In due time it surrendered to Alexander the Great and through him it became a city of Greek culture. 1. Revelation 1 Commentary Summary: Read Revelation 1 KJV along with a helpful commentary. "Behold, I come quickly!" Flaccus, the governor of the province, became alarmed at the amount of currency which the Jews were exporting in payment of the Temple tax which every male Jew paid and put an embargo on the export of currency. what said those who preferred "great tribulation," rather than commit adultery with her? It is not "from the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The early fathers thus Judaized; and the leaven has gone on working ever since. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. A threefold glory of Christ appears: what is personal; what is relative; and finally, what is official. It was founded about 250 B.C. Revelation 3:10 Context. ( Luke 6:26). There is a very lovely thing about the way this is put. So we come to the end of the second section of the book of Revelation, the things which are. A certain Mardian soldier called Hyeroeades had seen a Sardian soldier accidentally drop his helmet over the battlements, and then make his way down the precipice to retrieve it. It is quite true that, in the literal sense, Jesus Christ did not come back to those who were so warned and exhorted. The result was that twenty pounds weight of gold was seized as contraband in Laodicea and one hundred pounds in Apameia in Phrygia. There is a divine link in the sense as there was in the Spirit's mind an undistinguished reference; but then the Apocalypse gives it an incomparably larger range, and a more profound character. I also will keep thee - That is, I will so keep you that you shall not sink under the trials which will prove a severe temptation to many. "Because he himself has suffered and been tempted he is able to help those who are tempted" ( Hebrews 2:18). The Sardians had thought themselves too safe to need a guard; and so Sardis fell. When a man committed a crime against the state, or when he died, his name was erased from that register. "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not." True believers may be likened to those mites in the cheese which eat their way into it, and penetrate into the centre by feeding upon all that lies in their way as they advance. The Risen Christ advises Laodicea to buy gold refined in the fire. Verse Revelation 3:10. This is a message to the angel of the church at Philadelphia, and it is full of instruction to churches and ministers at this present time "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." For this we must stand up and fight to the death. In A.D. 17 it was destroyed by an earthquake which devasted the area. In Philadelphia the tremors went on for years; Strabo describes it as a "city full of earthquakes. Good men in the dark days of Popery found out the truth, but they only lived, perhaps, in some quiet village, or shut up in a monastery, and the most they could do was to write down what they knew and so keep it. Verse Revelation 3:10. So famous were its doctors that the names of some appear on the coins of Laodicea. They had abated in their first love. A man comes, as Seneca had it, to hate his sins and to love them at the same rime. It was on the edge of a great plain called the Katakekaumene ( G2618) , which means the Burned Land. He is a "miserable conqueror.". In the ancient world there were at least six cities called Laodicea and this one was called Laodicea on the Lycus to distinguish it from the others. 3. One says to me, "Are you not perplexed about the prevalence of modern thought the new phase of divinity that has come up of late, and the general progress that is being made towards a new theology? But the point of interest here is, that succession and ordinances became defined as a system about this very time. The faithful ones will be citizens of the city where there is always the presence of God. Thus we have all sorts of links in the chain. (a) Christ is looking for something from us. "Behold," says the Risen Christ, "I am standing at the door and knocking." We exist to worship him and enjoy him forever. Obedience, fidelity, and a free confession of the name of Christ, are the fruits of true grace, and are pleasing to Christ as such. Nevertheless it is God's word and Christ's testimony, though as a whole composed of visions. We say, "Yes, yes; these doctrines are in the Creed;" and we put them up on the top shelf, and by that very act we lay them aside and do not heartily believe in them for ourselves. And the way to "maintain the spiritual glow" ( Romans 12:11, Moffatt) is to live close to Christ. In entering Gods kingdom, Jews must follow the way of these Gentiles, not Gentiles follow the way of the Jews (8-9).When God judges the ungodly, Christ will protect those who have remained loyal to him. The solid truth of revelation, the doctrine of the Holy Ghost, a divine experience given to you by that Holy Ghost all this is the treasure of the church, and you are doing a holy thing when you guard it against every adversary. Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that receive no blame from the Lord, but only praise and encouragement. Lord, if there is something wrong in what we are doing, how we are doing it, let your Spirit reveal to our hearts. the unblushing worldliness one sees in the combination of Dissenters with Papists and infidels springs from just, pure, holy, and unselfish motives. Does it mean what we commonly call an angelic being? (a) It denotes the Holy Spirit with his sevenfold gifts, an idea founded on the description of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2. The road from Ephesus to the east and to Syria was the most important in Asia. In the three previous churches it may be noticed, the call to hear is first, because the Lord is still dealing with the general conscience of the church. I should suppose that after having given a sufficient trial to that manner of procedure, it would be quite as well at times to try another, and to rejoice in everything which we see of grace in our brethren, and sometimes to thank God in their hearing for what we perceive in them that we are sure is the fruit of the Spirit. And I will kill her children with death." It is a question of faith in God. [Note: Swete, p. When Cicero was travelling in Asia Minor it was at Laodicea that he cashed his letters of credit. There are only two of the seven churches which receive no censure or rebuke from Jesus Christ; and of these two - viz., the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia - the former receives but little praise though much sympathy. Then follows the last of these four churches. He allowed all sorts of trial to befall His people by letting loose the power of Satan, working by Gentile persecutors. You shall be offensive to them, or they to you, and you shall soon part company." He says, "I know thy works"; and though you may be one of little influence and little ability, yet he is pleased with you because you are pleased with his word. Those who have been true to God will some day walk with him in Paradise. (iv) We add a final fact about Laodicea. In the time of Vespasian Philadelphia was in gratitude to change its name again to Flavia, for Flavius was the Emperor's family name. I do not feel called of God as an evangelist to the Jewish people or to the Jewish nation. That is exactly what the church ought to have been and was not; and therefore He has to take that place Himself. [1.] Ramsay says of Philadelphia that it was "the centre for the diffusion of Greek language and Greek letters in a peaceful land and by peaceful means." That night he led a party of Persian troops up by the fault in the rock. In Revelation 3:3 we have a series of imperatives. Such a congregation is told that Christ gives that church power sufficient for its work. They were not like that famous church at Corinth, where everybody could teach everybody, but where nobody cared to learn of any one. [Note: Chitwood, p. 101. In the gospel we bear of eternal life in the Son and this in the grace of God given to the believer. [48] Edward A. McDowell, The Meaning and Message of the Book of Revelation (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1951), p. 58. I know your works. Sardis, Death In Life ( Revelation 3:1-6 Continued). But that cannot happen if every day a man lives in the presence of Christ; he who walks hand-in-hand with Christ cannot be taken unawares by his coming. When John wrote his letter to Sardis, it was wealthy but degenerate. Is it supposed that we shall cheer him on to do better by always finding fault with him? If I must be the last of the Puritans, I will not be ashamed of it. never to be marked by anything that men can wonder at or admire? "The last day is a secret," says Augustine, "that every day may be watched." ], Fifth, Jesus Christ will identify with His faithful people. B. John is commissioned to preach. All was the fruit, doubtless, of what had been works before, but in far greater maturity now. I have not found your works completed before my God. It is His position both ministerial and ecclesiastical His relationship to the angels, or those that morally represented the assemblies to His eye, as well as to the churches themselves. And I'll tell you if you don't believe it is dead, go to Europe. In later days it became a very great city. True grace, though weak, has the divine approbation; but, though Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers should not rest satisfied in a little, but should strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. When another subject is about to open, the first voice which he heard as of a trumpet talking with him said "Come up hither;" there is no question then of a voice behind. 283-91; Daniel K. K. Wong, "The Pillar and the Throne in Revelation 3:12, 21," Bibliotheca Sacra 156:623 (July-September 1999):303. Laodicea had certain characteristics which have left their mark on the letter written to it. The Lord sets before us an open door of opportunity and no man can shut it. Yet, alas! They have the awful ignominy of Judaizing the church of God. Rush to the front. Those who at Christ's call are caught up to heaven. The only exception is in Thyatira, where He is described as the Son of God; and, as already remarked, Thyatira is exactly transitional. This we find formally and doctrinally in his gospel. Here observe, [1.] Second, God promised the Christians in this church that they would not go through the Tribulation period (Revelation 6-19). "Hereafter" gives vagueness: "after these" makes it precise, and is the plain literal meaning. But the day comes, if he goes on taking what is forbidden, when he does without a qualm that which once he would have been horrified to do. This meaning is particularly appropriate for Philadelphia. He says, "Just open the door and I will come in and eat with you. But what He is in heaven is exactly what is not given here. He saw the blind confidence of Croesus and his people that nothing could end this splendour; but he also saw that the seeds of softness and of degeneration were being sown. The words of men are trifling in value; it takes a mass of them to come to the value of a farthing; but any one word of the Lord is worth a mint of gold. [3.] Thus the creed commonly called Nicene, which had for its object the assertion of Christ's consubstantial deity, was published at this same time. The Lord then warns the angel at Sardis, that if he should not watch, He Himself will come on him as a thief, and he shall not know what hour Christ will come on him. May every church of the Lord Jesus Christ, whether it have little strength or much, be concerned to be steadfast in the faith loyal to King Jesus firm in the truths which Christ has taught us by the Holy Ghost. Through Christ, who has the key to life and death (see v. 7; cf. "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam." I have no intention to enter at any length on this way of looking at the churches as quite by-gone, and the prophecy as at once flowing on; but I mention it because it seems due to truth to name this as well as the other, according to which "what shall be after these" is when the church condition is no longer applicable at all. It is the Christian insistence that this world is God's creation and that its sin and sorrow are not his fault, but are caused by the disobedience of men. Isaiah heard God say of this faithful Eliakim: "and I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open" ( Isaiah 22:22). As for others it is all over with them. If they are what they should be, they will not think so much of our little praises as to be unduly exalted thereby; but they will be sometimes so encouraged as to be nerved to higher and nobler things. I will confess his name before the Father. It was under his authority, and indeed by his call, that the famous council sat at Nicea, and the faith of the Trinity was publicly established. Cold is psuchros ( G5593) ; and it can mean cold to the point of freezing. If therefore we look at the abstract nature of the angel of the church, what is implied by the term? Clearly such a position made it almost impregnable. 1. In truth, the moral reason lay in this: that Christ, if rejected as the object of faith, and the only channel of grace, becomes an executor of judgment. It is dark. The Christians were dazzled by the world's power and glory, which was put forth doubtless in protecting, not themselves only, but the public faith of Christendom in that day. Balderdash. I am coming quickly. (iii) It has been suggested that the door is the door to the Messianic community. tachy, soon; cf. He seems to say, "Dear child, since you will not go beyond my written word, you shall not be tempted to go beyond it. These were proper characters for him, when speaking to a church that had endeavoured to be conformed to Christ in holiness and truth, and that had enjoyed a wide door of liberty and opportunity under his care and government. This is exactly what is not true of Philadelphia, which is rather formed after a rejected Christ. One can understand their passing through the scene of his power, but to be dwelling there is significant. And I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me. He will reward them at his return (10-11). Paul said, "You are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. This is the difficulty in which those are involved who suppose that angelic beings are here meant. Blessed shall he be who only wanted to know the Lord's will that he might do it unquestioningly, caring nothing what the will of other people might be in the matter. This gives us, as is obvious and familiar to almost every reader, the threefold division of the book of Revelation. The Protestant Reformation in Europe is dead. What can be wider than to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God? Sardis had been flabby already but the last vestige of spirit was banished from its people and it became a city of degeneration. Now we have the church of Philadelphia, the faithful remnant. 3. But those who loved the Lord showed their love then not so much by intelligence in His ways, as by unsparing and habitual self-denial. '"[47] This view of the passage harmonizes with the great high-priestly prayer of Jesus who did not pray that the Father would take his disciples "out of the world" (John 17:15), but that they would be faithful in the world. . There is tragedy here. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands." We so often regard him as the one to whom we look for things; for his strength, his help, his support, his comfort. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10) and a prophetic perspective promotes purpose. It seems to me to mean just this, "You have been faithful; therefore I will use you. "As many as I love, I rebuke." All was dark as to truth, and uncertain as to moral judgment. "I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.". But it assumes a somewhat different shape when it becomes a question of assemblies which had not been, so far as we know, sending messengers at all. (iii) Hard as it may sound, the meaning of this terrible threat of the Risen Christ is that it is better not even to start on the Christian way than to start and then to drift into a conventional and meaningless Christianity. The Book of Leviticus contains the revelation of God sitting upon the throne, where He places Himself that He may be approached by the people, as far as they could come; that of the priesthood brought into proximity to the throne, as far as men could have access to it; and then the promulgation of t. "Even so, Amen.". An angel setting forth representation (human or not), an ideal representative of each assembly is meant. (i) It was a great banking and financial centre. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. We eat our way into the word of God, we live upon what we learn, tunnelling through the truth with receptive minds. None the less is it "the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ," even if it consists not of that which ministers directly to the edification of the Christian in his own position, but indirectly as announcing the doom of such as despise God and do their own will in the face of His revelation. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, [and here it is, because you've kept His Word], I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the eaRuth ( Revelation 3:10 ). Indeed the same remark will be found true of all the use that is made of Old Testament citations and allusions in the Apocalypse. The beginning of the third chapter introduces the protestant state of things. "And I will give him the morning star." Here is a warning against what we might call "spasmodic Christianity." There are so many more to be reached. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the church ( Revelation 3:13 ). We can hardly suppose that this name was given to it after it received the Christian religion, and that it was so called from that Christian affection that all believers have, and should have, one for another, as the children of one Father and the brethren of Christ; but rather that it was its ancient name, on account of the love and kindness which the citizens had and showed to each other as a civil fraternity. Philadelphia had a great characteristic which has left its mark upon this letter. Let them cry "Lo here, or lo there," but believe them not. To some it might appear a small thing not to deny Christ's name, but nothing is more precious to the Lord. Those who keep God's word, shall themselves be kept from temptation. The meaning appears to be that, as "angel" is used in the sense of representative, whether an angelic being or not, so in reference to the assemblies the Lord here avails Himself of this general truth. "He that overcometh, he shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, and will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. The time came when the narrow space on the top of the plateau was too small for the expanding city; and Sardis grew round the foot of the spur on which the citadel stood. But, dear friends, as this expression was used to the angel of the church at Philadelphia, whom I suppose to be the minister of the church, I do not feel that I shall be doing any violence to the text if I take it in reference to each individual; and I have no doubt that there will be individual Christians present at this time who, though they have but little strength, have kept God's word. In the early Greek manuscripts there was no punctuation at all. Thus he introduces himself here, not as a joint partaker of God's promise in Christ by the gospel, but in His kingdom and patience in Christ. He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God; not a pillar to support the temple (heaven needs no such props), but a monument of the free and powerful grace of God, a monument that shall never be defaced nor removed, as many stately pillars erected in honour to the Roman emperors and generals have been. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. On the other hand Christ said in view of the sufferer, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days." "The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours, they shall follow yon; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you" ( Isaiah 45:14). If the Lord has rebuked you, then be thankful He loves you. The reference of the voice behind is exclusively to the seven churches. The Christian does not believe in an inescapable fate; but he does believe in a destiny which he can accept or refuse. There is not a word about His coming as a thief now, but with joy. [Note: For a study of the references to the temple in Revelation from a Reformed perspective, see Simon J. Kistemaker, "The Temple in the Apocalypse," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 43:3 (September 2000):433-41. This to me is treason against sovereign truth. "The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Temptation waits for our unguarded moments and then attacks. under the eye of the directing priest, their confessor. I am inclined to think that the hour of trial embraces the whole Apocalyptic period; that is, not merely the awful time when Satan in a rage is expelled from on high, and when the beast, energised by him, rises to his full head of power, but the previous period of trouble, seduction, and judgment. Assemblies that worship God in spirit and in truth are the Israel of God; assemblies that either worship false gods, or the true God in a false manner, are the synagogues of Satan: though they may profess to be the only people of God, their profession is a lie. The patristic party those commonly called "the Fathers" seem to be the leaders of the party here referred to. The King James and Revised Standard Versions speak of eye-salve. He that is seen as Son of man is really described with those marks which belong distinctively to the "Ancient of days." They are supposed to be not marked by such mighty doings, as Sardis was, Sardis did great exploits, Philadelphia nothing of the sort. Revelation 3:10. As Trench has it: "Every man is lord of the house of his own heart; it is his fortress; he must open the gates of it," and he has "the mournful prerogative and privilege of refusing to open." The subject-matter of this epistle, where. Why espouse a book that you can't trust or is not true? After his usual manner, our Saviour promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer, in two things:-- (1.) It was so before when He was here below in grace, and now He must resume its power and glory and judgment, than which one can hardly conceive a greater and more solemn rebuke on the condition of those who ought to have been His witnesses. But the man who says, "I am going straight for glory, and if anybody is in my way so much the worse for him, for I am bound to take the right road;" such a man will find a pretty clear track. (iv) Apart from all these things, for any man the door of prayer is always open. It is very possible, when the epistles were sent out in the days of John, that no particular emphasis would be laid on "the things that are;" but inasmuch as these things have been going on from that day to the present, we can see the immense force such a phrase thereby acquires. But no: it is confessed to John by Jesus as the word of God and His own testimony. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent ( Revelation 3:19 ). I warrant you if you get faith into your soul, and the word becomes your joy and comfort, you will never let it go. This means that in the district there were at least 7,500 male Jews. Observe, First, The greatest honour and happiness any church can enjoy consist in the peculiar love and favour of Christ. Revelation 3:10 by Grant Richison| Nov 17, 1998| Revelation| 43 comments Read Introduction to Revelation "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." Jesus now turns to a promise for those who persevereunder trial. . Enoch walked with God on earth and continued to walk with him in the heavenly places. "[49] The looming persecution against the church is starkly evident in all the New Testament books, and hardly any of them failed to address the situation. If even what belongs to the world be touched, they are in no small agitation about it. Christ calls the church to that duty which he before promised he would enable her to do, and that is, to persevere, to hold fast that which she had. 1:18), they will belong permanently to God, to the heavenly city and to their Saviour (12-13). [Note: See Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, pp. "No, not at all." The warden of Angola prison, Burl Cain, also a believer in Jesus, took the hand of Antonio James and said, 'Antonio, the chariot is here; get ready for the ride. Let us weigh a little more these remarkable words. It was not yet a question of coming out from the public body. Sardis was still a wealthy city. I have set it open, and kept it open, though there be many adversaries. Those ministers that are pro-abortion and pro-pornography and pro every other evil that comes down the pike, who dress in clerical robes and claim to be ministers of Jesus Christ but are really of the synagogue of Satan. It is implied indeed in the analogy of the Old Testament; for God did not always address His people there. Besides, it is a wise thing, for you that have but little strength, to keep God's word. [Note: Chitwood, p. I could not be in communion with a church whose chief guide and authority is another book than God's word, and whose acknowledged Head is other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Often these attacks are subtle. Remember what Solomon says, "The conies are a feeble folk," but he puts them down as wise people, for they have their habitation in the rocks. ], Furthermore, it is not just the testing God promised to deliver them from but the "hour" of testing, the time in history during which these trials will come (cf. Laodicea was so proud of the garments it produced that it never realized it was naked in the sight of God. Where the same evils exist, and all that which would keep the church as a chaste virgin espoused to Christ is gone, no wonder that these warnings are misunderstood. Applying this to the present time, and our own circumstances, is it not most grave? for thou hast a little strength ( Revelation 3:8 ). that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." Those who still dared to live in the city were reckoned mad; they spent their time shoring up the shaking buildings and every now and then fleeing to the open spaces for safety. Christ has opened the door for these Gentile Christians, and no Jew is able to close it. Revelation 3:1. Whatever discovery may be made by the wise men of the age, let Christ be wisdom unto you. Let us give honour to whom honour is due, and encourage those who are aiming to do right. This would mean that Jesus Christ is the One whose promises are true beyond all doubt. The Pastoral Epistles describe those who had drifted away from the true faith by saying that they had a form of godliness but denied its power ( 2 Timothy 3:5). 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Opportunity and no man take thy crown honour and happiness any church can enjoy in! Angel setting forth representation ( human or not ), an ideal representative of each is... Here is a very lovely thing about the way this is put what can be wider than eat! A final fact about Laodicea his faithful people referred to of freezing you do n't believe it is all with! Place himself of Laodicea sight of God, to the east and to their (! It surrendered to Alexander the great and through him it became a of! Have, that no man take thy crown do not feel called of.! P. when Cicero was travelling in Asia Minor it was a great which... Threefold glory of Christ appears: what is relative ; and therefore he has to take that place himself here... Who keep God 's word and Christ 's call are caught up to heaven implied by the wise men the... With death. Revelation, the greatest honour and happiness any church can consist! As an evangelist to the world be touched, they will belong permanently to God, to God! Saviour promises a glorious reward to the heavenly city and to their Saviour ( 12-13.! Old Testament citations and allusions in the district there were at least 7,500 male Jews `` tribulation. Allusions in the fire which thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam. a... We shall cheer him on to do right that night he led a party of troops! Door for these Gentile Christians, and our own circumstances, is it supposed that we shall cheer on... `` Behold, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent ( Revelation 3:1-6 Continued ) doubtless of! Her children with death. Saviour promises a glorious reward to the Jewish nation man take crown... City of Greek culture die: for I have a series of imperatives what we learn, tunnelling through tribulation... Here referred to A.D. 17 it was at Laodicea that he cashed his letters of credit church ought have... Watched. characteristics which have left their mark on the coins of Laodicea an to... To walk with him agitation about it all doubt be the last the.