Revelation Chapter 3- The Churches

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“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. v1

Church of Sardis = The Spiritually Dead Church

Jesus clearly identifies himself again by the One who is holding the 7 Spirits of God (Holy Spirit)  and 7 Stars (Angels/Messangers)

The 7 Spirits of God is the Holy Spirit. Remember 7 is the symbolic of completion. If you reference Isaiah 11, it describes the 7 characteristics of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

This Church/Assembly appears to have a Sin problem, as Jesus says they are appear to be alive but are actually spiritually dead. When you live in sin you are the walking dead. It appears because of their sin, Jesus is withholding the Holy Spirit and Angels from the Church

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1

 

 

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. v2-3

Jesus is giving this Church a “Wake Up” call literally! He is telling them if they don’t Repent and change their ways. Jesus reminds them that his return will be like a “Thief in the Night” nobody will know his day or hour of Return

More support the Church always believed in the imminent return of Christ, which supports a Pre-Trib Rapture view, as a Post-Trib would require many events to take place before the Return of Christ, including the rise of the Anti-Christ, The Tribulation, Armageddon, ect

For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  1 Thessalonians 5:2

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ v4-6

Notice even though the majority of the Church of Sardis are false converts, there are few that are true believers recognized by Christ. “For they are worthy”, there is a remnant of true believers in every denomination and sect of Christianity, we shouldn’t condemn a whole group based of their affiliation

Jesus also brings up the “Book of Life” , notice I will not blot out your name, meaning the name was originally written in there, I think supports the idea of “age of accountability”

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. v7-8

Church of Philadelphia = The Faithful Church

Notice Jesus acknowledges this Church has “Little Power” Yet Christ wont allow this Church to be over Powered! Meaning Jesus is holding this Church in his hands, when we are weak Christ makes us strong!

The Christians of Philadelphia suffered a lot of persecution as they had little money or power, but Jesus never let them go!

Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you v9

Synagogue of Satan is a term introduced here in Revelation, a group of ethnic Jews who reject Jesus as the Messiah and Lord, they are hostile to the gospel, and have become an enemy of God

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. v10-11

Probably the strongest support for a Pre-Trib Rapture, Jesus promises the Church will be kept from the hour of trial (Tribulation) which shall come upon the whole world. This is not a promise just for the Church of Philadelphia but the entire body of Christ!

and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

 

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ v12-13

Think about what a Pillar is, a permanent structure, Jesus is saying we will never be removed from Gods presence! Here Jesus reveals the New Heavens and Earth and New Jerusalem talked about more in Revelation 21. And again Jesus mentions we will receive a New Name! One can only wonder the awesome plans our Lord and God has instore for his people!

The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. Isaiah 62:2

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. v14-16

Church of Laodicea = Lukewarm Church

This Church represents mostly the Church Age we are living in today. Notice this is the last of the Churches also, which should give you a sign!

The City of Laodicea was very wealthy, and this Church really represents the False Prosperity Gospel we see today blinding millions who believe they are actually Christians but never Repented. As Jesus said these people are not really saved at all and he spit them out!

The water is neither hot nor cold, its so nauseating makes you want to vomit it out of your mouth, this is how Jesus views false worship and works.

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. v17-18

Jesus confirming this Church is full of rich people from a worldly perspective, however spiritually they are poor and dead. They rely on the physical materials of this world instead of God. Their works will be tested and refined in the fire by God through trial and testing

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. v19

God disciplines those He loves, just as a Parent does with a child. Again a final plea by Christ for the Church to Repent before the final judgement

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” v20-22

Jesus is knocking on the door of anyone who is willing to listen and open their heart to him!  Notice Jesus says we can sit at the throne of God with him in Victory!

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. John 14:23

This will be the last mention of the Church until Chapter 20- more strong evidence for a Pre-Trib Rapture

Worthless Idols

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When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, And a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land And will possess My holy mountain.” Isaiah 57:13

What or Who is your Idol? I work with a couple of guys who openly admit they spend 12 hours every Sunday watching football. They tell their wives and kids not to bother them and don’t leave their couch all day to stare at an electronic box. During the week they spend countless hours analyzing every player for their fantasy teams. This is Idolatry!

When you put something of more importance than God its idolatry. When you spend more time during your week focused on something instead of God its idolatry!

However as God says when people finally need something, maybe there is a sickness in the family or maybe they are suffering hardship, people start crying out to God to save them! Why don’t you call out on the idols that you spend all your time worshiping!

God wants a relationship with us! He didn’t create us to observe us from afar. He wants to know you and he wants you to know him! Spend time with him, pray to him, worship to him! Let the Holy Spirit intercede for you to bring that relationship with your Heavenly Father

How many of us have that friend or relative who only calls us when they need something? You never hear from this person ever until they are in need, then they are your best friend. Don’t be this person with God! Don’t put things or people in place of God, make him your priority! Develop a relationship with him through Jesus Christ Amen!

The Living Water

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“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” John 7:38

Jesus told the crowd that he is “The Living Water” and anyone who is thirsty can come drink from him and never be thirsty again! For the Gentile Christian, what  was he talking about? How can Jesus be the “Living Water”? But for the Jewish people they knew exactly what Jesus was talking about!

So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the LORD?” Exodus 17:2

 

To understand the “Living Water” we need to understand the Exodus of the Jewish people. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt by the power of God. However to get to the Promise Land they needed to travel through the desert. They had no food or water, and continually complained to Moses that they would be better off as slaves

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6

God provided “Living Water” in the middle of the desert for his people. Just one of the many miracles God performed for the Jewish people during there Exodus. This “Living Water” brought the people back to life and gave them hope for the future

But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:39

Jesus referencing the “Living Water” from the Exodus was talking about the Holy Spirit, this is our Living Water in which we will never thirst again. Just as the Jews had a rough journey to the Promise Land (Israel) We as Christians also have a rough Exodus to the New Heavens and Earth!

But the Living Water and the Bread of Life are sufficient for all our needs, God is our provider!

Blind Watchmen

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His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; Isaiah 56:10

What is a watchmen? In ancient times cities would have large towers where watchmen would be on lookout and alert the city of an enemy or invasion. God called the prophet Ezekiel to be a Watchmen in a spiritual sense to preach truth and call out Israel from their sins

We as Christians need to be watchmen or women also. But how can you be a watchmen if you don’t know anything? Or if you stayed mute when evil strikes? This is what God was telling Israel, there watchmen were being dumb and silent. Many Christians today are being dumb and silent also as we watch Satan continue to infiltrate the Church and lead many astray!

How can we stay ready? First we need to be truly baptized by the Holy Spirit, many Christians are not truly Born Again, therefor living by the flesh and not the Spirit. Repent and Confess Jesus is your Lord, then you will be filled with the Holy Spirit

Second we need to continually study the Word of God. Many Christians fall for false gospel because they don’t know the Bible. You need to stay sharp , don’t fall asleep during your watch! Alert the Church of False Teachers and False Religions that are invading the Church

And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one. Isaiah 56:11

The word Pastor is Latin for the word “Shepherd” . Pastors are the Shepherds for the Churches! If they are not qualified or out for their own personal gain, the Church will be left vulnerable to Satan. We need good Pastors and Watchmen (Christians) who are alert and sober for the devil is looking to devour us like a roaring Lion!