Rev 3

Equated with the Lamb's seven eyes which represent spirits sent into the whole earth (5:6) implying Christ's omniscience or spirit-fullness (7 signifying completeness). NLT: seven-fold Spirit of God

“the seven spirits of God”

The former highlighting that in spite of their reputation God knows their true state. The latter is in contrast to the church's spiritual lifelessness.

Omniscience

Elsewhere equated with the Lamb's seven eyes which represent spirits sent into the whole earth ().

This highlights that in spite of their reputation, God knows their true condition.

Spirit-fullness

Seven signifies completeness. That the risen Lord is full of the Holy Spirit is in contrast to the spiritual lifelessness of the church.

“the seven stars”

If He holds the angels of the seven churches in His hand (), then these churches are fully known by Him and under His authority.

Historical Background

Once the capital of the prosperous kingdom of Lydia. Their King Croesus was extraordinarily rich.

The city was hilltop fortress that was reputedly impregnable yet captured twice because their guards failed to keep watch at night.

Known for its colour dye industry.

The Lord’s Assessment

Spiritually/inwardly dead (Rev 3:1)

Although reputedly alive and active. Just like how the city was living off its past glories.

It mirrored the situation of the city that was living off its past glory.

Not alert (

Overconfident the church was probably coasting.

Deeds unfinished (Rev 3:2)

Started well but didn't finish or lacking the inward spiritual life behind their reputed external works

Contains a faithful remnant (Rev 3:4)

The Lord’s Command

“wake up”/”be alert” (HCSB)

“strengthen what remains”

if not what is left will also die.

“remember what you have received and heard”, “hold it fast/keep it” and “repent”

Seems like the cause of their apathy is their abandonment of Christ’s Words. They are not told to discover new truths but to recover old truths.

The Lord’s Promise

Judgment on unrepentant

“come” does not refer to the Second Coming but judgment.

“I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come to you”. Mirrors their enemy sneak attacks that captured their city.

“come” does not refer to the Second Coming.

The faithful remnant and all who repent “victorious” will be rewarded

“dressed in white” with Jesus

eternal life

acknowledgment in God’s presence

Philadelphia ()

The Lord’s Introduction

“holy and true”

One with God (), He is both capable and trustworthy to keep His promise.

“holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open”.

Authority (see also 1:18) to determine who is in and who is out the Messiah’s Kingdom.

In response to Christians being excommunicated from synagogues (3:9). See also .

The Lord’s Assessment

(Like Smyrna, only positive comments)

Weak but persevering under persecution ()

“weak” Perhaps weak in terms of resources or influence. Or tested to their limit.

The nature of their persecution

Initially Christians were considered by outsiders as a denomination within Judaism. As Christ was more consciously rejected, and the church became increasingly Gentile, the distinctions became much clearer. The Jews insisted then that in contrast to these 'heretical' Christians, they were the true children of Abraham, God's covenant people. In reality they "are not" but are of Satan (, , ). This church may have received persecution directly from the synagogues or from Rome. By insisting that Christians were not Jews, the Emperor worship exemption granted to Jews no longer applied to them.

Kept Jesus’ Word

Unlike Sardis ().

The Lord’s Command

“Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown” ().

The NT tension between the 'already' and the 'not yet', and the difference between assurance and presumption.

The Lord’s Promise

Their Jewish opponents will be made to bow before them and acknowledge that they are the Lord’s beloved ().

Reversing what the Jews expected of the Gentiles. See also . MacArthur thinks it means these Jews will be converted.

Kept from the “hour of trial that is going to come on the whole word to test the inhabitants of the earth”.

Philadelphia church survived till 1392 long after the other churches were swallowed up by the Islamic invasion.

Because they have kept Jesus' Word they will be kept.

The '"trial" here may be referring to the Domitian persecution in the 90s. "Whole world" is used many times hyperbolically and/or to the known Mediterranean world i.e Roman Empire () and thus doesn't necessarily refer to the world-wide great tribulation at the end. Also that would make the promise to this church irrelevant since they were long dead/destroyed before the 'Great Tribulation' along with the rest of their contemporaries, who likewise were "kept" irregardless of their faithfulness.

Dispensationalists think this provides the basis of a principle for a pre-tribulation rapture. But "keep you through" parallels an expression in (the only other place where these two Greek verbs are used cf Blomberg. Revelation is full of parallels with the plagues in Egypt which Israel was kept from while still in Egypt. However Philadelphia is "kept" it is not through a secret rapture.

"keep you through" parallels an expression in (the only other place where these two Greek verbs are used cf Blomberg. Revelation is full of parallels with the plagues in Egypt which Israel was kept from while still in Egypt. However Philadelphia is "kept" it is not through a secret rapture.

Philadelphia church survived till 1392 long after the other churches were swallowed up by by the spread of Islam etc

The faithful/victorious are permanent citizens of God’s heavenly city

Elaborated/illustrated in various ways:

“made pillar in the temple of my God”

Even dispensationalists acknowledge this not a literal temple but rather "the new Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven" which itself signifies God's manifest presence () and therefore does not need a temple ().

“never again will they leave it”

The name of God and His city and Jesus’ new name (yet to be revealed cf ) will be written on them.

will be written on them.

Historical Background

The city that constantly experienced earthquakes forcing their inhabitants to constantly flee and stay outside.

Laodicea ()

“the Amen”, “faithful and true witness”

Both affirm the Lord’s truthfulness

“ruler of God’s creation”

His authority

The Lord’s Introduction

“the Amen”

The one who embodies and guarantees the execution of God's will ().

“faithful and true witness”

In contrast to the faithlessness of Laodicea.

“ruler of God’s creation”

His authority

Historical Background

The city was a centre of banking, ophthalmology (e.g eye ointments) and fashion

So rich that the city recovered from an earthquake in 61AD without the need of any imperial financial aid.

Its water supply was notorious. Nearby Heirapolis had hot water useful for medicine, nearby Colossae had cold water refreshing for drinking. Laodicea’s water was neither. By the time the hot water came through the pipes it was lukewarm and had a disgusting taste.

The Lord’s Assessment

(the only one with nothing positive)

Lukewarm

Not about spiritual temperature - makes no sense for the Lord to prefer the spiritually cold to the lukewarm.

The Lord was likening the church to the notorious water of their city i.e they were useless and making Him sick!

Proud

Like their city which did not need imperial financial aid, this church was proudly independent.

Spiritually poor, blind, naked

The Lord’s Command

“buy” from the Lord:

pure “refined in the fire” gold, white clothes, eye medicine

Those who think themselves rich should see the inferiority/futility of their own wealth and exchange them "buy" for what the Lord offers. Grace is free (21:6) yet more valuable than anything ().

“be earnest and repent”

“

The Lord’s Promise

Fellowship with those who welcome Him

During times of peace and prosperity most cities would invitingly leave their gates open, except for Laodicea.

“I stand at the door and knock” implies He is outside this church but wants to be in.

Though "ruler of creation" the Lord does not force His way in.

The faithful will reign with Christ

Those who follow Him in this life follow Him in the age to come.

Summary

From Pentecost to Patmos: An Introduction to Acts through Revelation Chapter 15

The churches are affirmed for untiring, unflagging, and vigilant work (Ephesus); for brave suffering (Smyrna); for courageous witness (Pergamum); for growing and developing discipleship (Thyatira); and for brave steadfastness (Philadelphia).” But “they are corrected for abandoning their first zestful love of Christ (Ephesus); being indifferent to heretical teaching (Pergamum); being tolerant of immorality (Thyatira); being apathetic (Sardis); letting luxurious riches substitute for life in the Spirit (Laodicea).”62

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