Revelation 3
Notes
Transcript
Prayer Requests
What stood out to you reading this chapter?
What unanswered questions do you have?
Read Revelation 3:1-6
To whom is this section addressed? (1)
Beeke—Sardis was thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. Before the time of Christ, trade and traffic converged in Sardis. The city reached the peak of its glory in the sixth century BC under Croesus, king of the state of Lydia. At that time, it was called “the queen of Asia” or “the impregnable city.” Because Sardis was surrounded by cliffs, it was considered unassailable. However, the city was conquered twice, both times by surprise: once by Cyrus in 546 BC and once by Antiochus III in 214 BC. Both conquests were due to the Sardians’ lack of vigilance. In AD 17, Sardis was partly destroyed by an earthquake. However, it had been rebuilt with the assistance of the Emperor and once again experienced a measure of prosperity [130].
Who is speaking? (1)
Seven spirits = fullness of the Holy Spirit
Seven stars = Jesus holds the pastors of these churches (and the churches) in His hands!
What concerns does Jesus have with the church? (1-3)
Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for false teaching or for immorality but for complacency
Beeke— This letter describes a church that was about to be extinguished altogether because its members had become lethargic and complacent [131].
Beeke—Jesus rebukes the church, saying, “I have not found thy works perfect before God” (v. 2). In the original Greek, the statement is stronger: “Nothing you do pleases me,” Jesus says. “In everything you turn your hand to, something is lacking.” The Greek word translated here as perfect literally means “filled” or “fulfilled.” Christ is saying: “I have not found your works fulfilling. Your works do not satisfy Me.” Christ is saying: “Your works are as an empty shell. There is no substance to what you are doing, Sardis. I look for the fruits that accompany justifying faith, but I look in vain” (cf. Isa. 5:1–7). [132]
What good things does Jesus have to say to the church? (4)
Jesus will reform this church through an obedient remnant
How does He command them to respond? (1-4)
Wake up
Remember
Keep it!
Repent
What promise is given (5-6)
White garments
Name in book of life
Confess name before Father
Read Revelation 3:7-13
To whom is this section addressed? (7)
Beeke—Philadelphia was thirty miles southeast of Sardis. It lay in a valley and served as an important center for trade. Founded in 189 BC, the city was almost demolished in AD 17 by an earthquake, but had been rebuilt by means of tax relief from the Roman Emperor. The word philadelphia literally means “brotherly love” or “love of the brethren” (Heb. 13:1). The name was bestowed on the city by its founder, King Eumenes II (d. 159 BC) of Pergamos, in honor of his brother, Attalus II (220–138 BC). Attalus had shown such steadfast loyalty to his brother that he received the epithet philadelphus—“the one who loves his brother.” [142]
Who is speaking? (7)
Key of David—a symbol of Jesus’ authority (Isaiah 22:20-25)
Chester—Jesus opens a door to believers (Revelation 3:7–8). The Jewish community had shut the door on the Christians (perhaps excluding them from the synagogue), but Jesus opens the door to his kingdom (4:1) and no-one can shut it. [45]
What good things does Jesus have to say to the church? (8-10)
Verse 8...
Beeke—This is a door of usefulness, service, and effective witness for the gospel. This open door is promised to those who, by grace, already have been brought through the door of regeneration. To them the Lord says: “I now set before you an open door of opportunity to bring My gospel tidings to your families, neighbors, and all whom providence allows you to interact with. I set before you an open door.” [146]
See Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, Colossians 4:2-3
Verse 9...
Beeke—In other words, Christ says: “Those relatives and friends who have ostracized you for years because of your Christianity will soon be coming to your worship services. And I will convert them. They will fall at your feet and say, ‘What must we do to be saved?’ I am going to open a door that no one can shut—a door for the gospel, an effectual door, a door of salvation.” [147-148]
Beeke—The word worship [or “bow”] here does not mean divine worship, but rather a kind of respect. These people will cease persecuting believers and will come to honor and respect them because they see the love of God for them. [153]
Verse 10...
Chester— “The hour of trial” may be a coming crisis or the events immediately before Christ’s return. Either way, Jesus promises to keep his people (John 17:15). [45]
How does He command them to respond? (11)
Hold fast!
What promise is given (12-13)
Read Revelation 3:14—22
To whom is this section addressed? (14)
Chester—The city of Laodicea was famous for three things. First, it was a banking centre. With that wealth came a spirit of independence. When the city was devastated by an earthquake in AD 61, it refused imperial help. Second, it was a medical centre famous for its eye ointment. Third, it was a clothing centre famous for tunics made from local black wool. [45-46]
Beeke—It was known for its school of medicine, which specialized in diseases of the eye, and for its soft black wool, which was woven into luxurious garments. Many of the people in the city and perhaps in the church of Laodicea were upper class. And as a center of banking and finance, Laodicea was a city of immense wealth. It was so rich, in fact, that when much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60 and the Roman government offered emergency assistance, the Laodiceans declined to accept it. At the same time, the city had no natural water supply, and had to bring in water via an aqueduct from a town six miles to the south. [158]
Who is speaking? (14)
Chester—Jesus is God’s “Amen” or “yes” to all his promises (2 Corinthians 1:18–20) [46]
Beeke—
What concerns does Jesus have with the church? (15-17)
Beeke—The nearby town of Colosse enjoyed deliciously cool water. Another town a few miles away, Hierapolis, boasted hot springs believed to have medicinal properties. However, the Laodiceans had only the tepid flow that passed through miles of aqueducts to drink. Christ speaks with exquisite irony: the Laodicean church is no better than its water. Rather than bringing healing (hot) or refreshment (cold), the church was useless and disgusting. [160]
Beeke—
How does He command them to respond? (18)
What promise is given (19-22)
Beeke—Jesus Christ is either worth everything or He is worth nothing. If He is the true Savior and Lord—the way, truth, and life—as He claims to be, He is worth everything. He is worthy to be served with our entire soul, entire mind, and entire strength. If He is not what He claims to be, then, God forbid, He is an imposter, a sham, a fake—and He is worth nothing. It is impossible that Jesus is only worth something. He either deserves your whole heart or none of your heart. It makes no sense at all to give him only half your heart. The Bible tells us repeatedly that He despises half-hearted religion; He is disgusted with lukewarmness. That is what He tells us again in His message to the church of Laodicea. [157-58]