"THE BOOK OF REVELATION"
Chapter Three
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To examine the last three of seven letters to the churches in Asia
2) To glean what we can about the condition of each church: their
strengths and weaknesses, the warnings and promises given
SUMMARY
The Lord continues His letters to the churches in Asia, with this
chapter containing those written to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
The church in Sardis is rebuked for having a name that they are alive,
when in reality they are dead. With their works not perfected before
God, they are exhorted to be watchful and to strengthen the things
which remain. They are also told to remember how they had received and
heard in the past, to hold fast and repent. Otherwise, the Lord will
come upon them as a thief in the night. Notice is taken, however, of a
few in Sardis who had not defiled their garments and are still worthy,
who are promised to walk with the Lord in white (1-6).
The church in Philadelphia is promised an open door that none can shut
because they had kept the Lord's word and not denied His name. Their
enemies, those who claim to be Jews but are not, will be made to
worship before them, and the church will be kept from the trial that
was about to test those on the earth. With an announcement of His
quick coming, they are exhorted to hold fast what they have that none
take their crown (7-13).
The church of the Laodiceans is then described as lukewarm, for which
the Lord threatens to spew them out of His mouth. While claiming to be
rich, they are blind to their true condition. Therefore the Lord
counsels them to buy from Him those things they truly need. His strong
words are indicative of His love for them, and the fact that He stands
ready to re-enter their hearts if they will open to Him (14-22).
As before, each letter ends with wonderful promises to those who
overcome. In most cases, the manner in which the promises are to be
fulfilled is illustrated in the visions to come.
OUTLINE
I. LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS (1-6)
A. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (1a)
1. "He who has the seven Spirits of God" - cf. Isa 11:1-2;
Zech 4:1-10; Re 1:4; 4:5
2. "...and the seven stars"
B. CONDEMNATION AND WARNING (1b-3)
1. Condemnation
a. They have a name that they are alive, but they are dead
b. Their works have not been found perfect before God
2. Warning
a. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain and are
ready to die
b. Remember how they had received and heard
c. Hold fast and repent
d. If they don't watch, the Lord will come upon them as a
thief
C. COMMENDATION (4)
1. There are a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their
garments
2. They shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy
D. PROMISE AND EXHORTATION (5-6)
1. He who overcomes...
a. Shall be clothed in white garments
b. The Lord will not blot his name from the Book of Life
c. The Lord will confess his name before My Father and His
angels
2. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches
II. LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA (7-13)
A. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (7)
1. "He who is holy, He who is True"
2. "He who has key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and
shuts and no one opens" - cf. Isa 22:22
B. COMMENDATION (8)
1. The Lord has set an open door before them and none can shut it
2. For they have a little strength, have kept His word, and not
denied His name
C. PROMISE AND EXHORTATION (9b-11)
1. Concerning the "synagogue of Satan" (who claim to be Jews, but
are not)...
a. He will make them come and worship before their feet
b. He will make them know that He has loved those in
Philadelphia
2. Because the church has kept His command to persevere...
a. He will keep them from the hour of trial
b. Which is coming to test those who dwell on the earth
3. Behold, He is coming quickly!
a. Hold fast what they have
b. That no one may take their crown
4. He who overcomes, the Lord will...
a. Make him a pillar in the temple of His God, and he shall go
out no more
b. Write on him:
1) The name of His God
2) The name of the city of His God, the New Jerusalem which
comes down out of heaven from His God
3) His new name
5. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches
III. LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA (14-22)
A. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (14)
1. "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness"
2. "The Beginning of the creation of God"
B. CONDEMNATION AND WARNING (15-20)
1. Condemnation
a. They are neither cold or hot
1) He wished they were cold or hot
2) But because they are lukewarm, He will spew them out of
His mouth
b. They are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked
1) Though they say they are rich, wealthy, and in need of
nothing
2) Therefore He counsels them...
a) To buy from Him:
1/ Gold refined in the fire, that they may be rich
2/ White garments, that their nakedness be not
revealed
b) To anoint their eyes with eye salve, that they might
see
2. Warning
a. As many as He loves, He rebukes and chastens; therefore be
zealous and repent
b. He stands at the door and knocks; if any will hear Him and
open the door, He will come in and dine with him
C. PROMISE AND EXHORTATION (21-22)
1. To him who overcomes...
a. The Lord will grant to sit with Him on His throne
b. Just as He overcame and sat down with His Father on His
throne
2. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
2) For what does the Lord condemn the church in Sardis? (1-2)
3) What does the Lord exhort those at Sardis to do? (2-3)
4) What warning is given to them? (3)
5) What did the Lord find commendable at Sardis? What did the Lord
promise them? (4)
6) What did the Lord promise to those who overcome? (5)
7) What had the Lord done for those in Philadelphia? Why? (8)
8) What was the Lord going to do to those who claimed to be Jews but
were actually the synagogue of Satan? (9)
9) What did the Lord say He would do for those in Philadelphia? Why?
(10)
10) What warning and exhortation does He then give? (11)
11) What promise does the Lord give to him who overcomes? (12)
12) For what does the Lord condemn those at Laodicea? (15-16)
13) What does the Lord say He would do because of their lukewarmness?
(16)
14) What had they claimed? What was their true condition? (17)
15) What does the Lord counsel them to do? (18)
16) What justification does the Lord give for such a strong rebuke?
(19)
17) What does He say to such Christians? (19,20)
18) What will be granted to him who overcomes? (21)
19) What exhortation is given at the end of each letter in this
chapter? (6,13,22)
