Revelation
Chapter 3
Overview
Revelation 3 continues a series of messages from Jesus to communities of his followers in Asia Minor. Here he addresses Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, three cities with very different spiritual conditions. Sardis looks alive but is dying; Philadelphia has little power but has remained loyal; Laodicea is comfortably self-deceived and painfully lukewarm. Each message combines sharp diagnosis, urgent warning, and a promise for those who endure. The imagery moves through stained clothes, open doors, royal keys, purified gold, eye ointment, and shared meals. Appearances, as usual, make poor doctors.
1“Write to the angel of the community in Sardis: ‘This is what the one who holds God’s seven spirits and the seven stars says: I know what you have done. You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.
2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
3So remember how you received and heard the message. Obey it, and change your ways. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will have no idea what hour I will come against you.
4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not stained their clothes. They will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.
5Anyone who overcomes will be dressed in white clothes like these. I will never erase that person’s name from the book of life. Instead, I will acknowledge that person by name before my Father and his angels.
6Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the communities.’
7“Write to the angel of the community in Philadelphia: ‘This is what the Holy One, the true one, says. He holds David’s key, a symbol of royal authority. When he opens, no one can close, and when he closes, no one can open.
8I know what you have done. Look, I have placed an open door before you that no one can close. Although you have little strength, you have obeyed my message and have not disowned me.
9I will give you some people from Satan’s assembly—people who claim to be Jews but are not and are lying. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
10Because you have obeyed my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the time of testing that is about to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold firmly to what you have, so that no one takes away your victor’s wreath.
12I will make anyone who overcomes a pillar in the temple of my God, and that person will never leave it again. I will write on that person the name of my God, the name of my God’s city—the new Jerusalem, which is coming down from heaven from my God—and my own new name.
13Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the communities.’
14“Write to the angel of the community in Laodicea: ‘This is what the one called “Amen” says—the one whose word is sure, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation.
15I know what you have done: you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot!
16Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of my mouth.
17You say, “I am rich. I have become wealthy and need nothing.” But you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18I advise you to buy from me gold purified by fire, so that you may become rich; white clothes to wear, so that your shameful nakedness will not be exposed; and ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.
19I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be earnest and change your ways.
20Look, I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and share a meal with that person, and that person will share it with me.
21I will allow anyone who overcomes to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the communities.’”