Revelation 3:1-6

To the Church in Sardis

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him ¹who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation ²of being alive, ³but you are dead.

2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works ⁴complete in the sight of my God.

3 ⁵Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, ⁶I will come ⁷like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not ⁸soiled their garments, and they will walk with me ⁹in white, for they are ¹⁰worthy.

5 ¹¹The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never ¹²blot his name out of ¹³the book of life. ¹⁴I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

6 ¹⁵He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ’

Revelation 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

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; that her works were known by him, which were imperfect; and that she had the name of a living church, but was dead; wherefore she is exhorted to watchfulness and diligence, to remember how she had heard and received the Gospel, and to hold it fast, and repent of her sins: if not, he threatens to come as a thief unawares upon her, Re 3:1-3, but excepts some few persons from this general account, who were not defiled with the corruptions of the majority, and who therefore should be favoured with communion with him, Re 3:4, and then some gracious promises are made to persevering saints, and the epistle is concluded in the usual form, Re 3:5,6. Next follows the epistle to the church at Philadelphia; in which the sender assumes some peculiar titles not before mentioned, taken from his holiness, truth, and power, Re 3:7, signifies his approbation of her works; declares he had set before her an open door, which could not be shut; affirms she had a little strength, and commends her for keeping his word, Re 3:8, and, for her encouragement, promises that some persons, formerly of bad characters, should come and worship before her, and should know what an interest she had in his love; and that since she had kept his word, he would keep her from an hour of temptation, which will be a trying time to all the world, Re 3:9,10, and in consideration of his speedy coming, he exhorts her to hold fast what she had, that she might not lose her honour and glory; and promises the overcomer a fixed place and name in the house of God; and closes the epistle as the rest, Re 3:11-13, and then follows the last epistle of all, which is that to the church at Laodicea; in which the sender describes himself by some characters taken from his truth and faithfulness, and from his eternity, power, and dominion, Re 3:14, represents the members of this church as lukewarm, and very disagreeable to him, Re 3:15,16, and as having a vain opinion of themselves, being ignorant of their real state and case, Re 3:17, wherefore he gives them some wholesome counsel and advice, suitable to their condition, Re 3:18, and whereas there were some among them he loved, he lets them know that his rebukes and chastenings were from love, and with a view to stimulate them to zeal, and bring them to repentance, which became them, Re 3:19, and then he informs them where he was, what he expected from them, and what they might upon a suitable behaviour enjoy with him, Re 3:20, and next promises to the overcomer great honour and glory, such as he had with his Father; and concludes the epistle in his usual manner, Re 3:21,22.

Cross References

• 1. 3:1 See ch. 1:4, 16
• 2. 3:1 1 Tim. 5:6
• 3. 3:1 See Luke 15:24
• 4. 3:2 Acts 14:26
• 5. 3:3 [2 Tim. 1:13]
• 6. 3:3 ch. 2:5
• 7. 3:3 ch. 16:15; Matt. 24:43; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10
• 8. 3:4 Jude 23
• 9. 3:4 ch. 6:11; 7:9; [Eccles. 9:8]
• 10. 3:4 [Luke 20:35]
• 11. 3:5 See ch. 2:7
• 12. 3:5 See Ex. 32:32
• 13. 3:5 ch. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; Phil. 4:3
• 14. 3:5 Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8
• 15. 3:6 [See ch. 2:7 above]