another.

"...for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." In 1843, those that believed in the second advent of Christ, thought He was coming, but instead they were greatly disappointed. A small group of believers continued to study, realized that their calculation of the event was off by 1 year due to the change from BC to AD, and looked for the second advent in the fall of 1844. Of course, Christ did not come back in 1844, because they had misjudged the meaning of the "cleansing of the sanctuary". This small group of advent believers had "a little strength" and persevered until they understood the meaning of the verses they were studying and the beautiful truth of the sanctuary was uncovered.

3:9 This verse applies to those who did not keep pace with the light of truth that was being revealed, those that oppose Christians who do want to follow truth as it is revealed. Christ promises that such people will be made to confess that God loves those who stay faithful, obey His word, and follow in the knowledge of truth.

The Great Awakening of this time was met with suspicion and even hostility by the established churches of the day as they refused to accept new light on the Scriptures. The age of Philadelphia was an age of brotherly love among those who embraced the truths of the Second Coming of Christ, but they were derided and mocked for their stance.

The word Jews used here is a reference to Jewish Christians (see Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:28-29). The Jew referred to here represents those Christians who would reject the light and ridicule those who believed it.

Christian crosses carved into stone panels at Philadelphia in Turkey...

3:10-13 Reproof: None. The letter to Philadelphia contains no reproof. The time period it represents was to open the door to the Gospel so that it could be spread to the ends of the world. The Word of God was to be restored and truth would triumph.

Promise: The promise is given that the Philadelphian era would not be subjected to the time of trouble prophesied by Daniel that was to precede the coming of Christ. And this did indeed happen, as that time has not yet come. The promise of Christ's soon return given in verse 11 ("Behold I come quickly") is further evidence of the historic continuous nature of the prophetic content of the letters to the seven churches. Here in the church of Philadelphia the nearness of Christ's soon coming is emphasized because this church takes place during the "time of the end" and encapsulates the proclamations of Christ's soon coming that were given during this period.

To the Church of the Middle Ages (Thyatira) the message was given to "hold fast what you have till I come" (Revelation 2:25), whereas in Philadelphia the Church is given the same admonition but this time in reference to His soon return. The Great Disappointment came as a major blow to many in the Advent movement and the counsel to "Hold fast what you have that no one may take your crown" (Revelation 3:11) is appropriate for this era.



"Not I, but Christ" was the watchword of the Philadelphian Christians, and the same motto should be for all of Christ's followers. Once we lay our selves down in humility, Christ and His love can conquer through us. The Word-based unity and love-based community of the Church of Philadelphia is a shining example of what all who aspire to follow Christ should seek to acquire.

As pillars they are honored for their support of Christ’s church and their salvation is guaranteed. Names indicated character and ownership, thus they are given the character of God and proclaimed as His special people, citizens of His glorious city.

3:19-22 In this last message to the last church Christ pleads with His people for repentance and faithfulness. The rebuke is designed to wake us up out of our slumber. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." Hebrews 12:8. If we are without chastisement, we are not children of God. (Hebrews 12:8)

A general law of His gracious economy is here set forth....As all need chastisement in some measure, they in some measure receive it, and thus have proof of the Saviour's attachment. This is a hard lesson to learn, and believers are dull scholars; yet here and throughout God's word ad providence it stands, that trials are His benedictions, and that no child escapes the rod. The incorrigibly misshapen and coarse-grained blocks are rejected, whilst those chosen for the glorious structure are subjected to the chisel and the hammer. There is no cluster on the true vine but must pass through the winepress.... In view, then, of the origin and design of the chastisements you receive, 'Be zealous and repent.' Lose no time; lose not a blow of the rod, but repent at once. Be fervent in spirit. Such is the first appliance of encouragement." ⁱ

Although coldness is preferred over lukewarmness, Jesus asks our hearts to be aglow with fervent joy and zealous in the service of our Master.

Promise: Despite the fact that there is no commendation but only the sternest rebukes, this church is given the greatest promises. Christ pictures Himself knocking on our heart’s door. In heaven, there are no doors closed to Christ.

He is the life of every heart, the light in every eye, the song on every tongue, in glory. But He goes round from door to door in Laodicea. He stands at each, and knocks, because He came to see and to save that which was lost, because He cannot give up the purpose of communicating eternal life to as many as the Father hath given Him, and because He cannot become known to the inmate unless the door be opened and a welcome given Him. Have you bought five yoke of oxen, is your hat in your hand, and do you pray to be excused? He knocks and knocks. But you cannot receive company at present; you are worn out with labor; you have wheeled round the sofa; you are making yourself comfortable, and you send word you are engaged. He knocks and knocks....It is the hour for church prayer meeting... there is opportunity to pay a Christian visit to an individual or a family; but you move not....Oh, nauseous lukewarmness! Oh, fatal worldliness! The Lord of glory comes all the way from His celestial palace--comes in poverty, in sweat, in blood--comes to the door of a professed friend, who owes all to Him, and cannot get in!--comes to rescue a man whose house is on fire, and he will not admit Him! Oh, the height, the depth, of Jesus Christ's forbearance! Even the heathen Publius received Paul, and lodged him three days courteously. Shall nominal Christians tell the Lord of apostles they have no room for Him? ⁱⁱ

From this verse, we also learn that Christ sits on two thrones. He sits on His Father's throne and His own. Whoever invites Him to come in will enjoy the closest relationship with Him, receive the power to become an overcomer and have the great honor to sit with Him on His throne. Luke 12:37; John 14:23.

Have you given your life to Him? If not, you can do it right now by praying this simple prayer: "Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. (Confess to Him the ones that you can remember.) Thank you for your life, your death and your resurrection for me. I accept you as my personal Lord and Saviour, and claim your free gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen."