The Letter to Sardis

The ancient city of Sardis was built at the top of a very steep hill. Its defensive position was thought to be impregnable, for there was only one small access point which was easily defended, and as a result, its inhabitants were proud and over confident. It was the capital of Lydia because of its invulnerability to attack; oh yes, the people there were over confident. We have quite a few ancient records of the persecution of the church in Asia Minor, but the funny thing is that Sardis is never mentioned, for it would seem that the church there never bothered anybody enough to be persecuted.

Here’s another funny thing about Sardis, the impregnable fortress of a city: It was conquered in 549 BC in a night surprise attack… and again in 218 BC. Apparently, all had been forgotten by the time John wrote these words down, because Jesus hints at another kind of surprise in store for them.

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

Preamble (3:1b)

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

The seven spirits (or sevenfold spirit) represents the wholeness or fullness of the Spirit: the Holy Spirit, The stars represent the messengers (angels) of God.

Historical Prologue (3:1c, 2b, 4a)

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead… or I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God… Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.

You will have noticed that the covenant elements of this letter aren’t as neatly distinguished from one another as they are in most of the other letters, but they are present nonetheless. The Sardis church has a good reputation, they seem to be in good shape by all outward appearances, but in reality, they are dead. This shouldn’t be overly challenging for us to understand, because it well describes the modern church in an awful lot of places. They have wonderful services, they maintain grand old traditions and say all the right things, but the love, the light and the life are simply not there. Yet even in the midst of such a congregation, there are a few who have not become stagnant, who have not become overconfident and who are spiritually alive.

Stipulation (6:2a, 3a)

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die… Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.

Curse (3:3b)

But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

This is a common theme in the New Testament; look at Matt. 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10 and Revelation 16:15. All of these liken Christ’s return to the surprise of a thief in the night, who pops in when you least expect it. He could come at any time without warning which puts to bed any thought that there will be a bunch of signs to announce the imminence of His return as so many modern commentators would suggest. The message therefore is “Wake up and get ready.”

Blessing (3:4b-5)

They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

White is the color of purity or holiness, so those clothed in white will be pure in God’s sight at the time of His coming, as opposed to those in dirty clothes that bear the stains of sin. These are the ones who were ready, who remained awake in their faith and in their spirit; they were not over confident, and they reap the reward of eternal life.

Witnesses (3:6)

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Letter to Philadelphia

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

Preamble (3:7b)

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

The “key” is the symbol of authority, the ability to open and shut, to go where others cannot go, and to do what others cannot do. In 1:18 Jesus had the keys to death and Hades; He can open the grave, to open the door of death and release people from its grip. John calls the key the “key of David”, a phrase taken from Is. 22:22, because it is held by the Messiah, the “son of David”.  Jesus of course is the ultimate King of Israel and carries with Him the ultimate kingly authority.

Historical Prologue (3:8-9)

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

The church in Philadelphia may not have been big, rich and powerful in the earthly sense, but even when tested they have remained faithful to the Lord; in this they are an example for us to follow. They have been opposed by the Jews in their city, those who refuse to follow God’s Son, their Messiah, and God will deal with the situation in due course.

Blessing (3:9-10)

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

For the sake of clarity, I have included verse 9 again here as it is both historical context and blessing. Verse 10 is taken in various ways by various commentators based upon their view of the entire book of Revelation, and as always, you are free to choose which view you prefer. I will offer my thoughts after verse 12.

Stipulation (3:11)

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Jesus’ stipulation for Philadelphia is just as relevant for us today as it was in the late first century: Hold on to what you have in Christ so that no one can take your (victor’s) crown.

Blessing (3:12)

The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

This letter is unique; it has no criticism of the church, it has no curse, and it has two blessings. Many commentators over the years have attributed this to the notion that Philadelphia is “the city of brotherly love”. Maybe so, but the text doesn’t say it. In fact the whole brotherly love connection has to do with the relationship of the pagan king who established the city and his brother almost 200 years before this. As I see it, the reason for the success of this church is simply that they were faithful to Christ. Looking at the blessings, I would offer these thoughts:

First, the church at Philadelphia will triumph over its accusers, the Jews of the city who oppose them. This may take place as their oppressors come to accept Christ in the future, and it may come when the Great Day arrives and they see the enormity of their error. In either case, the church in Philadelphia will hold to the truth, come what may. Second, it will be kept safe through the hour of trial. Third, they will become pillars in God’s temple. In this, they will be forever in

God’s presence, since the Temple represents God’s dwelling place. Remember, David desired to build God’s earthly Temple in Jerusalem, but he was prevented from doing so by his sin. The overcomers in Philadelphia will be a part of God’s heavenly Temple. Finally, Christ will write upon the conquerors the name of God and the name of the new city of God, the New Jerusalem; they will receive the gift of eternal life in the household of God.

Witnesses (3:13)

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Letter to Laodicea

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

Laodicea was a proud and wealthy city situated near a famous hot spring; it was known as a place of cures. It would appear that even the people in the church were proud and wealthy, quite a contrast to the others we have seen. The truth, however, was different, for Laodicea had serious problems. As we go through the letter, you will notice that Jesus has no commendation for Laodicea, as He found nothing deserving a compliment. Many readers might suggest that Laodicea best represents the church of modern times and those who prefer a dispensational approach will say that ours is definitely the period of Laodicea. Before we are too quick to sign on to this view, I must point out that dispensationalists have been misidentifying their historical period as “Laodicea” for over a thousand years now as the time frames are re-adjusted every hundred years or so. It is much more likely that the seven letters and the seven churches are representative of the church as a whole through all of the ages, and that you can find similarities and differences in local congregations with all of the letters, in all times.

Preamble (3:14b)

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation

The “Amen” is an unusual title for Jesus, but it makes sense when we consider the meaning of the word: It means “truly” or “so be it”. Consider 2 Cor. 1:20 where Paul adds the “yes” or the “amen” to the promise of God, which makes it true.

Historical Prologue (3:15, 17)

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!… You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

If you lived in a city in which the economy was built around a curative hot spring, this “lukewarm” reference might well gain your attention. If the water wasn’t hot, it will lose its curative feature. If it isn’t cold, it isn’t even refreshing to drink; it’s just water… blah… and you lose everything. Because of their wealth, they thought all was well; they had life under control: How often we fall into this trap! Their spiritual condition, however, was pathetic.

Curse (3:16)

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth

It looks to me that Jesus had had just about enough of their arrogance.

Stipulation (3:18-20a)

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

Laodicea, in addition to its famous hot spring, was well known for the dark wool garments produced there and the eye salve produced in its medical school. Here, Jesus uses the images along with gold refined by fire, which is a symbol of the regal authority of God, in the stipulation. They were to exchange their earthly wealth for the far greater wealth that God could provide. They were to find white clothes, symbolizing purity and in essence, to clothe themselves with Christ, instead of relying upon earthly position, wealth and finery. They were to open their eyes and see their true peril. Jesus stands at the door and bids them to let Him into their lives; into their congregation, where it would seem He hadn’t been particularly welcome in quite some time.

To put this in a simple way, they must repent of their old ways, and let Jesus in. Also, notice that Jesus has given them this stipulation as an act of love. He has no wish that any harm should befall this errant church; rather He wants them to repent while there is still time for them.

Blessing (3:20b-21)

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Christ offers this church an open invitation for relationship, a covenant relationship. This is what is symbolized here in the eating together. It is hard not to think of the Messianic Banquet in this context also, for ultimately the ones who repent and overcome will enter into that great feast.

Witnesses (3:22)

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches

At this point, the first of Revelation’s seven visions concludes; the second begins in 4:1.